2006 CADILLAC STS Owners Manual

This symbol will appear
on the Head-Up Display
(HUD) to indicate that
Adaptive Cruise Control
is active. The number
indicates the set speed.
SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-40for more
information.
Make sure the set speed is visible on the HUD so you
know the speed your vehicle will accelerate to if a
vehicle is not detected in your path. Keep in mind speed
limits, surrounding traffic speeds and weather conditions
when adjusting your set speed.
If your vehicle is in Adaptive Cruise Control when the
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the
Adaptive Cruise Control will automatically disengage.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9and
StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-11. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may turn the
Adaptive Cruise Control back on.
Increasing Set Speed While Using Adaptive
Cruise Control
There are two ways to increase the set speed:
Use the accelerator to get to the higher speed.
Press the set button at the end of the lever,
then release the button and the accelerator pedal.
You will now cruise at the higher speed.
Move the Adaptive Cruise Control switch from on to
resume/increase. Hold it there until the desired set
speed is displayed in the HUD, then release the
switch. To increase your set speed in very small
amounts, move the switch briey to resume/increase.
Each time you do this, your vehicle set speed will
increase by 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
Your vehicle will not reach the set speed until the system
determines there is not a vehicle in front of you. At that
point, your vehicle speed will increase to the set speed. United States version
shown, Canada similar
3-23

Decreasing Set Speed While Using
Adaptive Cruise Control
Press in the set/decrease button on the end of the lever
until you reach the lower speed you want, then
release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, briey press the
set/decrease button. Each time you do this, your
set speed will be 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your Adaptive Cruise Control at a
desired speed and then you apply the brake. This will
disengage the Adaptive Cruise Control. But you do
not need to reset it.
Once you are going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
move the Adaptive Cruise Control switch briey from on
to resume/increase. Adaptive Cruise Control will be
engaged with the previously chosen set speed.
Selecting the Follow Distance (GAP)
When the system detects a slower moving vehicle, it will
adjust your vehicle’s speed and maintain the follow
distance (gap) you select.Use the GAP button on
the steering wheel to
adjust the follow distance.
Press the top of the button to increase the distance or
the bottom of the button to decrease the distance.
The rst button press will show you the current follow
distance setting on the HUD. Your current follow
distance setting will be maintained until you change it.
There are six follow distances to choose from. The follow
distance selection ranges from near to far (one second to
two seconds follow time). The distance maintained for a
selected follow distance will vary based on vehicle speed.
The faster the vehicle speed the further back you will
follow. Consider traffic and weather conditions when
selecting the follow distance. The range of selectable
distances may not be appropriate for all drivers and
driving conditions. If you prefer to travel at a follow
distance farther than Adaptive Cruise Control allows,
disengage the system and drive manually.
3-24

A graphic on the HUD indicates the selected follow
distance. This picture shows a maximum follow distance.
The vehicles will move closer together as you select a
smaller follow distance.
Alerting the Driver
The alert symbol will ash
on the HUD and a warning
beep will sound when
driver action is required.Driver action is required when:
Adaptive Cruise Control cannot apply sufficient
braking because you are approaching a vehicle
too rapidly.
The vehicle speed drops below about
20 mph (32 km/h).
A temporary condition prohibits Adaptive Cruise
Control from operating. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-79for more information.
A malfunction is detected in the system. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-79for more
information.
SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2.
{CAUTION:
Adaptive Cruise Control has only limited
braking ability to slow your vehicle. In some
cases, Adaptive Cruise Control may not have
time to slow your vehicle enough to avoid a
collision. Be ready to take action and apply the
brakes yourself. SeeDefensive Driving on
page 4-2. United States version shown, Canada similar
3-25

Approaching and Following a Vehicle
The vehicle ahead symbol
will only appear on the
HUD when a vehicle ahead
is detected in your path.
If this symbol does not appear, or disappears briey,
Adaptive Cruise Control will not respond to vehicles you
may see ahead.
{CAUTION:
When the Adaptive Cruise Control radar is
blocked by snow, ice, or dirt, it may not detect
a vehicle ahead. Adaptive Cruise Control may
not have time to slow your vehicle enough to
avoid a collision. Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control when the radar is blocked by snow,
ice, or dirt. Keep your radar clean. See
“Cleaning the System” later in this section.Adaptive Cruise Control will, automatically, slow your
vehicle down when approaching a slower moving vehicle.
It will then adjust your speed to follow the vehicle in front
at the selected follow distance. Your speed will increase
or decrease to follow the vehicle in front of you but will not
exceed the set speed. It may apply limited braking, if
necessary. When braking is active, your brake lights will
come on. It may feel or sound different than if you were
applying the brakes yourself. This is normal.
Stationary or Very Slow-Moving Objects
{CAUTION:
Adaptive Cruise Control may not detect and
react to stationary or slow-moving vehicles or
other objects ahead of you. You could crash
into an object ahead of you. Do not use
Adaptive Cruise Control when approaching
stationary or slow-moving vehicles or other
objects.
3-26

