Black plate (1,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
2015 Cadillac CTS Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35 Storage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-3
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-47
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-55
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1 Climate Controls
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-15
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-23
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-30
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 9-45
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-61
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-65
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-70
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Black plate (4,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
iv Introduction
Danger, Warnings, and
Cautions
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
{Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means“Do
Not,” “Do not do this,” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
*: This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9: Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®(if equipped)
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
Black plate (3,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
In Brief 1-3
1.Air Vents on page 8-8.
2. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn and
Lane-Change Signals on
page 6-6.
3. Manual Mode on page 9-25 (If
Equipped).
4. Instrument Cluster on page 5-10.
5. Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5-3.
6. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6-5.
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) on
page 9-59 (If Equipped).
7. Light Sensor (If Equipped). See Automatic Headlamp System on
page 6-4.
Solar Sensor. See Dual
Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8-1.
8. Infotainment on page 7-1. 9. Glove Box Button. See
Glove
Box on page 4-1.
Automatic Parking Assist (If
Equipped). See Assistance
Systems for Parking or Backing
on page 9-46.
Parking Assist Button. See
Assistance Systems for Parking
or Backing on page 9-46.
10. Parking Brake Release Switch. SeeElectric Parking Brake on
page 9-28.
11. Hood Release. See Hood on
page 10-4.
12. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5-19.
13. Head-Up Display (HUD) on
page 5-32 (If Equipped).
14. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6-6. 15.
Cruise Control on page 9-34 (If
Equipped).
Adaptive Cruise Control on
page 9-37 (If Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System on page 9-52 (If
Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel on
page 5-3 (If Equipped).
16. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5-2.
17. Horn on page 5-3.
18. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5-3.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Controls. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5-29.
19. ENGINE START/STOP Button. SeeIgnition Positions on
page 9-16.
20. Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats on page 3-8 (If
Equipped).
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 (18,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
1-18 In Brief
When the vehicle speed is below
30 km/h (18 mph), press the APA
button,
O, to enable the system.
See “Automatic Parking Assist
(APA)” underAssistance Systems
for Parking or Backing on
page 9-46.
Rear Automatic Braking
(RAB) System
If the vehicle has Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) it also has the Rear
Automatic Braking (RAB) system,
which is designed to help avoid or
reduce the harm caused by backing
crashes when the vehicle is shifted
into R (Reverse). If the system
detects the vehicle is backing too
fast to avoid a crash with a detected
object behind your vehicle in your
path, it may automatically brake
hard to a stop.
See Assistance Systems for Parking
or Backing on page 9-46.
Active Emergency
Braking System
If the vehicle has Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) it also has the Active
Emergency Braking System, which
includes Intelligent Brake
Assist (IBA) and the Automatic
Collision Preparation (ACP) System.
These systems can provide a boost
to braking or automatically brake the
vehicle to help avoid or lessen the
severity of crashes when driving in a
forward gear.
See Active Emergency Braking
System on page 9-54.
Power Outlets
Accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
The vehicle has three 12-volt
accessory power outlets:
.Inside the center console
storage in front of the armrest
cover.
.Inside the storage area under
the armrest cover.
.On the rear of the center
console, if equipped.
These outlets are powered while the
vehicle is in ON/RUN/START or
ACC/ACCESSORY mode, or until
the driver door is opened within
10 minutes of turning off the vehicle.
Lift the cover to access the
accessory power outlet.
See Power Outlets on page 5-6.
Black plate (22,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
1-22 In Brief
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
.When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
.Combine several trips into a
single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Roadside Service
U.S.: 1-800-224-1400
Canada: 1-800-882-1112
TTY Users (U.S. Only):
1-888-889-2438
New Cadillac owners are
automatically enrolled in the
Roadside Service Program.
SeeRoadside Service on
page 13-5.
OnStar®
This vehicle may be equipped with a
comprehensive, in-vehicle system
that can connect to a live OnStar
Advisor for Emergency, Security,
Navigation, Connection, and
Diagnostic Services. OnStar
services may require a paid
subscription. See OnStar Overview
on page 14-1.
Black plate (7,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-7
5. Place the new transmitter in thetransmitter pocket. The center
console storage area will need
to be opened and the rubber mat
needs to be removed to access
the transmitter pocket.
6. Press the ENGINE START/ STOP button. When the
transmitter is learned, the DIC
display will show that it is ready
to program the next transmitter. 7. Remove the transmitter from the
transmitter pocket and press
K
orQon the transmitter.
To program additional
transmitters, repeat Steps 5–7.
When all additional transmitters
are programmed, press and hold
the ENGINE START/STOP
button for approximately
12 seconds to exit
programming mode.
8. Return the vehicle key back into the transmitter.
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery
If the transmitter battery is weak or if
there is interference with the signal,
the DIC may display NO REMOTE
DETECTED or NO REMOTE KEY
WAS DETECTED PLACE KEY IN
TRANSMITTER POCKET THEN
START YOUR VEHICLE when
starting the vehicle. See Key and
Lock Messages on page 5-39. To start the vehicle:
1. Open the center console storage
area and remove the rubber mat.
2. Place the transmitter in thetransmitter pocket.
3. With the vehicle in P (Park) or N (Neutral) press the brake
pedal and the ENGINE START/
STOP button.
Replace the transmitter battery
as soon as possible.
Black plate (9,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707478) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-9
Remote Vehicle Start
This feature allows the engine to be
started from outside the vehicle.
/(Remote Vehicle Start):This
button will be on the RKE
transmitter if the vehicle has remote
start.
The climate control system will use
the previous settings during a
remote start. The rear window
defogger may come on during
remote start based on cold ambient
conditions. The rear defog indicator
light does not come on during
remote start.
If equipped, the heated and
ventilated front seats may also
come on when the vehicle
personalization setting is enabled.
See Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats on page 3-8.
Laws in some local communities
may restrict the use of remote
starters. For example, some laws
may require a person using remote start to have the vehicle in view.
Check local regulations for any
requirements.
If your vehicle is low on fuel, do not
use the remote start feature. The
vehicle may run out of fuel.
The RKE transmitter range may be
shorter while the vehicle is running.
Other conditions can affect the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System on page 2-2.
Starting the Engine Using Remote
Start
1. Press and release
Qon the
RKE transmitter. 2. Immediately press and hold
/
for at least four seconds or until
the turn signal lamps flash. This
confirms the request to remote
start the vehicle has been
received.
During the remote start, the
doors will be locked and the
parking lamps will remain on as
long as the engine is running.
The engine will shut off after
10 minutes unless a time
extension is done or the ignition
is put in ON/RUN/START.
3. Press the brake pedal and select the ON/RUN/START ignition
mode to drive the vehicle.
Extending Engine Run Time
The engine run time can also be
extended by another 10 minutes,
if during the first 10 minutes
Steps 1–2 are repeated while the
engine is still running. An extension
can be requested, 30 seconds after
starting. This provides a total of
20 minutes.