trailer CADILLAC XTS 2014 User Guide

Black plate (48,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
9-48 Driving and Operating
Turning the Features On or Off
TheXbutton on the center stack
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.
Turn off parking assist and Rear
Automatic Braking when towing a
trailer. To turn the Rear Vision Camera
(RVC) system, symbols, guidance
lines, or Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(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 Rear Camera Display, Park Assist Symbols, Guidance
Lines, or Rear Cross Traffic Alert
and then select OFF or ON.
Automatic Parking
Assist (APA)
If equipped, Automatic Parking
Assist (APA) searches for and
steers the vehicle into parallel
parking spots. When using APA,
you must still shift gears, and
control the brakes and accelerator.
The Driver information Center (DIC)
and audible beeps help to guide
parking maneuvers.
{Warning
APA does not apply the brakes.
APA may not detect objects in the
parking space, objects that are
soft or narrow, objects high off the
ground such as flatbed trucks,
or objects below ground level
such as large potholes. Always
verify that the parking space is
appropriate for parking a vehicle.
APA does not respond to changes
in the parking space, such as
movement of an adjacent vehicle,
or a person or object entering the
parking space. APA does not
detect or avoid traffic that is
behind or alongside of the
vehicle. Always be prepared to
stop the vehicle during the
parking maneuver.
The system is available when the
vehicle speed is below
30 km/h (18 mph). Press the APA
button,
O, to enable the system to

Black plate (54,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
9-54 Driving and Operating
Automatic Braking may slow the
vehicle to a complete stop to try to
avoid a potential crash. If this
happens, Automatic Braking will
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 5-48.
{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 (55,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-55
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 5-48. 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.

Black plate (62,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
9-62 Driving and Operating
3. Remove and clean the funneladapter and return to the storage
location.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{Warning
Filling a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle can cause
fuel vapors that can ignite either
by static electricity or other
means. You or others could be
badly burned and the vehicle
could be damaged. Always:
.Use approved fuel
containers.
.Remove the container from
the vehicle, trunk, or pickup
bed before filling.
.Place the container on the
ground.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.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 10-80.
For towing the vehicle behind
another vehicle such as a motor
home, seeRecreational Vehicle
Towing on page 10-80.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
Driving with a Trailer
When towing a trailer:
.Become familiar with the state
and local laws that apply to
trailer towing.

Black plate (63,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-63
.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) of trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
.Vehicles 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.
.Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control when towing.
.The Automatic Collision
Preparation System should be
set to Off when towing. See
Active Emergency Braking
System on page 9-52.
.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.
.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 9-22. 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.
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 heavy
braking and sudden turns.

Black plate (64,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
9-64 Driving and Operating
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. The
combination will not accelerate as
quickly and is longer so it is
necessary to go much 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 that 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.(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
The vehicle could be damaged.
Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so
the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees,
or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
If the trailer turn signal bulbs burn
out, the arrows on the instrument
cluster will still flash for turns. It is
important to 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 get hot and no longer
work well. Vehicles 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 high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil 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 may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
automatic transmission in P (Park)
for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, see
Engine Overheating
on page 10-19.

Black plate (65,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-65
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 regular brakes
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.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
7. 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
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. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
Before pulling a trailer, three
important considerations have to do
with weight:
.Weight of the trailer.
.Weight of the trailer tongue.
.Total weight on your vehicle's
tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
454 kg (1,000 lb). But even that can
be too heavy.

Black plate (66,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
9-66 Driving and Operating
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.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or advice, or write us at
our Customer Assistance Offices.
See Customer Assistance Offices
on page 13-3.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.
The trailer tongue (1) should weigh
10 percent of the total loaded trailer
weight (2).
After loading the trailer, weigh the
trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.

Black plate (67,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-67
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's
Tires
Be sure the vehicle's tires are
inflated to the upper limit for cold
tires. These numbers can be found
on the Tire and Loading Information
label. SeeVehicle Load Limits on
page 9-10. Make sure not to go over
the GVW limit for the vehicle,
including the weight of the trailer
tongue.
Towing Equipment
Hitches
Use the correct hitch equipment.
See your dealer or a hitch dealer for
assistance.
.The rear bumper on the vehicle
is not intended for hitches. Do
not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use
only a frame-mounted hitch that
does not attach to the bumper.
.Will any holes be made in the
body of the vehicle when the
trailer hitch is installed? If so,
seal the holes when the hitch is
removed. If the holes are not
sealed, dirt, water, and deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) from the
exhaust can get into the vehicle.
See Engine Exhaust on
page 9-22.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue of
the trailer to help prevent the tongue
from contacting the road if it
becomes separated from the hitch.
Leave enough slack so the rig can
turn. Never allow safety chains to
drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does the trailer have its own
brakes? Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly.
Because the vehicle has antilock
brakes, do not tap into the vehicle's
brake system. If this is done, both
brake systems will not work well,
or at all.

Black plate (20,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
10-20 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop the
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
.Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral), and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slow
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the car in front
of you. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally
and have the cooling system
checked for proper fill and function. If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down. Also, see
“Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode”
next in this section.
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode
allows the vehicle to be driven to a
safe place in an emergency
situation. If an overheated engine
condition exists, an overheat
protection mode, which alternates
firing groups of cylinders, helps
prevent engine damage. In this
mode, there is significant loss in
power and engine performance.