2006 CADILLAC STS Owners Manual

Push the control forward and the steering wheel moves
toward the front of the vehicle. Push the control
rearward and the steering wheel moves toward the rear
of the vehicle. To set the memory position, see
Vehicle Personalization on page 2-53andMemory
Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheel on page 2-70.
Heated Steering Wheel
Your vehicle may have a heated steering wheel.
The button for this
feature is located on
the steering wheel.
Press the bottom of the button to turn the heated
steering wheel on or off. A light on the button will display
while the feature is on.
The steering wheel will take about three minutes to
reach its maximum temperature.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
GTurn and Lane-Change Signals. SeeTurn and
Lane-Change Signals on page 3-8.
OHeadlamps. SeeHeadlamps on page 3-31.
3Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer. See
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8.
Flash-To-Pass Feature. SeeFlash-to-Pass
on page 3-12.
-Fog Lamps. SeeFog Lamps on page 3-37.
ICruise Control. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-16.
Adaptive Cruise Control (If Equipped). SeeAdaptive
Cruise Control on page 3-19.
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) (If Equipped). See
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System on page 3-9.
3-7

Turn and Lane-Change Signals
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
The lever returns automatically when the turn is
complete.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will ash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to ash to
signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane
change is complete. The lever returns to its original
position when it’s released.
Arrows that ash rapidly when signaling for a turn or
lane change may be caused by a burned-out signal bulb.
Other driver’s won’t see the signal.
Replace burned-out bulbs to help avoid possible
accidents. Check the fuse and for burned-out bulbs if
the arrow fails to work when signaling a turn. SeeFuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 5-105for more
information.
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for about 1 mile (1.6 km),
a warning chime will sound and the Turn Signal
On message will appear on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) display. See “Turn Signal On” underDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-79for more
information.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
Push forward on the turn signal/multifunction lever
to change the headlamps from low to high beam. Pull
the lever back and then release it to change from high to
low beam.
If you turn the vehicle off with the high beams on, the
next time you start your vehicle the low beams will
be on.
To re-activate high beams, pull lever toward you and
then push it forward again.
This light on the instrument
panel cluster will be on,
indicating high-beam
usage.
3-8

Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System
If your vehicle has this feature, be sure to read this
entire section before using it.
The system operates on a radio frequency subject to
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and
with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.The Forward Collision Alert (FCA) system provides an
audible and visual warning if you approach a vehicle too
rapidly. FCA also provides a visual warning with no
audible warning if you are following another vehicle
much too closely. FCA uses the Adaptive Cruise Control
radar to detect a vehicle directly ahead, in your path,
within a distance of 328 ft (100 m) and operates
at speeds above 20 mph (32 km/h).
{CAUTION:
FCA is only a warning system and does not
apply the brakes. When you are approaching a
vehicle or object too rapidly or when you are
following a vehicle too closely that is ahead of
you, FCA may not provide you with enough
time to avoid a collision. FCA is not designed
to warn the driver of pedestrians or animals.
Your complete attention is always required
while driving and you should be ready to take
action and apply the brakes. For more
information, seeDefensive Driving on page 4-2.
3-9

The Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) controls are located
on the end of the
multifunction lever.
9(Off):This position turns the system off.
R(On):This position turns the system on.
To enable FCA, move the Adaptive Cruise Control
switch to on. To disable FCA, move the switch to off.
Make sure the Head-Up Display is on and properly
adjusted. If the HUD is not on, FCA will not be enabled
and you will not be provided with FCA audible and
visual warnings. SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on
page 3-40for more information.
{CAUTION:
On winding roads, FCA may not detect a
vehicle ahead. You could crash into a
vehicle ahead of you. Do not rely on FCA
on winding roads.
When weather limits visibility, such as in
fog, rain, or snow, FCA performance is
limited. There may not be enough warning
distance to the vehicle in front of you. Do
not rely on FCA in low visibility conditions.
{CAUTION:
When FCA is enabled, the Adaptive Cruise
Control switch is on. If you press another
Adaptive Cruise Control button, you might go
into cruise when you do not want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Be
careful not to press adaptive cruise buttons
unless you want to use cruise control.
3-10

Warning the Driver
The alert symbol will ash
on the HUD and a warning
beep will sound when
driver action may be
required.
The driver warning is active when:
You are approaching a vehicle too quickly.
You are following a vehicle ahead much too closely.
SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2for more
information.
Detecting the Vehicle Ahead
The vehicle ahead symbol will only appear on the HUD
when a vehicle ahead of you is detected in your
path. If this symbol does not appear, or disappears
briey, FCA will not respond to vehicles you may see
ahead. The symbol may disappear on curves, highway
exit ramps, or hills. Also, when another vehicle enters
the same lane as you, the FCA system will not
detect the vehicle until it is completely in your
driving lane.
{CAUTION:
When the Adaptive Cruise Control radar is
blocked by snow, ice, or dirt, it may not detect
a vehicle ahead. FCA may not help you avoid a
collision under these conditions. Do not use
FCA when the radar is blocked by snow, ice,
or dirt. Keep your radar clean. See “Cleaning
the System” underAdaptive Cruise Control on
page 3-19.
{CAUTION:
FCA may not detect and warn soon enough to
stationary or slow-moving vehicles or other
objects ahead of you. You could crash into an
object ahead of you. Do not rely on FCA when
approaching stationary or slow-moving
vehicles or other objects.
3-11

