steering CADILLAC XT6 2023 Service Manual

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
248 Driving and Operating
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 0248.
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
0454.
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 XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
Driving and Operating 249
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. See Tires
0400.
.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 and
brakes, tires, and cooling
system.
.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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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).

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
250 Driving and Operating
.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 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
276.
.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) 0273.
.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. See Driver Mode
Control 0278 and
All-Wheel Drive 0273.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe
place and signal for help. Stay
with the vehicle unless there is
help nearby. Get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{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.
(Continued)

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
Driving and Operating 251
Warning (Continued)
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
the fan speed to the
highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about
CO, see Engine Exhaust
0 265.
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.
The Traction Control System
(TCS) can often help to free a
stuck vehicle. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability
Control
0276.
If TCS cannot free the vehicle,
turn TCS off and use the
rocking method. See “Rocking
the Vehicle to Get it Out”
following.
{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).
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

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
Driving and Operating 257
Ignition Positions
The vehicle has an electronic
keyless ignition with
pushbutton start.
If the pushbutton start is not
working, the vehicle may be
near a strong radio antenna
signal causing interference to
the Keyless Access system.
See Remote Key Operation
09.
To shift out of P (Park), the
vehicle must be turned on and
the brake pedal must be
applied. Stopping the Engine/OFF
(No Indicator Light) :
When
the vehicle is stopped, press
ENGINE START/STOP once to
turn the engine off.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the
ignition will turn off, and
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) will remain active.
See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) 0263.
If the vehicle is in R (Reverse),
D (Drive), or M (Manual Mode),
the vehicle will shift into
P (Park), the ignition will turn
off, and RAP will remain active.
If the vehicle is in N (Neutral),
the ignition will return to
accessory mode and display
the message SHIFT TO PARK
in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). When the vehicle
is shifted into P (Park), the
ignition will turn off.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of
power assist in the brake
and steering systems and
disable the airbags. While
driving, only shut the vehicle
off in an emergency.
If the vehicle must be shut off
in an emergency: 1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not
pump the brakes
repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist,
requiring increased brake
pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be
done while the vehicle is
moving. After shifting to
N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the
vehicle to a safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop and shift to P (Park).

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
Driving and Operating 271
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.
.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.
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 0243.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding
the vehicle in one place on a
hill using only the
accelerator pedal may
damage the transmission.
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.
Manual Mode
Tap Shift
Caution
Driving with the engine at a
high rpm without upshifting
while using Tap Shift, could (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
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.

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
Driving and Operating 273
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature can
operate in All-Wheel
Drive (AWD) Mode. See Driver
Mode Control0278.
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 0278.
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.

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
274 Driving and Operating
If there is a problem with ABS,
this warning light stays on.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light0138.
ABS does not change the time
needed to get a foot on the
brake pedal and does not
always decrease stopping
distance. If you get too close
to the vehicle ahead, there will
not be enough time to apply
the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room
ahead to stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just
hold the brake pedal down
firmly. Hearing or feeling ABS
operate is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and
braking at the same time. In
many emergencies, steering
can help even more than
braking.
Electric Parking Brake
The Electric Parking Brake
(EPB) can always be applied,
even if the vehicle is off. In
case of insufficient electrical
power, the EPB cannot be
applied or released. To
prevent draining the battery,
avoid unnecessary repeated
cycles of the EPB.
The system has a red parking
brake status light and an
amber service parking brake
warning light. See Electric
Parking Brake Light 0137 and Service Electric Parking Brake
Light
0137. There are also
parking brake-related Driver
Information Center (DIC)
messages.
Before leaving the vehicle,
check the red parking brake
status light to ensure that the
parking brake is applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
The red parking brake status
light will flash and then stay on
once the EPB is fully applied.
If the red parking brake status
light flashes continuously, then
the EPB is only partially
applied or there is a problem
with the EPB. A DIC message
will display. Release the EPB
and try to apply it again. If the
light does not come on,
or keeps flashing, have the
vehicle serviced. Do not drive

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
Driving and Operating 277
spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit
wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates
when the system senses a
discrepancy between the
intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak/ESC
selectively applies braking
pressure at any one of the
vehicle's brakes to help steer
the vehicle in the direction
which you are steering.
If cruise control is being used
and TCS or StabiliTrak/ESC
begins to limit wheel spin,
cruise control will disengage.
Cruise control may be turned
back on when road conditions
allow. TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC will automatically turn on
when cruise control is set.
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 diagnosticchecks. 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
0251 or
If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0251
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/ESC
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 may
display 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.
If
dcomes 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.

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
Driving and Operating 279
If the vehicle is in Tour or
AWD, it will stay in that mode
through future ON/OFF
cycles. If the vehicle is in any
other mode, it will return to
Tour Mode when the vehicle is
restarted. When a mode is
selected, an indicator will
come on in the instrument
cluster and stay on.
Driver Mode Control Switch
Tour : Tour Mode operates in
FWD to improve fuel economy.
Use this mode during normal
driving operations. Sport :
Sport Mode improves
vehicle handling and
acceleration on dry pavement.
When active, Sport Mode
modifies steering efforts,
transmission shifting, AWD,
ESC, and suspension tuning,
if equipped.
The Performance Algorithm
Liftfoot (PAL) feature is
enabled in Sport Mode. PAL
allows the transmission to
hold the current gear after a
quick release of a heavily
applied accelerator pedal. This
provides greater engine
braking and enhanced vehicle
control.
When PAL is activated, there
may be an additional green
gear symbol which appears in
the instrument cluster display.
See Performance Shifting
Light 0138.
AWD : AWD Mode provides
drive torque to all four wheels.
Select AWD to improve
traction and control on
slippery road surfaces, such as gravel, sand, wet pavement,
snow, and ice. When in AWD
Mode, the AWD Mode
indicator light will be on. For
more information on AWD
Mode, see All-Wheel Drive
0
273.
Snow/Ice (FWD Vehicles
Only) : Snow/Ice Mode
improves vehicle acceleration
on snow and ice covered
roads.
Off-Road (AWD Vehicles
Only) : Use this mode for
off-road recreational driving.
Off-Road Mode should be
used to improve driving at
moderate speeds, on grass,
gravel, dirt, unpaved roads,
or snow-covered roads. This
mode modifies pedal mapping,
suspension tuning, AWD, ABS,
ESC, and TCS performance.
For more information on
off-road driving, see Off-Road
Driving 0244.