CADILLAC CT5 2021 Owner's Manual

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
210 DRIVING AND OPERATING
.Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio stations
and adjusting climate control and
seat settings. Program all trip
information into any navigation
device prior to driving.
.Wait until the vehicle is parked to
retrieve items that have fallen to
the floor.
.Stop or park the vehicle to tend to
children.
.Keep pets in an appropriate carrier
or restraint.
.Avoid stressful conversations while
driving, whether with a passenger or
on a cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.
Refer to the infotainment section for
more information on using that
system and the navigation system,
if equipped, including pairing and
using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first step
in driving defensively is to wear the
seat belt. See Seat Belts045.
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other
drivers) are going to be careless and
make mistakes. Anticipate what
they may do and be ready.
.Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in front
of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Impaired Driving
Death and injury associated with
impaired driving is a global tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs
and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reflexes, perceptions,
attentiveness, and judgment can be
affected by even a small amount of
alcohol or drugs. You can have a
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
serious—or even fatal —collision
if you drive after drinking or taking
drugs.
Do not drive while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs,
or ride with a driver who has been
drinking or is impaired by drugs.
Find alternate transportation home;
or if you are with a group, designate
a driver who will remain sober.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating are
important factors in helping to control
a vehicle while driving.
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

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 211
(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 and it can
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.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time while the
vehicle is not moving, power assist
may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the system
cools down.
See your dealer if there is a problem.
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable speed.
.Reduce speed before entering a
curve.

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
212 DRIVING AND OPERATING
.Maintain a reasonable steady speed
through the curve.
.Wait until the vehicle is out of the
curve before accelerating gently into
the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may be
more effective than braking.
.Holding both sides of the steering
wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
.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.

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 213
.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.
Track Events and
Competitive Driving
(V-Series Only)
{Danger
High-performance features are
intended for use only on closed
tracks by experienced and qualified
drivers and should not be used on
public roads. High-speed driving,
aggressive cornering, hard braking,
and other high-performance driving
can be dangerous. Improper driver
inputs for the conditions may result
in loss of control of the vehicle,
which could injure or kill you or
others. Always drive safely.
Track events and competitive driving
may affect the vehicle warranty. See
the warranty manual before using the
vehicle for competitive driving.
{Warning
Prior to each track event and again
before returning to public roads,
tighten the wheel nuts with a
torque wrench to the proper torque
specification. Wheel nuts that are
improperly or incorrectly tightened
can cause the wheels to become
loose or come off, resulting in a
crash. See Capacities and
Specifications 0397 for wheel nut
torque specifications.
Caution
If the vehicle is used for track
events and competitive driving, the
engine may use more oil than it
would with normal use. Low oil
levels can damage the engine.
Check the oil level often and
maintain the proper level. See
Engine Oil 0316.
Axle Fluid
Axles must have 2400 km (1500 mi)
before being used in track driving.

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
214 DRIVING AND OPERATING
The front, if equipped with AWD, and
rear axle fluid temperatures may be
higher than when driving in severe
conditions. Drain and refill with new
fluid after the first racing or
competitive driving event, and then
after every 24 hours of racing or
competitive driving. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0392.
Caution
During a first time track or racing
event, high axle temperatures can
occur. Damage could be caused to
the axle and would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
drive as long or as fast the first
time the vehicle is driven on the
track or raced.
Engine Oil
Check the oil level often during track
events and competitive driving and
keep the oil level at or near the
upper mark.
Fuel
Use premium unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 93 at a track
event. Unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 91 may be
used, but performance will be
degraded. See Prohibited Fuels 0298.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Have the transmission fluid set to the
track specific oil level prior to track
usage. Transmission fluid should be
changed after every 15 hours of track
usage. Any transmission level set or
change should be performed at your
dealer.
Brakes
Brake cooling can be improved if the
front brake disc splash shield and
front tire deflector are removed.
Removing the shield will require that
the suspension bushings and wheel
speed sensor wires visible to the brake
disc be protected with insulated
thermal wrapping.
Caution
Removing the splash shield can
degrade wet braking performance,
as well as introduce brake pedal
pulsation, due to brake disc
exposure to road debris. Only
remove the front brake disc splash
shield and front tire deflector when
driving in track events.
Brake Pad Wear Sensors
(V-Series Only)
If equipped, the brake pad wear
sensors need to be removed from the
brake calipers prior to any track or
racing event. The original sensors can
be reinstalled if significant brake pad
wear is not observed. The sensor
should not extend beyond the brake
pad surface at the rotor contact.
If this condition is observed, the brake
pad life system needs to be disabled
until a new set of brake pads and
sensors are installed and the system
reset.

