Black plate (63,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
Driving and Operating 9-63
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. Because the
rig is longer, it is necessary to go
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 your 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.
The vehicle could be damaged.
Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal so the
trailer will not strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other
objects. Use the turn signal well in
advance and avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
The turn signal indicators on the
instrument cluster flash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps also flash, telling other
drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes, or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument cluster flash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. 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 have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the transmission
shifts too often.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, engine coolant
boils 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 could show
signs similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the transmission in
P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating on page 10-17.
Black plate (64,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
9-64 Driving and Operating
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 brake pedal
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 while you:
.Start the engine.
.Shift into a gear.
.Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. 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 the
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. Inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Black plate (68,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
9-68 Driving and Operating
Hitch Cover
The vehicle may have a hitch cover.
To remove the hitch cover:
1. Turn the fasteners on the lowertabs 90 degrees
counterclockwise.
2. Lift the lower edge of the cover about 45 degrees.
3. Pull the cover downward to disengage the upper
attachments. To reinstall the hitch cover:
1. Hold the cover at a 45 degree
angle to the vehicle and push
the upper tabs in the hitch cover
into the slots in the fascia.
2. Move the bottom of the cover forward until the lower tabs line
up with the lower fascia slots.
3. Snap the hitch cover into place by pushing the upper corners
forward.
4. Turn the fasteners on the lower tabs 90 degrees clockwise to
lock the cover in place.
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.
Always leave just enough slack so
the rig can turn. Never allow safety
chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more
than 450 kg (1,000 lb) needs to have
its own brake system that is
adequate for the weight of the
trailer. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted and
maintained properly.
Because the vehicle has anti-lock
brakes, do not tap into the vehicle's
brake system. If you do, both brake
systems will not work well, or at all.
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
The vehicle has a TSC feature as
part of the StabiliTrak system.
If TSC detects that the trailer is
swaying, the vehicle's brakes are
automatically applied.
Black plate (69,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
Driving and Operating 9-69
When TSC is applying the brakes,
the TCS/StabiliTrak indicator light
flashes to notify the driver to reduce
speed. If the trailer continues to
sway, StabiliTrak will reduce engine
torque to help slow the vehicle.
TSC will not function if StabiliTrak is
turned off. SeeTraction Control/
Electronic Stability Control on
page 9-30.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
warranty. Always check with your
dealer before adding electrical
equipment. Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3-31
andAdding
Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3-31.
Black plate (1,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 10-9
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-10
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-17
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-18
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-23
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-24
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
High Intensity Discharge(HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-32
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-44
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55
Black plate (3,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
Vehicle Care 10-3
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems,
many fluids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, safety belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non‐dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride andhandling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non‐GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3-31.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have
the proper knowledge, service
manual, tools, or parts. Always
follow owner manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see Service
Publications Ordering Information
on page 13-11.
Black plate (6,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
10-6 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10-10.
2. Power Steering Reservoir and Cap (Under Engine Cover). See
Power Steering Fluid on
page 10-18.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10-7.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See Engine Oil on
page 10-7.
5. Engine Cover on page 10-6.
6. Transmission Fluid Cap and Dipstick (Out of View). See
Automatic Transmission Fluid on
page 10-10.
7. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes on page 10-20. 8. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10-13.
9. Battery (Out of View). See Battery on page 10-22.
10. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 10-80.
11. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View). See Jump
Starting on page 10-80.
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10-34.
13. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
on page 10-19.Engine Cover
1. Oil Fill Cap
2. Engine Cover Bolt
3. Engine Cover
To remove:
1. Remove the oil fill cap (1).
2. Remove the engine cover bolt (2).
3. Raise the engine cover (3) to release from the retainers.
Black plate (20,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081464) - 2014 - CRC - 10/4/13
10-20 Vehicle Care
Brakes
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc
brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time when the vehicle
is moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
{Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications on page 12-2.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service might be
required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied,
with or without the vehicle moving,
the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is
complex. Its many parts have to be
of top quality and work well together
if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. The vehicle was designed
and tested with top-quality brake
parts. When parts of the braking
system are replaced, be sure to get
new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example,
installing disc brake pads that are
wrong for the vehicle, can change
the balance between the front and
rear brakes —for the worse. The
braking performance expected can
change in many other ways if the
wrong replacement brake parts are
installed.