
Black plate (5,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
In Brief 1-5
PressXtwice quickly to release
the trunk.
Press
7and release to initiate
vehicle locator.
Press and hold
7for more than
three seconds to sound the panic
alarm.
Press
7again to cancel the panic
alarm.
Press and release
Qand then press
and hold
/for at least
four seconds to start the engine
from outside the vehicle using the
RKE transmitter.
See Keys on page 2-1 andRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2-2.
Remote Vehicle Start
The engine can be started from
outside of the vehicle.
Starting the Vehicle
1. Press and releaseQon the
transmitter.
2. Immediately after completing Step 1, press and hold
/for at
least four seconds or until the
turn signal lamps flash.
3. Press the brake pedal and select ON/RUN/START ignition mode
to drive the vehicle.
When the vehicle starts, the parking
lamps will turn on and remain on as
long as the engine is running. The
doors will be locked and the climate
control system may come on.
The engine will continue to run for
10 minutes. After 30 seconds,
repeat the steps if a 10-minute
extension is desired. Remote start
can be extended only once.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start do any of
the following:
.Press and hold/until the
parking lamps turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Turn the vehicle on and then off.
See Remote Vehicle Start on
page 2-9.
Door Locks
Keyless Access
Press the button on the door handle
and pull the handle when the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter is within range. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2-2.
Manual Operation
From outside, use the key in the
driver door. The key cylinder is
covered by a cap. See Door Locks
on page 2-10.

Black plate (1,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-1
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . 2-13
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Doors
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . 2-16
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . 2-18
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Interior Mirrors
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . 2-20
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-23
Rear Window Sunshade . . . . . 2-24
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25
Keys and Locks
Keys
{Warning
Leaving children in a vehicle with
a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter is dangerous and
children or others could be
seriously injured or killed. They
could operate the power windows
or other controls or make the
vehicle move. The windows will
function with the RKE transmitter
in the vehicle, and children or
others could be caught in the path
of a closing window. Do not leave
children in a vehicle with an RKE
transmitter.

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-3
Keep in mind that other conditions,
such as those previously stated, can
impact the performance of the
transmitter.
Q(Lock):Press to lock all doors.
The turn signal indicators may flash
and/or the horn may sound on the
second press to indicate locking.
See “Remote Lock, Unlock, Start”
under Vehicle Personalization on
page 5-47.
If the driver door is open when
Qis
pressed and Unlocked Door
Anti-Lockout is enabled through the vehicle personalization, all doors will
lock and then the driver door will
immediately unlock. See
“Unlocked
Door Anti Lock Out” underVehicle
Personalization on page 5-47. If the
passenger door is open when
Qis
pressed, all doors lock.
Pressing
Qmay also arm the alarm
system. See Vehicle Alarm System
on page 2-16.
K(Unlock): Press to unlock the
driver door or all doors. When
remotely unlocking the vehicle at
night, the headlamps and back-up
lamps will come on for about
30 seconds to light your approach to
the vehicle. The turn signal
indicators may flash to indicate
unlocking. If equipped, memory seat
positions may be recalled when the
vehicle is unlocked and the driver
door is open.
See Memory Seats on page 3-6 and
“Remote Lock, Unlock, Start” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5-47. Pressing
Kwill disarm the alarm
system. See Vehicle Alarm System
on page 2-16.
Press and hold
Kuntil the windows
fully open.
/(Remote Start): Press and
release
Qand then immediately
press and hold
/for at least
four seconds to start the engine
from outside the vehicle using the
RKE transmitter. See Remote
Vehicle Start on page 2-9.
7(Vehicle Locator/Panic
Alarm): Press and release one
time to initiate vehicle locator. The
exterior lamps flash and the horn
chirps three times. Press and
hold
7for more than three seconds
to sound the panic alarm. The horn
sounds and the turn signal lamps
flash for 30 seconds, or until
7is
pressed again or the vehicle is
started.

