CADILLAC CTS 2014 Owner's Manual

Black plate (29,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
Driving and Operating 9-29
If the EPB fails to apply, the rear
wheels should be blocked to
prevent vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Place the ignition in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Push down momentarily on the EPB switch.
The EPB is released when the red
parking brake status light is off.
If the amber parking brake warning
light is on, release the EPB by
pushing down on the EPB switch
and holding it down. Continue to
hold the switch until the red parking
brake status light is off. If either light
stays on after release is attempted,
see your dealer.
{Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system
and cause premature wear or
damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to
drive away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
If parking on a hill, or if the vehicle
is pulling a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9-65.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a brake assist
feature designed to assist the driver
in stopping or decreasing vehicle speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates. The
brake assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.

Black plate (30,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
9-30 Driving and Operating
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak®, an
electronic stability control system.
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 activates when the
computer senses a difference
between the intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any one
of the vehicle's brakes to help steer
the vehicle in the intended direction. 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 on
page 9-10 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
dcomes 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.

Black plate (31,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
Driving and Operating 9-31
Ifdcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. if
dcomes 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
{Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release the
Ybutton. The traction
off light
idisplays in the instrument
cluster. The appropriate DIC
message is displayed. See Ride
Control System Messages on
page 5-44.
To turn TCS on again, press and
release the
Ybutton. The traction
off light
idisplayed in the
instrument cluster will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
the
Ybutton is pressed, the
system will not turn off until the
wheels stop spinning. To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold the
Ybutton until
the traction off light
iand
StabiliTrak OFF light
gcome on
and stay on in the instrument
cluster. The appropriate DIC
message is displayed. See Ride
Control System Messages on
page 5-44.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak on
again, press and release the
Y
button. The traction off lightiand
StabiliTrak OFF light
gin the
instrument cluster turn off.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle's performance. See
Accessories and Modifications on
page 10-2.
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

Black plate (32,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
9-32 Driving and Operating
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. If the vehicle is
equipped with MagneRide™,
selecting the various Driver Modes
adjusts the ride of the vehicle to
enhance the ride performance for
the road conditions and the
selected mode.
While in the Sport and/or Track
Modes, the vehicle monitors driving
behavior 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 these features and
return to normal operation after a
short period when no spirited driving
is detected.
Driver Mode Control Switch
The Driver Mode Control has three
or four modes: Tour, Sport, Snow/
Ice, and Track. The Track Mode is
for LF3 models only. Press
«orz
on the MODE switch on the center
console to make a mode selection.
The first press of the switch will
show the current mode. Subsequent
presses will scroll though the
available modes. The Tour and
Sport Modes will feel similar on a
smooth road. Select a new setting
whenever driving conditions change.
Tour Mode
Use for normal city and highway
driving to provide a smooth,
soft ride.
Sport Mode
Use where road conditions or
personal preference demand a more
controlled response.
When selected, the Sport Mode
indicator will display in the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
When in Sport Mode, the vehicle will
shift automatically but hold a lower
gear longer than it would in the
normal driving mode based on
braking, throttle input, and vehicle
lateral acceleration. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9-23. The
steering will change to provide more
precise control. If the vehicle has
MagneRide, the suspension will
change to provide better cornering
performance. Competitive Driving
Mode can be accessed through
this mode.

Black plate (33,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
Driving and Operating 9-33
Snow/Ice Mode
Use when more traction is needed
during slippery conditions. The
transmission will use 2 (Second)
gear instead of 1 (First) gear when
accelerating from a stop. The
vehicle will upshift normally when
the vehicle is moving. The
LF3 models will use a different
accelerator pedal map instead of
using 2 (Second) gear from stop.
The accelerator pedal will reduce
engine torque at small pedal inputs.
The transmission will also shift
differently to assist in maintaining
traction.
When selected, the Snow/Ice Mode
indicator will display in the DIC.
This feature is not intended for use
when the vehicle is stuck in sand,
mud, ice, snow, or gravel. If the
vehicle becomes stuck, seeIf the
Vehicle Is Stuck on page 9-10.
Track Mode (LF3 Only)
Use when maximum vehicle
handling is desired. When selected, the Track Mode
indicator will display in the DIC.
When in Track Mode, the automatic
transmission and steering will
function similar to Sport Mode. The
accelerator pedal is adjusted to give
maximum control during the highest
level of spirited driving. The
MagneRide will be set to the
optimum level for vehicle
responsiveness. Competitive Driving
Mode can be accessed through
this mode.
Competitive Driving Mode
(LF3 Only)
To select this optional handling
mode, press the
Ybutton quickly
two times and the DIC will display
the appropriate message. While in
the Competitive Driving Mode, the
traction off light
iand StabiliTrak
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 (LF3 Only)” following.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
Press the
Ybutton again, or turn
the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY
and restart the vehicle, to turn TCS
back on. The traction off light
iand
StabiliTrak 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.

