trailer CADILLAC SRX 2014 User Guide

Black plate (46,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
9-46 Driving and Operating
Use caution while backing up when
towing a trailer, as the RCTA
detection zones that extend out
from the back of the vehicle do not
move further back when a trailer is
towed.
With Rear Park Assist, and if
equipped with Front Park Assist, as
the vehicle moves at speeds of less
than 8 km/h (5 mph) the sensors on
the bumpers detect objects up to
2.5 m (8 ft) behind and 1.2 m (4 ft) in
front of the vehicle within a zone
25 cm (10 in) high off the ground
and below bumper level. These
detection distances may be less
during warmer or humid weather.
{Warning
The parking assist system does
not detect children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, animals, or objects
located below the bumper or that
are too close or too far from the
vehicle. It is not available at(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
speeds greater than 8 km/h
(5 mph). To prevent injury, death,
or vehicle damage, even with
parking assist, always check the
area around the vehicle and
check all mirrors before moving
forward or backing.
The vehicle may have an instrument
cluster parking assist display with
bars that show“distance to object”
and object location information for
URPA, and on some vehicles, for the Front Parking Assist system. As
the object gets closer, more bars
light up.
When an object is first detected in
the rear, one beep will be heard
from the rear, or both sides of the
Safety Alert Seat will pulse two
times. When an object is very close
(<0.6 m (2 ft) in the vehicle rear,
or <0.3 m (1 ft) in the vehicle front),
five beeps will sound from the rear
or front, or both sides of the Safety
Alert Seat will pulse five times.
Beeps for Front Parking Assist are
higher pitched than for Rear Parking
Assist.
Vehicles with Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) have the Backing
Warning System, which is designed
to help avoid or reduce the harm
caused by backing crashes. The
system can warn of rear objects
when backing up at speeds greater
than 8 km/h (5 mph).
The Backing Warning System will
beep once from the rear when a
potential object threat is first

Black plate (48,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
9-48 Driving and Operating
{Warning
There may be instances where
unexpected or undesired
automatic braking occurs. If this
happens, either press the brake
pedal or firmly press the
accelerator pedal to release the
brakes from the Rear Automatic
Braking system. Before releasing
the brakes, check the RVC
screen and check the area
around the vehicle to make sure it
is safe to proceed.
Turn off parking assist and Rear
Automatic Braking when towing a
trailer.
Turning the Features On or Off
TheXbutton near the shift lever
is used to turn on or off the Front
and Rear Parking Assist, Rear
Automatic Braking, and Backing
Warning System at the same time.
The indicator light next to the button
comes on when the features are on
and turns off when the features
have been disabled. The parking assist symbols,
guidance lines, and Rear Cross
Traffic Alert (RCTA) can be turned
on or off through the Settings menu
on the infotainment system. To turn
the symbols, guidance lines,
or RCTA on or off:
1. On the infotainment system,
press the Settings screen
button, or turn the MENU knob
to highlight Settings and
press MENU.
2. Select Rear Camera.
3. Press Park Assist Symbols, Guidance Lines, or Rear Cross
Traffic Alert and then select OFF
or ON.

Black plate (53,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
Driving and Operating 9-53
happens, Automatic Braking may
engage the Electric Parking Brake
(EPB) to hold the vehicle at a stop.
To release the EPB, press the EPB
button. A firm press of the
accelerator pedal will also release
Automatic Braking and the EPB.
{Warning
Automatic Braking may
automatically brake the vehicle in
situations where it may be
unnecessary. It could respond to
a turning vehicle ahead,
guardrails, signs, and other
non-moving objects. This could
be uncomfortable and startling. To
override Automatic Braking, firmly
press the accelerator pedal, if it is
safe to do so.
Automatic Braking can be disabled
or reduced through vehicle
personalization. See the “Auto
Collision Preparation” portion of“Collision/Detection Systems”
under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5-40.
{Warning
Using the Automatic Collision
Preparation System while towing
a trailer could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle and crash.
Turn the system off when towing
a trailer.
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA)
If equipped, the SBZA system is a
lane-changing aid that assists
drivers with avoiding crashes that
occur with vehicles in the side blind
zone (or spot) areas. The SBZA
warning display will light up in the
corresponding outside side mirror
and will flash if the turn signal is on.
{Warning
SBZA does not alert the driver to
vehicles rapidly approaching
outside of the side blind zones,
pedestrians, bicyclists,
or animals. It may not provide
alerts when changing lanes under
all driving conditions. Failure to
use proper care when changing
lanes may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. Before
making a lane change, always
check mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and use the turn
signals.

