
Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
138 Instruments and Controls
(ACC), Forward Collision Alert
(FCA), and/or the Front Automatic
Braking (FAB) System may not
work. Do not use these systems
until the vehicle has been repaired.
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), the
Front Automatic Braking (FAB)
System, Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing, and/or the 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),
Lane Departure Warning (LDW),
and Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
features.
SERVICE PARK ASSIST
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Parking Assist
system. Do not use this system to
help you park. See your dealer for
service.
SERVICE REAR AUTO BRAKE
AND PARK ASSIST
This message displays if there is a
problem with the parking and
backing features of the Driver
Assistance System. Do not use this
system to help park or back the
vehicle. See your dealer for service.
SERVICE SIDE DETECTION
SYSTEM
If this message remains on after
continued driving, the vehicle needs
service. Side Blind Zone Alert
(SBZA), Lane Change Alert (LCA),
and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
features will not work. Take the
vehicle to your dealer.
SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM
UNAVAILABLE
This message indicates that Side
Blind Zone Alert (SBZA), Lane
Change Alert (LCA), and Rear
Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) are
disabled either because the sensor
is blocked and cannot detect
vehicles in the blind zone, or the
vehicle is passing through an open
area, such as the desert, where
there is insufficient data for
operation. This message may also
activate during heavy rain or due to
road spray. The vehicle does not
need service. For cleaning, see
"Washing the Vehicle" under
Exterior Care0313.
TAKE STEERING
If LKA does not detect active driver
steering, an alert and chime may be
provided. Move the steering wheel
to dismiss. See Lane Keep Assist
(LKA) 0232.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
140 Instruments and Controls
system. If this message displays
and a reduction in steering
performance or loss of power
steering assistance is noticed, see
your dealer.
SERVICE STEERING
COLUMN LOCK
This message displays if there is a
problem with the steering column
lock. Take the vehicle to your dealer
for service.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays if there is a
problem with the vehicle. Take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
Starting the Vehicle
Messages
PRESS BRAKE TO START
This message is displayed when
attempting to start the vehicle
without first pressing the brake
pedal.
SERVICE KEYLESS START
SYSTEM
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the pushbutton start
system. Take the vehicle to your
dealer for service.
TURN STEERING WHEEL
START VEHICLE AGAIN
This message may display when
you try to start the vehicle, but the
column remains locked. Try turning
the steering wheel while starting the
vehicle to unlock the steering
column. If the vehicle still does not
start, turn the steering wheel the
other way, and try starting the
vehicle again.
Tire Messages
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
SYSTEM
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS). SeeTire
Pressure Monitor Operation 0289.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays when the
system is learning new tires. See
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0289.
TIRE PRESSURE LOW ADD
AIR TO TIRE
This message displays when the
pressure in one or more of the tires
is low.
This message also displays LEFT
FRONT, RIGHT FRONT, LEFT
REAR, or RIGHT REAR to indicate
the location of the low tire.
The low tire pressure warning light
will also come on. See Tire
Pressure Light 0123.
If a tire pressure message appears
on the DIC, stop as soon as
possible. Inflate the tires by adding
air until the tire pressure is equal to
the values shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See Tires
0 283, Vehicle Load Limits 0187,
and Tire Pressure 0286.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
144 Instruments and Controls
Climate and Air Quality
Select the Climate and Air Quality
menu and the following may display:
.Auto Fan Max Speed
. Auto Heated Seats
. Auto Defog
. Auto Rear Defog
Auto Fan Max Speed
This feature will set the maximum
auto fan speed.
Select Low, Medium, or High.
Auto Heated Seats
When enabled, this feature will
automatically activate heated seats
at the level required by the interior
temperature. The auto heated seats
can be turned off by using the
heated seat buttons on the center
stack.
Select Off or On.
Auto Defog
This will turn auto defog on or off.
Only vehicles with the uplevel dual
automatic climate control system will
have this option. Select Off or On.
Auto Rear Defog
If equipped, this allows the auto rear
defog to be turned on or off. This
feature will automatically turn on the
rear defog.
Select Off or On.
Collision/Detection Systems
Select the Collision/Detection
Systems menu and the following
may display (if equipped):
.
Alert Type
. Auto Collision Preparation
. Go Notifier
. Lane Change Alert
Alert Type
This feature will set crash alerts to
beeps or seat vibrations. This
setting affects all crash alerts
including Forward Collision, Lane
Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise
Control, Parking Assist, and
Backing Warning alerts.
Select Beeps or Safety Alert Seat. Auto Collision Preparation
This feature will turn on or off the
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) and
Front Automatic Braking (FAB). The
Off setting disables all FCA and
FAB functions. With the Alert and
Brake setting, both FCA and FAB
are available. The Alert setting
disables FAB, but some last-second
automatic braking capability is still
provided, though less likely to occur.
See
Front Automatic Braking (FAB)
System 0229.
Select Off, Alert and Brake, or Alert.
Go Notifier
This feature will give a reminder that
Adaptive Cruise Control provides
when it has brought the vehicle to a
complete stop behind another
stopping vehicle, and then that
vehicle drives on.
Select Off or On.
