engine overheat CADILLAC XT5 2021 Owner's Manual

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
114 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS and potentially the StabiliTrak/
ESC system have been disabled.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
message may display. Check the DIC
messages to determine which
feature(s) is no longer functioning and
whether the vehicle requires service.
If the light is on and flashing, the TCS
and/or the StabiliTrak/ESC system is
actively working.
SeeTraction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0240.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light
(Uplevel Only)
This light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle. If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the system
is working normally the indicator light
goes off.
Caution
The engine coolant temperature
warning light indicates that the
vehicle has overheated. Driving with
this light on can damage the engine
and it may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. See
Engine
Overheating 0308.
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens, pull over and turn off
the engine as soon as possible. See
Engine Overheating 0308.
Driver Mode Control Light
This light comes on when Sport Mode
is selected.
This light comes on when Snow/Ice
Mode is selected.
This light comes on when Off-Road
Mode is selected.
See Driver Mode Control 0242.
Tire Pressure Light

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 215
Environmental Concerns
.Always use established trails, roads,
and areas that have been set aside
for public off-road recreational
driving and obey all posted
regulations.
.Do not damage shrubs, flowers,
trees, or grasses or disturb wildlife.
.Do not park over things that burn.
SeeParking over Things That Burn
0 230.
Driving on Hills
Driving safely on hills requires good
judgment and an understanding of
what the vehicle can and cannot do.
{Warning
Many hills are simply too steep for
any vehicle. Driving up hills can
cause the vehicle to stall. Driving
down hills can cause loss of control.
Driving across hills can cause a
rollover. You could be injured or
killed. Do not drive on steep hills. Before driving on a hill, assess the
steepness, traction, and obstructions.
If the terrain ahead cannot be seen,
get out of the vehicle and walk the hill
before driving further.
When driving on hills:
.Use a low gear and keep a firm grip
on the steering wheel.
.Maintain a slow speed.
.When possible, drive straight up or
down the hill.
.Slow down when approaching the
top of the hill.
.Use headlamps even during the day
to make the vehicle more visible.
{Warning
Driving to the top of a hill at high
speed can cause a crash. There
could be a drop-off, embankment,
cliff, or even another vehicle. You
could be seriously injured or killed.
As you near the top of a hill, slow
down and stay alert.
.Never go downhill forward or
backward with the transmission in
N (Neutral). The brakes could
overheat and you could lose control.
.When driving down a hill, keep the
vehicle headed straight down. Use a
low gear because the engine will
work with the brakes to slow the
vehicle and help keep the vehicle
under control.
{Warning
Heavy braking when going down a
hill can cause your brakes to
overheat and fade. This could cause
loss of control and you or others
could be injured or killed. Apply the
brakes lightly when descending a
hill and use a low gear to keep
vehicle speed under control.
If the vehicle stalls on a hill: 1. Apply the brakes to stop the vehicle, and then apply the parking
brake.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
218 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Warning (Continued)
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. SeeTires0325.
.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, 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
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

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
220 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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. SeeTraction 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).
For All-Wheel Drive (AWD), select
Off-Road or AWD mode. See Driver
Mode Control 0242 and
All-Wheel Drive 0237.
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 0361.
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
properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and the
Certification/Tire label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or
rear Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). This can cause
systems to break and change
the way the vehicle handles.
This could cause loss of control
and a crash. Overloading can
also reduce stopping
performance, damage the tires,
and shorten the life of the
vehicle.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
226 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
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 Equipment0290.
To start the vehicle: 1. With the Keyless Access system, the RKE transmitter must be in the
vehicle. Press ENGINE START/
STOP with the brake pedal applied.
When the engine begins cranking,
let go of the button. The idle speed
will go down as the engine warms
up. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. If the RKE transmitter is not in the
vehicle, if there is interference, or if
the RKE battery is low, a Driver
Information Center (DIC) message
will display. See
Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation 07.
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.
Stop/Start System
The Stop/Start system will shut off
the engine to help conserve fuel.
It has components designed for the
increased number of starts.
{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.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
228 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Warning (Continued)
may result. Always park the vehicle
in a clear open area away from
buildings or structures.
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Check the heater cord for damage.If it is damaged, do not use it. See
your dealer for a replacement.
Inspect the cord for damage yearly.
3. Remove the engine heater
connector cover by gently prying
with a flat blade tool.
4. Plug the heater cord into theconnector in the front fascia.
5. Plug the cord into a grounded 110-volt AC outlet that is protected
by a ground fault detection
function.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord or
an extension cord can damage the
cord and may result in overheating
and fire.
.Plug the cord into a three-prong
electrical utility receptacle that is
protected by a ground fault
detection function. An
ungrounded outlet could cause
an electric shock.
.Use a weatherproof, heavy-duty,
15 amp-rated extension cord if
needed. Failure to use the
recommended extension cord in
good operating condition,
or using a damaged heater or
extension cord, could make it
(Continued)

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 229
Warning (Continued)
overheat and 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.
.Before starting the vehicle,
unplug the cord. Keep the cord
away from any moving parts.
6. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord.
7. Install the engine heater connector cover.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on several
factors. Ask a dealer in the area where
you will be parking the vehicle for the
best advice on this.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
When the ignition 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 ignition is in
RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY:
.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
To shift into P (Park): 1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0238. 2. Press the button on top of the shift
lever to shift into P (Park). See
Automatic Transmission 0232.
3. The P indicator on the shift lever will turn red when the vehicle is in
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 move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
(Continued)

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
282 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes may
overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes,
engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at lower 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,
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 Overheating0308.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer
on a level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your
trailer 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, gradually release the brake
pedal to allow the chocks to absorb
the load of the trailer.
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.
.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 used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule 0374. It is
especially important to check the
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system, and brake system
before and during each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine Overheating
0 308.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
292 VEHICLE CARE
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . 302
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . 303
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . 312
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . 313
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . 314
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . 315
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . 316
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . 316
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . 320
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331 Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . 334
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 342
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
VEHICLE CARE 305
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Electric Engine Cooling Fan (Outof View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can start
up even when the engine is not
running and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts. They
can be very hot and can burn you.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak; all coolant could leak out.
That could cause an engine fire and
can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The engine cooling system in the
vehicle is filled with DEX-COOL engine
coolant mixture. This coolant needs to
be checked and changed at
appropriate levels. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0383 and
Maintenance Schedule 0374.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating 0308.
What to Use
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts. They
can be very hot and can burn you.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak; all coolant could leak out.
That could cause an engine fire and
can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down to
−37 °C (−34 °F), outside temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine temperature.
.Protects against rust and corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.