2008 CADILLAC STS warning

Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning ashers let you warn others.
They also let police know you have a problem. Your
front and rear turn signal lamps will ash on and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is
located on the console,
near the shift lever.
SeeInstrument Panel
Overview on page 3-4.
Your hazard warning ashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key is not in.Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ash on and off. Press the button again to
turn the ashers off.
When the hazard warning ashers are on, your turn
signals will not work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them up
at the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on the steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
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Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to ash
to signal a lane change. Hold it briey until the lane
change is complete. The arrow will automatically ash
three times The lever returns to its original position
when it is released.
Rapid ashing of arrows when signaling for a turn
or lane change can be caused by a burned-out signal
bulb. Other drivers will not see the signal.
Replace burned-out bulbs to help avoid possible
accidents. Check the fuse for burned-out bulbs
if the arrow fails to work when signaling a turn.
SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-117
for 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” under
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-80for
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.
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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.
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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 3-43for 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.
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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 3-20.
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{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.
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 3-80.
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 3-20.
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 this is done 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 will stay on as long
as the lever is held 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 forward.
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{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

Alerting the Driver
The alert symbol ashes
on the HUD and a
warning beep sounds
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
25 mph (40 km/h).
A temporary condition prohibits Adaptive Cruise
Control from operating. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-80for more information.
A malfunction is detected in the system.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-80
for 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.
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