
Black plate (28,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
3-28 Seats and Restraints
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deflated
airbags. Airbag inflation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out of
the windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
{Warning
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as
it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
on the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers, and shut off the
fuel system after the airbags inflate.
The feature may also activate,
without airbag inflation, after an
event that exceeds a predetermined
threshold. You can lock the doors,
and turn off the interior lamps, and
turn off the hazard warning flashers
by using the controls for those
features.
{Warning
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.
In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the front outboard
passenger airbag.
.Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there
to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly

Black plate (1,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-3
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 5-3
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-3
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-16
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-17 Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Charging System Light . . . . . . 5-19
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 5-24
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . 5-24
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . 5-25
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-26
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 5-27
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28 Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . 5-32
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Battery Voltage and Charging Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-36
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Cruise Control Messages . . . . 5-37
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-39
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-39
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-39
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-39
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Airbag System Messages . . . . 5-44

Black plate (22,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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5-22 Instruments and Controls
system readiness, your dealer
can prepare the vehicle for
inspection.
Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle brake system consists
of two hydraulic circuits. If one
circuit is not working, the remaining
circuit can still work to stop the
vehicle. For normal braking
performance, both circuits need to
be working.
If the warning light comes on, there
is a brake problem. Have the brake
system inspected right away.
MetricEnglishThis light comes on briefly when the
vehicle is turned on. If it does not
come on then, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn if there is a
problem.
If the light comes on and stays on,
there is a base brake problem.
{Warning
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off
the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for
service.
Parking Brake Light
MetricEnglish
This light comes on when the
parking brake is applied. If the light
continues flashing after the parking
brake is released, or while driving,
there is a problem with the Electric
Parking Brake system or another
system. A message may also
display in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See Brake System
Messages on page 5-36.
If the light does not come on,
or remains flashing, see your dealer.

Black plate (23,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Instruments and Controls 5-23
Service Electric Parking
Brake Light
On some vehicles the service
electric parking brake light should
come on briefly when the vehicle is
in ON/RUN. If it does not come on,
have it fixed so it will be ready to
warn if there is a problem. For
vehicles with the reconfigurable
cluster, this light may not come on
when the vehicle is in ON/RUN.
If this light stays on, there is a
problem with a system on the
vehicle that is causing the parking
brake system to work at a reduced
level. The vehicle can still be driven,
but should be taken to a dealer as
soon as possible. SeeElectric
Parking Brake on page 9-28. If a message displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), see
Brake
System Messages on page 5-36.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If the light comes on while driving,
stop as soon as it is safely possible
and turn off the vehicle. Then start
the engine again to reset the
system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the
vehicle needs service. A chime may
also sound when the light comes on
steady. If the ABS light is the only light on,
the vehicle has regular brakes, but
the antilock brakes are not
functioning.
If both the ABS and the brake
system warning light are on, the
vehicle's antilock brakes are not
functioning and there is a problem
with the regular brakes. See your
dealer for service.
See
Brake System Warning Light on
page 5-22 andBrake System
Messages on page 5-36.
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
Light
For some vehicles, this light comes
on briefly while starting the vehicle.
If it does not come on, have the
vehicle serviced.

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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5-36 Instruments and Controls
Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the DIC
indicate the status of the vehicle or
some action that may be needed to
correct a condition. Multiple
messages may display one after the
other.
The messages that do not require
immediate action can be
acknowledged and cleared by
pressing SEL. The messages that
require immediate action cannot be
cleared until that action is
performed. All messages should be
taken seriously and clearing the
messages does not correct the
problem.
The following are some of the
vehicle messages that may be
displayed depending on the vehicle
content.
Battery Voltage and
Charging Messages
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the
vehicle has detected that the battery
voltage is dropping beyond a
reasonable point. The battery saver
system starts reducing features of
the vehicle that may be noticed. At
the point that features are disabled,
this message displays. Turn off
unnecessary accessories to allow
the battery to recharge.
LOW BATTERY
This message is displayed when the
battery voltage is low. SeeBattery
on page 10-25.
SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM
This message is displayed when
there is a fault in the battery
charging system. Take the vehicle to
your dealer for service.
TRANSPORT MODE ON
This message is displayed when the
vehicle is in transport mode. Some
features can be disabled while in
this mode, including Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE), remote start,
and the vehicle alarm system. Take
the vehicle to your dealer for service
to turn transport mode off.
Brake System Messages
BRAKE FLUID LOW
This message displays when the
brake fluid level is low. See Brake
Fluid on page 10-24.
RELEASE PARKING BRAKE
This message displays if the electric
parking brake is on while the vehicle
is in motion. Release it before
attempting to drive. See Electric
Parking Brake on page 9-28.
SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST
This message displays when there
is a problem with the brake boost
system. When this message

