Page 257 of 443

Black plate (34,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707477) - 2015 - crc - 9/15/14
9-34 Driving and Operating
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. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the vehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
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.
See
If 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.
Page 258 of 443

Black plate (35,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707477) - 2015 - crc - 9/15/14
Driving and Operating 9-35
Ifdcomes 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
Manual Transmission TCS/
StabiliTrak Button Shown,
Automatic Transmission TCS/ StabiliTrak Button Similar
The button for TCS and StabiliTrak
is on the center console, behind the
shift lever.
{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 the
gbutton. The Traction
Off light
idisplays in the
instrument cluster and the
appropriate DIC message displays.
See Ride Control System Messages
on page 5-40.
To turn TCS on again, press and
release the
gbutton. The Traction
Off light
idisplayed in the
instrument cluster will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
the
gbutton is pressed, the system
will not turn off until the wheels stop
spinning.
Page 259 of 443

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707477) - 2015 - crc - 9/15/14
9-36 Driving and Operating
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 displays. See Ride Control
System Messages on page 5-40.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak on
again, press and release the
g
button. The Traction Off lightiand
StabiliTrak OFF Light
gin the
instrument cluster turn off.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications on
page 10-3.
Driver Mode Control
Driver Mode Control attempts to add
a sportier feel, provide a more
comfortable ride, or assist in
different weather conditions or
terrain. This system simultaneously
changes the software calibration of
various sub-systems. Depending on
the option package, available
features, and mode selected, the
suspension, steering, and
powertrain will change calibrations
to achieve the desired mode
characteristics. If the vehicle is
equipped with MagneRide™,
selecting the various Driver Modes
adjusts the ride of the vehicle to
enhance the ride performance for
the road conditions and the
selected mode.
Manual Transmission Mode
Button Shown, Automatic
Transmission Mode Button Similar
The Driver Mode Control has three
modes: Tour, Sport, and Snow/Ice.
Snow/Ice mode is only available on
automatic transmission vehicles.
Press the MODE button on the
center console to make a mode
selection. The first press of the
button will show the current mode.
Subsequent presses will scroll
though the available modes. The
Tour and Sport modes will feel
Page 260 of 443

Black plate (37,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707477) - 2015 - crc - 9/15/14
Driving and Operating 9-37
similar on a smooth road. Select a
new setting whenever driving
conditions change.
Tour Mode
Use for normal city and highway
driving to provide a smooth,
soft ride.
Sport Mode
Use where road conditions or
personal preference demand a more
controlled response.
When selected, the Sport mode
indicator will display in the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
When in Sport mode, the vehicle will
shift automatically but hold a lower
gear longer than it would in the
normal driving mode based on
braking, throttle input, and vehicle
lateral acceleration. SeeAutomatic
Transmission on page 9-24. The
steering will change to provide more
precise control. If the vehicle has
MagneRide, the suspension will
change to provide better cornering
performance.
Snow/Ice Mode
Use when more traction is needed
during slippery conditions. The
transmission will use 2 (Second)
gear instead of 1 (First) gear when
accelerating from a stop. The
vehicle will upshift normally when
the vehicle is moving.
When selected, the Snow/Ice mode
indicator will display in the DIC.
This feature is not intended for use
when the vehicle is stuck in sand,
mud, ice, snow or gravel. If the
vehicle becomes stuck, see If the
Vehicle Is Stuck on page 9-10.
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.
Limited-slip rear axle fluid should be
changed at intervals listed in
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11-3.
Page 261 of 443

Black plate (38,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707477) - 2015 - crc - 9/15/14
9-38 Driving and Operating
Cruise Control
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).
{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.If equipped with a manual
transmission, the cruise control will
remain active when the gears are
shifted. The cruise is deactivated if
the clutch is pressed for several
seconds.
If the StabiliTrak
®system begins to
limit wheel spin while using cruise
control, the cruise control
automatically disengages. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control on page 9-34. If a collision
alert occurs when cruise control is
activated, cruise control is
disengaged. See Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) System on page 9-54.
When road conditions allow you to
safely use it again, cruise control
can be turned back on.
If the brakes are applied, cruise
control disengages.
J(On/Off): Press to turn the
system on and off. A white cruise
control indicator appears in the
instrument cluster when cruise is
turned on.
+RES (Resume/Accelerate): If
there is a set speed in memory,
press the control up briefly to
resume that speed or hold to
accelerate. If cruise control is
already active, use to increase
vehicle speed. To increase speed by
1 km/h or 1 mph, press +RES up to
the first detent. To increase speed to
Page 262 of 443

Black plate (39,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707477) - 2015 - crc - 9/15/14
Driving and Operating 9-39
the next 5 km/h or 5 mph mark on
the speedometer, press +RES up to
the second detent.
SET−(Set/Coast): Press the
control down briefly to set the speed
and activate cruise control. If cruise
control is already active, use to
decrease vehicle speed. To
decrease speed by 1 km/h (1 mph),
press SET− down to the first detent.
To decrease speed to the next
5 km/h (5 mph) mark on the
speedometer, press SET− down to
the second detent.
*(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.
Setting Cruise Control
If
Jis on when not in use, SET− or
+RES could get bumped and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep
J
off when cruise is not being used.
1. Press
J.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release SET− .4. Remove your foot from the
accelerator.
When the cruise control has been
set to the desired speed, the cruise
control indicator appears green on
the instrument cluster and a cruise
set speed message appears on the
Head-Up Display (HUD),
if equipped.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied or
*is pressed, the
cruise control is disengaged without
erasing the set speed from memory.
Once the vehicle speed reaches
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more,
briefly press +RES up to the first
detent. The vehicle returns to the
previous set speed. Increasing Speed While Cruise
Control is at a Set Speed
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
.Press and hold +RES up until
the desired speed is reached,
then release it.
.To increase vehicle speed in
small increments, briefly press
+RES up to the first detent. For
each press, the vehicle goes
about 1 km/h (1 mph) faster.
.To increase vehicle speed in
larger increments, briefly press
+RES up to the second detent.
For each press, the vehicle
speed increases to the next
5 km/h (5 mph) mark on the
speedometer.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster on
page 5-10. The increment value
used depends on the units
displayed.
Page 263 of 443

Black plate (40,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707477) - 2015 - crc - 9/15/14
9-40 Driving and Operating
Reducing Speed While Cruise
Control is at a Set Speed
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
.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.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster on page 5-10. The increment value
used depends on the units
displayed.
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
previously set cruise speed. While
pressing the accelerator pedal or
shortly following the release to
override cruise control, briefly
applying the SET–
control will result
in cruise control set to the current
vehicle speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well 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 pedal is applied, cruise
control will disengage.
Ending Cruise Control
There are five ways to end cruise
control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal
(manual and automatic
transmissions).
.Press the clutch pedal for
several seconds or shift to
Neutral (manual transmissions).
.Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
.Press*.
.PressJ.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if
Jis
pressed or if the ignition is
turned off.
Page 264 of 443

Black plate (41,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707477) - 2015 - crc - 9/15/14
Driving and Operating 9-41
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. SeeRadio
Frequency Statement on
page 13-12.
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 the StabiliTrak
system activates, the ACC may automatically disengage. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control on page 9-34. 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 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 on page 9-3.
{Warning
Adaptive Cruise Control will not
detect or brake for children,
pedestrians, animals, or other
objects.
Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control 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.
Adaptive Cruise Control
performance is limited under
these conditions.
.On slippery roads where fast
changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip.