
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Instruments and Controls 111
Warning Lights,
Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning lights and gauges can
signal that something is wrong
before it becomes serious enough
to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gauges could
prevent injury.
Some warning lights come on briefly
when the engine is started to
indicate they are working. When
one of the warning lights comes on
and stays on while driving, or when
one of the gauges shows there may
be a problem, check the section that
explains what to do. Waiting to do
repairs can be costly and even
dangerous.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
116 Instruments and Controls
three people), or Max (for full
loading) by pressing SEL while the
desired item is highlighted.
Open Source Software :Press
SEL while Open Source Software is
highlighted to display open source
software information.
Speedometer
The speedometer shows the
vehicle's speed in kilometers per
hour (km/h) or miles per hour (mph).
This vehicle is equipped with an
overspeed warning device. When
the vehicle's speed reaches
120 km/h (75 mph), a chime will
sound. A message also displays in
the Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Vehicle Speed Messages
0 147.
Odometer
The odometer shows how far the
vehicle has been driven, in either
kilometers or miles.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer shows how far
the vehicle has been driven since
the trip odometer was last reset.
The trip odometer is accessed and
reset through the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0129.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine
speed in revolutions per
minute (rpm).
On the Base cluster, if the vehicle
has the Stop/Start system, when the
ignition is in ON/RUN, the
tachometer indicates the vehicle
status. When pointing to AUTO
STOP, the engine is off but the
vehicle is on and can move. The
engine could auto start at any time.
When the indicator points to OFF,
the vehicle is off.
When the engine is on, the
tachometer will indicate the engine’s
revolutions per minute (rpm). The
tachometer may vary by several hundred rpm’s, during auto stop
mode, when the engine is shutting
off and restarting.
A slight bump may be felt when the
transmission is determining the
most fuel efficient operating range.
Caution
If the engine is operated with the
rpm’s in the warning area at the
high end of the tachometer, the
vehicle could be damaged, and
the damage would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
operate the engine with the rpm’s
in the warning area.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
118 Instruments and Controls
Uplevel Balanced Configuration
This gauge measures the engine
coolant temperature.
The warning area at the far end of
the gauge may appear shaded or
may be colored red.
If the pointer approaches the
warning area, or the shaded
thermostat symbol the engine may
be too hot.
Under some driving conditions,
including those listed below, it is
normal for the temperature to rise
above the usual operating range
and approach the far end of the
gauge: .
Stop and go driving in heavy
traffic.
. High speed operation in warm
weather.
. Uphill driving.
. Trailer towing or hauling a
heavy load.
It is normal for the reading to
fluctuate.
If the gauge pointer reaches the
warning area or the shaded
thermostat symbol at the far end of
the gauge and remains there for
more than 30 seconds, the engine
coolant has overheated.
If the engine coolant has
overheated, pull over and stop the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so. Then, turn the engine off
immediately.
See Engine Overheating 0269 for
more information.
Safety Belt Reminders
Driver Safety Belt Reminder
Light
There is a driver safety belt
reminder light on the instrument
cluster.
When the vehicle is started, this
light flashes and a chime may come
on to remind the driver to fasten
their safety belt. Then the light stays
on solid until the belt is buckled.
This cycle may continue several
times if the driver remains or
becomes unbuckled while the
vehicle is moving.
If the driver safety belt is buckled,
neither the light nor the chime
comes on.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Instruments and Controls 119
Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
There is a passenger safety belt
reminder light near the passenger
airbag status indicator. See
Passenger Sensing System077.
When the vehicle is started, this
light flashes and a chime may come
on to remind passengers to fasten
their safety belt. Then the light stays
on solid until the belt is buckled.
This cycle continues several times if
the passenger remains or becomes
unbuckled while the vehicle is
moving.
If the passenger safety belt is
buckled, neither the chime nor the
light comes on.
The front passenger safety belt
reminder light and chime may turn
on if an object is put on the seat
such as a briefcase, handbag, grocery bag, laptop, or other
electronic device. To turn off the
reminder light and/or chime, remove
the object from the seat or buckle
the safety belt.
