2009 CADILLAC DTS Owners Manual

CAUTION: (Continued)

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.
The ACCs are located on the steering wheel.The cruise control buttons are located on left side of the
steering wheel.](On):Press to turn the system on.
+ Res (Resume/Accelerate):Press to make the
vehicle resume to a previously set speed or to increase
the set speed when ACC is already active.
Set– :Press to set the speed or to decrease the set
speed when ACC is already active.
[(Cancel):Press to cancel ACC.
+GAP (Increase Following Distance):Press to
increase the distance between your vehicle and other
vehicles.
−GAP (Decrease Following Distance):Press to
decrease the distance between your vehicle and other
vehicles.
ACC will not work if the master cylinder brake uid level
is low.
3-21

Engaging ACC 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.
The set speed is selected by the driver. This is the
speed your vehicle will travel if there is no vehicle
detected in its path.
To set ACC, do the following:
1. Press the
]button.
2. Get up to the speed desired.
3. Press in the SET– button and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Once ACC is set, it may immediately apply the brakes if
it detects a vehicle ahead is too close or moving slower
than your vehicle.The on symbol is located on the display at the top of the
instrument panel to the right of the driver. When the on
symbol is lit on the display, it indicates that ACC is active.
A message on the DIC will also display when ACC is
set. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-73.
Keep in mind speed limits, surrounding traffic speeds,
and weather conditions when adjusting your set speed.
If the vehicle is in ACC when the traction control system
begins to limit wheel spin, the ACC will automatically
disengage. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-6andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6. When
road conditions allow you to safely use it again, the ACC
can be turned back on.
Increasing Set Speed While Using ACC
There are two ways to increase the set speed:
Use the accelerator to get to the higher speed.
Press the SET– button and then release the
button and the accelerator pedal. The vehicle
will now cruise at the higher speed.
Press the +RES button. Hold it there until the
desired set speed is displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), then release the switch.
To increase the set speed in very small amounts,
move the switch briey to +RES. Each time this is
done, the set speed increases by 1 mph (1 km/h).
3-22

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.
Decreasing Set Speed While Using ACC
Press the SET– button 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 set speed
decreases by 1 mph (1 km/h) slower.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose the ACC is set at a desired speed and then
the brakes are applied. This will turn off the ACC.
But it does not need to be reset.
Once the vehicle speed reaches about 25 mph (40 km/h)
or more, press the +RES button. ACC 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 plus and minus buttons on the steering wheel
to adjust the follow distance.
Press the plus button to increase the distance or the
minus button to decrease the distance. The rst button
press shows the current follow distance setting on
the DIC. The current follow distance setting will be
maintained until it is changed.
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 your vehicle 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 ACC allows, disengage
the system and drive manually.
3-23

Alerting the Driver
The ACC alert symbol is
located on the display at
the top of the instrument
panel to the right of the
driver.
The alert symbol ashes and a warning beep sounds
when driver action may be required. If ACC is engaged,
the alert symbol will ash when:
ACC 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 ACC from operating.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-73for
more information.
A malfunction is detected in the system. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-73for 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.
Approaching and Following a Vehicle
The vehicle ahead symbol
is located on the top of the
instrument panel to the
right of the driver.
The vehicle ahead symbol only appears when a vehicle
is detected in your path.
If this symbol does not appear, or disappears briey,
ACC will not respond to vehicles you may see ahead.
3-24

{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.
ACC automatically slows your vehicle down when
approaching a slower moving vehicle. It then adjusts
your vehicle speed to follow the vehicle in front at the
selected follow distance. Your vehicle speed increases
or decreases 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. Braking 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.
{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.
3-25

Low-Speed Deactivation
If your vehicle speed falls below 20 mph (32 km/h) while
following a vehicle ahead, ACC will begin to disengage.
The Driver Alert symbol will ash and the warning beep
will sound. The driver must take action since ACC will not
slow the vehicle to a stop.
Passing a Vehicle/ACC Override
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 message will
appear on the DIC. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-73. Once you remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal, ACC 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.
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.
ACC may operate differently in a sharp curve. It may
reduce your vehicle speed if the curve is too sharp.
3-26

When following a vehicle and entering a curve, ACC
could lose track of the vehicle in your lane and accelerate
your vehicle. When this happens the Vehicle Ahead
symbol will not appear.ACC may detect a vehicle that is not in your lane and
apply the brakes.
ACC 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.
3-27

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, ACC will
not detect the vehicle until it is completely in the lane.
Be ready to take action and apply the brakes yourself.
Using ACC on Hills and When Towing a
Trailer
How well ACC will work on hills and when towing a
trailer depends on your vehicle’s 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 vehicle’s speed. When
going downhill, especially 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 ACC on steep hills, especially when towing a trailer.
Disengaging ACC
To turn off the system, apply the brake pedal, press the
cancel button, or press the ACC button.
3-28