traction control CADILLAC CT6 2016 User Guide

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9235592) -
2016 - crc - 11/6/15
154 Instruments and Controls
Ride Control System
Messages SERVICE ALL WHEEL DRIVE This message displays when there
is a problem with the AWD system.
This message could be set by a
number of issues, such as:
.
A vehicle or an AWD system
electronics problem.
.
Various vehicle electrical issues.
.
Worn out or overheated AWD
clutch plates.
.
Loss of fluids.
Some of these issues may require
service of the AWD system.
If this message appears, stop when
it is safe to do so and turn off the
ignition for 30 seconds. Restart the
vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message
does not appear, it is not necessary
to take the vehicle to your dealer. SERVICE STABILITRAK This message displays if there is a
problem with the StabiliTrak system.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0 217 .
SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL This message displays when there
is a problem with the Traction
Control System (TCS). See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0 217 .
TRACTION CONTROL OFF This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) has
been turned off. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0 217 .
TRACTION CONTROL ON
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) has
been turned on. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0 217 . Airbag System Messages SERVICE AIRBAG This message displays if there is a
problem with the airbag system. See
your dealer for service.
Safety Belt Messages AUTOMATIC SEATBELT
TIGHTENING UNAVAILABLE This message displays when the
Automatic Safety Belt Tightening
System, if equipped, becomes
unavailable. This could be caused
by a temporary condition. If the
message continues to display, see
your dealer.
SERVICE AUTOMATIC
SEATBELT TIGHTENING
SYSTEM
If this message displays, take the
vehicle to your dealer to repair the
Automatic Safety Belt Tightening
System, if equipped.

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9235592) -
2016 - crc - 11/6/15
Driving and Operating 191
Driving and
Operating Driving Information Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 195
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 196
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 198
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Starting and Operating New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 202
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . 206
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Engine Exhaust Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Automatic Transmission Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 210
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Drive Systems All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Brakes Antilock Brake
System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 214
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 216
Automatic Vehicle
Hold (AVH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Ride Control Systems Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . 219
Cruise Control Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 223
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 230 Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 231
Assistance Systems for
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Front Automatic Braking (FAB)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Front Pedestrian Braking
(FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Night Vision System . . . . . . . . . . 243
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 246
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 248
Surround Vision Recorder . . . . 250
Fuel Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
California Fuel
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 253
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9235592) -
2016 - crc - 11/6/15
192 Driving and Operating Trailer Towing General Towing
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Conversions and Add-Ons Add-On Electrical
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Driving Information 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, always
keep your eyes on the road, hands
on the wheel, and mind on the drive.
.
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. .
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.

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9235592) -
2016 - crc - 11/6/15
Driving and Operating 195The 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.
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.
(Continued)

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9235592) -
2016 - crc - 11/6/15
Driving and Operating 197.
Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident).
.
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 Control 0 217 . .
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) 0 214 .
See Driver Mode Control 0 219
.
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 0 364 . To get
help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe: .
Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.
Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{ WarningSnow 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.
(Continued)

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9235592) -
2016 - crc - 11/6/15
198 Driving and Operating Warning (Continued).
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 0 209 .
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 0 217 .
{ WarningIf 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 0 330 .
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

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9235592) -
2016 - crc - 11/6/15
Driving and Operating 213Tap 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 downshift if the
engine rpm is too high in the next
lower gear, or upshift 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. See Transmission
Messages 0 156 .
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.
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 CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9235592) -
2016 - crc - 11/6/15
Driving and Operating 217
Automatic Vehicle
Hold (AVH)
AVH can be turned on by pressing
AVH with the driver safety belt
fastened, the driver door closed,
and the engine running. The AVH
indicator will come on.
This feature will activate when the
vehicle is stopped to prevent it from
moving. After the brake pedal has
been released and before the
accelerator pedal has been pressed,
AVH uses braking pressure to hold
the vehicle stationary. In addition,
the ABS pump motor may activate to build brake pressure to maintain
the vehicle at a standstill if
necessary.
If AVH is holding the vehicle, the
AVH indicator will change to green.
Once AVH is active it will hold the
vehicle for a defined time period
then engage the parking brake.
While AVH is holding the vehicle,
the parking brake will engage if the
driver door is opened or the driver
safety belt is unfastened.
Ride Control Systems Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control System Operation The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak ®
, an
electronic stability control system.
These systems help limit wheel spin
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, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9235592) -
2016 - crc - 11/6/15
218 Driving and Operating vehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
If cruise control is being used and
traction control or StabiliTrak begins
to limit wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road
conditions allow.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
See If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0 198
and “ Turning the Systems Off and
On ” later in this section. The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.
Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
.
Flash when StabiliTrak is
activated.
.
Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC),
and
d comes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
If
d comes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle. 2. Turn the engine off and wait
15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
4. Drive the vehicle.
If
d comes on and stays on, the
vehicle may need more time to
diagnose the problem. If the
condition persists, see your dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9235592) -
2016 - crc - 11/6/15
Driving and Operating 219CautionDo not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release
Y . The Traction Off light
idisplays in the instrument cluster
and the appropriate DIC message
displays. See Ride Control System
Messages 0 154 .
To turn TCS on again, press and
release
Y . The Traction Off light
idisplayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold
Y until the Traction
Off light
i and StabiliTrak OFF
light
g come on and stay on in the
instrument cluster. The appropriate
DIC message displays. See Ride
Control System Messages 0 154 . To turn TCS and StabiliTrak on
again, press and release
Y . The
Traction Off light
i and StabiliTrak
OFF light
g in the instrument cluster
turn off.
Adding accessories can affect
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and
Modifications 0 262 .
Driver Mode Control Driver Mode Control attempts to add
a sportier feel, provide a more
comfortable ride, or assist in
different weather conditions or
terrain. This system simultaneously
changes the software calibration of
various sub-systems. Depending on
the option package, available
features, and mode selected, the
suspension, steering, and
powertrain will change calibrations
to achieve the desired mode
characteristics. Press and release MODE on the
center console to activate the mode
menu in the instrument cluster. The
first press of the button will show the
current mode. Subsequent presses
will scroll through the available
modes. Select a new setting
whenever driving conditions change.
The following modes are available:
Tour Mode
Use for normal city and highway
driving to provide a smooth,
soft ride.