traction control CADILLAC CT4 2021 User Guide

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584335) -
2021 - CRC - 12/4/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 203
Automatic EmergencyBraking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . 289
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . 289
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . 291
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Recommended Fuel (LSY 2.0L L4
Turbo Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Recommended Fuel (L3B 2.7L L4 Turbo Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . 294
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . 297
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Trailer Towing (LSY 2.0L L4 Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 303
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage.
Here are some driving tips to get the
best fuel economy possible:
.Set the climate controls to the
desired temperature after the engine
is started, or turn them off when
not required.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt
stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
.When road and weather conditions
are appropriate, use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed limits or
drive more slowly when conditions
require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a
single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the
same TPC Spec number molded into
the tire's sidewall near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and
can take your focus from the task of
driving. Exercise good judgment and
do not let other activities divert your
attention away from the road. Many
local governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep your
eyes on the road, keep your hands on
the steering wheel, and focus your
attention on driving.
.Do not use a phone in demanding
driving situations. Use a hands-free
method to place or receive
necessary phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read, take
notes, or look up information on
phones or other electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat passenger to
handle potential distractions.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584335) -
2021 - CRC - 12/4/20
206 DRIVING AND OPERATING
.The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
allows steering while braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop off
the edge of a road onto the shoulder
while driving. Follow these tips:1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer
the vehicle so that it straddles the
edge of the pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the right
front tire contacts the
pavement edge. 3. Turn the steering wheel to go
straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not
rolling.
.Steering or Cornering Skid —too
much speed or steering in a curve
causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force.
.Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving wheels
to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by
taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible. If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the accelerator
pedal and steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. The vehicle may
straighten out. Be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your driving
according to weather conditions.
Stopping distance can be longer and
vehicle control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material on the
road. Learn to recognize warning
clues
—such as enough water, ice,
or packed snow on the road to
make a mirrored surface —and
slow down when you have any
doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking, including
reducing vehicle speed by shifting
to a lower gear. Any sudden changes
could cause the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid
only the braking skid.

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DRIVING AND OPERATING 213
.Be alert on top of hills; something
could be in your lane (e.g., stalled
car, crash).
.Pay attention to special road signs
(e.g., falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and the
road creates less traction or grip, so
drive carefully. Wet ice can occur at
about 0 °C (32 °F) when freezing rain
begins to fall. Avoid driving on wet ice
or in freezing rain until roads can be
treated.
For slippery road driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control0239.
.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves vehicle stability during
hard stops, but the brakes should be
applied sooner than when on dry
pavement. See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0236.
See Driver Mode Control 0241.
.Allow greater following distance and
watch for slippery spots. Icy patches
can occur on otherwise clear roads
in shaded areas. The surface of a
curve or an overpass can remain icy
when the surrounding roads are
clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
.Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby. If possible,
use Roadside Service. See Roadside
Service 0403. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may cause
exhaust gases to get inside. Engine
exhaust contains carbon monoxide
(CO), which cannot be seen or
smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
.Clear snow from the base of the
vehicle, especially any blocking
the exhaust pipe.
.Open a window about 5 cm (2 in)
on the vehicle side that is away
from the wind, to bring in
fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on or
under the instrument panel.
.Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air inside
the vehicle and set the fan speed
to the highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0226.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584335) -
2021 - CRC - 12/4/20
214 DRIVING AND OPERATING
To save fuel, run the engine for short
periods to warm the vehicle and then
shut the engine off and partially close
the window. Moving about to keep
warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle speed.
This keeps the battery charged to
restart the vehicle and to signal for
help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible, to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels
to free the vehicle when stuck in sand,
mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method. SeeTraction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0239.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or
others could be injured. The vehicle
can overheat, causing an engine
compartment fire or other damage.
Spin the wheels as little as possible
and avoid going above 56 km/h
(35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right
to clear the area around the front
wheels. Turn off any traction system.
Shift back and forth between
R (Reverse) and a low forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as
possible. To prevent transmission
wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release
the accelerator pedal while shifting,
and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in
gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing the Vehicle
0369.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can carry.
This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the
weight of all occupants, cargo, and
all nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it may
properly carry: the Tire and
Loading Information label and the
Certification label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or
rear Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). This can cause
systems to break and change
the way the vehicle handles.
(Continued)

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584335) -
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 235
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.
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
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).

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584335) -
2021 - CRC - 12/4/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 239
HSA is available when the vehicle is
facing uphill in a forward gear,
or when facing downhill in
R (Reverse). The vehicle must come to
a complete stop on a grade for HSA to
activate.
Automatic Vehicle
Hold (AVH)
{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(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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 0101.
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

