brakes CADILLAC DTS 2006 1.G User Guide

Low-Speed Deactivation
If your speed falls below 20 mph (32 km/h) while
following a vehicle ahead, Adaptive Cruise Control will
begin to disengage. The Driver Alert symbol 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.
Passing a Vehicle/Adaptive Cruise
Control Override
If you need 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 3-76. Once you remove
your foot from the accelerator pedal, Adaptive Cruise
Control 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.
Adaptive Cruise Control may operate differently in a
sharp curve. It may reduce your speed if the curve is
too sharp.
3-27

When following a vehicle and entering a curve, Adaptive
Cruise Control could lose track of the vehicle in your
lane and accelerate your vehicle. When this happens the
Vehicle Ahead symbol will not appear.Adaptive Cruise Control may detect a vehicle that is not
in your lane and apply the brakes.
Adaptive Cruise Control 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.
3-28

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.
Using Adaptive Cruise Control on Hills
and When Towing a Trailer
How well Adaptive Cruise Control will work on hills and
when towing a trailer depends on your 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 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 Adaptive Cruise Control on steep hills, especially
when towing a trailer.
3-29

Other conditions that may affect system performance
include vibrations from a jackhammer or the
compression of air brakes on a very large truck or
other mechanical devices that interfere with UFRPA
performance.
When UFRPA is disabled without driver action and
the driver attempts to turn UFRPA back on using the
Driver Information Center (DIC), the PARKING
ASSIST ON option will not be selectable if the
necessary conditions stated above for normal system
operation are not met.
As always, drivers should use care when backing up a
vehicle. Always look behind you, being sure to check
for other vehicles, obstructions and blind spots.
For Driver Information Center messages related to
UFRPA, seeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-76.
If the bumper is damaged, your UFRPA system may
not work properly. Take the vehicle to your dealer
to repair the system.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Your vehicle is equipped with accessory power outlets.
The outlets can be used to plug in electrical equipment
such as a cellular telephone, CB radio, etc.
If your vehicle has a stationary center console, the
power outlet is located inside the lower storage area.
There are outlets also on the right front lower part of the
driver’s seat and in the lower storage bin. SeeCenter
Console Storage Area on page 2-50.
There are two accessory power outlets in the rear
seat area located on the door armrests next to the
ashtrays.
Your vehicle may have a small cap that must be
removed to access the accessory power outlet. If it
does, when not using the outlet be sure to cover it with
the protective cap.
The accessory power outlet can be used at any time.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn
off electrical equipment when not in use and do
not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating.
3-42

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light will come
on when your engine is
started and may stay on
for several seconds.
That is normal.
If the ABS warning light comes on and stays on, there
may be a problem with the antilock portion of the
brake system. If the red BRAKE light is not on, you still
have brakes, but you do not have antilock brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-62.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF/ACC. If the
light comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you are driving, your vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is not
on, you still have brakes, but you do not have anti-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, you do not have anti-lock brakes and there is a
problem with your regular brakes. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-62.The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briey when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If
the light does not come on then, have it xed so it
will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light
This light will come on
briey as you start the
engine, for vehicles
equipped with the Tire
Pressure Monitor System.
It will then come on only when a at or low tire pressure
condition exists.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-59for
more information.
3-63

SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST
This message will display if there is a problem with the
brake system. The brake system warning light and the
anti-lock brake system warning light may also be
displayed on the instrument panel cluster. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-62andAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light on page 3-63for more information.
If this happens, stop as soon as possible and turn off the
vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message is displayed or
appears again when you begin driving, the brake system
needs service. See your GM dealer as soon as possible.
SeeBrakes on page 5-35for more information.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message will display if the ignition is on to inform
the driver that the brake uid level is low. Have the
brake system serviced by your GM dealer as soon
as possible.
SERVICE PARKING ASSIST
If your vehicle has the Ultrasonic Front and Rear
Parking Assist (UFRPA) system, this message will
display if there is a problem with the UFRPA system.
Do not use this system to help you park. SeeUltrasonic
Front and Rear Parking Assist (UFRPA) on page 3-38
for more information. See your GM dealer for service.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
Your vehicle may have a speed variable assist steering
system. SeeSteering on page 4-11.
This message will display if a problem is detected with
the speed variable assist steering system. When this
message is displayed, you may notice that the effort
required to steer the vehicle decreases or feels lighter,
but you will still be able to steer the vehicle.
SERVICE RADAR CRUISE
This message will display when the Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) system and the Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) system are disabled and need service.
See your GM dealer.
3-84

Statistics show that the chance of being in a collision
increases sharply for drivers who have a BAC of
0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of
0.06 percent has doubled his or her chance of having a
collision. At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance
of this driver having a collision is 12 times greater; at a
level of 0.15 percent, the chance is 25 times greater!
The body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol
in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold
showers will speed that up. “I will be careful” is not the
right answer. What if there is an emergency, a need to
take sudden action, as when a child darts into the street?
A person with even a moderate BAC might not be able to
react quickly enough to avoid the collision.
There is something else about drinking and driving that
many people do not know. Medical research shows that
alcohol in a person’s system can make crash injuries
worse, especially injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or
heart. This means that when anyone who has been
drinking — driver or passenger — is in a crash, that
person’s chance of being killed or permanently disabled
is higher than if the person had not been drinking.
{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or
even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking.
Please do not drink and drive or ride with a
driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a
cab; or if you are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go
where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the
steering, and the accelerator. All three systems have to
do their work at the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice, it
is easy to ask more of those control systems than
the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose
control of your vehicle. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-9.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3.
4-5

Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-62.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That is perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement
or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is
wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of your brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake
force applied.Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a
mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between
hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if you
do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the traffic
and allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate a
lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3.
4-6

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), an
advanced electronic braking system that will help prevent
a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
ABS will check itself. You may hear a momentary motor
or clicking noise while this test is going on, and you may
even notice that your brake pedal moves a little.
This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light will
stay on. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-63.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each front wheel
and at both rear wheels.
4-7

ABS can change the brake pressure faster than any
driver could. The computer is programmed to make the
most of available tire and road conditions. This can
help you steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.Remember: ABS does not change the time you need to
get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle
in front of you, you will not have time to apply your
brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to stop, even though
you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may hear
the anti-lock pump or motor operate, and feel the
brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same time.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
4-8