Stabilitrak - Cadillac BLS Owner's Manual

460_OM_MY09.book Page 150 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 10:32 AM
150 Starting and driving
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StabiliTrak

Anti-skid system
WARNING
When driving normally, the StabiliTrak
system improves the car's stability. This
must not, however, be regarded as a
reason to maintain higher speeds. Main-
tain the same precautions as normal to
ensure safe cornering and safe driving on
slippery roads.
StabiliTrak uses functions from the Anti-lock
Braking System (ABS) and Traction Control
System (TCS) to help the driver stabilise the
car in unexpected driving situations that
would otherwise be difficult to manoeuvre.
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The illustration shows how the system
brakes one or more wheels (and with var-
ying braking force for each wheel) in order
to increase the car's chances of following
the direction in which the driver wants to
drive.
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How the StabiliTrak system
works
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StabiliTrak can help to prevent the car from
skidding by braking one or more wheels
regardless of whether the driver is
depressing the brake pedal. Engine output
is also choked to reduce any drive wheel
spin. The car has sensors that measure
wheel speed, yaw angle rate, lateral accel-
eration, steering wheel angle and brake
pressure. Signals from these sensors are
used to calculate the course of the vehicle,
the driver's intentions and whether the
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StabiliTrak system should be deployed.
The course of the vehicle is compared to the
course selected by the driver via the
steering wheel. If these values do not
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match, the StabiliTrak function comes into
action.
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StabiliTrak gives the driver a greater
chance of maintaining control of the car in a
critical situation.
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StabiliTrak indicator light
When the remote control is turned to posi-
tion 3, the lamp is lit for about 4 seconds
while the system performs self-diagnosis.
in the main instrument panel illumi-
nates for a brief period when the
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StabiliTrak system regulates.
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If the StabiliTrak system comes into action,
The friction limit for the tyre/road surface
has been exceeded. Take extra care as you
continue to drive.