automatic transmission CADILLAC XT5 2023 User Guide

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
258 Driving and Operating
7. Install the engine heaterconnector 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 vehicle 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 vehicle is on or in
accessory mode:
.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
0269.
2. Press the button on top of the shift lever to shift into
P (Park). See Automatic
Transmission 0261.
3. The P (Park) indicator on the shift lever will turn red
when the vehicle is in
P (Park).
4. Turn the ignition off. If the vehicle is shifted into
P (Park) on a hill, the
Electric Parking Brake
(EPB) may apply
automatically. You may not
be able to release the EPB
using the EPB switch.
It should automatically
release when the vehicle is
shifted out of 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
Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
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 EPB and shift the
vehicle to P (Park). If you are
towing a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0322.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Driving and Operating 261
Warning (Continued)
.Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with
the engine running in an
enclosed area such as a
garage or a building that has
no fresh air ventilation.
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running.
If the vehicle is left with the
engine running, follow the
proper steps to be sure the
vehicle will not move. See
Shifting Into Park 0258 and
Engine Exhaust 0260.
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0322.
Automatic
Transmission
The shift pattern is displayed
in the top of the shift lever.
The selected gear position will
illuminate red on the shift
lever, while all others will be
displayed in white. If the shift
is not immediate, as in very
cold conditions, the indicator
on the shift lever may flash
until it is fully engaged. The shift lever always starts
from a center position,
represented by an up/down
arrow on the shift pattern.
After releasing the shift lever,
it will return to the center
position.
The transmission does not
operate when the vehicle
is off.
If the vehicle is in accessory
mode, the transmission can be
shifted into P (Park).
If the vehicle is turned off
while at a relatively high
vehicle speed, the
transmission will automatically
shift to N (Neutral). Once the
vehicle is stopped, P (Park) is
automatically selected.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
262 Driving and Operating
P :This position locks the
drive wheels. Use P (Park)
when starting the vehicle to
prevent the vehicle from
moving easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the
transmission is not in
P (Park) with the parking
brake set. The vehicle
can roll.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Do not leave the vehicle
when the engine is running.
If the engine has been left
running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or
others could be injured. To
be sure the vehicle will not
move, even when on fairly
level ground, always set the
parking brake and place the
transmission into P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park 0258
and Electric Parking Brake
0 269.
This vehicle is equipped with
an electronically controlled
transmission. The shift lock
release button is designed to
prevent inadvertent shifting
out of P (Park) unless the
vehicle is on, the brake pedal is
applied, and the shift lock
release button is pressed.
When the vehicle is stopped,
press ENGINE START/STOP
to turn off the vehicle. The
transmission will shift to
P (Park) automatically unless
the vehicle is in N (Neutral),
See “Car Wash Mode” later in
this section.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Driving and Operating 263
The vehicle will not shift into
P (Park) if it is moving too fast.
Stop the vehicle and shift into
P (Park).
To shift into and out of
P (Park), see Shifting Into Park
0258 and
Shifting out of Park 0259.
Service Shift Lever Message
If the message SERVICE
SHIFTER SEE OWNER’S
MANUAL appears in the
Driver Information
Center (DIC), the shift lever
needs service. Have the
vehicle serviced as soon as
possible. If the vehicle is
automatically shifting into
P (Park), check to see if the
P (Park) button on top of the
shift lever is stuck. To operate
the vehicle, hold the shift lever
in the desired gear,
R (Reverse) or D (Drive), until
vehicle speed exceeds
15 km/h (10 mph), then release
the shift lever.
R : Use this gear to back up. If the vehicle is shifted from
either R (Reverse) to D (Drive)
or M (Manual Mode),
or M (Manual Mode) or
D (Drive) to R (Reverse) while
the speed is too high, the
vehicle will shift to N (Neutral).
Reduce the vehicle speed and
try the shift again.
To shift into R (Reverse):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press and hold the shift lock release button on the
side of the shift lever.
