2009 CADILLAC STS change time

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.
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System
If the vehicle has this system, 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.
3-9

Adaptive Cruise Control
If the vehicle has adaptive cruise control, read this
entire section before using this feature.
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.
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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 cruise controls are
located on the end of the
multifunction lever.
3-21

Selecting the Follow Distance (GAP)
When the system detects a slower moving vehicle, it will
adjust your vehicle’s speed and maintain the following
distance (gap) selected.
Use the GAP button on
the steering wheel to
adjust the follow distance
between your vehicle
and other vehicle’s.
Press the top of the button to increase the distance
or the bottom of the button to decrease the distance.
The rst button press shows the current follow distance
setting on the HUD. The current following distance
setting is 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 varies 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
following distance farther than Adaptive Cruise Control
allows, disengage the system and drive manually.
A graphic on the HUD
indicates the selected
following distance.
This picture shows a
maximum follow distance.
The vehicles will move closer together as you select a
smaller following distance.
United States version
shown, Canada similar
3-25

{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 automatically slows your vehicle
down when approaching a slower moving vehicle. It then
adjusts your speed to follow the vehicle in front at the
selected following distance. Your 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
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.
{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.
3-27

Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers have been in use for about
six seconds. For this feature to work, automatic lighting
must be enabled. SeeHeadlamps on page 3-32for
additional information.
When the ignition is turned off, the wiper-activated
headlamps will immediately turn off. They will also
turn off if the windshield wiper control is turned off.
Headlamps on Reminder
A warning chime will sound if the exterior lamp control
is left on in either the headlamp or parking lamp position
and the driver’s door is opened with the ignition off.
SeeLights On Reminder on page 3-70for additional
information.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running lamps are required
on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.The DRL system comes on when the following
conditions are met:
It is still daylight and the ignition is on.
The automatic lights are enabled.
The transmission is not in P (Park).
When DRL are on, only the front turn signal lamps will
be on. No other exterior lamps will be on when the DRL
are being used. The instrument panel will not be lit.
When the automatic lights are enabled and it is dark
enough outside, the DRL will turn off and the low-beam
headlamps will turn on. When it is bright enough outside,
the low-beam headlamps will go off, and the DRL will turn
back on. If the vehicle is started in a dark garage, the
automatic headlamp system comes on immediately.
Once the vehicle leaves the garage, it will take about
one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is light outside. During that delay,
the instrument panel cluster may not be as bright as
usual. Make sure the instrument panel brightness lever
is in the full bright position. SeeInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-40.
3-36

With Twilight Sentinel the following will happen:
When it is dark enough outside, the front turn signal
lamps (DRL) will go off, and the headlamps and
parking lamps will come on. The other lamps
that come on with headlamps will also come on.
When it is bright enough outside, the headlamps
will go off, and the front turn signal lamps (DRL)
will come on, as long as the exterior lamp switch
is in the off position.
If the vehicle is started in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system comes on immediately. Once the
vehicle leaves the garage, it will take about one minute
for the automatic headlamp system to change to DRL
if it is light outside. During that delay, the instrument
panel cluster might not be as bright as usual. Make sure
the instrument panel brightness control is in full bright
position. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 3-40
for more information.
You can idle the vehicle with the lamps off, even when
it is dark outside. First set the parking brake while the
ignition is in OFF/ACCESSORY. Then start the vehicle.
The lamps will stay off until the parking brake is released.Twilight Sentinel also provides exterior illumination as
you leave the vehicle. If Twilight Sentinel has turned on
the lamps when you turn off the ignition, the lamps
will remain on until:
The exterior lamp switch is moved from off to the
parking lamp position.
A delay time that you select has elapsed.
SeeVehicle Personalization on page 2-61to select the
delay time needed. You can also select no delay time.
If the ignition is turned off with the exterior lamp switch
in the parking lamp or headlamp position, the Twilight
Sentinel delay will not occur. The lamps will turn off
as soon as the switch is turned off.
As with any vehicle, the regular headlamp system
should be turned on when needed.
3-39

Head-Up Display (HUD)
{CAUTION:
If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in your
eld of view, it may take you more time to see
things you need to see when it is dark outside.
Be sure to keep the HUD image dim and placed
low in your eld of view.
For vehicles with the Head-Up Display (HUD), some of
the driver information that appears on the instrument
panel cluster is projected onto an image on the
windshield.
The information can be displayed in English or metric
units. To change from English to metric units, see
DIC Operation and Displays on page 3-72.
The HUD consists of the following information:
Speedometer
Turn Signal Indicators
High-Beam Indicator Symbol
Driver Shift Control Transmission Feature, see
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-30
Check Gages Icon
Adaptive Cruise Control Features and Indicators
(If Equipped), seeAdaptive Cruise Control on
page 3-20
Forward Collision Alert Features and Indicators
(If Equipped), seeForward Collision Alert (FCA)
System on page 3-9
Radio Features
Always scan the instrument panel displays, controls and
driving environment just as you would in a vehicle without
HUD, so important warning lights are not missed. Under
important warning conditions, the CHECK GAGES
message will display in the HUD. View the Driver
Information Center (DIC) for more information.United States version
shown, Canada similar
3-43