2009 CADILLAC STS Owners Manual

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 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 3-36.
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.
Windshield Washer
The windshield washer button is located at the end
of the windshield wiper lever on the right side of
the steering column.
K(Washer Fluid):Press and hold to spray
windshield washer uid on the windshield. The washer
will spray until the button is released. The wipers will
continue to clear the window for about six seconds after
the button is released and then stop or return to the
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 5-38andRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-13.
3-15

Headlamp Washer
For vehicles with headlamp washers, they are located to
the inside of the headlamps.
Press
Llocated at the end of the windshield wiper
lever, to wash the headlamps and windshield. After the
rst wash, the headlamps will be washed after the
fth press of the windshield washer button.
The headlamps must be on to be washed. If the washer
uid is low, the headlamp washers will not work.
SeeWindshield Washer on page 3-15for additional
information.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h)
or more can be maintained without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. Cruise control does not work
at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
If the brakes are applied, the cruise control shuts off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you cannot
drive safely at a steady speed. So, do not use the
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 the 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 4-10andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6
orEnhanced StabiliTrak®on page 4-6. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, the cruise
control can be turned back on.
3-16

These controls are located
on the end of the
multifunction lever.
9(Off):Turns the system off.
R(On):Turns the system on.
+ (Resume/Accelerate):Use this position to make the
vehicle resume a previously set speed or accelerate
when cruise is already active.
T(Set/Decrease):Press to set the speed or to
decrease the speed when cruise is already active.
[(Cancel):Press this button on the steering wheel to
cancel cruise control without erasing the set speed
from memory.
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
Tat 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.
3-17

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, move the cruise control switch
briey from
RtoS.
The vehicle will go back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If the switch is held at resume/accelerate the vehicle
keeps going faster until the switch is released or the
brake is applied. 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
Tat the end of the lever, then
release the button and the accelerator pedal.
The vehicle will cruise at the higher speed.
Move the cruise switch fromRtoS. Hold it there
until the desired speed is reached, and then release
the switch. To increase the vehicle speed in very
small amounts, move the switch briey to
S.
Each time this is done, the vehicle goes about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
If using the accelerator pedal and the set button at end
of the lever to increase cruise set speed, the 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,
move the cruise switch to off, then on, and then reset
the speed using the set button.
3-18

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
PressTat the end of the lever until the lower
speed desired is reached, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, briey
press
T. 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 the cruise control feature.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise control.
Step lightly on the brake pedal. This will end the
current cruise control session.
Move the cruise control switch to9to turn off the
system completely.
Press the[button on the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased when
the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
3-19

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

The Adaptive Cruise controls are located on the left side
of the steering wheel.
9(Off):Turns the system off.
R(On):Turns the system on.
S(Resume/Increase):Use this position to make the
vehicle resume a previously set speed or increase the set
speed when Adaptive Cruise Control is already active.
T(Set/Decrease):Press 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