Black plate (16,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
2-16 Keys, Doors, and Windows
{Caution
Do not use the emergency trunk
release handle as a tie-down or
anchor point when securing items
in the trunk as it could damage
the handle.
There is a glow-in-the-dark
emergency trunk release handle on
the trunk lid. This handle will glow
following exposure to light. Pull the
release handle to open the trunk
from the inside.
After use, return to the stored
position.
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
the vehicle impossible to steal.
Vehicle Alarm System
This vehicle has an anti-theft alarm
system.
The indicator light, on the
instrument panel near the
windshield, indicates the status of
the system.
Off: Alarm system is disarmed. On Solid:
Vehicle is secured
during the delay to arm the system.
Fast Flash: Vehicle is unsecured.
A door, the hood, or the trunk
is open.
Slow Flash: Alarm system is
armed.
Arming the Alarm System
1. Turn off the vehicle.
2. Lock the vehicle in one of three ways:
.Use the RKE transmitter.
.Use the Keyless Access
system.
.With a door open, pressQ
on the interior of the door.
3. After 30 seconds the alarm system will arm, and the
indicator light will begin to slowly
flash indicating the alarm system
is operating. Pressing
Qon the
RKE transmitter a second time

Black plate (17,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-17
will bypass the 30-second delay
and immediately arm the alarm
system.
The vehicle alarm system will not
arm if the doors are locked with
the key.
If the driver door is opened without
first unlocking with the RKE
transmitter, the horn will chirp and
the lights will flash to indicate
pre-alarm. If the vehicle is not
started, or the door is not unlocked
by pressing
Kon the RKE
transmitter during the 10-second
pre-alarm, the alarm will be
activated.
The alarm will also be activated if a
passenger door, the trunk, or the
hood is opened without first
disarming the system. When the
alarm is activated, the turn signals
flash and the horn sounds for about
30 seconds. The alarm system will
then re-arm to monitor the next
unauthorized event.
Disarming the Alarm System
To disarm the alarm system or turn
off the alarm if it has been activated:
.PressKon the RKE transmitter.
.Unlock the vehicle using the
Keyless Access system.
.Start the vehicle.
To avoid setting off the alarm by
accident:
.Lock the vehicle after all
occupants have left the vehicle
and all doors are closed.
.Always unlock a door with the
RKE transmitter or use the
Keyless Access system.
Unlocking the driver door with the
key will not disarm the system or
turn off the alarm.
How to Detect a Tamper
Condition
IfKis pressed on the transmitter
and the horn chirps and the lights
flash three times, a previous alarm
occurred while the system was
armed.
If the alarm has been activated, a
message will appear on the DIC.
See Security Messages on
page 5-45.
Power Sounder and Inclination
Sensor
In addition to the standard
theft-deterrent system features, this
system may also have a power
sounder and inclination sensor.
The power sounder provides an
audible alarm which is distinct from
the vehicle’ s horn. It has its own
power source, and can sound an
alarm if the vehicle’s battery is
compromised.

Black plate (18,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
2-18 Keys, Doors, and Windows
The inclination sensor can set off
the alarm if it senses movement of
the vehicle, such as a change in
vehicle orientation.
Immobilizer
SeeRadio Frequency Statement on
page 13-11.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to be
manually armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically
immobilized when the vehicle is
turned off.
The immobilization system is
disarmed when the pushbutton start
is activated to enter the ACC/
ACCESSORY mode or the ON/
RUN/START mode and a valid
transmitter is present in the vehicle.
The security light, in the instrument
cluster, comes on if there is a
problem with arming or disarming
the theft-deterrent system.
The system has one or more RKE
transmitters matched to an
immobilizer control unit in the
vehicle. Only a correctly matched
RKE transmitter will start the
vehicle. If the transmitter is ever
damaged, you may not be able to
start your vehicle.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light may come on briefly
when the ignition is turned on. If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on, there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.
If the vehicle will not change ignition
modes (ACC/ACCESSORY, ON/
RUN/START, OFF), and the RKE
transmitter appears to be
undamaged, try another transmitter.
Or, you may try placing the
transmitter in the transmitter pocket
located in the center console. See
Key and Lock Messages on
page 5-39.
If the ignition modes will not change
with the other transmitter, your
vehicle needs service. If the ignition
does change modes, the first
transmitter may be faulty. See your
dealer.

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
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 (1,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
INDEX i-1
A
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Active Emergency Braking System . . . . . . . . 1-18, 9-54
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . . 9-37
Adaptive Forward
Lighting (AFL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-70
Additional Information OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-6
Additional Maintenance
and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-10
Adjustments Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Thigh Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . 10-14
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8 Airbag System
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
How Does an Airbag
Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . 3-24
Airbags Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 5-18
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Alert Lane Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56
Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . 9-56 All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . 9-26, 10-26
Antilock Brake
System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-71
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-75
Armrest Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Assistance Systems for Parking and Backing . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Automatic Transmission Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Shift Lock ControlFunction Check . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27