Black plate (37,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
Instruments and Controls 5-37
displays, the brake pedal may be
harder to push and the stopping
distance may be longer. Take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
SERVICE PARKING BRAKE
This message displays when there
is a problem with the parking brake.
Take the vehicle to your dealer for
service.
STEP ON BRAKE TO
RELEASE PARK BRAKE
This message displays when
attempting to release the electric
parking brake without the brake
pedal applied. SeeElectric Parking
Brake on page 9-28.
Compass Messages
Dashes may be displayed if the
vehicle temporarily loses
communication with the Global
Positioning System (GPS).
Cruise Control Messages
ADAPTIVE CRUISE SET
TO XXX
This message displays when the
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
speed is set. See Adaptive Cruise
Control on page 9-37.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE
TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE
This message displays when
attempting to activate Adaptive
Cruise Control (ACC) when it is
temporarily unavailable. The ACC
system does not need service.
This can occur under the following
conditions:
.The radar is not clean. Keep the
radar sensors free of mud, dirt,
snow, ice, and slush. Clean the
entire front and/or rear of the
vehicle. For cleaning
instructions, see Exterior Care
on page 10-71.
.Heavy rain or snow is interfering
with the radar object detection or
camera performance.
CRUISE SET TO XXX
This message displays when the
cruise control speed is set. See
Cruise Control on page 9-34.
NO CRUISE BRAKING GAS
PEDAL APPLIED
This message displays when
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is
active and the driver is pressing the
gas pedal. When this occurs, ACC
will not brake. See Adaptive Cruise
Control on page 9-37.
SERVICE ADAPTIVE CRUISE
CONTROL
This message displays when the
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
needs service. Take the vehicle to
your dealer.

Black plate (40,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
5-40 Instruments and Controls
NO REMOTE KEY WAS
DETECTED PLACE KEY IN
TRANSMITTER POCKET THEN
START YOUR VEHICLE
This message displays when trying
to start the vehicle if an RKE
transmitter is not detected. The
transmitter battery may be weak.
See“Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery” underRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2-2.
NO REMOTE DETECTED
PRESS BRAKE TO RESTART
This message displays when
attempting to turn off the vehicle
and the RKE transmitter is no longer
detected. Restarting is allowed
without the RKE transmitter for
five minutes. Press the brake pedal
to restart the vehicle.
NUMBER OF KEYS
PROGRAMMED
This message displays when
programming new keys to the
vehicle.
REMOTE LEFT IN VEHICLE
This message displays when
leaving the vehicle with the RKE
transmitter still inside.
REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY
This message displays when the
battery in the RKE transmitter needs
to be replaced.
Lamp Messages
AFL (ADAPTIVE FORWARD
LIGHTING) LAMPS NEED
SERVICE
This message displays when the
AFL system is disabled and needs
service. See your dealer. See
Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) on
page 6-5.
AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL
ON/OFF
This message is displayed when the
exterior lamp control is in AUTO and
the lights have turned on or off. See
Automatic Headlamp System on
page 6-4.
XXX TURN INDICATOR
FAILURE
When one of the turn signals is out,
this message displays to show
which bulb needs to be replaced.
See Bulb Replacement on
page 10-29 andReplacement Bulbs
on page 10-31.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message is displayed if the
turn signal has been left on. Turn off
the turn signal.

Black plate (42,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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5-42 Instruments and Controls
LANE CHANGE ALERT OFF
This message indicates that the
driver has turned the Side Blind
Zone Alert (SBZA) and Lane
Change Alert (LCA) systems off.
LANE KEEPING ASSIST
UNAVAILABLE
This message displays when the
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and Lane
Departure Warning (LDW) system is
temporarily unavailable. The LKA
system does not need service.
This message could be due to the
camera being blocked. Cleaning the
outside of the windshield behind the
rearview mirror may correct the
issue.
REAR AUTO BRAKE/PARK
ASSIST OFF
This message displays when the
Parking Assist system has been
turned off or when there is a
temporary condition causing the
system to be disabled.
REAR AUTO BRAKE AND
PARK ASSIST UNAVAILABLE
This message displays when
attempting to activate the parking
and backing features of the Driver
Assistance System when they are
temporarily unavailable. The system
does not need service.
This can occur under the following
conditions:
.The radar is not clean. Keep the
radar sensors free of mud, dirt,
snow, ice, and slush. Clean the
entire front and/or rear of the
vehicle. For cleaning
instructions, seeExterior Care
on page 10-71.
.Heavy rain or snow is interfering
with the radar object detection or
camera performance.
See Driver Assistance Systems on
page 9-45.
SERVICE AUTOMATIC
COLLISION PREP
If this message displays, take the
vehicle to your dealer to repair the
system.
SERVICE DRIVER ASSIST
SYSTEM
If this message displays, take the
vehicle to your dealer to repair the
system.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC),
Forward Collision Alert (FCA),
Active Emergency Braking System,
Assistance Systems for Parking or
Backing, and/or Lane Keep Assist
(LKA) system may not work. Do not
use these systems until the vehicle
has been repaired.
SERVICE FRONT CAMERA
If this message remains on after
continued driving, take the vehicle
to your dealer for service. Do not
use the Lane Keep Assist (LKA),