Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460273) - 2019 - CRC - 5/8/18
INTRODUCTION 3
Danger, Warning, and
Caution
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: Shown when the owner’s manual
has additional instructions or
information.
*: Shown when the service manual
has additional instructions or
information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.” Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that
may be found on the vehicle and what
they mean. See the features in this
manual for information.
u:
Air Conditioning System
G:Air Conditioning Refrigerant Oil
9:Airbag Readiness Light
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
$:Brake System Warning Light
9:Dispose of Used Components
Properly
P: Do Not Apply High Pressure
Water
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
_:Flame/Fire Prohibited
H: Flammable
[:Forward Collision Alert
R: Fuse Block Cover Lock Location
+:Fuses
j:ISOFIX/LATCH System Child
Restraints
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460273) - 2019 - CRC - 5/8/18
KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS 37
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Turn the vehicle on and then
back off.
Conditions in Which Remote Start
Will Not Work
The remote start will not operate if
any of the following occur:
. The ignition is in any mode other
than off.
. A transmitter is in the vehicle.
. The hood is not closed.
. The hazard warning flashers
are on.
. There is an emission control
system malfunction.
. The engine coolant temperature is
too high.
. The oil pressure is low.
. Two remote vehicle starts have
already been used.
. The vehicle is not in P (Park).Door Locks
{Warning
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
. Passengers, especially
children, can easily open the
doors and fall out of a moving
vehicle. The doors can be
unlocked and opened while
the vehicle is moving. The
chance of being thrown out of
the vehicle in a crash is
increased if the doors are not
locked. So, all passengers
should wear seat belts
properly and the doors should
be locked whenever the
vehicle is driven.
. Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child can
be overcome by extreme heat
and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from
heat stroke. Always lock the
vehicle whenever leaving it.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Outsiders can easily enter
through an unlocked door
when you slow down or stop
the vehicle. Locking the doors
can help prevent this from
happening.
To lock or unlock the doors from
outside the vehicle:
. Press
QorKon the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 029.
. Use the key in the driver door. The
key lock cylinder is covered with
a cap.
See “Driver Door Key Lock
Cylinder Access (In Case of Dead
Battery)” later in this section.
To lock or unlock the doors from
inside the vehicle:
. Press
QorKon the power door
lock switch.
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460273) - 2019 - CRC - 5/8/18
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 109
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . 110
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . 110
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . 110
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . 111
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Boost Gauge (Performance Configuration Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Engine Oil Temperature Gauge
(Performance
Configuration Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . 127
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Brake System Warning Light . . . . 131
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . 131
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . 132
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . 132
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Driver Mode Control Light (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . 135 Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 135
Auto Stop Mode (Uplevel
Cluster Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . . . . . 141
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Engine Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . 144
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . 145
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . . . . 145
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . . . . . . 150
Universal Remote System Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460273) - 2019 - CRC - 5/8/18
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 125
Engine Oil Temperature
Gauge (Performance
Configuration Only)
Metric
English
This gauge shows the engine oil
temperature.
If the gauge pointer moves into the
high end, it means that the engine oil
has overheated. If the vehicle has been
operated under normal driving
conditions, pull off the road, stop the
vehicle, and turn off the engine as
soon as possible.
See Engine Oil 0268.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge
Metric Base Level
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460273) - 2019 - CRC - 5/8/18
134 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
If the light is on and flashing, the TCS
and/or the StabiliTrak/ESC system is
actively working.
SeeTraction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0207.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light
On some vehicles this light comes on
briefly while starting the vehicle. If it
does not, have the vehicle serviced by
the dealer. If the system is working
normally the indicator light goes off.
For vehicles with the reconfigurable
cluster, this light may not come on
when starting the vehicle.
Caution
The engine coolant temperature
warning light indicates that the
vehicle has overheated. Driving with
this light on can damage the engine
and it may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. See Engine
Overheating 0279.
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens pull over and turn off
the engine as soon as possible. See
Engine Overheating 0279.
Driver Mode Control Light
(Uplevel)
This light comes on when Sport Mode
is selected.
This light comes on when Snow/Ice
Mode is selected.
This light comes on when Track Mode
is selected. See Driver Mode Control
0 209.
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460273) - 2019 - CRC - 5/16/18
DRIVING AND OPERATING 251
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. The combination of
the vehicle and trailer will not
accelerate as quickly and is much
longer than the vehicle alone. It is
necessary to go much farther beyond
the passed vehicle before returning to
the lane. Pass on level roadways.
Avoid passing on hills if possible.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. To move the trailer to
the left, move that hand to the left. To
move the trailer to the right, move
that hand to the right. Always back up
slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making TurnsCaution
Turn more slowly and make wider
arcs when towing a trailer to
prevent damage to your vehicle. (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
Making very sharp turns could
cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when
towing, so trailer will not go over soft
shoulders, over curbs, or strike road
signs, trees, or other objects. Always
signal turns well in advance. Do not
steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes may
overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes,
engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at lower altitudes.
If the engine is turned off immediately after towing at high altitude on steep
uphill grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating. To
avoid this, let the engine run,
preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine off.
If the overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating
0279.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer
on a level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your
trailer on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the
wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460273) - 2019 - CRC - 5/16/18
276 VEHICLE CARE
6.2L V8 Engine (LT4)
1. Engine Coolant Surge Tankand Pressure Cap
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can start
up even when the engine is not
running and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts. They
can be very hot and can burn you.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak; all coolant could leak out.
That could cause an engine fire and
can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL engine coolant.
See Maintenance Schedule 0345 and
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0 354.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating 0279.
What to Use
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts. They
can be very hot and can burn you.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak; all coolant could leak out.
That could cause an engine fire and
can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down to
−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature.
. Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
. Protects against rust and
corrosion.
. Will not damage aluminum parts.
. Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460273) - 2019 - CRC - 5/16/18
VEHICLE CARE 277
Caution
Do not use anything other than a
mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard GMW3420 and
clean, drinkable water. Anything
else can cause damage to the
engine cooling system and the
vehicle, which would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used coolant
disposal. This will help protect the
environment and your health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface
when checking the coolant level. It is normal to see coolant moving in
the upper coolant hose return line
when the engine is running. It is also
normal to see bubbles entering the
surge tank through the small hose.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the
coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down.If coolant is visible but the coolant
level is not at or above the indicated
mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant.Be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
It is normal for the coolant level in
the bottom chamber to rise and fall
with operating temperature and
ambient conditions. Coolant will
evaporate from the bottom chamber
in normal operation. This will happen
faster when the vehicle is driven for
long periods in hot, dry conditions.
If no coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine parts
can burn you. Coolant contains
ethylene glycol and it will burn if
the engine parts are hot enough.