2009 CADILLAC STS Owners Manual

Park Tilt Mirrors
This feature assists the driver by improving rear
obstacle detection and is useful in viewing the curb
when parallel parking.
The passenger and/or driver mirror tilts to a preselected
position when the vehicle is in R (Reverse). This feature
lets the driver view the curb when parallel parking.
If further adjustment is needed after the mirror is tilted,
the mirror switch may be used. The mirror then
returns to this new position when the vehicle is shifted
into R (Reverse).
When the vehicle is shifted out of R (Reverse), and a
ve-second delay has occurred, the mirror will return
to its original position. The delay prevents movement
of the mirror if multiple gear transitions R (Reverse)
to D (Drive) to R (Reverse) occur during a parallel
parking maneuver.
If the outside mirror selector switch is in the middle
position, neither outside mirror will move.
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
If the vehicle has the Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
system, seeSide Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) on page 2-44
for more information.
Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you could
hit a vehicle on the right. Check the inside mirror
or glance over your shoulder before changing
lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex shaped. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen from
the driver’s seat.
Outside Heated Mirrors
For vehicles with this feature:
<(Rear Window Defogger):Press to heat the
mirrors. See “Rear Window Defogger” underDual
Climate Control System on page 3-48for more
information.
2-41

Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA)
For vehicles with the URPA system, it operates at
speeds less than 3 mph (5 km/h), and assists the driver
with parking and avoiding objects while in R (Reverse).
The sensors on the rear bumper are used to detect
the distance to an object up to 5 feet (1.5 m) behind
the vehicle and at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) off
the ground.
{CAUTION:
The Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)
system does not replace driver vision. It cannot
detect:
objects that are below the bumper,
underneath the vehicle, or if they are
too close or far from the vehicle
children, pedestrians, bicyclists, or pets.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If you do not use proper care before and while
backing; vehicle damage, injury, or death could
occur. Even with URPA, always check behind the
vehicle before backing up. While backing, be sure
to look for objects and check the vehicle’s mirrors.
The display is located in
the dome lamp and can
be seen by looking over
your right shoulder.
URPA uses three color-coded lights to provide distance
and system information.
2-42

How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically when the shift lever is
moved into R (Reverse). The rear display briey
illuminates to indicate the system is working.
URPA operates only at speeds less than 3 mph
(5 km/h). If the vehicle is above this speed, the red
light on the rear display will ash.
To be detected, objects must be at least 10 inches
(25.4 cm) off the ground and below trunk level. Objects
must also be within 5 feet (1.5 m) from the rear bumper.
This distance may be less during warmer or humid
weather.
A single beep will sound the rst time an object is
detected between 20 inches (0.5 m) and 5 feet (1.5 m)
away. Beeping will occur when the vehicle is closer
than 20 inches (0.5 m) from the object.The following describes what will occur with the URPA
display as the vehicle gets closer to a detected object:
Description English Metric
amber light 5 ft 1.5 m
amber/amber lights 40 in 1.0 m
amber/amber/red
lights/continuous beep20 in 0.5 m
amber/amber/red lights
ashing and
continuous beep1 ft 0.3 m
2-43

When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
If the URPA system will not activate due to a temporary
condition a red light will be shown on the rear URPA
display when the shift lever is moved into R (Reverse).
This occurs under the following conditions:
The ultrasonic sensors are not clean. Keep your
rear bumper free of mud, dirt, snow, ice and slush.
For cleaning instructions, seeWashing Your Vehicle
on page 5-118.
The ultrasonic sensors are not clean. Keep the
vehicle’s rear bumper free of mud, dirt, snow,
ice and slush. For cleaning instructions, see
Washing Your Vehicle on page 5-118.
A trailer was attached to the vehicle, or a bicycle or
an object was hanging out of the trunk during the
last drive cycle, the red light may illuminate in the
rear display. Once the attached object is removed,
URPA will return to normal operation.
The vehicle’s bumper is damaged. Take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer to repair the system.
Other conditions may affect system performance,
such as vibrations from a jackhammer or the
compression of air brakes on a very large truck.
If the system is still disabled, after driving forward at
least 15 mph (25 km/h), take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
For vehicles with the SBZA system. Read this entire
section before using the system.
The SBZA 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 harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This device complies with RSS-310 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Frequency of operation: 24.05GHz – 24.25GHz
Field Strength: Not greater than 2.5V/m peak
(0.25V/m average) at a distance of 3m
The manufacturer is not responsible for any radio or TV
interference caused by unauthorized modications to
this equipment. Such modications could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.
2-44