3. From the center position, move the shift lever
forward through the first
detent to the end of travel.
R is illuminated in red.
4. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position.
To shift out of R (Reverse): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear. 3. After releasing the shift
lever, it will return to the
center position.
At low vehicle speeds,
R (Reverse) can be used to
rock the vehicle back and forth
to get out of snow, ice, or sand
without damaging the
transmission. See If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0246.
N : In this position, the engine
does not connect with the
wheels. To restart the engine
when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear
while the engine is running
at high speed is dangerous.
Unless your foot is firmly on
the brake pedal, the vehicle
could move very rapidly. You
could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while
the engine is running at high
speed.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
264 Driving and Operating
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the
vehicle.
The vehicle is not designed to
stay in N (Neutral) for more
than five minutes. It may
automatically shift into
P (Park). N (Neutral) is not
intended for towing. If the
vehicle needs to be towed, see
Transporting a Disabled
Vehicle 0412.
To shift into N (Neutral): 1. Move the shift lever forward to the first detent
from the center position.
.If the vehicle is in
P (Park), apply the brake
pedal and press the shift lock release button while
moving the shift lever
forward.
.N will illuminate in red.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position.
To shift out of N (Neutral): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear. If shifting from N (Neutral)
to R (Reverse), press the
shift lock release button.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position.
Car Wash Mode
This vehicle includes a Car
Wash Mode that allows the
vehicle to remain in N (Neutral)
for use in automatic car
washes. Car Wash Mode (Engine Off
–
Driver in Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in
N (Neutral) with the engine off
and the vehicle occupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift to N (Neutral).
4. Turn off the engine and release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it
does not, repeat
Steps 2–4.
6. The vehicle is now ready for the car wash.
Car Wash Mode (Engine Off –
Driver out of Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in
N (Neutral) with the engine off
and the vehicle unoccupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Open the door.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Driving and Operating 265
4. Shift to N (Neutral).
5. Turn off the engine andrelease the brake pedal.
6. The indicator should continue to show N. If it
does not, repeat
Steps 2–5.
7. Exit the vehicle and close the door. The vehicle is
now ready for the
car wash.
8. The vehicle may automatically shift to
P (Park) when the door is
opened.
Car Wash Mode (Engine On –
Driver in Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in
N (Neutral) with the engine on
and the vehicle occupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift to N (Neutral).
4. Release the brake pedal. The vehicle is now ready
for the car wash. Car Wash Mode (Engine On
–
Driver out of Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in
N (Neutral) with the engine on
and the vehicle unoccupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Open the door.
4. Shift to N (Neutral), then release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it
does not, repeat
Steps 2–4.
6. Exit the vehicle and close the door. The vehicle is
now ready for the
car wash.
7. The vehicle may automatically shift to
P (Park) when the door is
opened.Caution
A transmission hot message
may display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition
can damage the vehicle.
Stop and idle the engine to
cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This
message clears when the
transmission fluid has cooled
sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal
driving. If more power is
needed for passing, press the
accelerator pedal down.
To shift into D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. From the center position, move the shift lever back.
.If the vehicle is in
P (Park), press the shift
lock release button while
pulling the shift
lever back.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
266 Driving and Operating
.D will illuminate in red.
.After releasing the shift
lever, it will return to the
center position.
To shift out of D (Drive): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear. If shifting from D (Drive) to
R (Reverse) the shift lock
release button will need to
be pressed.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position.
Downshifting the transmission
in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding. See
“Skidding” under Loss of
Control 0238.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding
the vehicle in one place on a
hill using only the
accelerator pedal may
damage the transmission.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
The repair will not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. If the vehicle is
stuck, do not spin the tires.
When stopping on a hill, use
the brakes to hold the
vehicle in place.
If equipped with the 2.0L L4
engine, engine speeds may be
increased while driving at
highway speeds while the
engine is still warming up.