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 215
Brake Fluid
For track events and competitive
driving, it is recommended that the
brake fluid be replaced with a high
performance brake fluid that has a dry
boiling point greater than 279 °C
(534 °F). After conversion to the high
performance brake fluid, follow the
brake fluid service recommendations
outlined by the fluid manufacturer. Do
not use silicone or DOT-5 brake fluids.
Check the fluid level before each
competitive driving event.
Brake Fade Warning Assist
The Brake Fade Warning Assist
system monitors the performance of
the brake system. If the system
detects brake fade, or if the brake
fluid is near the boiling point, the
driver will be alerted.
Stage 1 :The Driver Information
Center (DIC) displays a “Reduce
Braking to Avoid Overheating”
message and brake pedal effort and
travel is increased. When the message
displays, the driver should decrease
brake pedal pressure. Stage 2 :
The Driver Information
Center (DIC) displays a “Brakes
Overheated Service Now ”message that
the brake fluid temperature is
excessive and is about to boil. The
system increases brake pedal effort
and travel, and will also limit vehicle
speed. The driver should immediately
start a cool down lap if on the track.
If this message displays, take the
vehicle to be serviced at your dealer.
Brake Burnishing
To prepare the brake system for track
events and racing, complete the
appropriate high performance brake
burnishing procedure described below.
New brake pads must be burnished
before racing or other competitive
driving.
Caution
These procedures are specific to the
V-Series with performance brake
linings package. This procedure
should not be run on other models
as damage may result.
Caution
The new vehicle break-in period
should be completed before
performing the brake burnishing
procedure or damage may occur to
the powertrain/engine. See New
Vehicle Break-In 0223.
When performed as instructed, this
procedure will not damage the brakes.
During the burnishing procedure, the
brake pads will smoke and produce an
odor. The braking force and pedal
travel may increase. After the
procedure is complete, the brake pads
may appear white at the rotor contact.
Run this procedure in a safe manner
and in compliance with all local and
state ordinances/laws regarding motor
vehicle operation. Run this procedure
only on dry pavement.

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
216 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Racing/Track Brake Burnishing
Procedure
Caution
Brake fade will occur during this
track burnish procedure and can
cause brake pedal travel and force
to increase. This could extend
stopping distance until the brakes
are fully burnished.
1. Apply the brakes 25 times starting at 100 km/h (60 mph) to 50 km/h
(30 mph) while decelerating at
0.4 g. This is a medium brake
application. Drive for at least 1 km
(0.6 mi) between applying the
brakes. This first step may be
skipped if there are more than
320 km (200 mi) on the brake pads.
2. Apply the brakes 25 times starting at 100 km/h (60 mph) to 25 km/h
(15 mph) while decelerating at
0.8 g. This is a hard brake
application, without activating the
Antilock Brake System (ABS). Drive
for at least 1 km (0.6 mi) between
applications. 3. Cool down: Drive at 100 km/h
(60 mph) for approximately 15 km
(10 mi) without using the brakes.
4. Apply the brakes 25 times from 100 km/h (60 mph) to 50 km/h
(30 mph) while decelerating at
0.4 g. This is a medium brake
application. Drive for at least 1 km
(0.6 mi) between applications.
As with all high performance brake
systems, some amount of brake squeal
is normal.
Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment suggested specs for
track use:
.Front: -2.0 deg camber, 0.2 deg
total toe
.Rear: -1.7 deg camber, 0.2 deg
total toe
Vehicles Equipped with the
Original Equipment Tires
Follow the requirements and
recommendations for tire inflation
pressures while driving on various
types of tracks/courses. This helps to
achieve a well-balanced vehicle and
enhance tire traction performance. Use good judgment to determine the
appropriate tire inflation pressure and
speeds for the track/course
configuration and environmental
conditions. Contact the tire
manufacturer if further assistance is
needed.
Tire Inflation Pressure
Guidelines
Tire inflation pressures affect vehicle
handling and tire life, and should be
adjusted for various types of tracks/
courses.
Inspect the tires prior to every track/
course session. Track/course driving
will reduce the tire tread life.
Driving and Operating
{Warning
Operating the vehicle at high speeds
can be dangerous. Improper tire
inflation pressure can put
additional strain on the tires and
can cause a sudden failure. Make
sure the tires are in excellent
(Continued)

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 217
Warning (Continued)
condition, and use the correct cold
tire inflation pressure for the
vehicle load and track/course.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle
traction and affect your ability to stop
and accelerate. Always drive slower in
these types of driving conditions and
avoid driving through large puddles
and deep-standing or flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They
might not work as well in a quick
stop and could cause pulling to one
side. You could lose control of the
vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle
of water or a car/vehicle wash,
lightly apply the brake pedal until
the brakes work normally.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can
build up under the vehicle's tires so
they actually ride on the water. This
can happen if the road is wet enough
and you are going fast enough. When
the vehicle is hydroplaning, it has
little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping equipment
in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper tread
depth. SeeTires0342.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving on
flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.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
(Continued)

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
218 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Warning (Continued)
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 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
Control0240.
.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) 0237.
See Driver Mode Control 0242.
.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 0405. 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.
(Continued)

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 219
Warning (Continued)
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 0231.
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. See
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0240.
{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 0371.
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.