{CAUTION:
Adaptive Cruise Control may not detect and
react to stationary or slow-moving vehicles or
other objects ahead of you. Your vehicle may
accelerate toward objects, such as a stopped
vehicle that suddenly appears after the lead
vehicle changes lanes. Your complete attention
is always required while driving and you should
be ready to take action and apply the brakes.
Low-Speed Deactivation
If your speed falls below 20 mph (32 km/h) while
following a vehicle ahead, Adaptive Cruise Control will
begin to disengage. The driver alert symbol on the HUD
will ash and the warning beep will sound. The driver
must take action since Adaptive Cruise Control will not
slow the vehicle to a stop.
Deactivation When Head-Up Display is
Turned Off
If you turn the HUD off when Adaptive Cruise Control is
engaged, it will begin to disengage. A warning beep will
sound and the message RADAR CRUISE NOT READY
will appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC).SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-79for
additional information. If Adaptive Cruise Control was
braking when the HUD is turned off, the braking will
continue briey.
Passing a Vehicle/Adaptive Cruise
Control Override
If you need to increase speed to pass a vehicle, use
the accelerator pedal. While you are doing this,
the system will not automatically apply the brakes.
A PEDAL APPLIED ACC OVERRIDE message
will appear on the HUD. SeeHead-Up Display (HUD)
on page 3-40for additional information. Once you
pass the vehicle and remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal, Adaptive Cruise Control will return
to normal operation and be able to apply the brakes,
if needed.
{CAUTION:
If you rest your foot on the accelerator pedal,
the system will not automatically apply the
brakes. You could crash into a vehicle ahead
of you. Do not rest your foot on the accelerator
pedal when using Adaptive Cruise Control.
3-27

Curves in the Road
{CAUTION:
Due to Adaptive Cruise Control limitations in
curves, it may respond to a vehicle in another
lane, or may not have time to react to a vehicle
in your lane. You could crash into a vehicle
ahead of you, or lose control of your vehicle.
Give extra attention in curves and be ready to
use the brakes if necessary. Select an
appropriate speed while driving in curves.
Adaptive Cruise Control may operate differently in a
sharp curve. It may reduce your speed if the curve is
too sharp.When following a vehicle and entering a curve, Adaptive
Cruise Control could lose track of the vehicle in your
lane and accelerate your vehicle. When this happens,
the vehicle ahead symbol will not appear on the HUD.
3-28

Adaptive Cruise Control may detect a vehicle that is not
in your lane and apply the brakes.
Adaptive Cruise Control may, occasionally, provide a
driver alert and/or braking that you consider unnecessary.
It could respond to signs, guardrails and other stationary
objects when entering or exiting a curve. This is normal
operation. Your vehicle does not need service.
Highway Exit Ramps
{CAUTION:
Adaptive Cruise Control may lose track of the
vehicle ahead and accelerate up to your set
speed while entering or on highway exit ramps.
You could be startled by this acceleration and
even lose control of the vehicle. Disengage
Adaptive Cruise Control before entering a
highway exit ramp. Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control while entering or on exit ramps.
Other Vehicle Lane Changes
If another vehicle enters the same lane as you, Adaptive
Cruise Control will not detect the vehicle until it is
completely in the lane. Be ready to take action and apply
the brakes yourself.
3-29

Using Adaptive Cruise Controls on Hills
and When Towing a Trailer
How well Adaptive Cruise Control will work on hills and
when towing a trailer depends on your speed, vehicle
load, traffic conditions and the steepness of the hills.
It may not detect a vehicle in your lane while driving on
hills. When going up steep hills, you may want to
use the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When
going downhill when towing a trailer, you may want to
brake to keep your speed down. Applying the brake
disengages the system. You may choose not to
use Adaptive Cruise Control on steep hills when towing
a trailer.
Disengaging Adaptive Cruise Control
To disengage the system, apply the brake pedal or
move the Adaptive Cruise Control switch to off. Adaptive
Cruise Control information will not appear on the HUD
when the system is not engaged.
Erasing Set Speed Memory
When you turn the Adaptive Cruise Control switch or
the ignition off, the set speed memory is erased.
Other Messages
There are three messages that may appear on the DIC.
They are SERVICE RADAR CRUISE, RADAR
CRUISE NOT READY and CLEAN RADAR. These
messages will appear to indicate a problem with
the Adaptive Cruise Control. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-79for more information.
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. Remember, do not use Adaptive Cruise Control
in icy conditions, or when visibility is low, such as in fog,
rain or snow.
The emblem/lens is located in the center of the grille.
To clean the emblem/lens, wipe the surface with a
soft cloth. After cleaning the emblem/lens, engage the
Adaptive Cruise Control. If you are unable to do so, see
your dealer.
3-30