2009 CADILLAC STS Owners Manual

The set speed is selected by the driver. This is the
speed you will travel if there is no vehicle detected in
your path.
To set Adaptive Cruise Control, do the following:
1. Make sure the Head-Up Display (HUD) is on and
properly adjusted. You cannot engage Adaptive
Cruise Control unless the HUD is on. SeeHead-Up
Display (HUD) on page 3-43for more information.
2. Move the switch to on.
3. Get up to the desired speed.
4. Press
Tat the end of the lever and release the
button.
5. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Once Adaptive Cruise Control is set, it might
immediately apply the brakes if it detects a vehicle
ahead that is too close or moving slower than your
vehicle.This symbol appears
on the Head-Up Display
(HUD) to indicate that
Adaptive Cruise Control
is active. The number
indicates the set speed.
SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-43for more
information.
Make sure the set speed is visible on the HUD so you
know the speed your vehicle will accelerate to if a vehicle
is not detected in your path. Keep in mind speed limits,
surrounding traffic speeds, and weather conditions when
adjusting your set speed.
If your vehicle is in Adaptive Cruise Control when the
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the
Adaptive Cruise Control will automatically disengage.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-10,
StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6orEnhanced
StabiliTrak®on page 4-6. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, the Adaptive
Cruise Control can be turned back on.United States version
shown, Canada similar
3-23

Increasing Set Speed While Using Adaptive
Cruise Control
There are two ways to increase the set speed:
Use the accelerator to get to the higher speed.
Press
Tat the end of the lever, then release
the button and the accelerator pedal. The vehicle
will now cruise at the higher speed.
Move the Adaptive Cruise Control switch from
RtoS. Hold it there until the desired set speed is
displayed in the HUD, then release the switch.
To increase the set speed in small amounts, move
the switch briey to resume/increase. Each time this
is done, the vehicle set speed increases by about
1 mph (1.6 km/h).
Your vehicle will not reach the set speed until the
system determines there is no vehicle in front of you.
At that point, your vehicle speed will increase to the
set speed.
Decreasing Set Speed While Using
Adaptive Cruise Control
PressTat the end of the lever until the lower speed
desired is reached, then release the button.
To slow down in small amounts, briey press
T.
Each this is done, the set speed will be 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
slower.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the brakes are applied while the Adaptive Cruise
Control is at a set speed, this disengages the Adaptive
Cruise Control. But it does not need to be reset.
Once the vehicle reaches about 30 mph (48 km/h)
or more, move the Adaptive Cruise Control switch briey
from
RtoS. Adaptive Cruise Control will be engaged
with the speed previously selected.
3-24

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

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 3-79for more information.
A malfunction is detected in the system. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-79for 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
only appears on the HUD
when a vehicle ahead
is detected in your path.
If this symbol does not appear, or disappears briey,
Adaptive Cruise Control will not respond to vehicles you
may see ahead.
3-26

{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

Low-Speed Deactivation
If your speed falls below 25 mph (40 km/h) while
following a vehicle ahead, Adaptive Cruise Control will
begin to disengage. The driver alert symbol on the HUD
will ash and the warning beep will sound. The driver
must take action since Adaptive Cruise Control will
not slow the vehicle to a stop.
Deactivation When Head-Up Display is
Turned Off
If the HUD is turned off when Adaptive Cruise Control
is engaged, it will begin to disengage. A warning beep
sounds and the message RADAR CRUISE NOT READY
appears on the Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-79for additional
information. If Adaptive Cruise Control was braking when
the HUD is turned off, the braking will continue briey.
Passing a Vehicle/Adaptive Cruise Control
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 PEDAL APPLIED ACC OVERRIDE message will
appear on the HUD. SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on
page 3-43for additional information. Once you pass
the vehicle and remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal, Adaptive Cruise Control returns to normal
operation and the brakes can be applied, 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.
3-28

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.
Adaptive Cruise Control might operate differently in a
sharp curve. It might reduce your speed if the curve is
too sharp.When following a vehicle and entering a curve, Adaptive
Cruise Control could lose track of the vehicle in your
lane and your vehicle could accelerate. When this
happens, the vehicle ahead symbol will not appear
on the HUD.
3-29

Adaptive Cruise Control might detect a vehicle that is
not in your lane and apply the brakes.
Adaptive Cruise Control might 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.
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,
Adaptive Cruise Control will not detect the vehicle
until it is completely in the lane. Be ready to take
action and apply the brakes yourself.
3-30