2014 CADILLAC CTS brake light

Black plate (29,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
Driving and Operating 9-29
If the EPB fails to apply, the rear
wheels should be blocked to
prevent vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Place the ignition in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Push down momentarily on the EPB switch.
The EPB is released when the red
parking brake status light is off.
If the amber parking brake warning
light is on, release the EPB by
pushing down on the EPB switch
and holding it down. Continue to
hold the switch until the red parking
brake status light is off. If either light
stays on after release is attempted,
see your dealer.
{Caution
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.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to
drive away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
If parking on a hill, or if the vehicle
is pulling a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9-65.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a brake assist
feature designed to assist the driver
in stopping or decreasing vehicle speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates. The
brake assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.

Black plate (30,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
9-30 Driving and Operating
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak®, an
electronic stability control system.
These systems help limit wheel slip
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system brakes the
spinning wheel(s) and/or reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the
computer senses a difference
between the intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any one
of the vehicle's brakes to help steer
the vehicle in the intended direction. If cruise control is being used and
traction control or StabiliTrak begins
to limit wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road
conditions allow.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but It may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
See
If the Vehicle Is Stuck on
page 9-10 and“Turning the
Systems Off and On” later in this
section.
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
.Flash when StabiliTrak is
activated.
.Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.

Black plate (31,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
Driving and Operating 9-31
Ifdcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. if
dcomes on
and stays on, the vehicle may need
more time to diagnose the problem.
If the condition persists, see your
dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On
{Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release the
Ybutton. The traction
off light
idisplays in the instrument
cluster. The appropriate DIC
message is displayed. See Ride
Control System Messages on
page 5-44.
To turn TCS on again, press and
release the
Ybutton. The traction
off light
idisplayed in the
instrument cluster will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
the
Ybutton is pressed, the
system will not turn off until the
wheels stop spinning. To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold the
Ybutton until
the traction off light
iand
StabiliTrak OFF light
gcome on
and stay on in the instrument
cluster. The appropriate DIC
message is displayed. See Ride
Control System Messages on
page 5-44.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak on
again, press and release the
Y
button. The traction off lightiand
StabiliTrak OFF light
gin the
instrument cluster turn off.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle's performance. See
Accessories and Modifications on
page 10-2.
Driver Mode Control
Driver Mode Control attempts to add
a sportier feel, provide a more
comfortable ride, or assist in
different weather conditions or
terrain. This system simultaneously

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
9-36 Driving and Operating
.To increase vehicle speed in
larger increments, briefly press
+RES up to the second detent.
For each press, the vehicle
speed increases to the next
5 km/h (5 mph) mark on the
speedometer.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster on
page 5-10. The increment value
used depends on the units
displayed.
Reducing Speed While Cruise
Control is at a Set Speed
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
.Press and hold SET− down until
the desired lower speed is
reached, then release it.
.To decrease the vehicle speed in
small increments, briefly press
SET− down to the first detent.
For each press, the vehicle goes
about 1 km/h (1 mph) slower.
.To decrease the vehicle speed in
larger increments, briefly press
SET− down to the second
detent. For each press, the
vehicle speed decreases to the
next 5 km/h (5 mph) mark on the
speedometer.
The cruise control system may
automatically brake to slow the
vehicle down.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster on
page 5-10. The increment value
used depends on the units
displayed.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle will slow down to the
previously set cruise speed. While
pressing the accelerator pedal or
shortly following the release to
override cruise control, briefly applying the SET–
switch will result
in cruise control set to the current
vehicle speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work
on hills depends upon the vehicle
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills,
you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the
vehicle speed. When going
downhill, the cruise control system
may automatically brake to slow the
vehicle down. Also, you may have
to brake or shift to a lower gear to
keep the vehicle speed down. If the
brake is applied, the cruise control
disengages.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise
control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press*.
.PressJ.

Black plate (41,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
Driving and Operating 9-41
Alerting the Driver
Without Head-Up Display
With Head-Up Display
If ACC is engaged, driver action
may be required when ACC cannot
apply sufficient braking because of
approaching a vehicle too rapidly.
When this condition occurs, a series
of red lights or the collision alert
symbol on the HUD, if equipped, will
flash on the windshield. Either eight
beeps will sound from the front,
or both sides of the Safety Alert
Seat will pulse five times. See “Collision/Detection Systems”
under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5-48.
See Defensive Driving on page 9-3.
Approaching and Following a
Vehicle
The vehicle ahead symbol is in the
instrument cluster and HUD display,
if equipped.
The vehicle ahead symbol only
displays when a vehicle is detected
in your vehicle’s path moving in the
same direction.
If this symbol is not displaying, ACC
will not respond to or brake to
vehicles ahead.
ACC automatically slows the vehicle
down and adjusts vehicle speed to
follow the vehicle in front at the selected follow gap. The vehicle
speed increases or decreases to
follow the vehicle in front of you, but
will not exceed the set speed. It may
apply limited braking, if necessary.
When braking is active, the brake
lamps will come on. The automatic
braking may feel or sound different
than if the brakes were applied
manually. This is normal.
Stationary or Very Slow-Moving
Objects{Warning
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
may not detect and react to
stopped or slow-moving vehicles
ahead of you. For example, the
system may not brake for a
vehicle that it has never detected
moving. This can occur in
stop-and-go traffic or when a
vehicle suddenly appears due to
a vehicle ahead changing lanes.
Your vehicle may not stop and
(Continued)

