
Black plate (6,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
6-6 Lighting
#(Fog Lamps):Turn the fog lamp
band on the lever up to
#and
release it, to turn the fog lamps on
or off. The band will return to its
original position.
The parking lamps must be on for
the fog lamps to work.
If the high-beam headlamps are
turned on, the fog lamps will also
turn off. They will turn back on again
when you change back to low-beam
headlamps.
Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be on
along with the fog lamps.
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel
Illumination Control
The instrument panel brightness
knob is on the instrument panel next
to the steering column.
D(Instrument Panel
Brightness): Turn the knob
clockwise or counterclockwise to
brighten or dim the lights. Turn the
knob completely clockwise to turn
on the interior lamps.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are on the
overhead console. These lamps
come on automatically when any
door is opened.
For manual operation, press the
button next to each lamp to turn it
on or off.
If the reading lamps are left on, they
automatically shut off 10 minutes
after the ignition has been
turned off.

Black plate (7,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Lighting 6-7
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting
The headlamps, taillamps, license
plate lamps, back‐up lamps, dome
lamps, and most of the interior lights
turn on briefly when the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE)
Kis pressed,
or when the door handle is pulled on
a keyless access vehicle. See
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access)
on page 9‑15 orIgnition Positions
(Key Access) on page 9‑17. After
about 30 seconds the exterior lamps
turn off, then the dome and
remaining interior lights dim to off.
Entry lighting can be disabled
manually by changing the ignition
out of the OFF position, or by
pressing the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE)
Qbutton.
This feature can be changed. See
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑45.
Exit Lighting
The headlamps, taillamps, parking
lamps, back-up lamps, and license
plate lamps come on at night, or in
areas with limited lighting, when the
key is removed from the ignition.
The dome lamps also come on
when the key is removed from the
ignition. The exterior lights and
dome lamps remain on after the
door is closed for a set amount of
time, then automatically turn off.
For vehicles with keyless access,
the exterior lamps and dome lamps
automatically turn on when a door is
opened after the ignition is turned
off. See Ignition Positions (Keyless
Access) on page 9‑15 orIgnition
Positions (Key Access) on
page 9‑17.
The exterior lamps turn off
immediately by turning the exterior
lamps control off.
This feature can be changed. See
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑45.
Parade Dimming
This feature does not let the
instrument panel display screens
dim during daylight hours while the
ignition is in the ACC/ACCESSORY
or ON/RUN position and the parking
lamps or headlamps are on. Parade
dimming automatically works with
the light sensor on top of the
dashboard. If it is dark enough
outside and the parking lamps or
headlamps are on, the instrument
panel display screens can be
adjusted by turning the instrument
panel brightness knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to brighten or dim
the lighting. See Instrument Panel
Illumination Control on page 6‑6.
The instrument panel control
backlighting can still be adjusted
while in parade mode.

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Climate Controls 8-3
operation. The blower may reduce
during an Onstar®session to limit
background noise.
If the airflow seems low when the
fan speed is at the highest setting,
the passenger compartment air filter
might need to be replaced. For more
information, see Passenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 8‑6.
H G(Air Delivery Mode Control):
Press the buttons to change the
direction of the airflow. The current
mode appears in the display screen.
Changing the mode cancels the
automatic air delivery. Press AUTO
to return to automatic operation.
The outboard air outlets always
receive some airflow in every mode,
except defrost.
To change the current mode, select
one of the following:
Y(Vent): Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
\(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel
outlets and the floor outlets. In automatic operation, cooler air is
directed to the upper outlets and
warmer air to the floor outlets.
[(Floor):
Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some air directed
to the windshield and outboard
outlets.
-(Defog): This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the windshield, floor, and
side window outlets. When this
mode is selected, the system turns
off recirculation and runs the
air-conditioning compressor unless
the outside temperature is at or
below freezing. If recirculation is
selected while in defog mode, it is
cancelled after 10 minutes.
0(Defrost): This mode clears the
windshield of fog or frost more
quickly. Air is directed to the
windshield, with some air directed to
the side windows. In this mode, the
system automatically turns off
recirculation and runs the air-conditioning compressor, unless
the outside temperature is at or
below freezing.
This mode can also cause the fan
speed and air temperature to
increase.
#(Air Conditioning):
Press to
turn the air conditioning system on
or off and override the automatic
system. When in AUTO, the air
conditioning compressor comes on
automatically, as needed.
The air conditioning system
removes moisture from the air, so
water might drip under the vehicle
while idling or after turning off the
engine. This is normal.
M(Recirculation): Press to turn
on recirculation. An indicator light
comes on. Air is recirculated inside
the vehicle. It helps to quickly cool
the air inside the vehicle or prevent
outside air and odors from entering.
Press the AUTO button to have the
system select the best air delivery
mode for the temperature setting.

