ignition CADILLAC CT4 2023 Owner's Guide

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
232 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . 234
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . 235
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . 235
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . 237
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Track Events and Competitive Driving
(V-Series and V-Series
Blackwing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . 251
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . 255
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . 255
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . 259
Composite Materials . . . . . 260
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . 261 Starting the Engine . . . . . . . 263
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . 264
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Shifting Into Park (Mechanical Shifter) . . . . . 267
Shifting Into Park (Electronic Shifter) . . . . . . 268
Shifting out of Park (Mechanical Shifter) . . . . . 269
Shifting out of Park (Electronic Shifter) . . . . . . 270
Parking (Manual Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . 271
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission(Mechanical Shifter) . . . . . 272
Automatic Transmission (Electronic Shifter) . . . . . . 275
Manual Mode (Mechanical Shifter) . . . . . 280 Manual Mode (Electronic
Shifter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . 283
Active Rev Match . . . . . . . . . 285
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . 286
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Electric Parking Brake . . . 287
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . 289
Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . 292
Competitive Driving Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Limited-Slip Differential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 253
.Shift to a lower gear when
going down steep or long
hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill
slope can cause brake
overheating, can reduce
brake performance, and
could result in a loss of
braking. Shift the
transmission to a lower gear
to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill
slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in
N (Neutral) or with the
ignition off is dangerous.
This can cause overheating
of the brakes and loss of
steering assist. Always have
the engine running and the
vehicle in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep
the vehicle in its own lane.
Do not swing wide or cross
the center line.
.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 IceCaution
To avoid damage to the
wheels and brake
components, always clear
snow and ice from inside the
wheels and underneath the
vehicle before driving.
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 Control
0
290.
.The 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) 0286.
.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

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 261
{Warning
Rocker extensions may
break under pressure,
resulting in property damage
or injury. Do not stand on
the rocker extension or use
it as a step.
{Warning
Rear end spoilers may break
under pressure, resulting in
property damage or injury.
Do not push the vehicle by
the spoiler or use the spoiler
as a handle.
Ignition Positions
The vehicle has an electronic
keyless ignition with
pushbutton start.
The Remote Key must be in
the vehicle for the system to
operate. If the pushbutton
start is not working, the
vehicle may be near a strong
radio antenna signal causing
interference to the Keyless
Access system. See Remote
Key Operation09.
To shift out of P (Park), the
vehicle must be on and the
brake pedal must be applied. Stopping the Engine/OFF (No
Indicator Lights) :
When the
vehicle is stopped, press
ENGINE START/STOP once to
turn the engine off.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the
ignition will turn off, and
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) will remain active.
See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) 0267.
If the vehicle has an automatic
transmission, and is not in
P (Park), the ignition will return
to accessory mode and display
a message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
When the vehicle is shifted
into P (Park), the ignition
system will turn OFF.
If the vehicle has a manual
transmission and is stationary,
the ignition will turn off, and
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) will remain active.
See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) 0267.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
262 Driving and Operating
The vehicle may have an
electric steering column lock.
The lock is activated when the
vehicle is switched to OFF and
the driver door is opened.
A sound may be heard as the
lock actuates or releases. The
steering column lock may not
release with the wheels
turned off center. If this
happens, the vehicle may not
start. Move the steering wheel
from left to right while
attempting to start the
vehicle. If this does not work,
the vehicle needs service.
Do not turn the engine off
when the vehicle is moving.
This will cause a loss of power
assist in the brake and
steering systems and disable
the airbags.
If the vehicle must be shut off
in an emergency:1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not
pump the brakes
repeatedly. This may deplete power assist,
requiring increased brake
pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be
done while the vehicle is
moving. After shifting to
N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the
vehicle to a safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop. Shift to P (Park) with an
automatic transmission,
or Neutral with a manual
transmission. Turn the
ignition off.
4. Set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake
0287.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of
power assist in the brake
and steering systems and
disable the airbags. While
driving, only shut the vehicle
off in an emergency. If the vehicle cannot be pulled
over, and must be shut off
while driving, press and hold
ENGINE START/STOP for
longer than two seconds,
or press twice within
five seconds.
Accessory Mode (Amber
Indicator Light) :
This mode
allows the use of some
electrical accessories when
the engine is off.
With the ignition off, pressing
the button once without the
brake pedal applied will place
the ignition system in
accessory mode.
The ignition will switch from
accessory mode to OFF after
five minutes to prevent
battery rundown.
ON/RUN/START (Green
Indicator Light) : This mode is
for driving and starting. With
the ignition off, and the brake
pedal applied, pressing the
button once will place the
ignition system in ON/RUN/
START. Once engine cranking