{CAUTION:
SBZA is only a lane changing aid and does not
replace driver vision. SBZA does not detect:
Vehicles outside the side blind zones which
may be rapidly approaching.
Pedestrians, bicyclists, or animals.
Failure to use proper care when changing lanes
may result in damage to the vehicle, injury, or
death. Always check the outside and rearview
mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and use the
turn signal before changing lanes.
The SBZA system is an aid that may help you avoid
lane change crashes with vehicles in the side blind spots
(zones). When the system detects a vehicle in the side
blind zone, amber SBZA displays will light up in the side
mirrors. This indicates that it may be unsafe to change
lanes. Before making a lane change, always check the
SBZA display, the outside and rearview mirrors, look
over your shoulder for vehicles and hazards, and use
the turn signal.
SBZA Detection Zones
The SBZA sensor covers a zone of approximately one
lane over from both sides of the vehicle, 11 ft. or 3.5 m.
This zone starts at each side mirror and goes back
approximately 16 ft. (5.0 m). The height of the zone is
approximately between 1.5 ft. (0.5 m) and 6 ft. (2.0 m)
off the ground.
The SBZA detection zones do not change if the vehicle
is towing a trailer. So be extra careful when changing
lanes while towing a trailer.
2-45

How the System Works
When the vehicle is started, both outside mirror
displays will briey come on to indicate that the system is
operating. When the vehicle is moving forward, the left or
right side mirror SBZA display will light up if a vehicle is
detected in that blind zone. When the turn signal is used
and a vehicle has been detected on the same side, the
SBZA display will ash to give you extra warning not to
change lanes.SBZA displays do not come on while the vehicle is
approaching or passing other vehicles.
I(SBZA):To turn SBZA on or off, press the CONFIG
hard key located on the navigation radio, then press
I.
See “Congure Menu” in the index of the Navigation
System manual. The symbol will be highlighted when
the feature is active. If SBZA is disabled by the driver,
the SBZA mirror displays will not light up.
When the System Does Not Seem To Work
Properly
Occasional missed alerts can occur under normal
circumstances and will increase in wet conditions.
The system does not need to be serviced due to
an occasional missed alert. The number of missed
alerts will increase with increased rainfall or road spray.
If the SBZA displays do not light up when the system
is on and vehicles are in the blind zone, the system may
need service. Take the vehicle to your dealer/retailer. Left Side Mirror Display
Right Side Mirror
Display
2-46

SBZA is designed to ignore stationary objects; however,
the system may occasionally light up due to guard rails,
signs, trees, shrubs, and other stationary objects. This
is normal system operation, the vehicle does not need
service.
SBZA does not operate when the left or right corners
of the rear bumper are covered with mud, dirt, snow, ice,
slush, or in heavy rainstorms. For cleaning instructions,
seeWashing Your Vehicle on page 5-118.Ifthe
DIC still displays the SIDE BLIND ZONE SYSTEM
UNAVAILABLE message after cleaning the bumper,
see your dealer/retailer.
The SBZA displays may remain on if a trailer is attached
to the vehicle, or a bicycle or object is extending out
to either side of the vehicle.
When SBZA is disabled for any reason other than the
driver turning it off, the driver will not be able to turn SBZA
back on using the DIC. The SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT
ON option will not be selectable if the conditions for
normal system operation are not met. Until normal
operating conditions for SBZA are met, you should
not rely upon SBZA while driving.SBZA Error Messages
The following messages may appear in the DIC:
SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT SYSTEM OFF:This
message indicates that the system has been turned off.
SIDE BLIND ZONE SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE:This
message indicates that the SBZA system is disabled
because the sensor is blocked and cannot detect
vehicles in the blind zone. The sensor may be blocked
by mud, dirt, snow, ice, slush, or even heavy rainstorms.
This message may also activate during heavy rain or
due to road spray. The vehicle does not need service.
For cleaning, seeWashing Your Vehicle on page 5-118.
SERVICE SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT SYSTEM:If this
message appears, both SBZA displays will remain
on indicating there is a problem with the SBZA system.
If these displays remain on after continued driving,
the system needs service. Take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
2-47

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
If the vehicle has the LDW system. Read this entire
section before using the system.
{CAUTION:
The Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system does
not steer the vehicle and is only an aid to help you
stay in your driving lane. The LDW system may not:
Provide you with enough time to avoid a lane
change collision.
Be loud enough for you to hear the warning
beeps.
Work properly under bad weather conditions or
if the windshield is not kept clean.
Detect lane markings and will not detect road
edges.
Warn you that your vehicle is crossing a lane
marking if the system does not detect the lane
marking.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
LDW will indicate the system is working whenever
it detects either the left or right lane marking. So if
you depart on the side of the lane that LDW is not
detecting, LDW will not warn you.
If you do not carefully maintain your vehicle position
within the lane, vehicle damage, injury, or death
could occur. Even with LDW, always keep your
attention on the road and maintain proper vehicle
position within the lane. Always keep the windshield
clean and do not use LDW in bad weather
conditions.
When the vehicle crosses a detected lane marking, the
LDW symbol will ash and you will hear three beeps.
LDW will not warn you if the turn signal is on or if
the vehicle makes a sharp maneuver. Before making
a lane change, check the vehicle’s mirrors, glance over
your shoulder for vehicles and hazards, and turn on
the turn signal before changing lanes.
2-48