Black plate (18,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707477) - 2015 - crc - 9/15/14
9-18 Driving and Operating
The ignition will switch from ACC/
ACCESSORY to OFF after
five minutes to prevent battery
rundown.
ON/RUN/START (Green Indicator
Light):This mode is for driving and
starting. With the ignition off, and
the brake pedal applied, pressing
the button once will place the
ignition system in ON/RUN/START.
Once engine cranking begins,
release the button. Engine cranking
will continue until the engine starts.
See Starting the Engine on
page 9-18. The ignition will then
remain in ON/RUN/START.
Service Only Mode
This power mode is available for
service and diagnostics, and to
verify the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as may
be required for emission inspection
purposes. With the vehicle off, and
the brake pedal not applied,
pressing and holding the button for
more than five seconds will place
the vehicle in Service Only Mode. The instruments and audio systems
will operate as they do in ON/RUN/
START, but the vehicle will not be
able to be driven. The engine will
not start in Service Only Mode.
Push the button again to turn the
vehicle off.
Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the
proper gear.
{Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
See
Add-On Electrical Equipment
on page 9-73.
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). To restart the vehicle
when it is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
{Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in Neutral
and the parking brake engaged.
Hold the clutch pedal down to the
floor and start the engine.
Black plate (63,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707477) - 2015 - crc - 9/15/14
Driving and Operating 9-63
If the vehicle has a yellow fuel cap,
E85 or FlexFuel can be used in the
vehicle. SeeE85 or FlexFuel on
page 9-64.
If the vehicle has a 2.5L L4 engine
or a 3.6L V6 engine, use regular
unleaded gasoline meeting ASTM
specification D4814 with a posted
octane rating of 87 or higher. Do not
use gasoline with an octane rating
below 87, as it may cause engine
damage and will lower fuel
economy.
If the vehicle has the 2.0L L4
engine, use premium unleaded
gasoline meeting ASTM
specification D4814 with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher.
Regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher can be used,
but acceleration and fuel economy
will be reduced, and an audible
knocking noise may be heard. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at
91 octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, the engine
could be damaged. If heavy knocking is heard when using
gasoline with a 91 octane rating or
higher, the engine needs service.
Use of Seasonal Fuels
Use summer and winter fuels in the
appropriate season. The fuels
industry automatically modifies the
fuel for the appropriate season.
If fuel is left in the vehicle tank for
long periods of time, driving or
starting could be affected. Drive the
vehicle until the fuel is at one-half
tank or less, then refuel with the
current seasonal fuel.
Prohibited Fuels
Gasolines containing oxygenates
such as ethers and ethanol, as well
as reformulated gasolines, are
available in some cities. If these
gasolines comply with the
previously described specification,
then they are acceptable to use.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than
15% ethanol must be used only in
FlexFuel vehicles.{Caution
Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in the fuel system and also
damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be
covered under the vehicle
warranty.
Some gasolines, mainly high octane
racing gasolines, can contain an
octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). Do not use
gasolines and/or fuel additives with
MMT as they can reduce spark plug
life and affect emission control
system performance. The
malfunction indicator lamp may turn
on. If this occurs, see your dealer
for service.
Black plate (20,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707477) - 2015 - crc - 9/15/14
10-20 Vehicle Care
1. Remove the coolant surge tankpressure cap from the top
chamber when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise. If you hear a
hiss, wait for that to stop. This
will allow any pressure still left to
be vented out the
discharge hose.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it. Open the
surge tank service port cap to
the lower chamber
3. Fill the surge tank top chamber with the proper DEX-COOL
coolant mixture to the bottom of
the fill neck. The top chamber
needs to be completely full. Fill
the surge tank bottom chamber
through the service port to
approximately half. 4. With the coolant surge tank
pressure cap off and the surge
tank service port cap open, start
the engine and let it run until you
can feel the upper radiator hose
getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank top
chamber may be lower. If the
level is lower, add more of the
proper DEX-COOL coolant
mixture to the surge tank top
chamber until the level reaches
the bottom of the fill neck.
5. Replace the surge tank pressure cap tightly and close the surge
tank service port cap.
{Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured. Check the level in the surge tank
top and bottom chambers when the
cooling system has cooled down.
