traction control CADILLAC XTS 2018 User Guide

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 173
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
reducing vehicle speed by shifting
to a lower gear. Any sudden
changes could cause the tires to
slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid
only the braking skid.
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.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 175
.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, accident).
. 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
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 0193.
. 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) 0191.
. 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.
Blizzard Conditions
Stay with the vehicle unless there is
help nearby. If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside Service 0338.
To 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.
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
(Continued)

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
176 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Warning (Continued)
fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate Control
Systems.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0187.
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 0193.
{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 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
0304.
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 label.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
190 DRIVING AND OPERATING
In M (Manual Mode) the transmission
will shift as an automatic until the
Tap Shift controls are used. Tap Shift
activates driver manual gear selection.
SeeManual Mode 0190.
Manual Mode
Tap Shift
Tap Shift allows the driver to
manually control the automatic
transmission. To use Tap Shift, the
shift lever must be in M (Manual
Mode). Vehicles with this feature have
indicators on the steering wheel. The
controls are on the back of the steering wheel. Tap the left control to
downshift, and the right control to
upshift. A Driver Information
Center (DIC) message indicates the
gear the vehicle is in.
When accelerating the vehicle from a
stop in snowy and icy conditions, you
may want to shift into 2 (Second) gear.
A higher gear ratio allows you to gain
more traction on slippery surfaces.
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
If equipped, this feature transfers
torque to the rear wheels as required.
It is fully automatic, and adjusts itself
as needed for road conditions.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) performance is
automatically reduced when you use
the compact spare. To restore full
AWD performance, and prevent
excessive wear to the clutch in the
AWD system, replace the compact
spare tire with a full-size tire as soon
as possible. See
Compact Spare Tire
0 299.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 193
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to drive
away. Avoid rapid acceleration when
the EPB is applied, to preserve parking
brake lining life.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a brake assist feature
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle speed
in emergency driving conditions. This
feature uses the stability system
hydraulic brake control module to
supplement the power brake system
under conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the vehicle
until the ABS activates. Minor brake
pedal pulsation or pedal movement
during this time is normal and the
driver should continue to apply the
brake pedal as the driving situation
dictates. The brake assist feature willautomatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake pedal
pressure is quickly decreased.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
This vehicle has a Hill Start Assist
(HSA) feature, which may be useful
when the vehicle is stopped on a
grade sufficient enough to activate
HSA. This feature is designed to
prevent the vehicle from rolling, either
forward or rearward, during vehicle
drive off. After the driver completely
stops and holds the vehicle in a
complete standstill on a grade, HSA
will be automatically activated. During
the transition period between when
the driver releases the brake pedal and
starts to accelerate to drive off on a
grade, HSA holds the braking pressure
for a maximum of two seconds to
ensure that there is no rolling. The
brakes will automatically release when
the accelerator pedal is applied within
the two-second window. It will not
activate if the vehicle is in a drive gear
and facing downhill, or if the vehicle
is facing uphill and in R (Reverse).
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak, an
electronic stability control system.
These systems help limit wheel slip
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any of
the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. On an
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) vehicle, the
system will operate if it senses that
any of the wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to the
spinning wheels and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the system
senses a discrepancy between the
intended path and the direction the
vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies braking

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
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194 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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
traction control or StabiliTrak begins
to limit wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road conditions
allow.
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 diagnostic checks. 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. SeeIf the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0176 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 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.
Turning the Systems Off and On
The button for TCS and StabiliTrak is
on the center stack.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 195
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is off.
The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release
g. The Traction Off Lighti
displays in the instrument cluster and
a DIC message may display. To turn
TCS on again, press and release
g.
The Traction Off Light
idisplayed in
the instrument cluster will turn off
and a DIC message may display.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
g
is pressed, the system will not turn off
until the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold
guntil the Traction
Off Light
iand StabiliTrak Off Light
gcome on and stay on in the
instrument cluster. A DIC message
may display. To turn TCS and
StabiliTrak on again, press and release
g. The Traction Off Lightiand StabiliTrak Off Light
gin the
instrument cluster turn off and a DIC
message may display.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See Accessories
and Modifications 0234.
Magnetic Ride Control
If equipped, the Magnetic Ride Control
monitors the suspension system.
Based on road conditions, steering
wheel angle, and vehicle speed, the
system automatically adjusts to
provide the best handling while
providing a smooth ride. The Tour and
Sport Modes will feel similar on a
smooth road.
Tour : Use for normal city and
highway driving. This setting provides
a smooth, soft ride.
Sport : Use where road conditions or
personal preference demand more
control. This setting provides more
“feel,” or response to road conditions.
The vehicle is normally in Tour Mode.
Sport Mode is engaged when the shift
lever is placed in M (Manual Mode). When the shift lever is placed in D
(Drive) the system will revert back to
Tour Mode.
The Driver Information Center (DIC)
may briefly display a message on
vehicle startup or when a new mode is
selected.Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Vehicles with a limited-slip rear axle
can give more traction on snow, mud,
ice, sand or gravel. When traction is
low, this feature allows the drive
wheel with the most traction to move
the vehicle. The limited-slip rear axle
also gives the driver enhanced control
when cornering hard or completing a
maneuver, such as a lane change.
Automatic Level Control
The automatic level control rear
suspension is available on some
vehicles.
This type of level control is fully
automatic and will provide a better
leveled riding position as well as
better handling under a variety of
passenger and loading conditions. An