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Climate Controls 8-5
Sensors
The solar sensor on the instrument
panel, near the windshield, monitors
the solar heat.
The interior temperature sensor, on
the instrument panel to the right of
the steering wheel, measures the
temperature of the air inside the
vehicle.The climate control system uses the
information from these sensors to
adjust the fan speed and the air
delivery, in order to maintain the
selected temperature. The system
may also supply cooler air to the
side of the vehicle facing the sun.
The recirculation mode will also be
activated, as necessary.
Do not cover the sensors or the
automatic climate control system will
not work properly.
Air Quality Sensor
For vehicles with an air quality
sensor, the climate control system
adjusts to limit some exhaust fumes
from being pulled inside your
vehicle.
Press the AUTO button on the
climate control to activate the air
quality sensor. The recirculation
indicator light comes on when poor
quality air is detected. The air
quality sensor will not maintain
recirculation for an extended period
to prevent the air inside the vehicle
from becoming too dry or stuffy.
Under certain conditions, the air
quality sensor will not activate, such
as during cold weather or with
extreme odors. Press
Mto
activate recirculation.
The air quality sensor system does
not protect against carbon monoxide
(CO), which you cannot see or
smell. See Engine Exhaust on
page 9‑24.

Black plate (6,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
8-6 Climate Controls
Air Vents
Use the air outlets in the center and
on the side of the instrument panel
to direct the airflow. Use the
thumbwheels near the air outlets to
open or close off the airflow.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow,
or leaves from air inlets at the
base of the windshield that could
block the flow of air into the
vehicle.
.Keep the path under the front
seats clear of objects to help
circulate the air inside of the
vehicle more effectively.
.Use of non-GM approved hood
deflectors can adversely affect
the performance of the system.
Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside
of the vehicle.
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter
The passenger compartment air
filter traps most of the dust and
pollen from the air entering the
vehicle. The filter will need to be
changed periodically. See
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3.
Using the climate control system
without the passenger air filter
installed could let water or other
debris enter the system. This could
cause a water leak or noises. Make
sure a new air filter is installed after
removing the old one.
The passenger compartment air
filter is under the hood below the
windshield wiper arm and the
screen on the passenger side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑5 for more
information on location.

Black plate (9,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Driving and Operating 9-9
{WARNING
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
.Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
.Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
.Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside the
vehicle and set the fan speed
to the highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems” in
the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑24.
Run the engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm, but
be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm
the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of
the way to save heat. Repeat this
until help arrives but only when you feel really uncomfortable from the
cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help
with the headlamps. Do this as little
as possible to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method. See
Traction
Control System (TCS) on
page 9‑35.

Black plate (30,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
9-30 Driving and Operating
Notice:If you skip more than one
gear when you downshift, or if
you race the engine when you
release the clutch pedal while
downshifting, you could damage
the engine, clutch, driveshaft or
the transmission. Do not skip
gears or race the engine when
downshifting.
If the vehicle speed drops below
32 km/h (20 mph), or if the engine is
not running smoothly, downshift to
the next lower gear. You may have
to downshift two or more gears to
keep the engine running smoothly
or for good performance. Up-Shift Light
Vehicles with a manual transmission
have an up-shift light on the
instrument panel. This light shows
when to shift to the next higher gear
for the best fuel economy.
When this light comes on, you can
shift to the next higher gear if
weather, road, and traffic conditions
allow. For the best fuel economy,
accelerate slowly and shift when the
light comes on.
While you accelerate, it is normal for
the light to go on and off if you
quickly change the position of the
accelerator. Ignore the light when
you downshift.CTS-V vehicles use tracer lights
around the outside of the
tachometer as a performance
up-shift light. These tracers flash to
indicate when to shift to the next
higher gear to avoid the engine
speed limit. See
Tachometer on
page 5‑13 for more information.Skip Shift (CTS-V)
Under light acceleration, the
transmission will only allow you to
shift from 1 (First) to 4 (Fourth).
Shifts from 1 (First) to 2 (Second) or
3 (Third) are not allowed. This helps
improve fuel mileage.
Under harder acceleration, Skip
Shift is disabled, and the driver has
all gears available.

Black plate (32,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
9-32 Driving and Operating
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You might hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Parking Brake (Manual)
The parking brake pedal is on the
lower portion of the instrument panel
to the left of the steering wheel.
To set the parking brake, hold the
brake pedal down, then push the
parking brake pedal down.
If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light on the
instrument cluster should come on.
If it does not, you need to have the
vehicle serviced. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 5‑22 for
more information.
To release the parking brake, pull
the release lever to the left of the
steering wheel on the instrument
panel.
Notice: Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before
driving.