Black plate (34,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
9-34 Driving and Operating
Limited-Slip Differential
(LF3 Only)
If equipped, the Electronic Limited
Slip Differential (ELSD) is
automatically activated. ELSD
actively monitors vehicle sensors
and driver inputs to determine the
amount of change for the
conditions. With ELSD, the
vehicle has:
.Enhanced high-speed control.
.Improved traction through
corners, allowing more
acceleration.
.More precise steering.
.Increased vehicle agility.
.Integration with StabiliTrak.
Cruise Control
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. Do not use the
cruise control on winding roads or
in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
With cruise control, a speed of
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more can
be maintained without keeping your
foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below about 40 km/h (25 mph).
If the brakes are applied, the cruise
control disengages. If the StabiliTrak
®system begins to
limit wheel spin while using cruise
control, the cruise control
automatically disengages. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control on page 9-30. If a collision
alert occurs when cruise control is
activated, cruise control is
disengaged. See Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) System on page 9-52.
When road conditions allow the
cruise control to be safely used, you
can apply the cruise control again.

Black plate (35,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
Driving and Operating 9-35
J(On/Off):Press to turn the
cruise control on and off. A white
cruise control indicator appears in
the instrument cluster when cruise
is turned on.
+RES (Resume/Accelerate):
Press the control up briefly to +RES
to make the vehicle resume to a
previously set speed or press and
hold to accelerate. If cruise control
is already active, use to increase
vehicle speed. To increase speed by
1 km/h (1 mph), press +RES up to
the first detent. To increase speed to
the next 5 km/h (5 mph) mark on the
speedometer, press +RES up to the
second detent.
SET− (Set/Coast): Press the
control down briefly to SET− to set
the speed and activate cruise
control. If cruise control is already
active, use to decrease vehicle
speed. To decrease speed by
1 km/h (1 mph), press SET− down to
the first detent. To decrease speed to the next 5 km/h (5 mph) mark on
the speedometer, press SET−
down
to the second detent.
*(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.
Setting Cruise Control
If the cruise button is on when not in
use, it could get bumped and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep the
cruise control button off when cruise
is not being used.
1. Press
J.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release the SET− control on the steering wheel.
4. Remove foot from the accelerator.
When the cruise control has been
set to the desired speed, the cruise
control indicator appears green on
the instrument cluster and a cruise
set speed message appears on the
Head-Up Display (HUD),
if equipped. Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied, the cruise control is
disengaged without erasing the set
speed from memory.
Once the vehicle speed reaches
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more,
press +RES up to the first detent
briefly on the steering wheel. The
vehicle returns to the previous set
speed.
Increasing Speed While Cruise
Control is at a Set Speed
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
.Press and hold +RES up until
the desired speed is reached,
then release it.
.To increase vehicle speed in
small increments, briefly press
+RES up to the first detent. For
each press, the vehicle goes
about 1 km/h (1 mph) faster.