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584335) -
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 241
To turn off only TCS, press and
release
g. The traction off lighti
displays in the instrument cluster.
A DIC message may display.
To turn TCS on again, press and
release
g. The traction off lighti
displayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
g
is 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 0306.
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 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.
Mode Activation
Driver Mode Control Switch
To activate, press the MODE switch on
the center console. Use the up and
down arrows to move through
the menu.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584335) -
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242 DRIVING AND OPERATING
V-Mode Button
To activate V-Mode, press the V-Mode
button on the steering wheel. To
deactivate, select a different mode
using the DMC switch, or press the
V-Mode button on the steering wheel.
When V-Mode is deactivated by the
V-Mode button, DMC returns to
Tour Mode.
Mode Description
Tour Mode
Use for normal city and highway
driving to provide a smooth, soft ride.
This mode provides a balance between
comfort and handling. This is the
standard mode. See “Mode Selection Attributes”
later in this section. When
Tour Mode is selected, no indicator
will display.
Sport Mode
Use this mode where road conditions
or personal preference demand a more
controlled response. When this mode
is selected, the vehicle immediately
downshifts. The vehicle also monitors
driving behaviors 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 this feature and return to normal
operation after a short period when
spirited driving is no longer detected.
The steering changes to provide more
precise control. If the vehicle has
Magnetic Ride Control, the suspension
changes to provide better cornering
performance.
See “Mode Selection Attributes ”later
in this section. Snow/Ice Mode
Use this mode for slippery surfaces to
help control wheel speed. This mode
can compromise the acceleration on
dry asphalt.
This feature is not intended for use
when the vehicle is stuck in sand,
mud, or gravel. If the vehicle is stuck,
see
If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0214.
See “Mode Selection Attributes ”later
in this section.
Track Mode (V-Series Only)
When in Track Mode, the automatic
transmission and steering function
similar to Sport Mode. The accelerator
pedal is adjusted to give maximum
control during the highest level of
spirited driving. The Magnetic Ride
Control will be set to the optimum
level for vehicle responsiveness.
Performance Traction Management
(PTM) can be accessed through this
mode. See “Performance Traction
Management ”in Competitive Driving
Mode 0246.
See “Mode Selection Attributes ”later
in this section.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584335) -
2021 - CRC - 12/4/20
244 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Mode Selection Attributes
Modes:TOUR
Default SPORT TRACK SNOW/ICE
Powertrain TourTourTrack Snow/Ice
Throttle Progression TourTourTrack Snow/Ice
Transmission Shift Mode TourSport Track Tour
Engine Sound TourSport Track Tour
Steering TourSport Track Tour
Suspension (if equipped with Magnetic Ride
Control) Tour
Sport Track Tour
Traction and Stability Control TourTourTrack Tour
Competitive Driving Mode (if equipped) Not Available Available Not Available Not Available
Performance Traction Mode (if equipped) Not Available Not Available Available Not Available
Brake Response TourSport Track Tour
Throttle Progression
Adjusts throttle sensitivity by
selecting how quick or slow the
throttle reacts to input.
.Snow/Ice - The accelerator pedal
reduces engine torque at small
pedal inputs. This allows better
wheel control on slippery surfaces.
.Track - The accelerator pedal
adjusts to give maximum control
during the highest level of spirited
driving.
Transmission Shift Mode
Sport or Track –Dynamic
Performance Mode (DPM) allows the
transmission to hold the current gear after a quick release of a heavily
applied accelerator pedal. This
provides greater engine braking and
enhanced vehicle control without
using the paddles. DPM recognizes
aggressive cornering, heavy braking,
and high acceleration to select and

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584335) -
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246 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Brake Response
Brake Response 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
PTM (Performance Traction
Management)
PTM controls vehicle performance
systems for professional handling on
race tracks. Traction Control and
Stability Control are reduced as you
move through each of the settings.
Changing PTM settings may also
automatically change the other
subsystem settings. See“Performance
Traction Management ”in Competitive
Driving Mode 0246
–Off, Wet, Dry, Sport, Race 1, Race 2Competitive Driving Mode
To select this optional handling mode,
press
Yquickly two times and the
DIC will display COMPETITIVE MODE
ON. While in the Competitive Driving
Mode, the traction off light
iand
StabiliTrak/ESC OFF light
gwill come
on in the instrument cluster. TCS does
not limit wheel spin, the Electronic
Limited-Slip Differential (eLSD) allows
increased vehicle agility, and more
effort is required to turn the steering
wheel. See “Limited-Slip Differential
(V–Series Only)” later in this section.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
Press
Yagain, or turn the ignition to
ACC/ACCESSORY and restart the
vehicle, to turn TCS back on. The
traction off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC OFF light
gwill go out in the
instrument cluster.
Caution
When traction control is turned off,
or Competitive Driving Mode is
active, it is possible to lose traction.
Performance Traction
Management (PTM)
PTM can be activated through V-Mode
customization or by pressing the ESC
button twice while in Track Mode.
To activate PTM through V-Mode
customization, select the desired PTM
state in the center stack
(Vehicle>Settings>Drive Mode
Customization>V-Mode). Press the
V-Mode button once to activate
V-Mode. When PTM is configured on,
a message will appear in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) “V-Mode
Active - Press Again for PTM On - ESC
May be Disabled”.
To confirm and enter PTM, press the
V-Mode button again. The PTM state
can now be modified using the mode
knob or changing the V-Mode PTM
settings in the center stack. Both the
V–Mode and PTM indicators will be
displayed. To exit PTM, press the ESC
button.
To cancel the PTM request message
and not enter PTM, press the center
dismiss button on the steering wheel
(V–Mode remains active).