Black plate (27,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-27
Electric Parking Brake
The EPB switch is on the left side of
the instrument panel. The EPB can
always be activated, even if the
ignition is off. To prevent draining
the battery, avoid repeated cycles of
the EPB when the engine is not
running.The system has a red parking brake
status light and an amber parking
brake warning light. See
Electric
Parking Brake Light on page 5-23
and Service Electric Parking Brake
Light on page 5-23. There are also
parking brake-related Driver
Information Center (DIC) messages.
See Brake System Messages on
page 5-37. In case of insufficient
electrical power, the EPB cannot be
applied or released.
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. Lift up 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 the vehicle if the red
parking brake status light is flashing.
See your dealer. See
Electric
Parking Brake Light on page 5-23.
If the amber parking brake warning
light is on, lift up on the EPB switch
and hold it up. Continue to hold the
switch until the red parking brake
status light remains on. If the amber
parking brake warning light remains
on, see your dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the
vehicle is moving, the vehicle will
decelerate as long as the switch is
held up. If the switch is held up until
the vehicle comes to a stop, the
EPB will remain applied.
Black plate (28,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
9-28 Driving and Operating
The vehicle may automatically apply
the EPB in some situations when
the vehicle is not moving. This is
normal, and is done to periodically
check the correct operation of the
EPB system.
If the EPB fails to apply, the rear
wheels should be blocked to
prevent vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Place the ignition in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Push down momentarily on the EPB switch.
The EPB is released when the red
parking brake status light is off.
If the amber parking brake warning
light is on, release the EPB by
pushing down on the EPB switch
and holding it down. Continue to
hold the switch until the red parking brake status light is off. If either light
stays on after release is attempted,
see your dealer.
{Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system
and cause premature wear or
damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
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.
If parking on a hill, or if the vehicle
is pulling a trailer, see
Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9-62.
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 will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Black plate (30,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
9-30 Driving and Operating
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 on
page 9-10 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 displays 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.
{Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
Black plate (31,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-31
To turn off only TCS, press and
release the
gbutton. The Traction
Off Light
idisplays in the
instrument cluster and the
appropriate DIC message is
displayed. See Ride Control System
Messages on page 5-44. To turn
TCS on again, press and release
the
gbutton. The Traction Off
Light
idisplayed in the instrument
cluster will turn off and the
appropriate DIC message is
displayed.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
the
gbutton is pressed, the system
will not turn off until the wheels stop
spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold the
gbutton until
the Traction Off Light
iand
StabiliTrak Off Light
gcome on and
stay on in the instrument cluster.
The appropriate DIC message is
displayed. See Ride Control System
Messages on page 5-44. To turn TCS and StabiliTrak on again, press
and release the
gbutton. The
Traction Off Light
iand StabiliTrak
Off Light
gin the instrument cluster
turn off and the appropriate DIC
message is displayed.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications on
page 10-3.
Magnetic Ride Control
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)
briefly displays the appropriate
message on vehicle startup or when
a new mode is selected. See Ride
Control System Messages on
page 5-44.
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.
Black plate (35,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-35
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 the
vehicle 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 the vehicle speed down. If the
brake is applied, the cruise control
disengages. Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise
control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press*.
.PressJ.
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 the driver to
select the cruise control set speed
and following gap. Read this entire
section before using this system.
The following gap is the following
time 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. ACC uses camera
and radar sensors. See
Radio
Frequency Statement on
page 13-15.
If a vehicle is detected in your path,
ACC can apply acceleration or
limited, moderate braking to
maintain the selected following gap.
To disengage ACC, apply the brake.
If ACC is controlling your vehicle
speed when the traction control
system (TCS) or electronic stability
control system activates, the ACC
may automatically disengage. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control on page 9-29. When road
conditions allow ACC to be safely
used, the ACC can be turned
back on.
ACC will not engage if the TCS or
StabiliTrak electronic stability control
system is disabled.
Black plate (40,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
9-40 Driving and Operating
ACC automatically slows the vehicle
down and adjusts vehicle speed to
follow the vehicle in front at the
selected follow gap. The vehicle
speed increases or decreases to
follow the vehicle in front of you, but
will not exceed the set speed. It may
apply limited braking, if necessary.
When braking is active, the brake
lights will come on. The automatic
braking may feel or sound different
than if the brakes were applied
manually. This is normal.