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
9-36 Driving and Operating
.To increase vehicle speed in
larger increments, briefly press
+RES up to the second detent.
For each press, the vehicle
speed increases to the next
5 km/h (5 mph) mark on the
speedometer.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster on
page 5-10. The increment value
used depends on the units
displayed.
Reducing Speed While Cruise
Control is at a Set Speed
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
.Press and hold SET− down until
the desired lower speed is
reached, then release it.
.To decrease the vehicle speed in
small increments, briefly press
SET− down to the first detent.
For each press, the vehicle goes
about 1 km/h (1 mph) slower.
.To decrease the vehicle speed in
larger increments, briefly press
SET− down to the second
detent. For each press, the
vehicle speed decreases to the
next 5 km/h (5 mph) mark on the
speedometer.
The cruise control system may
automatically brake to slow the
vehicle down.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster on
page 5-10. The increment value
used depends on the units
displayed.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle will slow down to the
previously set cruise speed. While
pressing the accelerator pedal or
shortly following the release to
override cruise control, briefly applying the SET–
switch will result
in cruise control set to the current
vehicle speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work
on hills depends upon the vehicle
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills,
you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the
vehicle speed. When going
downhill, the cruise control system
may automatically brake to slow the
vehicle down. Also, you may have
to brake or shift to a lower gear to
keep the vehicle speed down. If the
brake is applied, the cruise control
disengages.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise
control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press*.
.PressJ.

Black plate (37,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
Driving and Operating 9-37
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if
Jis
pressed or if the ignition is
turned off.
Adaptive Cruise Control
If equipped with Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC), it allows the driver to
select the cruise control set speed
and following gap. Read this entire
section before using this system.
The following gap is the following
time between your vehicle and a
vehicle detected directly ahead in
your path moving in the same
direction. If no vehicle is detected in
your path, ACC works like regular
cruise control. ACC uses camera
and radar sensors. See Radio
Frequency Statement on
page 13-15.
If a vehicle is detected in your path,
ACC can apply acceleration or
limited, moderate braking to
maintain the selected following gap.
To disengage ACC, apply the brake. If ACC is controlling your vehicle
speed when the Traction Control
System (TCS) or electronic stability
control system activates, the ACC
may automatically disengage. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control on page 9-30. When road
conditions allow ACC to be safely
used, the ACC can be turned
back on.
ACC will not engage if the TCS or
electronic stability control system is
disabled.
{Warning
ACC has limited braking ability
and may not have time to slow
the vehicle down enough to avoid
a collision with another vehicle
you are following. This can occur
when vehicles suddenly slow or
stop ahead, or enter your lane.
Also see
“Alerting the Driver” in
this section. Complete attention is
always required while driving and
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
you should be ready to take
action and apply the brakes. See
Defensive Driving on page 9-3.
{Warning
Adaptive Cruise Control will not
detect or brake for children,
pedestrians, animals, or other
objects.
Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control when:
.On winding and hilly roads or
when the sensors are
blocked by snow, ice, or dirt.
The system may not detect a
vehicle ahead. Keep the
entire front of the vehicle
clean.(Continued)

Black plate (38,1)Cadillac CTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081492) - 2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/18/13
9-38 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Visibility is low, such as in
fog, rain, or snow conditions.
Adaptive Cruise Control
performance is limited under
these conditions.
.On slippery roads where fast
changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip.
](On/Off):Press to turn the
system on or off. A white cruise
control indicator comes on.
+RES (Resume/Accelerate):
Press the control up briefly to
resume the previous set speed or to
increase vehicle speed if ACC is
already activated. To increase
speed by 1 km/h (1 mph), press
+RES up to the first detent. To
increase speed to the next 5 km/h
(5 mph) mark on the speedometer,
press +RES up to the second
detent.
SET– (Set/Coast): Press the
control down briefly to set the speed
and activate ACC or to decrease
vehicle speed if ACC is already
activated. To decrease speed by
1 km/h (1 mph), press SET− down to
the first detent. To decrease speed
to the next 5 km/h (5 mph) mark on
the speedometer, press SET− down
to the second detent.
*(Cancel): Press to disengage
ACC without erasing the set speed
from memory.
3(Follow Distance Gap): Press
to select a following gap time (or
distance) setting for ACC of Far,
Medium, or Near.
Setting Adaptive Cruise Control
If the cruise control is on when not
in use, the cruise on/off control
could get pressed and cruise control
could become active when not
desired. Keep cruise control button
off when cruise is not being used.
Select the set speed desired for
cruise. This is the vehicle speed
when no vehicle is detected in
its path.
ACC will not set at a speed less
than 25 km/h (16 mph), although it
can be resumed when driving at
lower speeds.
To set ACC:
1. Press
].
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release the SET– control on the steering wheel.