maintenance CADILLAC CT6 2020 User Guide

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566829) -
2020 - CRC - 6/14/19
174 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Braking
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is about
three-quarters of a second. In that
time, a vehicle moving at 100 km/h
(60 mph) travels 20 m (66 ft), which
could be a lot of distance in an
emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
.Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
. Avoid needless heavy braking.
. Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops or a brake
fault occurs, the brakes may lose
power assist. More effort will be
required to stop the vehicle. It may
take longer to stop.
Steering
Caution
To avoid damage to the steering
system, do not drive over curbs,
parking barriers, or similar objects
at speeds greater than 3 km/h
(1 mph). Use care when driving over
other objects such as lane dividers
and speed bumps. Damage caused
by misuse of the vehicle is not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Variable Effort Steering
The vehicle has a steering system that
varies the amount of effort required to
steer the vehicle in relation to the
speed of the vehicle.
The amount of steering effort required
is less at slower speeds to make the
vehicle more maneuverable and easier
to park. At faster speeds, the steering
effort increases to provide a sport-like
feel to the steering. This provides
maximum control and stability.
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance is
not required.
If power steering assist is lost due to a
system malfunction, the vehicle can
be steered, but may require increased
effort.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566829) -
2020 - CRC - 6/14/19
208 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Engine Sound
Adjusts the volume of engine noise
from quietest in Tour mode to most
robust in Track mode.
Steering
Adjusts from a lighter steering feel in
Tour Mode to reduced assist in Sport
and Track Mode for more
steering feel.
Suspension (if equipped with
Magnetic Ride)
Adjusts the shock dampening
firmness from a comfort tune in Tour
Mode to an optimized responsiveness
tune in Sport and Track.
Traction and Stability Control
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) can be turned off by pressing
and holding the button for
five seconds.
Driver Mode Customization
The Engine Sound Management,
steering, and suspension drive modes
can be set to the driver’s preference.
See“Driving Mode ”under Vehicle
Personalization 0140. When in the Track main vehicle mode,
you cannot overwrite the Steering or
Suspension settings. These settings
are designed to interact with the
advanced functions in the Track Mode
and cannot be overwritten.
The selections made in the Driving
Mode menu overwrite the main
vehicle mode selection via the buttons
or switch on the center console. In
order to customize and overwrite,
select one of the three settings by
touching the infotainment display.
When in the customization screen for
each system, select one of the
available options:
•
Auto (Follows the MODE switch)
• Tour
• Sport
• Track (V-Series only) The default will be to follow the
vehicle MODE switch settings, but the
main vehicle mode selection for the
currently selected system can be
overwritten using this menu. The
settings selected in this menu will set
the vehicle behavior in all selected
vehicle modes, and will be retained
over each ignition cycle. They do not
have to be reset each time the vehicle
is started.
Locking Rear Axle
Vehicles with a limited-slip rear axle
can give more traction on snow, mud,
ice, sand, or gravel. When traction is
low, this feature allows the drive
wheel with the most traction to move
the vehicle. The limited-slip rear axle
also gives the driver enhanced control
when cornering hard or completing a
maneuver, such as a lane change. For
vehicles with limited-slip rear axle, the
rear axle fluid should be changed. See
Maintenance Schedule
0359.

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566829) -
2020 - CRC - 6/14/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 265
signs, trees, or other objects. Always
signal turns well in advance. Do not
steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes may
overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes,
engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at lower altitudes.
If the engine is turned off immediately
after towing at high altitude on steep
uphill grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating. To
avoid this, let the engine run,
preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine off.
If the overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating0288.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer
on a level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your
trailer on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the
wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal. .Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more often
when used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule 0359. It is
especially important to check the
automatic transmission fluid, engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before and
during each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566829) -
2020 - CRC - 6/14/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 269
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0123.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle systems.
This could affect vehicle operation
and cause a crash. Such devices
may also access information stored
in the vehicle’s systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always check with your
dealer before adding electrical
equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see Servicing
the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 075 and
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 076.

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566829) -
2020 - CRC - 6/11/19
VEHICLE CARE 273
If equipped with remote vehicle start,
open the hood before performing any
service work to prevent remote
starting the vehicle accidentally. See
Remote Vehicle Start017.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records 0371.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage to
vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
{Warning
For vehicles with auto engine stop/
start, turn the vehicle off before
opening the hood. If the vehicle is
on, the engine will start when the
hood is opened. You or others could
be injured.
{Warning
Components under the hood can
get hot from running the engine. To
help avoid the risk of burning
unprotected skin, never touch these
components until they have cooled,
and always use a glove or towel to
avoid direct skin contact.
Clear any snow from the hood before
opening.
To open the hood: 1. Pull the hood release handle with the
isymbol. It is on the
lower left side of the instrument
panel between the door and the
steering wheel. Release the
handle, then pull the handle
again to fully release the hood.
2. After you have partially lifted the hood, the gas strut system will
automatically lift the hood and
hold it in the fully open position. To close the hood:
1. Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are on properly,
and all tools are removed.
2. Pull the hood down until the strut system is no longer holding
up the hood.
3. Allow the hood to fall. Check to make sure the hood is latched
completely. Repeat this process
with additional force if necessary.
{Warning
Do not drive the vehicle if the hood
is not latched completely. The hood
could open fully, block your vision,
and cause a crash. You or others
could be injured. Always close the
hood completely before driving.

