2008 CADILLAC STS Owners Manual

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 3-37.
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.
3-15

Windshield Washer
K(Washer Fluid):The lever on the right side of the
steering column also controls the windshield washer.
There is a button at the end of the lever. To spray
washer uid on the windshield, press the button and
hold it. The washer will spray until you release the
button. The wipers will continue to clear the window
for about six seconds after the button is released and
then stop or return to your preset speed.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
If the uid in the windshield washer uid reservoir is
low, the message CHECK WASHER FLUID will appear
on the Driver Information Center (DIC) display. It will
take 60 seconds after the bottle is relled for this
message to turn off. For information on the correct
washer uid mixture to use, seeWindshield Washer
Fluid on page 5-40andRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-13.
Headlamp Washer
Your vehicle may have headlamp washers. The headlamp
washers clear debris from the headlamp lenses.
The headlamp washers are located to the inside of
the headlamps.
To wash the headlamps, press the washer button
located at the end of the windshield wiper lever.
Both the headlamps and the windshield will be washed.
After the rst wash, the headlamps will be washed
after the fth press of the windshield washer button.
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The headlamps must be on to be washed. If the
headlamps are off, only the windshield will be washed
when the washer button is pressed. If the washer uid
is low, the headlamp washers will not work.
SeeWindshield Washer on page 3-16for additional
information.
Cruise Control
These controls are
located on the end
of the multifunction
lever.
9(Off):Move to this position to turn the system off.
R(On):Move to this position to turn on the system.
+ (Resume/Accelerate):Move to this position to make
the vehicle resume a previously set speed or to
accelerate when cruise is already active.
T(Set/Decrease):Press this button to set the speed
or to decrease the speed when cruise is already active.With cruise control, a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h)
or more can be maintained without keeping your
foot on the accelerator. This can really help on long
trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h).
If you apply your brakes, the cruise control shuts off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the Traction
Control System (TCS) begins to limit wheel spin or
the stability control system activates, the cruise control
automatically disengages. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-6andStabiliTrak
®System
on page 4-8orEnhanced StabiliTrak®on page 4-9.
When road conditions allow you to safely use it again,
you may turn the cruise control back on.
3-17

Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Move the cruise control switch to on.
2. Get up to the speed desired.
3. Press in the set button at the end of the lever
and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
This light on the instrument
panel cluster comes on
while cruise control is on.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is at the set speed desired and then
the brake is applied, the cruise control is disengaged.
But it does not need to be reset.
Once the vehicle speed reaches about 25 mph (40 km/h)
or more, you can move the cruise control switch
briey from on to resume/accelerate.
The vehicle will go right back up to your chosen speed
and stay there.
If you hold the switch at resume/accelerate the vehicle
will keep going faster until you release the switch or apply
the brake. Do not hold the switch at resume/accelerate,
unless you want the vehicle to go faster.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
Use the accelerator pedal 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 cruise switch from on to resume/
accelerate. Hold it there until the desired speed is
reached, and then release the switch. To increase
your speed in very small amounts, move the switch
briey to resume/accelerate. Each time this is done,
your vehicle goes about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
3-18

If using the accelerator pedal and the set button at
end of the lever to increase cruise set speed, your new
set speed must be at least 5 mph higher than current
speed for this method to work. If it is not 5 mph higher,
switch cruise switch off, then on, and then reset your
speed using the set button.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
Press in the button at the end of the lever until you
reach the lower speed desired, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, briey press
the set button. Each time this is done, the vehicle
goes about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your vehicle
speed. When you take your foot off the pedal,
the vehicle slows down to the cruise control speed
you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on hills depends
upon the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to
step on the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle’s
speed. When going downhill, you might have to
brake to keep the vehicle’s speed down. Applying
the brake will turn off the cruise control. If you need
to apply the brake due to the grade of the downhill
slope, you might not want to attempt to use your
cruise control feature.
Ending Cruise Control
To end a cruise control session, step lightly on the
brake pedal.
Stepping on the brake pedal will end the current cruise
control session only. Move the cruise control switch
to off to turn off the system completely.
Erasing Speed Memory
When the cruise control or the ignition is turned off,
the cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-19

Adaptive Cruise Control
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.
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.
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.
Adaptive Cruise Control is an enhancement to traditional
cruise control and is not a safety system. It allows
you to keep cruise control engaged in moderate traffic
conditions without having to constantly be reset.Adaptive Cruise Control uses radar to detect a vehicle
directly ahead in your path, within a distance of
328 ft (100 m), and operates at speeds above
30 mph (48 km/h). When it is engaged by the driver,
the system can apply limited braking or acceleration
of the vehicle, automatically, to maintain a selected
following distance to the vehicle ahead. The vehicle’s
braking during Adaptive Cruise Control is comparable
to a person applying moderate pressure to the vehicle’s
brake pedal. To disengage Adaptive Cruise Control,
apply the brake. If no vehicle is in your path, your
vehicle will react like traditional cruise control.
{CAUTION:
Adaptive Cruise Control will not apply hard
braking or bring the vehicle to a complete
stop. It will not respond to stopped vehicles,
pedestrians or animals. When you are
approaching a vehicle or object, Adaptive
Cruise Control may not have time to slow
your vehicle enough to avoid a collision.
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.
3-20

{CAUTION:
On winding roads, Adaptive Cruise
Control may not detect a vehicle ahead.
You could crash into a vehicle ahead of
you. Do not use Adaptive Cruise Control
on winding roads.
Adaptive Cruise Control may not have time
to slow your vehicle enough to avoid a
crash when you are driving in conditions
where vehicles may suddenly slow or
stop ahead of you, enter your lane, or
cross your vehicle’s path. If you are
driving in these conditions, do not use
Adaptive Cruise Control. The warning
beep and alert symbol may indicate
that you are driving in conditions where
Adaptive Cruise Control should not be
used. See “Alerting the Driver” in this
section.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

On slippery roads, fast changes in
tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control.
Do not use cruise control on slippery
roads.
When weather limits visibility, such as
when in fog, rain, or snow conditions,
Adaptive Cruise Control performance is
limited. There may not be enough distance
to adapt to the changing traffic conditions.
Do not use cruise control when visibility
is low.
3-21

The cruise controls are
located on the end of
the multifunction lever.
The Adaptive Cruise controls are located on the
outboard side of the steering wheel.
9(Off):This position turns the system off.
R(On):This position turns the system on.
S(Resume/Increase):Push the switch to this symbol
to make the vehicle resume the speed set previously
or to increase the set speed when Adaptive Cruise
Control is already active.
T(Set/Decrease):Press this button to set the speed
or to decrease the set speed when Adaptive Cruise
Control is already active.
[(Cancel):Press this button located on the steering
wheel to cancel adaptive cruise control.
Engaging Adaptive Cruise Control
With the Set Button
{CAUTION:
If you leave your Adaptive Cruise Control
switch on when you are not using cruise, you
might hit a button and go into cruise when you
do not want to. You could be startled and even
lose control. Keep the Adaptive Cruise Control
switch off until you want to use cruise control.
{CAUTION:
If you operate Adaptive Cruise Control without
your Head-up Display (HUD) properly adjusted,
your Adaptive Cruise Control settings may
not be visible. You could forget your settings
and be startled by Adaptive Cruise Control
response and even lose control. Keep your
HUD on and properly adjusted when using
Adaptive Cruise Control.
3-22