Lane Change Alert
This allows the Lane Change Alert
feature to be turned on or off. See
Lane Change Alert (LCA) 0230.
Select Off or On.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
Lighting 153
The DRL will come on when all of
the following conditions are met:
.The ignition is on and the engine
is running.
. The exterior lamp control is
in AUTO.
. The light sensor determines it is
daytime.
. The parking brake is released or
the vehicle is not in P (Park).
The taillamps, sidemarker lamps,
instrument panel lights, and other
lamps will not be on.
The DRL turn off when the
headlamps are turned to
;or the
ignition is off.
Automatic Headlamp
System
When the exterior lamp control is
set to AUTO and it is dark enough
outside, the headlamps come on
automatically.
There is a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel. Do not cover the
sensor, otherwise the headlamps
will come on when they are not
needed.
The system may also turn on the
headlamps when driving through a
parking garage or tunnel.
If the vehicle is started in a dark
garage, the automatic headlamp
system comes on immediately. If it
is light outside when the vehicle
leaves the garage, there is a slight
delay before the automatic
headlamp system changes to the
DRL. During that delay, the
instrument cluster may not be as bright as usual. Make sure the
instrument panel brightness control
is in the full bright position. See
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control
0155.
When it is bright enough outside,
the headlamps will turn off or may
change to Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL).
The automatic headlamp system
turns off when the exterior lamp
control is turned toOor the ignition
is off.
Lights On with Wipers
If the windshield wipers are
activated in daylight with the engine
on, and the exterior lamp control is
in AUTO, the headlamps, parking
lamps, and other exterior lamps
come on. The transition time for the
lamps coming on varies based on
wiper speed. When the wipers are
not operating, these lamps turn off.
Move the exterior lamp control to
O
or;to disable this feature.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
Infotainment System 161
.Track
. Performance Timing
No Overlay:
No vehicle data displays on top of
the recorded video. Vehicle data is
still available with the video when
accessed in the toolbox software.
Sport:
Displays these vehicle metrics:
. Vehicle Speed: Up to three digits
are displayed in km/h or MPH
depending on vehicle settings.
. Engine Rotations Per Minute
(RPMs): The vertical line and
triangle show current RPMs. As
the RPMs increase, the green
backfill follows. .
Transmission State (Current
Gear): Automatic transmissions
display PRDN. D can change to
D1, D2, etc. When an automatic
transmission is in manual shift
mode, the display will change to
M1, M2, etc.
. Lateral G-Force Graphic: Left
and Right G-Forces are
displayed. The graphic fills to the
left or the right depending on the
measure value. The measured
G-Force displays as a number at
the top of the graphic.
Track:
Displays these vehicle metrics:
. Vehicle Speed: Same as Sport. .
GPS Tracking Map: Shows the
vehicle’s current position relative
to a known route.
. Engine Rotations Per Minute
(RPMs): The vertical line and
triangle indicate current RPMs.
As the RPMs increase, the
orange backfill follows.
. Transmission State (Current
Gear): Same as Sport.
. Friction Bubble Graphic: Lateral
and longitudinal G-Forces are
displayed as a dot within a
bubble. A red dot displays when
the vehicle starts braking and
turns green when the vehicle
accelerates. The dot is white
when the vehicle is not moving.
A white dot is the default.
. Brake and Throttle Graphic:
Displays the percentage value of
brake and throttle pedal position
from 0–100%.
. Steering Angle: The graphic fills
from the center to the left or right
depending on the direction of

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
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Driving and Operating 175
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Track Events and CompetitiveDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 184
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 184
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 186
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 190
Carbon Fiber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 196 Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 198
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Parking Brake (Manual) . . . . . . 202
Parking Brake (Electric) . . . . . . 203
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 204
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . 207
Competitive Driving Mode (LF4 and V-Series Only) . . . . 208
Limited-Slip Rear Axle (Except LF4 and V-Series) . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Limited-Slip Rear Axle (LF4 and V-Series Only) . . . . . 211
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 214
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 221
Assistance Systems forParking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 222
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Front Automatic Braking (FAB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 230
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 232
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
Driving and Operating 177
Refer to the infotainment manual for
more information on using that
system, including pairing and using
a cell phone
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means“always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the safety belt. See Safety
Belts 064.
. Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes.
Anticipate what they might do
and be ready.
. Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in
front of you.
. Focus on the task of driving.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating
are important factors in helping to
control a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a second. In
that time, a vehicle moving at
100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
.Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
. Avoid needless heavy braking.
. Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied. Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Steering
Variable Effort Steering
Some vehicles have a steering
system that varies the amount of
effort required to steer the vehicle in
relation to the speed of the vehicle.
The amount of steering effort
required is less at slower speeds to
make the vehicle more
maneuverable and easier to park. At
faster speeds, the steering effort
increases to provide a sport-like feel
to the steering. This provides
maximum control and stability.
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
178 Driving and Operating
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort. See your dealer if
there is a problem.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
If steering assist is used for an
extended period of time, power
assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See specific vehicle steering
messages underVehicle
Messages 0131.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
Curve Tips
. Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
. Reduce speed before entering a
curve. .
Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve.
. Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking.
. Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
. Antilock Brake System (ABS)
allows steering while braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge.