light CADILLAC CT4 2023 Owners Manual
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280 Driving and Operating
Downshifting the transmission
in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding. See
“Skidding”under Loss of
Control 0237.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding
the vehicle in one place on a
hill using only the
accelerator pedal may
damage the transmission.
The repair will not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. If the vehicle is
stuck, do not spin the tires.
When stopping on a hill, use
the brakes to hold the
vehicle in place.
Manual Mode
(Mechanical Shifter)
Tap Shift
Caution
Driving with the engine at a
high rpm without upshifting
while using Tap Shift, could
damage the vehicle. Always
upshift when necessary
while using Tap Shift.
Vehicles with Tap Shift have
controls on the back of the
steering wheel to manually
shift the automatic
transmission.
To enter Permanent Tap
Shift Mode: 1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) to M (Manual
Mode). While in Tap Shift
Mode, the M on the
instrument cluster will
become highlighted, and
the current gear is
indicated.
2. Tap the left control to downshift, and the right
control to upshift. To shift
to the lowest available
gear, press and hold the
left control.
3. To exit, move the shift lever back to D (Drive).
With the shift lever in D (Drive)
and not in Permanent Tap
Shift Mode, the tap shift
controls will activate a
temporary tap manual shift
mode, allowing the
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Driving and Operating 281
transmission to be manually
shifted. While in Temporary
Tap Shift Mode, the D on the
instrument cluster will be
highlighted and the current
gear shown. Automatic shifts
return after no manual shifts
have been done for seven to
10 seconds. The Temporary
Tap Shift Mode can also be
deactivated by holding the
right upshift control briefly.
While using Tap Shift, the
vehicle will have firmer, quicker
shifting. You can use this for
sport driving or when climbing
or descending hills, to stay in
gear longer, or to downshift
for more power or engine
braking.
The transmission will only
allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle
speed and engine revolutions
per minute (rpm). The
transmission will not
automatically shift to the next
lower gear if the engine rpm is
too high, nor to the nexthigher gear when the
maximum engine rpm is
reached.
If shifting is prevented for any
reason, a SHIFT DENIED
message will be displayed in
the instrument cluster.
Manual Mode
(Electronic Shifter)
Tap Shift
Caution
Driving with the engine at a
high rpm without upshifting
while using Tap Shift, could
damage the vehicle. Always
upshift when necessary
while using Tap Shift.
If equipped, vehicles with Tap
Shift have controls on the
back of the steering wheel to
manually shift the automatic
transmission.
Permanent Tap Shift Mode
To enter Permanent Tap
Shift Mode: 1. With the vehicle in D (Drive), pull back on the
shift lever to activate
M (Manual Mode). The M in
the shift pattern will
illuminate in red, and the D
will switch to white. While
in Permanent Tap Shift
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282 Driving and Operating
Mode, the M on the
instrument cluster will be
highlighted and the current
gear shown.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position.
3. Pull the control toward you to shift. Pull the left
control to downshift, and
the right control to upshift.
To shift to the lowest
available gear, pull and hold
the left control.
To exit Permanent Tap
Shift Mode: 1. To exit M (Manual Mode) and return to D (Drive), pull
back on the shift lever. The
D in the shift pattern will
illuminate in red, and the M
will switch to white.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position.
M (Manual Mode) can be exited
to return to D (Drive) at any
speed by pulling the lever rearward from the center
position. It is not necessary to
stop the vehicle or shift to
N (Neutral) or P (Park) prior to
shifting back to D (Drive).
Temporary Tap Shift Mode
To enter Temporary Tap
Shift Mode:
1. With the transmission in D (Drive) and not in
Permanent Tap Shift
Mode, the Tap Shift
controls will activate a
Temporary Tap Shift
Mode, allowing the
transmission to be
manually shifted. While in
Temporary Tap Shift
Mode, the D on the
instrument cluster will be
highlighted and the current
gear shown.
2. To shift to the lowest available gear, press and
hold the left control.
3. To deactivate, hold the right control briefly.
Automatic shifts return after no manual shifts have
been done for seven to
10 seconds.
While using Tap Shift, the
vehicle will have firmer, quicker
shifting. This can be used for
sport driving or when climbing
or descending hills, to stay in
gear longer, or to downshift
for more power or engine
braking.
The transmission will only
allow shifting into gears
appropriate for the vehicle
speed and engine revolutions
per minute (rpm). If shifting is
prevented for any reason, the
M or D will flash in the
instrument cluster. The
transmission will not
automatically shift to the next
higher gear if the engine rpm
is too high. It will only
automatically shift to the next
lower gear if the engine rpm is
much too low.
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286 Driving and Operating
.When ARM is deactivated,
the gear number is white.
.If no gear number is
displayed while the shift
lever is in gear, service is
required. All rev matching
will be disabled and the
malfunction indicator lamp
will be on. See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light)0118. The
clutch and manual
transmission will continue to
operate normally.
ARM will also:
.Be active above 28 km/h
(18 mph).
.Match engine speed up to
6100 rpm.
.Not operate when the
accelerator pedal is applied.
.Be disabled when the
coolant temperature is
below 0 °C (32 °F).
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature
always send engine power
to all four wheels. It is fully
automatic, and adjusts itself as
needed for road conditions.
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost
Vehicles equipped with
electric brake boost have
hydraulic brake circuits that
are electronically controlled
when the brake pedal is
applied during normal
operation. The system
performs routine tests and
turns off within a few minutes
after the vehicle is turned off.
Noise may be heard during
this time. If the brake pedal is pressed during the tests or
when the electric brake boost
system is off, a noticeable
change in pedal force and
travel may be felt. This is
normal.
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) helps prevent a braking
skid and maintain steering
while braking hard.
If there is a problem with ABS,
this warning light stays on.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
0121.
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ABS does not change the time
needed to get a foot on the
brake pedal and does not
always decrease stopping
distance. If you get too close
to the vehicle ahead, there will
not be enough time to apply
the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room
ahead to stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just
hold the brake pedal down
firmly. Hearing and feeling ABS
operate is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and
braking at the same time. In
many emergencies, steering
can help even more than
braking.
Electric Parking Brake
The Electric Parking Brake
(EPB) can always be applied,
even if the vehicle is off. In
case of insufficient electrical
power, the EPB cannot be
applied or released. To
prevent draining the battery,
avoid unnecessary repeated
cycles of the EPB.The system has a red parking
brake status light and an
amber service parking brake
warning light. See Electric
Parking Brake Light
0121 and
Service Electric Parking Brake
Light 0121. There are also
parking brake-related Driver
Information Center (DIC)
messages.
Before leaving the vehicle,
check the red parking brake
status light to ensure that the
parking brake is applied.EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
The red parking brake status
light will flash and then stay on
once the EPB is fully applied.
If the red parking brake status
light flashes continuously, then
the EPB is only partially
applied or there is a problem
with the EPB. A DIC message
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288 Driving and Operating
will display. Release the EPB
and try to apply it again. If the
light does not come on,
or keeps flashing, have the
vehicle serviced. Do not drive
the vehicle if the red parking
brake status light is flashing.
See your dealer.
If the amber service parking
brake warning light is on,
press the EPB switch.
Continue to hold the switch
until the red parking brake
status light remains on. If the
amber service parking brake
warning light is on, see your
dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the
vehicle is moving, the vehicle
will decelerate as long as the
switch is pressed. If the switch
is pressed until the vehicle
comes to a stop, the EPB will
remain applied.
The vehicle may automatically
apply the EPB in some
situations when the vehicle is
not moving. This is normal, and
is done to periodically checkthe correct operation of the
EPB system, or at the request
of other safety functions that
utilize the EPB.
If the EPB fails to apply, block
the rear wheels to prevent
vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Turn the ignition on or to accessory mode.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
The EPB is released when the
red parking brake status light
is off.
If the amber service parking
brake warning light is on,
release the EPB by pressing
and holding the EPB switch.
Continue to hold the switch
until the red parking brake
status light is off. If either light
stays on after release is
attempted, see your dealer.
Caution
Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the
brake system and cause
premature wear or damage
to brake system parts. Make
sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the
brake warning light is off
before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and
parking on a hill, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0358.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically
release if the vehicle is
running, placed into gear, and
an attempt is made to drive
away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake
lining life.
The EPB can also be used to
prevent roll back for vehicles
with a manual transmission
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290 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Do not rely on this feature.
It does not replace the need
to pay attention and drive
safely. You may not hear or
feel alerts or warnings
provided by this system.
Failure to use proper care
when driving may result in
injury, death, or vehicle
damage.
When Automatic Vehicle Hold
(AVH) is turned on and the
vehicle is braked to a stop,
AVH prevents the vehicle from
moving during the transition
from brake pedal release to
accelerator pedal apply. The
brakes release when the
accelerator pedal is applied.
The brakes may also release
under other conditions. Do not
rely on AVH to hold the
vehicle.
If the accelerator pedal is not
applied within a few minutes,
the Electric Parking Brake will apply. The parking brake will
also apply if the driver door is
opened or the driver seat belt
is unfastened while AVH is
holding the vehicle.
AVH can be turned on by
pressing AUTO HOLD. The
indicator light on the switch
will come on. The AVH light on
the instrument panel will come
on while AVH is actively
holding the vehicle. See
Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH)
Light
0122.
Ride Control
Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
The vehicle has a Traction
Control System (TCS) and
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC). These systems
help limit wheel slip and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery
road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that
any of the drive wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose
traction. When this happens,
the system brakes the
spinning wheel(s) and/or
reduces engine power to limit
wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates
when the computer senses a
difference between the
intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak/ESC
selectively applies braking
pressure at any one of the
vehicle's brakes to help steer
the vehicle in the intended
direction.
If cruise control is being used
and TCS or StabiliTrak/ESC
begins to limit wheel spin,
cruise control will disengage.
Cruise control may be turned
back on when road conditions
allow.
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Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle
is started and begins to move.
The systems may be heard or
felt while they are operating
or while performing diagnostic
checks. This is normal and
does not mean there is a
problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave
both systems on for normal
driving conditions, but It may
be necessary to turn TCS off
if the vehicle gets stuck in
sand, mud, ice, or snow. See If
the Vehicle Is Stuck0255 and
“Turning the Systems Off and
On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both
systems is in the instrument
cluster. This light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
.Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC
is activated.
.Turn on and stay on when
either system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on
or to activate, a message may
display in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is
inactive and is not assisting
the driver in maintaining
control. The vehicle is safe to
drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. if
dcomes
on and stays on, the vehicle
may need more time to
diagnose the problem. If the
condition persists, see your
dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS
is off. The vehicle driveline
could be damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press
and release
g. The traction off
light
idisplays in the
instrument cluster. A DIC
message may display.
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292 Driving and Operating
To turn TCS on again, press
and release
g. The traction off
light
idisplayed in the
instrument cluster will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin
when
gis pressed, the system
will not turn off until the
wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and
StabiliTrak/ESC, press and
hold
guntil the traction off
light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC
OFF light
gcome on and stay
on in the instrument cluster.
A DIC message may display.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC on again, press and
release
g. The traction off
light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC
OFF light
gin the instrument
cluster turn off.
Adding accessories can affect
the vehicle's performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 370.
Driver Mode Control
Driver Mode Control (DMC)
allows the driver to adjust the
overall driving experience to
better suit driver preference
by adjusting vehicle systems
to fit specific driving needs.
Drive mode availability and
affected vehicle systems are
dependent on vehicle trim
level, region, and optional
features.
If the vehicle is in Tour Mode
or My Mode, it will stay in that
mode through future ignition
cycles. If the vehicle is in any
other mode, it will return to
Tour Mode when the vehicle is
restarted. When a mode is
selected, an indicator will
come on in the instrument
cluster and stay on.
Mode Activation
Driver Mode Control Switch
for Automatic Transmission
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shifts are also firmer to
increase the quickness of
shifting.
Engine Sound
Adjusts the volume of engine
noise.
The sound level changes when
the variable exhaust
valves open.
Steering (Assist Effort)
Adjusts from a lighter steering
feel in Tour Mode to reduced
assist in Sport and Track
Mode for more steering feel.
Magnetic Ride Control (If
Equipped)
Adjusts the shock dampening
firmness from a comfort in
Tour Mode to an optimized
responsiveness tune in Sport
and Track.
Stability Control
.Competitive Mode allows
less computer control to
permit some slide and driftand is selected with the
TCS/StabiliTrak button
–
only available in Sport Mode.
.StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) can
be turned off by pressing
and holding the TCS/
StabiliTrak button for
five seconds.
Brake Feel
Adjusts brake pedal sensitivity
by selecting how quick or slow
the brakes respond to input.
Drive Mode Customization
The following settings can be
changed using the Drive Mode
Customization Menu. See
Settings > Vehicle > Drive
Mode Customization in the
center display to customize
My Mode or V-Mode.
Steering
Steering adjusts the effort
required to turn the steering
wheel. The steering wheel
offers better feedback in the Tour setting, but requires
more effort in the Sport and
Track settings.
–Tour, Sport, Track
Suspension
Suspension adjusts the
firmness of the suspension in
the vehicle. Suspension
adjusts the stiffness of the
shocks and/or springs. The
ride is more comfortable at
lower settings and is stiffer at
higher settings for better
control.
–Tour, Sport, Track
Brake Feel
Brake Feel adjusts the brake
pedal response. Settings
range from a slower response
for more comfortable driving
to the quickest response for
quicker deceleration. Brake
pedal travel decreases and
caliper pressure increases in
the Sport and Track settings.
–Tour, Sport, Track