Unnecessary Warnings
FCA may occasionally provide an unnecessary warning
to guard rails, signs, and other stationary objects.
This is normal operation, your vehicle does not need
service.
Other Messages
There are three messages that may appear on the
Driver Information Center (DIC). They are CLEAN
RADAR, RADAR CRUISE NOT READY and SERVICE
RADAR CRUISE. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-79.
Cleaning the System
The radar can become blocked by snow, ice, or dirt.
If so, you may need to turn off the engine and clean the
lens. See “Cleaning the System” underAdaptive
Cruise Control on page 3-19.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature allows you to use the high-beam
headlamps to signal the driver in front of you that you
want to pass.
Pull and hold the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you to use this feature. When you do, the following
will occur:
If the headlamps are off, in low-beam or in Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) mode, the high-beam
headlamps will turn on. They’ll stay on as long as
you hold the lever there. Release the lever to
turn them off.
If the headlamps are in high-beam mode, they will
switch to low beam. To return to high-beam, push
the lever away from you.
3-12

Windshield Wipers
The lever on the right side of the steering column
operates the windshield wipers.
7(Mist):Pull the lever down and release it for a
single wiping cycle. The lever will return to its original
position. For more cycles, hold the lever down
before releasing it.
9(Off):Put the lever in this position to turn off
the wipers.
&(Delay):Put the lever in this position to set a delay
between wipes. Turn the delay adjustment band to
set the length of the delay.
x(Delay Adjustment):Use this band to set the
length of the delay between wipes when using the delay
feature. The closer you move the band toward mist,
the longer the delay. The windshield wiper lever must be
in delay for this feature to work.
6(Low Speed):Put the lever in this position for
slow, steady wiping cycles.
1(High Speed):Put the lever in this position for
rapid wiping cycles.
If the windshield wipers are in use for about six seconds
while you are driving, the exterior lamps will come on
automatically if the exterior lamp control is in AUTO.
SeeWiper Activated Headlamps on page 3-35for
more information.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they’re frozen to the windshield,
gently loosen or thaw them. If the blades do become
damaged, install new blades. For more information, see
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement on page 5-55.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools down.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Your vehicle (STS-V only) is equipped with a feature
that disables the wiper system when the hood is
open and your vehicle is stopped. Opening the hood will
automatically park the wipers if they are not parked.
This prevents the wipers from interfering with hood
operation. Be sure the hood is not opened when you
require the vehicle’s wipers out of the park position,
such as when changing the wiper blades.
3-13

Rainsense™ II Wipers
If your vehicle has this feature, the moisture sensor is
mounted on the interior side of the windshield behind the
rearview mirror. It is used to automatically operate the
wipers by monitoring the amount of moisture build-up on
the windshield. Wipes occur as needed to clear the
windshield depending on driving conditions and the
sensitivity setting. In light rain or snow, fewer wipes will
occur. In heavy rain or snow, wipes will occur more
frequently. The Rainsense™ wipers operate in a delay
mode as well as a continuous low or high speed as
needed. If the system is left on for long periods of time,
occasional wipes may occur without any moisture on the
windshield. This is normal and indicates that the
Rainsense™ system is activated.
To activate the Rainsense™ system, turn the wiper
band to delay mode and select one of the four sensitivity
levels indicated on the wiper stalk. The position
closest to off is the lowest sensitivity setting, level one.
This allows more rain or snow to collect on the
windshield between wipes. Turning the wiper band away
from you to higher sensitivity levels increases the
sensitivity of the system and frequency of wipes.The highest sensitivity setting, level four, is closest to
low. A single wipe will occur each time you turn the
wiper stalk to a higher sensitivity level to indicate that
the sensitivity level has been increased.
Notice:Going through an automatic car wash with
the wipers on can damage them. Turn the wipers
off when going through an automatic car wash.
The mist and wash cycles operate as normal and are
not affected by the Rainsense™ function. The
Rainsense™ system can be overridden at any time by
manually turning the wiper band to low or high speed.
When Rainsense™ is active, the headlamps will turn on
automatically. The headlamps will turn off again once
the wipers turn off if it is light enough outside. If it
is dark, they will remain on. SeeWiper Activated
Headlamps on page 3-35.
Notice:Do not place stickers or other items on
the exterior glass surface directly in front of
the moisture sensor. Doing this could cause the
moisture sensor to malfunction.
3-14