trailer CADILLAC CT4 2021 Owner's Guide

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584335) -
2021 - CRC - 12/4/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 299
The trailer structure, the tires, and the
brakes must be all be rated to carry
the intended cargo. Inadequate trailer
equipment can cause the combination
to operate in an unexpected or unsafe
manner. Before driving, inspect all
trailer hitch parts and attachments,
safety chains, electrical connectors,
lamps, tires, and mirrors. SeeTowing
Equipment 0302. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the combination
moving and then manually apply the
trailer brake controller to check the
trailer brakes work. During the trip,
occasionally check that the cargo and
trailer are secure and that the lamps
and any trailer brakes are working.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the stability control
system might be heard. The system
reacts to vehicle movement caused by
the trailer, which mainly occurs
during cornering. This is normal when
towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving without a trailer. This can help
to avoid heavy braking and sudden
turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. The combination of
the vehicle and trailer will not
accelerate as quickly and is much
longer than the vehicle alone. It is
necessary to go much farther beyond
the passed vehicle before returning to
the lane. Pass on level roadways.
Avoid passing on hills if possible.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. To move the trailer to
the left, move that hand to the left. To
move the trailer to the right, move
that hand to the right. Always back up
slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Caution
Turn more slowly and make wider
arcs when towing a trailer to
prevent damage to your vehicle.
Making very sharp turns could
cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when
towing, so trailer will not go over soft
shoulders, over curbs, or strike road
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.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584335) -
2021 - CRC - 12/4/20
300 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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 Overheating0322.
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, gradually release the brake
pedal to allow the chocks to absorb
the load of the trailer.
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 0380. 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.
Engine Cooling when Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See
Engine Overheating
0 322.
Trailer Towing (LSY 2.0L L4
Engine)
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To tow a trailer
correctly, follow the directions in
this section and see your dealer for
important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584335) -
2021 - CRC - 12/4/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 301
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity
for your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring the
weight, speed, altitude, road grades,
outside temperature, dimensions of
the front of the trailer, and how
frequently the vehicle is used to tow a
trailer.
Before towing a trailer, always
separately weigh:
.the total weight on the vehicle's
tires.
.the trailer.
.the trailer tongue.
{Warning
You and others could be seriously
injured or killed if the trailer is too
heavy or the trailer brakes are
inadequate for the load. The vehicle
may be damaged, and the repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Only tow a trailer if all the steps in
this section have been followed. Ask
your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer.
Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR)
For information about the vehicle's
maximum load capacity, see Vehicle
Load Limits 0214. When calculating
the GVWR with a trailer attached, the
trailer tongue weight must be
included as part of the weight the
vehicle is carrying.
Maximum Trailer Weight
The trailer should never weigh more
than 454 kg (1,000 lb). The maximum
allowable weight of the trailer may be
lower based on the weight of the
passengers and cargo in your trailer.
The maximum trailer weight rating is
calculated assuming only the driver is
in the tow vehicle and it has all the
required trailering equipment. The
weight of additional optional equipment, passengers, and cargo in
the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
Trailer Load Balance
The correct trailer load balance must
be maintained to ensure trailer
stability. Incorrect load balance is a
leading cause of trailer sway.
The trailer tongue weight (1) should
be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight (2). Some specific trailer types,
such as boat trailers, fall outside of
this range. Always refer to the trailer
owner’s manual for the recommended

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584335) -
2021 - CRC - 12/4/20
302 DRIVING AND OPERATING
trailer tongue weight for each trailer.
Never exceed the maximum loads for
your vehicle, hitch, and trailer.
After loading the trailer, separately
weigh the trailer and then the trailer
tongue and calculate the trailer load
balance percentage to see if the
weights and distribution are
appropriate for your vehicle. If the
trailer weight is too high, it may be
possible to transfer some of the cargo
into your vehicle. If the trailer tongue
weight is too high or too low, it may
be possible to rearrange some of the
cargo inside of the trailer.
Do not exceed the maximum
allowable tongue weight for your
vehicle. Use the shortest hitch
extension available to position the
hitch ball closer to your vehicle. This
will help reduce the effect of the
trailer tongue weight on the trailer
hitch and the rear axle.
If a cargo carrier is used in the trailer
hitch receiver, choose a carrier that
positions the load as close to the
vehicle as possible. Make sure the
total weight, including the carrier, is
no more than half of the maximumallowable tongue weight for the
vehicle or 227 kg (500 lb), whichever
is less.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or assistance.