Airbag Readiness Light
This light shows if there is an
electrical problem with the airbag
system. The system check includes
the airbag sensor(s), passenger
sensing system, the pretensioners,
the airbag modules, the wiring, and
the crash sensing and diagnostic
module. For more information on the
airbag system, see
Airbag System
0 71.
The airbag readiness light comes on
for several seconds when the
vehicle is started. If the light does
not come on then, have it fixed
immediately.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started or
comes on while driving, it means
the airbag system might not be
working properly. The airbags in
the vehicle might not inflate in a
crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid
injury, have the vehicle serviced
right away.
If there is a problem with the airbag
system, a Driver Information Center
(DIC) message may also come on.
See Airbag System Messages
0 144.
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system. See Passenger
Sensing System 077 for important
safety information. The passenger
airbag status indicator is in the
overhead console.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
120 Instruments and Controls
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light the symbol for on and off
for several seconds as a system
check. Then, after several more
seconds, the status indicator will
light either the on or off symbol to let
you know the status of the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag.
If the on symbol is lit on the
passenger airbag status indicator, it
means that the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag and knee
airbag are allowed to inflate.
If the off symbol is lit on the airbag
status indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has
turned off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag and knee
airbag.If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if there
are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the
passenger sensing system. See
your dealer for service.{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. See
Airbag Readiness
Light 0119 for more information,
including important safety
information.
Charging System Light
On some vehicles the charging
system light comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on, but the
engine is not running, as a check to
show the light is working. It should
go out when the engine is started.
For vehicles with a reconfigurable
cluster, this light may not come on
when the ignition is turned on.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there may be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the battery.
When this light comes on, or is
flashing, the Driver Information
Center (DIC) also displays a
message.
See Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages 0135.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
122 Instruments and Controls
been removed. See“Filling the
Tank with a Portable Gas Can”
under Filling the Tank 0241.
The diagnostic system can
detect if the adapter has been
left installed in the vehicle,
allowing fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the adapter removed
may turn off the light.
. Poor fuel quality can cause
inefficient engine operation and
poor driveability, which may go
away once the engine is warmed
up. If this occurs, change the
fuel brand. It may require at
least one full tank of the proper
fuel to turn the light off. See Fuel
0 240.
If the light remains on, see your
dealer.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
If the vehicle requires an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test, the
test equipment will likely connect to
the vehicle's Data Link
Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel. Connecting devices that are
not used to perform an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test or to
service the vehicle may affect
vehicle operation See Add-On
Electrical Equipment 0248. See
your dealer if assistance is needed.
The vehicle may not pass
inspection if:
. The light is on when the engine
is running.
. The light does not come on
when the ignition is in Service
Only Mode.
. Critical emission control systems
have not been completely
diagnosed. If this happens, the
vehicle would not be ready for
inspection and might require
several days of routine driving before the system is ready for
inspection. This can happen if
the 12-volt battery has recently
been replaced or run down, or if
the vehicle has been recently
serviced.
See your dealer if the vehicle will
not pass or cannot be made ready
for the test.
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 problem with the braking
system. Have the brake system
inspected right away.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Instruments and Controls 123
This light should come on briefly
when the engine is started. If it does
not come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you 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
The parking brake status 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).
SeeBrake System Messages
0 136.
If the light does not come on,
or remains flashing, see your dealer.
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. See Electric
Parking Brake 0204. If a message
displays in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), see Brake System
Messages 0136.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
124 Instruments and Controls
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
0 122 andBrake System Messages
0 136.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.
For vehicles with the uplevel cluster,
this light may not come on when
starting the vehicle.
This light is green if LKA is available
to assist. LKA may assist by gently turning
the steering wheel if the vehicle
approaches a detected lane marking
without using the turn signal in that
direction. The LKA light will turn
amber.
This light is amber and flashes as a
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
alert, to indicate that the lane
marking has been crossed.
See
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) 0238.
Vehicle Ahead Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will
display green when a vehicle is
detected ahead and amber when
you are following a vehicle ahead
much too closely.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0232.