Black plate (42,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
9-42 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
could cause a crash. Use caution
when using ACC. Your complete
attention is always required while
driving and you should be ready
to take action and apply the
brakes.
ACC Automatically Disengages
ACC may automatically disengage
and the driver will need to manually
apply the brakes to slow the
vehicle when:
.The sensors are blocked.
.The Traction Control System
(TCS) or electronic stability
control system has activated or
been disabled.
.No traffic or other objects are
being detected.
.There is a fault in the system.
The ACC active symbol will not be
displayed when ACC is no longer
active. Notification to Resume ACC
ACC will maintain a follow gap
behind a detected vehicle and slow
your vehicle to a stop behind that
vehicle.
If the stopped vehicle ahead has
driven away and ACC has not
resumed, the vehicle ahead symbol
will flash as a reminder to check
traffic before proceeding. In
addition, the left and right sides of
the Safety Alert Seat will pulse three
times, or three beeps will sound.
See
”Alert Type” and“Go Notifier” in
“Collision/Detection Systems” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5-48.
When the vehicle ahead drives
away, press RES+ or the
accelerator pedal to resume ACC.
If stopped for more than
two minutes or if the driver door is
opened and the driver safety belt is
unbuckled, the ACC automatically
applies the electric parking brake to
hold the vehicle. The electric
parking brake status light will turn on. See
Electric Parking Brake on
page 9-28. To release the electric
parking brake, press the accelerator
pedal.
A DIC warning message may
display indicating to shift to P (Park)
before exiting the vehicle. See
Vehicle Messages on page 5-36.
{Warning
If ACC has stopped the vehicle,
and if ACC is disengaged, turned
off, or canceled, the vehicle will
no longer be held at a stop. The
vehicle can move. When ACC is
holding the vehicle at a stop,
always be prepared to manually
apply the brakes.

Black plate (44,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
9-44 Driving and Operating
When following a vehicle and
entering a curve, ACC may not
detect the vehicle ahead and
accelerate to the set speed. When
this happens the vehicle ahead
symbol will not appear.
ACC may detect a vehicle that is
not in your lane and apply the
brakes.
ACC may occasionally provide an
alert and/or braking that is
considered unnecessary. It could
respond to vehicles in different
lanes, signs, guardrails, and other
stationary objects when entering or
exiting a curve. This is normal
operation. The vehicle does not
need service.Other Vehicle Lane Changes
ACC will not detect a vehicle ahead
until it is completely in the lane. The
brake may need to be manually
applied.
Do Not Use ACC on Hills and
When Towing a Trailer
Do not use ACC when driving on
steep hills or when towing a trailer.
ACC will not detect a vehicle in the
lane while driving on steep hills. The
driver will often need to take over
acceleration and braking on steep
hills, especially when towing a
trailer. If the brakes are applied, the
ACC disengages.
Ending ACC
There are three ways to
disengage ACC:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press*.
.Press].
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if
]is
pressed or if the ignition is
turned off.

Black plate (48,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
9-48 Driving and Operating
The instrument cluster may have a
parking assist display with bars that
show“distance to object” and object
location information for the Parking
Assist system. As the object gets
closer, more bars light up and the
bars change color from yellow to
amber to red. When an object is first
detected in the rear, one beep will
be heard from the rear, or both
sides of the Safety Alert Seat will
pulse two times. When an object is
very close (<0.6 m (2 ft) in the
vehicle rear, or <0.3 m (1 ft) in the
vehicle front), five beeps will sound
from the rear or front depending
where the object is detected, or both
sides of the Safety Alert Seat will
pulse five times. Beeps for Front
Parking Assist are higher pitched
than for Rear Parking Assist.
Vehicles with Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) have the Backing
Warning System, which is designed
to help avoid backing crashes. The
system can warn of rear objects
when backing up at speeds greater
than 8 km/h (5 mph). The Backing Warning System will
beep once from the rear when a
potential object threat is first
detected, or pulse twice on both
sides of the Safety Alert Seat. When
the system detects a potential
imminent crash, beeps will be heard
from the rear, or five pulses will be
felt on both sides of the Safety Alert
Seat. There may also be a brief,
sharp application of the brakes.
{Warning
The Backing Warning System
only operates at speeds greater
than 8 km/h (5 mph). It does not
detect children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, animals, or objects
below the bumper or that are too
close or too far from the vehicle.
In some situations, such as at
higher backing speeds, there may
not be enough time for the short,
sharp application of the vehicle
brake system to occur. To prevent
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
injury, death, or vehicle damage,
even with the Backing Warning
System, always check the area
around the vehicle and check all
mirrors before backing.
Vehicles with Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) also have the Rear
Automatic Braking system, which is
designed to help avoid or reduce
the harm caused by backing
crashes. If the system detects the
vehicle is backing too fast to avoid a
crash with a detected object, it may
automatically brake hard to a stop.
{Warning
Rear Automatic Braking may not
avoid many types of backing
crashes. Do not wait for the
automatic braking to apply. This
system is not designed to replace (Continued)