Towing Equipment
Hitches
Always use the correct hitch
equipment for your vehicle.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by, and
rough roads can affect the trailer and
the hitch.
Never attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches. Only use
frame-mounted hitches that do not
attach to the bumper.
Always seal any holes in your vehicle
if the trailer hitch removed. If not
sealed, dirt, water, and carbon
monoxide (CO) from the exhaust may
enter your vehicle. See
Engine Exhaust
0 226.
Consider using mechanical sway
controls with any trailer. Ask a
trailering professional about sway controls or refer to the trailer
manufacturer's recommendations and
instructions.
Tires
.Do not tow a trailer while using a
compact spare tire on the vehicle.
.Tires must be properly inflated to
support loads while towing a trailer.
See
Tires 0339 for instructions on
proper tire inflation.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer, and attach the
chains to the holes on the trailer hitch
platform. Instructions about safety
chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer
manufacturer.
Cross the safety chains under the
tongue of the trailer to help prevent
the tongue from contacting the road if
it becomes separated from the hitch.
Always leave just enough slack so the
combination can turn. Never allow
safety chains to drag on the ground.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584335) -
2021 - CRC - 12/4/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 303
Trailer Brakes
Loaded trailers over 450 kg (1,000 lb)
must be equipped with brake systems
and with brakes for each axle. Trailer
braking equipment conforming to
Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
requirement CAN3-D313, or its
equivalent, is recommended.
State or local regulations may require
trailers to have their own braking
system if the loaded weight of the
trailer exceeds certain minimums that
can vary from state to state. Read and
follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes so they are installed, adjusted,
and maintained properly. Never
attempt to tap into your vehicle's
hydraulic brake system. If you do,
both the vehicle anti-lock brakes and
the trailer brakes may not function,
which could result in a crash.
Trailer Lamps
Always check all trailer lamps are
working at the beginning of each trip,
and periodically on longer trips.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
When properly connected, the trailer
turn signals will illuminate to indicate
the vehicle is turning, changing lanes,
or stopping. When towing a trailer,
the arrows on the instrument cluster
will illuminate even if the trailer is not
properly connected or the bulbs are
burned out.
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) 097.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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 057 and
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 058.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584335) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
370 VEHICLE CARE
If equipped, carefully open the cover
by using the small notch that conceals
the rear tow eye socket. Install the
tow eye into the socket and turn it
until it is fully tightened. When the
tow eye is removed, reinstall the cover
with the notch in the original
position.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Caution
Dolly towing or dinghy towing the
vehicle may cause damage because
of reduced ground clearance.
Always put the vehicle on a flatbed
truck or trailer.
The vehicle was neither designed nor
intended to be towed with any of its
wheels on the ground. If the vehicle
must be towed, see Towing the Vehicle
0 369.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.
Use a de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, and have the
locks greased after using. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0391.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish, wash
it often and out of direct sunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based, acidic,
or abrasive cleaning agents as they
can damage the vehicle's paint,
metal, or plastic parts. If damage
occurs, it would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Approved
cleaning products can be obtained
from your dealer. Follow all
manufacturer directions regarding
correct product usage, necessary
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
safety precautions, and appropriate
disposal of any vehicle care
product.
Caution
Avoid using high-pressure washes
closer than 30 cm (12 in) to the
surface of the vehicle. Use of power
washers exceeding 8 274 kPa
(1,200 psi) can result in damage or
removal of paint and decals.
Caution
Some automatic car washes can
cause damage to the vehicle, wheels
and ground effects. Automatic car
washes are not recommended, due
to lack of clearance for the
undercarriage and/or wide rear tires
and wheels.
If using an automatic car wash, follow
the car wash instructions. The
windshield wiper and rear window
wiper, if equipped, must be off.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584335) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
INDEX 431
Thigh Support Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . 33
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339All-Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Low Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346, 347
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . 349
Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . 348
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Run-Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . 360
Sealant and Compressor Kit,Storing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Self-Sealing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Terminology and Definitions . . . . 344
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . 356
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357 Tires (cont'd)
When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Towing Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Track Events and Competitive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . 103
Limited-Slip Differential . . . . . . . . . . 248
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Trademarks and License Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 Transmission
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227, 229
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Transportation Program, Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . 129
U
Umbrella Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . 356
Universal Remote System . . . . . . . . . . 122 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Updates Map Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
USB Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Using the Navigation System . . . . . . 150
Using the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Using This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2