Cruise control

[Terpnut]

A few of my thoughts:

1. As a HEAVY cruise control user, I have been perhaps the biggest critic of GM's turn-stalk-mounted cruise controls. Although this version is improved compared to my 85 Pontiac 6000's control, I still only give the SRX's a C+. It's now acceptable, but it is still the WORST control as compared to any of the steering wheel controls I've used in 25 other vehicles I've owned or rented. BTW, mine doesn't even "set" right and I've needed 5 visits to the Caddy dealership so far to get it diagnosed as defective, and now, the part is finally in! We'll see next Tuesday....

2. The pedal adjustments are a feature that is CRITICAL to all drivers with relatively short legs. For these drivers, it is not possible to move the seat up far enough without encroaching on the air bag's minimum deployment space safely and still be able to reach the pedals. If you have average length or longer legs, then you will get minimum value from this critically-important-to-some feature. That said, I think the SRX should also have a steering wheel tilt/telescoping feature too. This feature is equally important and useful for proper seating comfort and safety.

[mack1a]

Whew, and I thought I was the only one (other than John Caddy) who didn't secretly yearn for his grandmothers 72 Buick. Just a joke folks.

[riff]

To each his own. Your opinion doesn't make it right or wrong. Keep that in mind... Many of the points raised here have been valid but in the end it all comes down to personal preference.

[Terpnut]

Because I have a very bad back and cannot drive for long periods with my foot on the accelerator, I CANNOT drive for more than 15 minutes without a good cruise control. I use it to set speeds, accelerate, decelerate--everything but brake/stop. For my next car, I am definitely getting one of the new active cruise controls offered by BMW and others (they have built-in front bumper radar to maintain distance automatically). I would go as far as to say that I would give up my stereo or air conditioning before I lose my cruise control. That is how important and critical this feature is to me.

For those that like the GM-style control, where do you place your hands during your normal driving position? With modern airbags, no driver should be using the 10 and 2 positions (or anywhere in the upper half of the steering wheel for that matter). You should ALWAYS drive with hands at 8 and 4 or lower. Thus, ALL well-designed, thoughtful cruise controls are placed in the 8 and 4 positions. Only GM hasn't figured this out yet. Thus I state that the SRX's turn-stalk-mounted cruise control is poorly executed, not solely because of my personal preference (set is sluggish and the slide switch is awkward to reach and use), but also because it is flawed from a safety engineering perspective.

[rcawood]

Originally Posted by Terpnut

Because I have a very bad back and cannot drive for long periods with my foot on the accelerator, I CANNOT drive for more than 15 minutes without a good cruise control. I use it to set speeds, accelerate, decelerate--everything but brake/stop.

For those that like the GM-style control, where do you place your hands during your normal driving position? With modern airbags, no driver should be using the 10 and 2 positions (or anywhere in the upper half of the steering wheel for that matter). You should ALWAYS drive with hands at 8 and 4 or lower. Thus, ALL well-designed, thoughtful cruise controls are placed in the 8 and 4 positions. Only GM hasn't figured this out yet. Thus I state that the SRX's turn-stalk-mounted cruise control is poorly executed, not solely because of my personal preference (set is sluggish and the slide switch is awkward to reach and use), but also because it is flawed from a safety engineering perspective.

I often keep my hands right above the SRX two "spokes" which is roughly 9 and 3. According to the write-ups I have seen the recommendations are for placement between 9 & 3 and 8 & 4). I do not have the same level of control/quick steering wheel movement with the lower wheel hand positions. That said I don't drive with both hands on the wheel at all times.

With my hand placement the cruise falls readily to hand. However, even if I have to move my hand (from wherever it is placed) to operate the cruise I do not consider that a safety issue any more than making a control adjustment to the heating/cooling, radio, etc. (even less so because I do not need to look at the cruise).

Again this is a personal choice matter. I do not use the cruise control as you do. You describe using cruise as a replacement for the accelerator pedal (I would say most people do not use it in that fashion). I do agree that if I drove a car with the hand placement and need for accelerator replacement that you describe, I would prefer the cruise placed on the steering wheel.

FYI - I don’t know where the cruise buttons are, but if you are interested in another Cadillac, the new STS has adaptive cruise.

[rcawood]

Originally Posted by mack1a

I checked on my SRX and realized your comment must have been motivated by the fact that the buttons on the SRX wheel are not lit.

If your steering wheel buttons are not lit, I think you have an electrical problem. My 05 controls are lighted. I do not think that was a change from 04 to 05.