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 263
begins, release the button.
Engine cranking will continue
until the engine starts. See
Starting the Engine0263. The
ignition will then remain on.
Service Mode
This power mode is available
for service and diagnostics,
and to verify the proper
operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp as may be
required for emission
inspection purposes. With the
vehicle off, and the brake
pedal not applied, pressing
and holding ENGINE
START/STOP for more than
five seconds will place the
vehicle in Service Mode. The
instruments and audio
systems will operate as they
do in ON/RUN, but the vehicle
will not be able to be driven.
The engine will not start in
Service Mode. Press the
button again to turn the
vehicle off.Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the
proper gear
Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could
change the way the engine
operates. Any resulting
damage would not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. See Add-On
Electrical Equipment 0366.
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to
P (Park) or N (Neutral). To
restart the vehicle when it is
already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park)
if the vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
the transmission. Shift to
P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in
Neutral and the parking brake
engaged. Hold the clutch pedal
down to the floor, press the
brake pedal, and start the
engine.
Starting the Vehicle 1. For vehicles with an automatic transmission,
press the brake pedal, then
press ENGINE START/
STOP on the instrument
panel. For a manual
transmission, place the
shift lever in Neutral with
the parking brake engaged.
Hold the clutch pedal down
to the floor, press the
brake pedal, then press
ENGINE START/STOP.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
264 Driving and Operating
If the remote key is not in
the vehicle, if there is
interference, or if the
remote key battery is low,
a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message will
display. See Remote Key
Operation09.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by pressing
ENGINE START/STOP
immediately after cranking
has ended, can overheat and
damage the cranking motor,
and drain the battery. Wait
at least 15 seconds between
each try, to let the cranking
motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds,
especially in very cold
weather (below −18 °C or
0 °F), it could be flooded
with too much gasoline.
Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the
way to the floor and hold it there, then press ENGINE
START/STOP for up to a
maximum of 15 seconds.
Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to allow
the cranking motor to cool
down. When the engine
starts, let go of the button
and the accelerator. If the
vehicle starts briefly but
then stops again, do the
same thing. This clears the
extra gasoline from the
engine. Do not race the
engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the
engine and transmission
gently until the oil warms
up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Stopping the Engine
If the vehicle has an automatic
transmission, move the shift
lever to P (Park) and press and
hold ENGINE START/STOP on
the instrument panel, until the
engine shuts off. If the shift
lever is not in P (Park), the
engine shuts off and the
ignition goes to accessory
mode. The DIC displays SHIFT
TO PARK. Once the shift lever
is moved to P (Park), the
vehicle turns off.
If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, before getting
out of the vehicle, shift to
1 (First) or R (Reverse) and
apply the parking brake. Then
turn off the ignition off by
pressing ENGINE START/
STOP and release the clutch
pedal when the engine has
stopped.
If the remote key is not
detected inside the vehicle
when it is turned off the DIC
displays a message.
Stop/Start System
If equipped, the Stop/Start
system will shut off the engine
to help conserve fuel. It has
components designed for the
increased number of starts.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 265
{Warning
The automatic engine Stop/
Start feature causes the
engine to shut off while the
vehicle is still on. Do not exit
the vehicle before shifting to
P (Park). The vehicle may
restart and move
unexpectedly. Always shift
to P (Park), and then turn
the ignition off before
exiting the vehicle.
Auto Engine Stop/Start
When the brakes are applied
and the vehicle is at a
complete stop, the engine may
turn off. When stopped, the
tachometer displays AUTO
STOP. See Tachometer 0113.
When the brake pedal is
released or the accelerator
pedal is pressed, the engine
will restart. To maintain vehicle
performance, other conditions
may cause the engine to
automatically restart before
the brake pedal is released.
Auto Stops may not occur
and/or Auto Starts may occur
because:
.The climate control settings
require the engine to be
running to cool or heat the
vehicle interior.
.The vehicle battery needs to
charge.
.The vehicle battery has
recently been disconnected.
.Minimum vehicle speed has
not been reached since the
last Auto Stop.
.The accelerator pedal is
pressed.
.The engine or transmission
is not at the required
operating temperature.
.The outside temperature is
not in the required operating
range.
.The vehicle transmission is
shifted out of D (Drive) to
any gear other than P (Park).
.Certain driver modes have
been selected. See Driver
Mode Control
0292.
.The vehicle is on a steep hill
or grade.
.The driver door has been
opened or the driver seat
belt has been unbuckled.
.The hood has been opened.
.The Auto Stop has reached
the maximum allowed time.
Auto Stop Disable Switch