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566829) -
2020 - CRC - 6/11/19
VEHICLE CARE 281
2. Press and hold SEL to clear theCHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message and reset the oil life
at 100%.
Be careful not to reset the oil life
display accidentally at any time
other than after the oil is
changed. It cannot be reset
accurately until the next oil
change.
The oil life system can also be reset as
follows: 1. Using the DIC buttons, display REMAINING OIL LIFE on the
DIC. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) 0132.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three times
within five seconds.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message is not on, the
system is reset.
The system is reset when the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
is off. If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat the
procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak occurs,
take the vehicle to your dealer and
have it repaired as soon as possible.
The vehicle is not equipped with a
transmission fluid level dipstick.
There is a special procedure for
checking and changing the
transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, this should be
done at the dealer. Contact your dealer
for additional information.
Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage the
vehicle, and the damage may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use the correct automatic
transmission fluid. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0
368.
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed in Maintenance
Schedule 0359, and be sure to use the
fluid listed in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0368.
Engine Air Filter Life
System
If equipped, this feature provides the
engine air filter's remaining life and
best timing for a change. The timing
to change an engine air filter depends
on driving and environmental
conditions.

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566829) -
2020 - CRC - 6/11/19
282 VEHICLE CARE
When to Change the Engine Air
Filter
When the Driver Information Center
(DIC) displays a message to replace
the engine air filter at the next oil
change, follow this timing.
When the DIC displays a message to
replace the engine air filter soon,
replace the engine air filter at the
earliest convenience.
The system must be reset after the
engine air filter is changed.
If the DIC displays a message to check
the engine air filter system, see your
dealer.
How to Reset Engine Air Filter
Life System
Reset the system whenever the engine
air filter is replaced so that the system
can calculate the next engine air filter
change.To reset:
1. Place the vehicle in P (Park).
2. Display the Air Filter Life on the DIC. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) 0132.
3. Press
Ton the steering wheel to
move to the Reset/Disable
display area. Select Reset, then
press SEL.
4. Press SEL to confirm the reset.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is in the
engine compartment. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0274.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
.
For intervals on changing and
inspecting the engine air cleaner/
filter, see Maintenance Schedule
0 359.
. If equipped with Engine Air Filter
Life System, see Engine Air Filter
Life System 0281.
. If driving in very dusty areas,
follow the engine air filter
inspecting and changing intervals,
see Maintenance Schedule 0359.
How to Inspect/Replace the
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Do not start the engine or have the
engine running with the engine air
cleaner/filter housing open. Before
removing the engine air cleaner/filter,
make sure that the engine air cleaner/
filter housing and nearby components
are free of dirt and debris. Do not
clean the engine air cleaner/filter or
components with water or
compressed air.

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566829) -
2020 - CRC - 6/11/19
VEHICLE CARE 285
4.2L V8 Engine
1. Engine Coolant Surge Tankand Pressure Cap (Under
Cover)
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can start
up even when the engine is not
running and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan. If the coolant inside the coolant surge
tank is boiling, do not do anything
else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.
The coolant level should be at the
indicated mark on the middle of the
tank. If it is not, the vehicle may have
a leak at the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump,
or somewhere else in the cooling
system.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts. They
can be very hot and can burn you.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak; all coolant could leak out.
That could cause an engine fire and
can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the
engine on, check to see if the electric
cooling fan is running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, the vehicle needs
service. Turn off the engine.
Engine Coolant
The engine cooling system in the
vehicle is filled with a DEX-COOL
engine coolant mixture. This coolant
needs to be checked and replaced at
appropriate intervals. See Maintenance
Schedule 0359.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating 0288.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain
water or the wrong mixture, the
engine could get too hot but there
would not be an overheat warning.
The engine could catch fire and you
or others could be burned.

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566829) -
2020 - CRC - 6/11/19
292 VEHICLE CARE
Checking Brake Fluid
With the vehicle in P (Park) on a level
surface, the brake fluid level should be
between the minimum and maximum
marks on the brake fluid reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down:
.Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the fluid
level goes back up.
. A fluid leak in the brake hydraulic
system. Have the brake hydraulic
system fixed. With a leak, the
brakes will not work well.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir
cap and the area around the cap
before removing it.
Do not top off the brake fluid. Adding
fluid does not correct a leak. If fluid is
added when the linings are worn,
there will be too much fluid when
new brake linings are installed. Add or
remove fluid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic
system.{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You or
others could be burned, and the
vehicle could be damaged. Add
brake fluid only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning Light
0 125.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid at
the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0359.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3 brake
fluid from a clean, sealed container.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0368.
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the paint
finish can be damaged. Immediately
wash off any painted surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove the
cap and do not add fluid.
The battery is in the trunk under the
spare tire. Refer to the replacement
number shown on the original battery
label when a new 12-volt battery is
needed.

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566829) -
2020 - CRC - 6/11/19
VEHICLE CARE 295
.To check the P (Park) mechanism's
holding ability: With the engine
running, shift to P (Park). Then
release the parking brake followed
by the regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking.
For the proper type and size, see
Maintenance Replacement Parts 0369.
To replace the wiper blade assembly: 1. Pull the windshield wiper assembly slightly away from the
windshield.
2. Lift up on the latch in the middleof the wiper blade where the
wiper arm attaches.
3. With the latch open, pull the wiper blade down toward the
windshield far enough to release
it from the J-hooked end of the
wiper arm.
4. Remove the wiper blade.
Caution
Allowing the wiper arm to touch
the windshield when no wiper blade
is installed could damage the (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
windshield. Any damage that occurs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not allow the wiper
arm to touch the windshield.
5. Reverse Steps 1–3 for wiper blade replacement.
Windshield Replacement
Head-Up Display (HUD) System
The windshield is part of the HUD
system. If the windshield must be
replaced, get one that is designed for
HUD or the HUD image may look out
of focus.
Driver Assistance Systems
When a windshield replacement is
needed and the vehicle is equipped
with a front-looking camera sensor for
the Driver Assistance Systems, the
windshield must be installed
according to GM specifications for
these systems to work properly. If it is