[Terpnut]

Originally Posted by rcawood

I often keep my hands right above the SRX two "spokes" which is roughly 9 and 3. According to the write-ups I have seen the recommendations are for placement between 9 & 3 and 8 & 4).

The main difference between driving with your hands above (versus below) the steering wheel "T" is likely an increased change of breaking your left arm and/or hand during any frontal impact that deploys your driver front airbag. In the position you describe, your left hand/arm would take a explosive force directly toward the door/window. Regardless, 9/3 or 8/4 are both much better than having your hand(s) anywhere near the top half of the wheel. In these cases, your hands/arms may be injured/broken using your face. Ouch!

[Terpnut]

Originally Posted by rcawood

FYI - I don’t know where the cruise buttons are, but if you are interested in another Cadillac, the new STS has adaptive cruise.

Adaptive Cruise = Terpnut=

[Terpnut]

Okay, I am now a VERY unhappy camper! I have been to my dealer SIX times in the past three months to get my cruise control fixed (after twice having to come back because they needed to order parts). Now after replacing both the switch and the ECM, they are saying that the problem I am having is a known issue, is systemic to those models built around the same period as mine, and is NOT repairable. Again, my problem is that, once set, the cruise control cannot set again at a higher speed after the throttle is depressed. For example, I am going 55 mph and set the speed. Works fine. I step on the throttle/accelerator and am now traveling at 60 mph. I press set and.... nothing. Vehicle drifts back to 55 mph. Only way to set it at the higher speed is to turn the control off and on and then press set again. I am very frustrated and angry, and plan to write GM and/or Cadillac.

Does anyone out there have recommendations as to who to write or contact about this? I am also considering pursuing remedies under Maryland's lemon law. Because I have a serious back condition that demands the use of cruise control on long drives, I believe this nonconformity or defect "substantially impairs the use and market value of the motor vehicle".

[Johnz]

Originally Posted by Terpnut

Now after replacing both the switch and the ECM, they are saying that the problem I am having is a known issue, is systemic to those models built around the same period as mine, and is NOT repairable.

What is the manufacturing date?

[Caddy Man]

i dont know why many of you belive the stalk type of cruise control is cheap, i personally have no prefrence. My dads 98 S class mercedes had it on a stalk too.

[mack1a]

I probably say cheap just to insult the 2 Cadillac engineers who worked on the SRX.

Actually Ford has done cruise control the right way for years. GM finally did some trading or something to acquire the rights to do the steering wheel thing.

I think you will find that newer MB S types finally caught on and moved the cruise control to a position on the wheel so you can just use your fingers instead of groping around with a wierd appendage.

By the way, I also have the problem whereby you can't accellerate and set a higher speed without recycling the junk stick.

Cadillac has had an excellent and very smooth cruise control that was so good that you just did all throttle work with your fingers and just glided down the expressway.

They probably fired anyone with any experience and let new guys start all over and they are trying to recreate the wheel and this sorry excuse for a cruise control is what the kids came up with.

[Terpnut]

Originally Posted by Johnz

What is the manufacturing date?

December 2003

[Terpnut]

Originally Posted by mack1a

I probably say cheap just to insult the 2 Cadillac engineers who worked on the SRX.

Actually Ford has done cruise control the right way for years. GM finally did some trading or something to acquire the rights to do the steering wheel thing.

I think you will find that newer MB S types finally caught on and moved the cruise control to a position on the wheel so you can just use your fingers instead of groping around with a wierd appendage.

By the way, I also have the problem whereby you can't accellerate and set a higher speed without recycling the junk stick.

Cadillac has had an excellent and very smooth cruise control that was so good that you just did all throttle work with your fingers and just glided down the expressway.

They probably fired anyone with any experience and let new guys start all over and they are trying to recreate the wheel and this sorry excuse for a cruise control is what the kids came up with.

We clearly think along the same lines. Please help me to complain! As a heavy cruise control user, this control is NOT acceptable. I want this fixed or replaced! It's especially frustrating, as each GM loaner car (Deville, Trailblazer, Malibu, Impala) I've gotten from the Caddy dealer has had a perfectly working cruise control!

[Samboosa]

my car is with the dealer again for tons of problems. i got a '03 cts as a replacement. it has cruise control on the steering wheel and i must say i am not excited about it at all. don't know if its the same as the cts-v but the buttons are in the bottom center of the wheel. i still think the stick type is more comfy.