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 267
Warning (Continued)
cause a fire, property
damage, electric shock,
and injury.
.Do not operate the vehicle
with the heater cord
permanently attached to
the vehicle. Possible
heater cord and
thermostat damage could
occur.
.While in use, do not let the
heater cord touch vehicle
parts or sharp edges.
Never close the hood on
the heater cord.
.Before starting the
vehicle, unplug the cord,
reattach the cover to the
plug, and securely fasten
the cord. Keep the cord
away from any moving
parts.
5. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was
before to keep it away from moving engine parts.
If you do not, it could be
damaged.
Contact your dealer for
information on how long to
use the heater in your
particular area.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
When the vehicle is turned
from on to off, the following
features (if equipped) will
continue to function for up to
10 minutes, or until the driver
door is opened. These
features will also work when
the vehicle is on or in
accessory mode:
.Infotainment System
.Power Windows (during RAP
this functionality will be lost
when any door is opened)
.Sunroof (during RAP this
functionality will be lost
when any door is opened)
.Auxiliary Power Outlet
.Audio System
.OnStar System
Shifting Into Park
(Mechanical Shifter)
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake.
See Electric Parking Brake
0287.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by holding in the
button on the shift lever
and pushing the shift lever
all the way toward the
front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition off.
Leaving the Vehicle with
the Engine Running
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave
the vehicle with the engine
running. It could overheat
and catch fire. (Continued)

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 269
automatically. You may not
be able to release the EPB
using the EPB switch.
It should automatically
release when the vehicle is
shifted out of P (Park).
Leaving the Vehicle with
the Engine Running
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave
the vehicle with the engine
running. It could overheat
and catch fire.
It is dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the vehicle 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 you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or
others could be injured. To
be sure the vehicle will not(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always
set the parking brake and
shift to P (Park). See Shifting
Into Park (Mechanical
Shifter)0267 or
Shifting Into Park (Electronic
Shifter) 0268. If you are
towing a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0358.
If you have to leave the vehicle
with the engine running, be
sure the vehicle is in P (Park)
and the parking brake is set
before you leave it.
If you are towing a trailer and
parking on a hill, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0358.
Shifting out of Park
(Mechanical Shifter)
This vehicle is equipped with
an electronic shift lock release
system. The shift lock release
is designed to prevent
movement of the shift lever
out of P (Park), unless the
ignition is on and the brake
pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case
of an uncharged or low
voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If the vehicle has an
uncharged battery or a
battery with low voltage, try
charging or jump starting the
battery. See Jump Starting -
North America 0447 for more
information.
To shift out of P (Park):
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Release the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake
0287.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
270 Driving and Operating
3. Press the shift leverbutton.
4. Move the shift lever.
If unable to shift out of
P (Park): 1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift
lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever.
If equipped, the Buckle to
Drive feature may prevent
shifting from P (Park). See
Buckle To Drive 050.
If the shift lever will not move
from P (Park), consult your
dealer or a professional
towing service.
Shifting out of Park
(Electronic Shifter)
This vehicle is equipped with
an electronic transmission.
The shift lock release button is designed to prevent
inadvertent shifting out of
P (Park).
To shift out of P (Park):
1. Ensure the engine is running.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Press and hold the shift lock release button on the
shift lever.
4. Move the shift lever to the desired position. For
N (Neutral) hold the lever in
the N (Neutral) position
until the N indicator
illuminates red.
5. The P indicator will turn white and the gear
indicator will turn red when
the vehicle is no longer in
P (Park).
6. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position.
If equipped, the Buckle to
Drive feature may prevent
shifting from P (Park). See
Buckle To Drive 050. If the vehicle cannot shift from
P (Park), a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message may be
displayed. Check that the
ignition is on, the engine is
running, the brake pedal is
applied, and the shift lock
release button is pressed
when you are attempting to
shift out of P (Park). If all of
these are met but the vehicle
will not shift out of P (Park),
see your dealer for service.
Parking (Manual
Transmission)
{Warning
If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, never get out
of the vehicle without first
moving the shift lever into
1st or R (Reverse), setting
the parking brake and
turning the ignition off. The
vehicle can roll, which could
cause serious injury or
death.