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
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196 DRIVING AND OPERATING
air compressor connected to the rear
air springs will raise or lower the rear
of the vehicle to maintain proper
vehicle height. The system is activated
when the engine is running and will
automatically adjust vehicle height
thereafter. The system may exhaust
(lower vehicle height) for up to
10 minutes after the engine has been
turned off. You may hear the air
compressor operating when the height
is being adjusted; this is normal.
If the compressor runs often for
longer than one minute within the
same trip and the vehicle remains low
in the rear, see your dealer for service.
If the vehicle is not used for several
weeks, the rear of the vehicle may
look low. When the engine is started,
the vehicle will return to the proper
height.
If a weight-distributing hitch is being
used, it is recommended to allow the
air springs to inflate, thereby leveling
the vehicle prior to adjusting the
hitch.Cruise Control
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at a
steady speed. Do not use cruise
control on winding roads or in
heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could
lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
With cruise control, a speed of about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more can be
maintained without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. Cruise control does
not work at speeds below about
40 km/h (25 mph).
If the Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control system begins to
limit wheel spin while using cruise
control, the cruise control automatically disengages. See
Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control
0 193. If a collision alert occurs when
cruise control is activated, cruise
control is disengaged. See Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) System 0213.
When road conditions allow the cruise
control to be safely used, cruise
control can be turned back on.
If the brakes are applied, cruise
control disengages.
J: Press to turn the system on and
off. A white indicator appears in the
instrument cluster when cruise is
turned on.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
198 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
Do one of the following:
.Press and hold SET− down until
the desired lower speed is reached,
then release it.
. To decrease the vehicle speed in
small increments, briefly press
SET− down 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− down 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.
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 the
SET−
switch 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). .
Press
J.
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
If equipped with Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC), it allows for selecting
the cruise control set speed and
following gap. Read this entire section
before using this system. ACC uses a
camera and radar sensors to detect
other vehicles. See Radio Frequency
Statement 0344. The following gap is
the following time (or distance)
between your vehicle and a vehicle
detected directly ahead in your path,
moving in the same direction. If no
vehicle is detected in your path, ACC
works like regular cruise control.
If a vehicle is detected in your path,
ACC can speed up the vehicle or apply
limited, moderate braking to maintain
the selected following gap. To
disengage ACC, apply the brake. If the
Traction Control System (TCS) or

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 199
StabiliTrak electronic stability control
system activates while ACC is
engaged, ACC may automatically
disengage. SeeTraction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0193. When
road conditions allow ACC to be safely
used, ACC can be turned back on. ACC
will not engage if the TCS or
StabiliTrak electronic stability control
system is disabled.
{Warning
ACC has limited braking ability and
may not have time to slow the
vehicle down enough to avoid a
collision with another vehicle you
are following. This can occur when
vehicles suddenly slow or stop
ahead, or enter your lane. Also see
“Alerting the Driver” in this section.
Complete attention is always
required while driving and you
should be ready to take action and
apply the brakes. See Defensive
Driving 0171.
{Warning
ACC will not detect or brake for
children, pedestrians, animals,
or other objects.
Do not use ACC when:
. On winding and hilly roads or
when the sensors are blocked
by snow, ice, or dirt. The
system may not detect a
vehicle ahead. Keep the entire
front of the vehicle clean.
. Visibility is low, such as in
fog, rain, or snow conditions.
ACC performance is limited
under these conditions.
. On slippery roads where fast
changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip.
J:Press to turn the system on or
off. The indicator turns white on the
instrument cluster when ACC is
turned on.
+RES : Press the control up briefly to
resume the previous set speed or to
increase vehicle speed if ACC is
already engaged. To increase speed by
1 km/h (1 mph), press +RES up to the
first detent. To increase speed to the
next 5 km/h (5 mph) mark on the
speedometer, press +RES up to the
second detent.
SET– :Press the control down briefly
to set the speed and activate ACC or
to decrease vehicle speed if ACC is