warning CADILLAC STS 2008 1.G Owner's Manual

Warning the Driver
The alert symbol will
ash on the HUD and
a warning beep will
sound when driver
action may be required.
The driver warning is active when:
You are approaching a vehicle too quickly.
You are following a vehicle ahead much
too closely.
SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2for more
information.
Detecting the Vehicle Ahead
The vehicle ahead symbol will only appear on the HUD
when a vehicle ahead of you is detected in your path.
If this symbol does not appear, or disappears briey,
FCA will not respond to vehicles you may see ahead.
The symbol may disappear on curves, highway exit
ramps, or hills. Also, when another vehicle enters the
same lane as you, the FCA system will not detect
the vehicle until it is completely in your driving lane.
{CAUTION:
When the Adaptive Cruise Control radar is
blocked by snow, ice, or dirt, it may not detect
a vehicle ahead. FCA may not help you avoid
a collision under these conditions. Do not use
FCA when the radar is blocked by snow, ice,
or dirt. Keep your radar clean. See “Cleaning
the System” underAdaptive Cruise Control
on page 3-20.
3-12

{CAUTION:
FCA may not detect and warn soon enough
to stationary or slow-moving vehicles or other
objects ahead of you. You could crash into
an object ahead of you. Do not rely on FCA
when approaching stationary or slow-moving
vehicles or other objects.
Unnecessary Warnings
FCA may occasionally provide an unnecessary
warning to guard rails, signs, and other stationary
objects. This is normal operation, your vehicle
does not need service.
Other Messages
There are three messages that may appear on the
Driver Information Center (DIC). They are CLEAN
RADAR, RADAR CRUISE NOT READY and
SERVICE RADAR CRUISE. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-80.
Cleaning the System
The radar can become blocked by snow, ice, or dirt.
If so, you may need to turn off the engine and clean
the lens. See “Cleaning the System” underAdaptive
Cruise Control on page 3-20.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature allows you to use the high-beam headlamps
to signal the driver in front of you that you want to pass.
Pull and hold the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you to use this feature. When this is done the following
will occur:
If the headlamps are off, in low-beam or in Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) mode, the high-beam
headlamps will turn on. They will stay on as long
as the lever is held there. Release the lever to
turn them off.
If the headlamps are in high-beam mode, they will
switch to low beam. To return to high-beam, push
the lever forward.
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{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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

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.
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.
3-21

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 3-80for more information.
A malfunction is detected in the system.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-80
for 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.
3-26

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.
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.
3-28

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 3-80for
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.
3-29

Using Adaptive Cruise Controls on Hills
and When Towing a Trailer
How well Adaptive Cruise Control works on hills
and while a trailer is being towed depends on your
vehicle speed, vehicle load, traffic conditions, and the
steepness of the hills. It might not detect a vehicle
in your lane while driving on hills. While going up steep
hills, you might want to use the accelerator pedal to
maintain your vehicle speed. While going downhill
and towing a trailer, you might want to brake to
keep your vehicle speed down. Applying the brake
disengages the system. You may choose not to
use Adaptive Cruise Control on steep hills when
towing a trailer.
Disengaging Adaptive Cruise Control
Apply the brake pedal or move the Adaptive Cruise
Control switch to off, to disengage the system.
Adaptive Cruise Control information does not appear
on the HUD while the system is not engaged.
Erasing Set Speed Memory
When the Adaptive Cruise Control switch or the ignition
is turned off, the set speed memory is erased.
Other Messages
There are three messages that may appear on the
DIC. They are SERVICE RADAR CRUISE, RADAR
CRUISE NOT READY and CLEAN RADAR. These
messages will appear to indicate a problem with
the Adaptive Cruise Control. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-80for more information.
Cleaning the System
The radar can become blocked by snow, ice, or dirt.
If so, you may need to turn off the engine and clean the
emblem/lens, located in the center of the front outside
grille. Remember, do not use Adaptive Cruise Control in
icy conditions, or when visibility is low, such as in fog,
rain or snow.
To clean the emblem/lens, wipe the surface with a soft
cloth. After cleaning the emblem/lens, engage the
Adaptive Cruise Control. If you are unable to do so,
see your dealer/retailer.
3-32

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 3-33
for 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 3-72for 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.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions,
but they can be especially helpful in the short periods
after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime
running lamps are required on all vehicles rst sold
in Canada.
The DRL system will make the turn signal lamps
come on when the following conditions are met:
It is still daylight and the ignition is on,
the automatic lights are enabled, and
the transmission is not in PARK (P).
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 will
come 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.
3-37

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 3-41.
To operate your vehicle with the DRL off, turn
the exterior lamp control off and then do one of
the following:
Turn the exterior lamp control to the parking
lamp position.
Turn the exterior lamp control to the headlamp
position.
Turn the exterior lamp control from AUTO to
off and back to AUTO.
An AUTOMATIC LIGHTS OFF message will appear
on the DIC, showing that automatic lighting has
been disabled. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-80.
The regular headlamp system should be turned
on when needed.
Light Sensor
The light sensor for the DRL is located on top of
the instrument panel. If the sensor is covered, it will
read dark, and the exterior lamps may come on
when they are not needed.
3-38

Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on the overhead console.
These lamps come on automatically when any door is
opened.
For manual operation, press the button next to each
lamp to turn it on or off.
If the reading lamps are left on, they automatically shut
off 10 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.
Battery Load Management
The battery load management feature is designed to
monitor the vehicle’s electrical load and determine when
the battery is in a heavy discharge condition. During
times of high electrical loading, the engine may idle
at a higher revolutions per minute (rpm) setting
than normal to make sure the battery charges.
High electrical loads may occur when several of the
following are on: headlamps, high beams, fog lamps,
rear window defogger, the climate control fan at
high speeds, heated seats and engine cooling fans.If the battery continues to discharge, even with the
engine idling at a higher rpm setting, some electrical
loads will automatically be reduced. When this occurs,
the rear window defogger may take slightly longer
to clear the glass and the fan may cut back to a lower
speed. For more battery saving information, see
“Battery Saver Active Message” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-80.
Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM)
that estimates the battery’s temperature and state
of charge. It then adjusts the voltage for best
performance and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage
is raised slightly to quickly put the charge back in.
When the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered
slightly to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a
voltmeter gage or a voltage display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), you may see the voltage
move up or down. This is normal. If there is a problem,
an alert will be displayed.
3-42