Manual Mode
Tap Shift Caution
Driving with the engine at a
high rpm without upshifting
while using Tap Shift, could
damage the vehicle. Always
upshift when necessary
while using Tap Shift.
If equipped, vehicles with Tap
Shift have controls on the
back of the steering wheel to
manually shift the automatic
transmission.
Permanent Tap Shift Mode
To enter Permanent Tap
Shift Mode: 1. With the vehicle in D (Drive), pull back on the
shift lever to activate
M (Manual Mode). The M in
the shift pattern will
illuminate in red, and the D
will switch to white.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Driving and Operating 267
2. After releasing the shiftlever, it will return to the
center position.
3. Pull the control toward you to shift. Pull the left
control to downshift, and
the right control to upshift.
To exit Permanent Tap
Shift Mode: 1. To exit M (Manual Mode) and return to D (Drive), pull
back on the shift lever. The
D in the shift pattern will
illuminate in red, and the M
will switch to white.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position.
M (Manual Mode) can be exited
to return to D (Drive) at any
speed by pulling the lever
rearward from the center
position. It is not necessary to
stop the vehicle or shift to
N (Neutral) or P (Park) prior to
shifting back to D (Drive). Temporary Tap Shift Mode
To enter Temporary Tap
Shift Mode:
1. With the transmission in D (Drive) and not in
Permanent Tap Shift
Mode, the Tap Shift
controls will activate a
Temporary Tap Shift
Mode, allowing the
transmission to be
manually shifted.
2. To deactivate, hold the right control briefly.
Automatic shifts return
after no manual shifts have
been done for seven to
10 seconds.
While using Tap Shift, the
vehicle will have firmer, quicker
shifting. This can be used 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 shifting into gears
appropriate for the vehicle
speed and engine revolutions
per minute (rpm). If shifting is
prevented for any reason, the
M or D will flash in the
instrument cluster. The
transmission will not
automatically shift to the next
higher gear if the engine rpm
is too high. It will only
automatically shift to the next
lower gear if the engine rpm is
much too low.
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature can
operate in All-Wheel
Drive (AWD) Mode. See Driver
Mode Control
0273.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Driving and Operating 277
.Press and hold SET−until
the desired lower speed is
reached, then release it.
.To decrease the vehicle
speed in small increments,
briefly press SET− 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− 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 0122. 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 previous set
cruise speed.
While pressing the accelerator
pedal or shortly following the
release to override cruise,
briefly applying SET−
will
result in cruise 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
your 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 your speed down.
If the brake pedal is applied,
cruise control disengages.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end
cruise control:
.Step lightly on the brake
pedal.
.Press*.
.Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
.PressJ.
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 (Advanced)
If equipped, Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) allows the
cruise control set speed and
following gap to be selected.
Read this entire section
before using this system. The

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 323
towing, install extended side
view mirrors, even if not
required.
.Do not tow a trailer during
the first 800 km (500 mi) of
vehicle use to prevent
damage to the engine, axle,
or other parts.
.GM recommends performing
an oil change to the vehicle
before heavy towing.
.Do not drive over 80 km/h
(50 mph) and do not make
starts at full throttle during
the first 800 km (500 mi) of
trailer towing.
.Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
If the transmission
downshifts too often, a
lower gear may be selected
using Manual Mode. See
Manual Mode0266.
If equipped, the following
driver assistance features
should be turned off when
towing a trailer:
.Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC)
.Super Cruise Control
.Park Assist
.Automatic Parking
Assist (APA)
.Reverse Automatic
Braking (RAB)
If equipped, the following
driver assistance features
should be turned to alert or
off when towing a trailer:
.Automatic Emergency
Braking (AEB)
.Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
.Front Pedestrian
Braking (FPB)
If equipped with Lane Change
Alert (LCA), the LCA 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.
If equipped with Rear Cross
Traffic Alert (RCTA), 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.
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or
death from carbon monoxide
(CO), 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.
.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 0260.