GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

If your vehicle has this feature, be sure to 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 modifications 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 reset your cruise control. 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 25 mph (40 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 follow 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, see Defensive Driving .

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.
   • 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.


Object Number: 807914  Size: A2

The Adaptive Cruise controls are located on the end of the multifunction lever.

(Off): This position turns the system off.

(On): This position turns the system on.

(Resume/Increase): Push the switch to this symbol to make the vehicle resume to a previously set speed or to increase the set speed when Adaptive Cruise Control is already active.

(Set/Decrease): Press this button to set the speed or to decrease the set speed when Adaptive Cruise Control is already active.

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.

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. See Head-Up Display (HUD) for more information.
  2. Move the switch to on.
  3. Get up to the speed you want.
  4. Press in the set button at the end of the lever and release it.
  5. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

Once Adaptive Cruise Control is set, it may immediately apply the brakes if it detects a vehicle ahead is too close or moving slower than your vehicle.

United States version shown, Canada similar


Object Number: 1589296  Size: A1

This symbol will appear on the Head-Up Display (HUD) to indicate that Adaptive Cruise Control is active. The number indicates the set speed.

See Head-Up Display (HUD) for 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. See Traction Control System (TCS) and StabiliTrak® System . When road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn the Adaptive Cruise Control back on.

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 the set button at the end of the lever, then release the button and the accelerator pedal. You will now cruise at the higher speed.
    • Move the Adaptive Cruise Control switch from on to resume/increase. Hold it there until the desired set speed is displayed in the HUD, then release the switch. To increase your set speed in very small amounts, move the switch briefly to resume/increase. Each time you do this, your vehicle set speed will increase by 1 mph (1.6 km/h).

Your vehicle will not reach the set speed until the system determines there is not a 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

Press in the set/decrease button on the end of the lever until you reach the lower speed you want, then release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, briefly press the set/decrease button. Each time you do this, your set speed will be 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.

Resuming a Set Speed

Suppose you set your Adaptive Cruise Control at a desired speed and then you apply the brake. This will disengage the Adaptive Cruise Control. But you do not need to reset it.

Once you are going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, move the Adaptive Cruise Control switch briefly from on to resume/increase. Adaptive Cruise Control will be engaged with the previously chosen set speed.

Selecting the Follow Distance (GAP)

When the system detects a slower moving vehicle, it will adjust your vehicle's speed and maintain the follow distance (gap) you select.


Object Number: 1463532  Size: A2

Use the GAP button on the steering wheel to adjust the follow distance.

Press the top of the button to increase the distance or the bottom of the button to decrease the distance. The first button press will show you the current follow distance setting on the HUD. Your current follow distance setting will be maintained until you change it.

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 will vary 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 follow distance farther than Adaptive Cruise Control allows, disengage the system and drive manually.

United States version shown, Canada similar


Object Number: 1456665  Size: A1

A graphic on the HUD indicates the selected follow distance. This picture shows a maximum follow distance. The vehicles will move closer together as you select a smaller follow distance.

Alerting the Driver


Object Number: 1085663  Size: A1

The alert symbol will flash on the HUD and a warning beep will sound 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 20 mph (32 km/h).
    • A temporary condition prohibits Adaptive Cruise Control from operating. See DIC Warnings and Messages for more information.
    • A malfunction is detected in the system. See DIC Warnings and Messages for more information.

See Defensive Driving .

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. See Defensive Driving .

Approaching and Following a Vehicle


Object Number: 1085734  Size: A1

The vehicle ahead symbol will only appear on the HUD when a vehicle ahead is detected in your path.

If this symbol does not appear, or disappears briefly, Adaptive Cruise Control will not respond to vehicles you may see ahead.

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 will, automatically, slow your vehicle down when approaching a slower moving vehicle. It will then adjust your speed to follow the vehicle in front at the selected follow distance. Your speed will increase or decrease 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 will 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.

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 on the HUD will flash 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 you turn the HUD off when Adaptive Cruise Control is engaged, it will begin to disengage. A warning beep will sound and the message RADAR CRUISE NOT READY will appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC). See DIC Warnings and Messages for additional information. If Adaptive Cruise Control was braking when the HUD is turned off, the braking will continue briefly.

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 PEDAL APPLIED ACC OVERRIDE message will appear on the HUD. See Head-Up Display (HUD) for additional information. Once you pass the vehicle and 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.


Object Number: 954367  Size: B3

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 on the HUD.


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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.

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


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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 Controls on Hills and When Towing a Trailer


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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 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 when towing a trailer.

Disengaging Adaptive Cruise Control

To disengage the system, apply the brake pedal or move the Adaptive Cruise Control switch to off. Adaptive Cruise Control information will not appear on the HUD when the system is not engaged.

Erasing Set Speed Memory

When you turn the Adaptive Cruise Control switch or the ignition 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. See DIC Warnings and Messages for 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 lens. Remember, do not use Adaptive Cruise Control in icy conditions, or when visibility is low, such as in fog, rain or snow.

The emblem/lens is located in the center of the grille.

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.