traction control CADILLAC XT5 2023 User Guide

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Driving and Operating 233
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . 235
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . 235
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . 236
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . 238
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . 243
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . 246
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . 247
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . 251
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . 252
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . 254
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . 255
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . 258
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . 259
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Active Fuel Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . 260
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Automatic Transmission
AutomaticTransmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . 268
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Electric Parking Brake . . . 269
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . 271
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/ Electronic Stability
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . 273
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Adaptive Cruise Control (Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Driver Assistance
Systems
Driver AssistanceSystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . 290
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Surround Vision System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Automatic Parking Assist (APA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Rear Pedestrian Alert . . . 300
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Driving and Operating 235
.Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly
when conditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
.Combine several trips into a
single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires
with the same TPC Spec
number molded into the
tire's sidewall near the size.
.Follow recommended
scheduled maintenance.
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,
keep your eyes on the road,
keep your hands on the
steering wheel, and focus your
attention on driving.
.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.
Refer to the infotainment
section for more information
on using that system and the
navigation system, if equipped,
including pairing and using a
cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means
“always expect the
unexpected.” The first step in

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
238 Driving and Operating
.The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) allows steering while
braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The 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

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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240 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Keep cargo in the cargo
area as far forward and as
low as possible. The
heaviest things should be
on the floor, forward of
the rear axle.
.Heavy loads on the roof
raise the vehicle's center
of gravity, making it more
likely to roll over. You can
be seriously or fatally
injured if the vehicle rolls
over. Put heavy loads
inside the cargo area, not
on the roof.
For more information about
loading the vehicle, see
Vehicle Load Limits 0247.
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. See Parking over
Things That Burn 0259.
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.
{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.
.Use headlamps even during
the day to make the vehicle
more visible.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
242 Driving and Operating
3. If the vehicle cannot berestarted after stalling, set
the parking brake, shift
into P (Park), and turn the
vehicle off.
3.1. Leave the vehicle and seek help.
3.2.Stay clear of the path the vehicle would take
if it rolled downhill.
{Warning
Getting out of the vehicle on
the downhill side when
stopped across an incline is
dangerous. If the vehicle
rolls over, you could be
crushed or killed. Always get
out on the uphill side of the
vehicle and stay well clear of
the rollover path.
Driving in Mud, Sand,
Snow, or Ice
Use a low gear when driving in
mud –the deeper the mud, the
lower the gear. Keep the
vehicle moving to avoid
getting stuck.
Traction changes when driving
on sand. On loose sand, such
as on beaches or sand dunes,
the tires tend to sink into the
sand. This affects steering,
accelerating, and braking.
Drive at a reduced speed and
avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers.
Traction is reduced on hard
packed snow and ice and it is
easy to lose control. Reduce
vehicle speed when driving on
hard packed snow and ice.
{Warning
Driving on frozen lakes,
ponds, or rivers can be
dangerous. Ice conditions
vary greatly and the vehicle
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
could fall through the ice;
you and your passengers
could drown. Drive your
vehicle on safe
surfaces only.
Driving in Water
{Warning
Driving through rushing
water can be dangerous.
Deep water can sweep your
vehicle downstream and you
and your passengers could
drown. If it is only shallow
water, it can still wash away
the ground from under your
tires. Traction could be lost,
and the vehicle could roll
over. Do not drive through
rushing water.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Driving and Operating 243
Caution
Do not drive through
standing water if it is deep
enough to cover the wheel
hubs, axles, or exhaust pipe.
Deep water can damage the
axle and other vehicle parts.
If the standing water is not
too deep, drive slowly through
it. At faster speeds, water
splashes on the ignition
system and the vehicle can
stall. Stalling can also occur if
you get the exhaust pipe
under water. While the
exhaust pipe is under water,
you will not be able to start
the engine. When going
through water, the brakes get
wet, and it might take longer
to stop. See Driving on Wet
Roads 0243.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris
that has collected on the
underbody or chassis, or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a fire
hazard.
After operation in mud or
sand, have the brake linings
cleaned and checked. These
substances can cause glazing
and uneven braking. Check the
body structure, steering,
suspension, wheels, tires, and
exhaust system for damage
and check the fuel lines and
cooling system for any
leakage.
More frequent maintenance
service is required. See
Maintenance Schedule
0429.
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.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/
vehicle wash, lightly apply
the brake pedal until the
brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water
creates strong forces.
Driving through flowing
water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away.
If this happens, you and
other vehicle occupants
could drown. Do not ignore
police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to
drive through flowing water.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Driving and Operating 245
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or IceCaution
To avoid damage to the
wheels and brake
components, always clear
snow and ice from inside the
wheels and underneath the
vehicle before driving.
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
0 271.
.The 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) 0268.
.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.
.Select All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Mode for vehicles equipped
with AWD. Select Snow/Ice
Mode for FWD only vehicles.
See Driver Mode Control
0273 and
All-Wheel Drive 0267.
Cold Weather Mode
In very low temperatures, a
cold weather message may
display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The
engine speed, transmission
shift patterns, and cabin fan
speed may operate differently
to enable the vehicle to warm
up quicker. You can manually
override the cabin fan speed in
cold weather mode.
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 Assistance. See
Roadside Assistance Program
0446. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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246 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Snow 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.
.Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the fan speed to the
highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about
CO, see Engine Exhaust
0 260.
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
0 271.
{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).

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 247
For All-Wheel Drive (AWD),
select Off-Road or AWD mode.
See Driver Mode Control
0273 and
All-Wheel Drive 0267.
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
Transporting a Disabled
Vehicle
0412.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-
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268 Driving and Operating
Press MODE to cycle through
the modes.
.TOUR
.SPORT
.AWD (AWD vehicles only)
.OFF-ROAD (AWD
vehicles only)
.SNOW/ICE (FWD
vehicles only)
AWD is active in AWD,
Off-road, and Sport modes.
The AWD system delivers
power to all four wheels and
the system adjusts as needed
to improve traction. The AWD Mode will stay
selected until the mode is
changed.
For more information on the
available modes, see Driver
Mode Control
0273.
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost
Vehicles equipped with
electric brake boost have
hydraulic brake circuits that
are electronically controlled
when the brake pedal is
applied during normal
operation. The system
performs routine tests and
turns off within a few minutes
after the vehicle is turned off.
Noise may be heard during
this time. If the brake pedal is
pressed during the tests or
when the electric brake boost
system is off, a noticeable
change in pedal force and
travel may be felt. This is
normal.
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) helps prevent a braking
skid and maintain steering
while braking hard.
ABS performs a system check
when the vehicle is first driven.
A momentary motor or clicking
noise may be heard while this
test is going on, and the brake
pedal may move slightly. This
is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS,
this warning light stays on.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light 0132.
ABS does not change the time
needed to get a foot on the
brake pedal and does not
always decrease stopping