Stationary or Very Slow-Moving
Objects
{Warning
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
may not detect and react to
stopped or slow-moving vehicles
ahead of you. For example, the
system may not brake for a
vehicle that it has never detected
moving. This can occur in
stop-and-go traffic or when a(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
vehicle suddenly appears due to
a vehicle ahead changing lanes.
Your vehicle may not stop and
could cause a crash. Use caution
when using ACC. Your complete
attention is always required while
driving and you should be ready
to take action and apply the
brakes.
ACC Automatically Disengages
ACC may automatically disengage
and the driver will need to manually
apply the brakes to slow the
vehicle when:
.The sensors are blocked.
.The Traction Control System
(TCS) or electronic stability
control system has activated or
been disabled.
.No traffic or other objects are
being detected.
.There is a fault in the system. The ACC active symbol will not be
displayed when ACC is no longer
active.
Notification to Resume ACC
ACC will maintain a follow gap
behind a detected vehicle and slow
your vehicle to a stop behind that
vehicle.
If the stopped vehicle ahead has
driven away and ACC has not
resumed, the vehicle ahead symbol
will flash as a reminder to check
traffic ahead before proceeding. In
addition, the left and right sides of
the Safety Alert Seat will pulse three
times, or three beeps will sound.
See
”Alert Type” and“Go Notifier” in
“Collision/Detection Systems” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5-48.
When the vehicle ahead drives
away, press RES+ or the
accelerator pedal to resume cruise
control. If stopped for more than
two minutes or if the driver door is
opened and the driver safety belt is
unbuckled, the ACC automatically
Black plate (41,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-41
applies the electric parking brake to
hold the vehicle. The electric
parking brake status light will turn
on. SeeElectric Parking Brake on
page 9-27. To resume ACC and
release the electric parking brake,
press the accelerator pedal.
A DIC warning message may
display indicating to shift to P (Park)
before exiting the vehicle. See
Vehicle Messages on page 5-36.
{Warning
If ACC has stopped the vehicle,
and if ACC is disengaged, turned
off, or canceled, the vehicle will
no longer be held at a stop. The
vehicle can move. When ACC is
holding the vehicle at a stop,
always be prepared to manually
apply the brakes.
{Warning
Leaving the vehicle without
placing it in P (Park) can be
dangerous. Do not leave the
vehicle while it is being held at a
stop by ACC. Always place the
vehicle in P (Park) and turn off
the ignition before leaving the
vehicle.
ACC Override
If using the accelerator pedal while
ACC is active, a DIC warning
message will indicate that automatic
braking will not occur. See Vehicle
Messages on page 5-36. ACC will
resume operation when the
accelerator pedal is not being
pressed.
{Warning
The ACC will not automatically
apply the brakes if your foot is
resting on the accelerator pedal.
You could crash into a vehicle
ahead of you.
Curves in the Road
{Warning
On curves, ACC may not detect a
vehicle ahead in your lane. You
could be startled if the vehicle
accelerates up to the set speed,
especially when following a
vehicle exiting or entering exit
ramps. You could lose control of
the vehicle or crash. Do not use
ACC while driving on an entrance
or exit ramp. Always be ready to
use the brakes if necessary.
Black plate (43,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6006999) -
2014 - CRC - 9/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-43
Do Not Use ACC on Hills and
When Towing a Trailer
Do not use ACC when driving on
steep hills or when towing a trailer.
ACC will not detect a vehicle in the
lane while driving on steep hills. The
driver will often need to take over
acceleration and braking on steep
hills, especially when towing a
trailer. If the brakes are applied, the
ACC disengages.
Disengaging ACC
There are three ways to
disengage ACC:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press*.
.Press].
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if
]is
pressed or if the ignition is
turned off.
Cleaning the Sensing System
The camera sensor on the back of
the rearview mirror and the radar
sensors on the front of the vehicle
can become blocked by snow, ice,
dirt, or mud. These areas need to
be cleaned for ACC to operate
properly.
For cleaning instructions, see
“Washing the Vehicle” under
Exterior Care on page 10-82.
System operation may also be
limited under snow, heavy rain,
or road spray conditions.
Driver Assistance
Systems
This vehicle may have features that
work together to help avoid crashes
or reduce crash damage while
driving, backing, and parking. Read
this entire section before using
these systems.
{Warning
Do not rely on the Driver
Assistance Systems. These
systems do not replace the need
for paying attention and driving
safely. You may not hear or feel
alerts or warnings provided by
these systems. Failure to use
proper care when driving may
result in injury, death, or vehicle
damage. See Defensive Driving
on page 9-3.
(Continued)