CADILLAC CT4 2020 Owner's Manual

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13183937) -
2020 - crc - 4/28/20
170 DRIVING AND OPERATING
P (Park) when the ignition is on. If you
cannot shift out of P (Park), ease
pressure on the shift lever and push
the shift lever all the way into P (Park)
as you maintain brake application.
Then press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into another gear.
SeeShifting out of Park (Mechanical
Shifter) 0165 or
Shifting out of Park (Electronic Shifter)
0 165.
Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving forward could
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the vehicle is
stopped.
R : Use this gear to back up.
At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse) can
be used to rock the vehicle back and
forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand
without damaging the transmission.
See If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0153. N :
In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart the engine when the vehicle is
already moving, use N (Neutral) only.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into
a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine running
at high speed may damage the
transmission. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Be sure the engine is not running at
high speed when shifting the
vehicle.
Caution
A transmission hot message may
display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition can
damage the vehicle. Stop and idle
the engine to cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This message
clears when the transmission fluid
has cooled sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal driving.
If more power is needed for passing,
press the accelerator pedal down.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See “Skidding”underLoss
of Control 0146.
M : This mode can be entered by
moving the shift lever from D (Drive)
to M (Manual Mode). M (Manual
Mode) allows the driver to select gears
appropriate for current driving
conditions. M (Manual Mode) can be
exited by returning the shift lever to D

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13183937) -
2020 - crc - 4/28/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 171
(Drive). SeeManual Mode (Electronic
Shifter) 0177 or
Manual Mode (Mechanical Shifter)
0 176.
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.
While in Sport or Track Mode, the
vehicle monitors driving behavior, and
automatically enables Performance
Shift Features when spirited driving is
detected. These features maintain
lower transmission gears to increase
available engine braking and improve
acceleration response. The vehicle will
exit these features and return to Sport
or Track Mode normal operation after a short period when no spirited
driving is detected. See
Driver Mode
Control 0184.
Engine speeds may be increased while
driving at highway speeds while the
engine is still warming up.Automatic Transmission
(Electronic shifter)
The shift pattern is displayed in the
top of the shift lever. The selected
gear position will illuminate red on
the shift lever, while all others will be
displayed in white. If the shift is not immediate, as in very cold conditions,
the indicator on the shift lever may
flash until it is fully engaged.
The shift lever always starts from a
center position, represented by an up/
down arrow on the shift pattern. After
releasing the shift lever, it will return
to the center position.
The transmission does not operate
when the vehicle is off.
If the vehicle is in ACC/ACCESSORY,
the transmission can be shifted into
P (Park).
If the vehicle is turned off while at a
relatively high vehicle speed, the
transmission will automatically shift
to N (Neutral). Once the vehicle is
stopped, P (Park) is automatically
selected.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13183937) -
2020 - crc - 4/28/20
172 DRIVING AND OPERATING
P :Use P (Park) when starting the
vehicle to ensure the vehicle does
not move.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the transmission is not in
P (Park) with the parking brake set.
The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If the engine has
been left running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
be injured. To be sure the vehicle
will not move, even when on fairly
level ground, always set the parking
brake and place the transmission
into P (Park). SeeShifting Into Park
(Electronic Shifter) 0163 or
Shifting Into Park (Mechanical
Shifter) 0164 and
Electric Parking Brake 0179.
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic controlled transmission.
The shift lock release button is designed to prevent inadvertent
shifting out of P (Park) unless the
ignition is on, the brake pedal is
applied, and the shift lock release
button is pressed.
When the vehicle is stopped, press
ENGINE START/STOP to turn off the
vehicle. The transmission will shift to
P (Park) automatically, unless the
vehicle is in N (Neutral). See
“Car
Wash Mode ”later in this section.
The vehicle will not shift into P (Park)
if it is moving too fast. Stop the
vehicle and shift into P (Park).
To shift in and out of P (Park), see
Shifting Into Park (Electronic Shifter)
0 163 or
Shifting Into Park (Mechanical Shifter)
0 164 and
Shifting out of Park (Mechanical Shifter)
0 165 or
Shifting out of Park (Electronic Shifter)
0 165.
Service Shift Lever Message
If the message SERVICE SHIFTER SEE
OWNER’S MANUAL appears in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), the
shift lever needs service. Have the

