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.
  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.
  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.

The Forward Collision Alert (FCA) system provides an audible and visual alert if you approach a vehicle too quickly that is directly ahead. FCA also provides a visual alert with no audible alert if you are following another vehicle much too closely. The FCA alert symbol is located on top of the instrument panel to the right of the driver. FCA uses the Adaptive Cruise Control radar to detect a vehicle directly ahead, in your path, within a distance of 328 ft (100 m) and operates at speeds above 20 mph (32 km/h).

Caution: FCA is only a warning system and does not apply the brakes. When you are approaching a vehicle or object too rapidly or when you are following a vehicle too closely that is ahead of you, FCA may not provide you with enough time to avoid a collision. FCA is not designed to warn the driver of pedestrians or animals. 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 .


Object Number: 1740111  Size: A3

The FCA control is located on the steering wheel.

To enable or disable FCA, press the Adaptive Cruise Control button. See Adaptive Cruise Control .

FCA is enabled when the green light on the button is lit. FCA is disabled when the indicator light is amber.

Caution: 

   • On winding roads, FCA may not detect a vehicle ahead. You could crash into a vehicle ahead of you. Do not rely on FCA on winding roads.
   • When weather limits visibility, such as in fog, rain, or snow, FCA performance is limited. There may not be enough warning distance to the vehicle in front of you. Do not rely on FCA in low visibility conditions.

Caution: When FCA is enabled, the Adaptive Cruise Control switch is on. If you press another Adaptive Cruise Control button, you might go into cruise when you do not want to. You could be startled and even lose control. Be careful not to press adaptive cruise buttons unless you want to use cruise control.

Alerting the Driver


Object Number: 1085663  Size: A1

The FCA alert symbol will flash and a warning beep will sound when driver action may be required.

The alert symbol will flash when:

    • Your vehicle is approaching another vehicle too quickly.
    • Your vehicle is following a vehicle ahead of you much too closely.

See Defensive Driving for more information.

Detecting the Vehicle Ahead

The vehicle ahead symbol, located next to the FCA symbol, will only appear when a vehicle ahead of you is detected in your path. If this symbol does not appear, or disappears briefly, 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" under Adaptive Cruise Control .

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 Alerts

FCA may occasionally provide alerts that you consider unnecessary. It could respond to a turning vehicle ahead of you, 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. See DIC Warnings and Messages .

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" under Adaptive Cruise Control .