Since its introduction in the 90s on a few Japanese luxury cars, adaptive cruise control has made great strides. In recent years, many vehicle manufacturers have begun to incorporate semi-autonomous capabilities and driver monitoring systems. Cadillac's Super Cruise tech is one of the most advanced of these systems.
Cadillac's tradition of envisioning and charting the route forward continues to be instrumental. Super CruiseTM is the first-ever truly hands-free driving-assistance system for compatible roads. Super Cruise leverages modern technologies such as Lane Change on Demand to deliver the simplicity and convenience of hands-free navigation, even when changing lanes. Cadillac has mapped over 200,000 miles of compatible routes in the United States and Canada using LiDAR mapping software to enable Super Cruise. Your commute has changed for the better.
How Super Cruise Tech Works
With a vigilant motorist and the right environmental conditions, Super Cruise-equipped automobiles are able to provide hands-free operation. Super Cruise works in concert with Adaptive Cruise Control, which controls acceleration and braking when deployed. Working with Cadillac Connected Services, the system uses real-time exact positioning, an array of cameras and sensors, as well as LiDAR map information to help identify every turn, making lengthy drives more convenient and pleasant.
To maintain operation, all Super Cruise-equipped automobiles come with three years of connectivity, after which consumers must purchase a Connected Services plan.
You can deploy Super Cruise in 4 steps:
Step 1
To engage the Super Cruise tech, first switch on Adaptive Cruise Control by pressing the Adaptive Cruise Control button on your steering wheel. The Adaptive Cruise Control sign will flash in white. If Adaptive Cruise Control is already enabled, the sign will glow green.
Step 2
When the system discovers your car is on a compatible road, you are adequately focused on the road, and all other driving requirements are satisfied (lane markings can be seen, GPS accessible, no malfunctions, etc.), the Super Cruise icon will light in white.
Step 3
When you are ready, push the Super Cruise button on your wheel. Stop holding the steering wheel when the icon and steering wheel light bar glow green. This shows that Super Cruise is controlling the car. Push the Super Cruise button again or step on the brake pedal to disable Super Cruise.
Step 4
While the Super Cruise tech is activated, Lane Change on Demand (offered on 2021-2022 models) allows your car to change lanes. When the driver deploys the turn signal, the system searches for a suitable opening in the designated lane and signals to other cars that a lane change is impending. If the system confirms the designated lane to be open, the car will blend into the desired lane.
The gauge cluster will alert the driver when the auto lane change has started or when the desired lane is unavailable. If the lane is unavailable, it will inform the motorist that merging must be done manually. To keep the driver aware, Super Cruise will display signals such as "changing lanes" or "looking for an opening."
When Super Cruise is active, another new function gives some breathing room when cruising close to a large car. If the radar detects a large semi-trailer truck approaching from behind, the system will move the car slightly inside its lane to make room.
Important Note: Super Cruise does not tolerate driver inattention. If the driver's vision wanders from the road, cameras and sensors can identify it, prompting an intensifying series of alerts. If you disregard the warnings and do not re-engage the vehicle, Super Cruise will switch on the CT6's hazard lights and slow the vehicle down until it comes to a halt. At this point, an OnStar operator will contact the driver.
Learning the Alert System
Cadillac's proprietary head-tracking technology helps drivers keep their eyes on the road and notifies you when you need to focus more on the road or regain control.
The First Alert
If the system notices you are not adequately focused, the steering-wheel light bar will flash green to remind you to refocus on the road.
The Second Alert
If the green flashes persist and the system judges that you are not focusing on the road, the light bar will flash red to alert you to pay attention to the road and manually navigate the car. There will also be sounds or vibrations from the Safety Alert Seat from the Super Cruise tech.
The Third Alert
If the red flash appears for an extended period, you will hear a voice prompt. If you don't regain control of the steering right away, the car will slow down in your lane and finally halt, prompting an OnStar Advisor to phone into the car to check your status.
Special Considerations When Using Super Cruise Tech
Due to a range of operational situations, Super Cruise may not be accessible or turn off while deployed. You can access the Driver Information Center (DIC) messages concerning system operation by pressing the Super Cruise button.
This will generate a DIC message explaining why Super Cruise isn't working. Push the Super Cruise button (within 10 seconds) after Super Cruise disengagement to show the reason for disengagement.
When Should You Disengage Super Cruise?
The following are some instances when you should not deploy Super Cruise:
- When driving in harsh or unpredictable conditions
- When you're not on a compatible road
- If you're in a tunnel or a construction area,
- In wet, sleety, foggy, icy, or snowy weather
- When visibility is limited, or there aren't adequate lane markers
- On the side of the road or in a service drive
- When towing a trailer
- On the exit lane of a motorway or highway
Learn More About Cadillac’s Trailblazing Super Cruise Tech
The Cadillac Super Cruise system is a groundbreaking driver augmentation system. With its broad range of features, Cadillac Super Cruise will significantly improve your commute. Learn more about Cadillac Super Cruise from our Cadillac experts when you visit Sunset Cadillac of Bradenton at 4780 14th St. or call us at 941-751-6886.
We'll be glad to meet you for a Cadillac Super Cruise test drive. You can also browse our collection of used cars in Bradenton.
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