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13183937) -
2020 - crc - 4/28/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 173
vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
If the vehicle is automatically shifting
into P (Park), check to see if the
P (Park) button on top of the shift
lever is stuck. To operate the vehicle,
hold the shift lever in the desired gear,
R (Reverse) or D (Drive), until vehicle
speed exceeds 15 km/h (10 mph), then
release the shift lever.
R :Use this gear to back up.
If the vehicle is shifted from either
R (Reverse) to D (Drive), or D (Drive)
or M (Manual Mode) to R (Reverse)
while the speed is too high, the
vehicle will shift to N (Neutral).
Reduce the vehicle speed and try the
shift again.
To shift into R (Reverse): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press and hold shift lock release button on the side of the shift
lever.
3. From the center position, move the shift lever forward through
the first detent to the end of
travel. R is illuminated in red. 4. After releasing the shift lever, it
will return to the center position.
To shift out of R (Reverse): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse) can
be used to rock the vehicle back and
forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand
without damaging the transmission.
See If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0153.
N : In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart the engine when the vehicle is
already moving, use N (Neutral) only.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
people or objects. Do not shift into
a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine running
at high speed may damage the
transmission. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Be sure the engine is not running at
high speed when shifting the
vehicle.
The vehicle is not designed to stay in
N (Neutral) for more than
five minutes. It may automatically
shift into P (Park). N (Neutral) is not
intended for towing. If the vehicle
needs to be towed, see Towing the
Vehicle 0291.
To shift into N (Neutral):

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13183937) -
2020 - crc - 4/28/20
174 DRIVING AND OPERATING
1. Move the shift lever forward tothe first detent from the center
position.
.If the vehicle is in P (Park),
apply the brake pedal and
press the shift lock release
button while moving the shift
lever forward.
. N will illuminate in red.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
To shift out of N (Neutral): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear. If shifting from N (Neutral) to
R (Reverse) the shift lock release
button will need to be pressed.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
Car Wash Mode
This vehicle includes a Car Wash
Mode that allows the vehicle to
remain in N (Neutral) for use in
automatic car washes. Car Wash Mode (Engine Off
–Driver
in Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
with the engine off and the vehicle
occupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift to N (Neutral).
4. Turn off the engine and release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, repeat
Steps 2–4.
6. The vehicle is now ready for the car wash.
Car Wash Mode (Engine Off –Driver
out of Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
with the engine off and the vehicle
unoccupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Open the door. 4. Shift to N (Neutral).
5. Turn off the engine and release
the brake pedal.
6. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, repeat
Steps 2–5.
7. Exit the vehicle and close the door. The vehicle is now ready
for the car wash.
8. The vehicle may automatically shift to P (Park) upon re-entry.
Car Wash Mode (Engine On –Driver
in Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
with the engine on and the vehicle
occupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift to N (Neutral).
4. Release the brake pedal. The vehicle is now ready for the
car wash.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13183937) -
2020 - crc - 4/28/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 175
Car Wash Mode (Engine On–Driver
out of Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
with the engine on and the vehicle
unoccupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Open the door.
4. Shift to N (Neutral), then release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, repeat
Steps 2–4.
6. Exit the vehicle and close the door. The vehicle is now ready
for the car wash.
7. The vehicle may automatically shift to P (Park) upon re-entry.
Caution
A transmission hot message may
display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
Driving under this condition can
damage the vehicle. Stop and idle
the engine to cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This message
clears when the transmission fluid
has cooled sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal driving.
If more power is needed for passing,
press the accelerator pedal down.
To shift into D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. From the center position, move the shift lever back.
.If the vehicle is in P (Park)
press the shift lock release
button while pulling the shift
lever back.
. D will illuminate in red.
. After releasing the shift lever,
it will return to the center
position. To shift out of D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See “Skidding”underLoss
of Control 0146.
M : This mode can be entered from
D (Drive) by pulling back on the shift
lever. The M in the shift pattern will
illuminate red, and the D will switch
to white. After releasing the shift
lever, it will return to the center
position. M (Manual Mode) allows
gears appropriate for current driving
conditions to be selected.
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. See Manual Mode
(Electronic Shifter) 0177 or
Manual Mode (Mechanical Shifter)
0 176.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13183937) -
2020 - crc - 4/28/20
176 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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.
Engine speeds may be increased while
driving at highway speeds while the
engine is still warming up.
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 transmission to be
manually shifted. Automatic shifts
return after no manual shifts have
been done for seven to 10 seconds.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13183937) -
2020 - crc - 4/28/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 177
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 next higher 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.
When accelerating the vehicle from a
stop in snowy and icy conditions, it is
suggested to shift into second gear.
A higher gear allows the vehicle to
gain more traction on slippery
surfaces.Manual Mode (Electronic
Shifter)
Tap ShiftCaution
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.
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.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
3. Press the controls on the back of the steering wheel to shift. Use
the left steering wheel control to
downshift, and the right control
to upshift. To shift to the lowest
available gear, press and hold the
left control.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13183937) -
2020 - crc - 4/28/20
178 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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) before shifting back to
D (Drive).
Temporary Tap Manual 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 manual shift
mode, allowing the transmission
to be manually shifted. 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, a SHIFT
DENIED message will be displayed 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.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.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13183937) -
2020 - crc - 4/28/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 179
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. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 103.
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 vehicle has an Electric Parking
Brake (EPB). The EPB can always be
activated, even if the ignition is off. To
prevent draining the battery, avoid
repeated cycles of the EPB system
when the engine is not running.