If the coolant is not at the proper
levels, repeat Steps 1–3 and
reinstall the pressure cap and close
the service port. If the coolant still is
not at the proper levels when the
system cools down again, see your
dealer.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of the engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature gauge and an engine
coolant temperature warning light on
the instrument cluster See
Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge on
page 5-13 andEngine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light on
page 5-22. The vehicle may also
display a message on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Engine Cooling System Messages
on page 5-34.
Black plate (23,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707477) - 2015 - crc - 9/15/14
Vehicle Care 10-23
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time when the vehicle
is moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
{Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications on page 12-2.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement
parts. If this is not done, the brakes
may not work properly. The braking performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are
installed or parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake/clutch master cylinder
reservoir is filled with DOT 3 brake
fluid as indicated on the reservoir
cap. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 10-5 for the
location of the reservoir.
Black plate (11,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707477) - 2015 - crc - 9/15/14
Service and Maintenance 11-11
Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
.With a multi-point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns.
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
.Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
.As part of the multi-point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect the shocks and struts for signs
of leaking, blown seals,
or damage, and can advise
when service is needed.
Tires
Tires need to be properly inflated,
rotated, and balanced. Maintaining
the tires can save money and fuel,
and can reduce the risk of tire
failure.
.Signs that the tires need to be
replaced include three or more
visible treadwear indicators; cord
or fabric showing through the
rubber; cracks or cuts in the
tread or sidewall; or a bulge or
split in the tire.
.Trained dealer technicians can
inspect and recommend the right
tires. Your dealer can also
provide tire/wheel balancing
services to ensure smooth
vehicle operation at all speeds.
Your dealer sells and services
name brand tires. Vehicle Care
To help keep the vehicle looking like
new, vehicle care products are
available from your dealer. For
information on how to clean and
protect the vehicle’s interior and
exterior, see
Interior Care on
page 10-82 andExterior Care on
page 10-78.
Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment is critical for
ensuring that the tires deliver
optimal wear and performance.
.Signs that the alignment may
need to be adjusted include
pulling, improper vehicle
handling, or unusual tire wear.
.Your dealer has the required
equipment to ensure proper
wheel alignment.
Black plate (5,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707477) - 2015 - crc - 9/15/14
INDEX i-5
F
FeaturesMemory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 6-5
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62
FlexFuel E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-85
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . 10-14
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-12
Front Seats Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-62
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-67
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-65
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 5-23
Requirements, California . . . . . 9-64
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Fuses Engine CompartmentFuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . 5-52Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-52
Gauges Engine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Warning Lights and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 11-1
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-68
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 6-5
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Head-up Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Black plate (8,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707477) - 2015 - crc - 9/15/14
i-8 INDEX
M
MaintenanceRecords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-16
Maintenance and Care Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-10
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . 11-3 Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-13
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . 5-16
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . . 9-28 Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Messages Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Battery Voltage and
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . 5-34
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Key and Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36 Messages (cont'd)
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Object Detection System . . . . . 5-37
Ride Control System . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Service Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Starting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-42
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-42
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Vehicle Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Vehicle Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Mirrors Automatic DimmingRearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Tilt in Reverse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21
Mirrors, Interior Rearview . . . . . . 2-21
Mode Driver Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36 Monitor System, Tire
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
Multi-band Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
N
Navigation OnStar®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-3
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
O
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11 Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Oil Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-12
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . 3-34
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . 13-4
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-15
OnStar System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19
Black plate (9,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707477) - 2015 - crc - 9/15/14
INDEX i-9
OnStar®
System, In Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
OnStar®Additional
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-6
OnStar
®Connections . . . . . . . . . . 14-4
OnStar®Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
OnStar®Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-3
OnStar®Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar®Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-3
OnStar®Vehicle
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-6
Ordering Service Publications . . . . . . . . 13-10
Outlets Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Overview, Infotainment
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
P
ParkShifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23 Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30, 9-32
Brake and P (Park)Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-27
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 9-23
Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Parking or Backing Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Passenger Compartment Air
Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
Passenger Sensing System . . . 3-28
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California . . . . . 10-3
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44 Phone
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . 7-20, 7-22, 7-26
Port USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 9-21
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Pregnancy, Using Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Premium Care Maintenance Cadillac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3
Privacy Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . 13-13
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 13-7
Proposition 65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2