2018 CADILLAC CTS light

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
122 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
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). SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) 0137.
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 on, 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.
Fuel Gauge
Base Level
Uplevel Balanced Configuration

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 123
When the ignition is on, the fuel
gauge indicates about how much fuel
is left in the tank.
There is an arrow near the fuel gauge
pointing to the side of the vehicle the
fuel door is on.
When the indicator nears empty, the
low fuel light comes on. There still is
a little fuel left, but the vehicle should
be refueled soon.
Here are four things that some owners
ask about. None of these show a
problem with the fuel gauge:
.At the service station, the fuel
pump shuts off before the gauge
reads full.
. It takes a little more or less fuel to
fill up than the gauge indicated.
For example, the gauge may have
indicated the tank was half full,
but it actually took a little more or
less than half the tank's capacity
to fill the tank.
. The gauge moves a little while
turning a corner or speeding up. .
The gauge takes a few seconds to
stabilize after the ignition is
turned on, and goes back to empty
when the ignition is turned off.
Boost Gauge (Performance
Configuration Only)
Metric 6.2 Engine (LT4) Shown, 3.6L
Engine (LF3) Similar
English 6.2 Engine (LT4) Shown, 3.6L Engine (LF3) Similar
This gauge indicates boost under
heavier throttle.
It displays the air pressure level in the
intake manifold before it enters the
engine's combustion chamber.
The gauge is automatically centered at
zero every time the engine is started.
Actual boost is displayed from this
zero point. Changes in ambient
pressure, such as driving in mountains
and changing weather, will slightly
change the zero reading.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 125
English Base Level
Metric Uplevel BalancedConfiguration
English Uplevel Balanced Configuration
This gauge measures the temperature
of the vehicle's engine.
While driving under normal operating
conditions, if the needle moves into
the red area, the engine is too hot.
Pull off the road, stop the vehicle, and
turn off the engine as soon as
possible.
Seat Belt Reminders
Driver Seat Belt Reminder Light
There is a driver seat 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 seat
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 seat belt is buckled,
neither the light nor the chime
comes on.
Passenger Seat Belt Reminder
Light
There is a passenger seat belt
reminder light near the passenger
airbag status indicator. See Passenger
Sensing System 082.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
126 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
When the vehicle is started, this light
flashes and a chime may come on to
remind passengers to fasten their seat
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 seat belt is buckled,
neither the chime nor the light
comes on.
The front passenger seat 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 seat 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), the passenger
sensing system, the pretensioners, the
airbag modules, the wiring, and the
crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag
system, seeAirbag System 076.
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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger sensing
system. See Passenger Sensing System
0 82 for important safety information.
The passenger airbag status indicator
is in the overhead console.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 127
United States
Canada and Mexico
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator will
light ON and OFF, or the symbol for
on and off for several seconds as a
system check. Then, after several more
seconds, the status indicator will light
either ON or OFF, or the on or off
symbol to let you know the status of
the front outboard passenger frontal
airbag and knee airbag. If the word ON or 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 word OFF or 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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Airbag Readiness Light0126 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.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
128 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
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.
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.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
This light is part of the vehicle’s
emission control on-board diagnostic
system. If this light is on while the
engine is running, a malfunction has
been detected and the vehicle may
require service. The light should come
on to show that it is working when
the ignition is in Service Mode. See
Ignition Positions0192.
Malfunctions are often indicated by
the system before any problem is
noticeable. Being aware of the light
and seeking service promptly when it
comes on may prevent damage.
Caution
If the vehicle is driven continually
with this light on, the emission
control system may not work as
well, the fuel economy may be
lower, and the vehicle may not run
smoothly. This could lead to costly
repairs that might not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Modifications to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake,
or fuel system, or the use of
replacement tires that do not meet
the original tire specifications, can
cause this light to come on. This
could lead to costly repairs not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
This could also affect the vehicle’s
ability to pass an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications 0254.
If the light is f lashing : A
malfunction has been detected that
could damage the emission control
system and increase vehicle
emissions. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
To help prevent damage, reduce
vehicle speed and avoid hard
accelerations and uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the amount
of cargo being hauled as soon as
possible.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 129
If the light continues to flash, find a
safe place to park. Turn the vehicle off
and wait at least 10 seconds before
restarting the engine. If the light is
still flashing, follow the previous
guidelines and see your dealer for
service as soon as possible.
If the light is on steady :A
malfunction has been detected.
Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Check the following:
. If fuel has been added to the
vehicle using the capless fuel
funnel adapter, make sure that it
has been removed. See “Filling the
Tank with a Portable Gas Can ”
under Filling the Tank 0244. 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
Fuel0242.
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 0251.
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 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

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
130 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
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.
MetricEnglish
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 brake problem.
{Warning
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on. Driving (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
Electric 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. A message may also
display in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). 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 started.
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
started.
If this light stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to a dealer as soon as
possible. See
Electric Parking Brake
0 204. A message may also display in
the Driver Information Center (DIC).