Black plate (54,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
9-54 Driving and Operating
SBZA Detection Zones
The SBZA sensor covers a zone of
approximately one lane over from
both sides of the vehicle, or 3.5 m
(11 ft). The height of the zone is
approximately between 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
and 2 m (6 ft) off the ground. This
zone starts at approximately the
middle of the vehicle and goes back
5 m (16 ft).
How the System Works
The SBZA symbol lights up in the
side mirrors when the system
detects a vehicle in the next laneover that is in the side blind zone.
This indicates it may be unsafe to
change lanes. Before making a lane
change, check the SBZA display,
check mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and use the turn signals.
Left Side Mirror
DisplayRight Side Mirror Display
When the vehicle is started, both
outside mirror SBZA displays will
briefly come on to indicate the
system is operating. When the
vehicle is moving forward, the left-
or right-side mirror display will light
up if a vehicle is detected in that
blind zone. If the turn signal is
activated in the same direction of a
detected vehicle, this display will
flash as an extra warning not to
change lanes. SBZA can be disabled through
vehicle personalization. See
“Collision/Detection Systems”
under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5-40. If SBZA is disabled by
the driver, the SBZA mirror displays
will not light up.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
SBZA displays may not come on
when passing a vehicle quickly or
when towing a trailer. The SBZA
detection zones that extend back
from the side of the vehicle do not
move further back when a trailer is
towed. Use caution while changing
lanes when towing a trailer. SBZA
may alert to objects attached to the
vehicle, such as a trailer, bicycle,
or object extending out to either side
of the vehicle. This is normal system
operation; the vehicle does not need
service.
SBZA may not always alert the
driver to vehicles in the side blind
zone, especially in wet conditions.
The system does not need to be

Black plate (61,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
Driving and Operating 9-61
Warning (Continued)
.Place the container on the
ground.
.Place the nozzle inside the fill
opening of the container
before dispensing fuel, and
keep it in contact with the fill
opening until filling is
complete.
.Fill the container no more
than 95% full to allow for
expansion.
.Do not smoke, light matches,
or use lighters while
pumping fuel.
.Avoid using cell phones or
other electronic devices.
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer. Read
the entire section before towing a
trailer.
For towing a disabled vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle on page 10-84.
For towing the vehicle behind
another vehicle such as a motor
home, seeRecreational Vehicle
Towing on page 10-84.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
Driving with a Trailer
When towing a trailer:
.Become familiar with the state
and local laws that apply
specifically to trailer towing.
.Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi), to prevent
damage to the engine, axle or
other parts.
.Then, during the first 800 km
(500 mi) trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
.The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often.
.Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control when towing.

Black plate (62,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
9-62 Driving and Operating
.The Automatic Collision
Preparation System should be
set to“Off”when towing. See
Active Emergency Braking
System on page 9-51.
.Turn off Park Assist when
towing.
{Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of
the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.
When towing a trailer:
.Do not drive with the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window open.
.Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Also adjust the Climate
Control system to a setting
that brings in only outside air.
See“Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For more information about
Carbon Monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9-21.
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. The
combination you are driving is
longer and not as responsive as the
vehicle itself. Get acquainted with
the handling and braking of the rig
before setting out for the open road.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires, and mirrors. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes work. During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure
and the lamps and any trailer
brakes still work.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the sound of the
stability control system might be
heard. The system is reacting to the
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 the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid situations
that require heavy braking and
sudden turns.

Black plate (63,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
Driving and Operating 9-63
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. Because the
rig is longer, it is necessary to go
farther beyond the passed vehicle
before returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, move your hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
{Caution
Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to
come in contact with the vehicle.
The vehicle could be damaged.
Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal so the
trailer will not strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other
objects. Use the turn signal well in
advance and avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
The turn signal indicators on the
instrument cluster flash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps also flash, telling other
drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes, or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument cluster flash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the transmission
shifts too often.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, engine coolant
boils at a lower temperature than at
normal 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
while parked, 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 Overheating on page 10-17.

Black plate (64,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
9-64 Driving and Operating
Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig 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, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb the load.
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 while you:
.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 pulling a trailer. See the
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11-4. Things that are
especially important in trailer
operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. Inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.

Black plate (65,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
Driving and Operating 9-65
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 10-17.
Trailer Towing
Before pulling a trailer, there are
three important considerations that
have to do with weight:
.The weight of the trailer.
.The weight of the trailer tongue.
.The total weight on the vehicle's
tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how the rig is used.
For example, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature and
how much the vehicle is used to pull
a trailer are all important. It can
depend on any special equipment
on the vehicle, and the amount of
tongue weight the vehicle can carry.
See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue”
later in this section. Maximum trailer weight 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.

Black plate (66,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
9-66 Driving and Operating
Use the following chart to determine how much the vehicle can weigh, based upon the vehicle model and options.Vehicle Maximum Trailer
Weight GCWR* Maximum Tongue
Weight
3.6L Engine, FWD without Trailering
Package 1 134 kg (2,500 lb) 3 185 kg (7,022 lb) 113 kg (250 lb)
3.6L Engine, FWD with Trailering Package 1 588 kg (3,500 lb) 3 640 kg (8,025 lb) 159 kg (350 lb)
3.6L Engine, AWD without Trailering
Package 1 134 kg (2,500 lb) 3 270 kg (7,209 lb) 113 kg (250 lb)
3.6L Engine, AWD with Trailering Package 1 588 kg (3,500 lb) 3 725 kg (8,212 lb) 159 kg (350 lb)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be
exceeded.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or advice.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (1) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle.
If there are a lot of options,
equipment, passengers or cargo in
the vehicle, it will reduce the tongue
weight the vehicle can carry, which
will also reduce the trailer weight the
vehicle can tow. If towing a trailer,
the tongue load must be added to
the GVW because the vehicle will
be carrying that weight, too. See
Vehicle Load Limits on page 9-10
for more information about the
vehicle's maximum load capacity.