Black plate (16,1)Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7695154) -
2015 - CRC - 4/25/14
9-16 Driving and Operating
If you put things inside the
vehicle—like suitcases, tools,
packages, or anything else —
they will go as fast as the
vehicle goes. If you have to stop
or turn quickly, or if there is a
crash, they will keep going.
{Warning
Things inside the vehicle can
strike and injure people in a
sudden stop or turn, or in a
crash.
.Put things in the cargo
area of the vehicle. In the
cargo area, put them as
far forward as possible.
Try to spread the weight
evenly.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an
unsecured child restraint
in the vehicle.
.Secure loose items in the
vehicle.
.Do not leave a seat folded
down unless needed.
Starting and
Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
The vehicle does not require a
break-in period. Vehicle break-in is
performed during manufacturing.
Power Button
The vehicle has an electronic
pushbutton start. The POWER
O
button light is on steady when in
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Black plate (17,1)Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7695154) -
2015 - CRC - 4/25/14
Driving and Operating 9-17
ON/RUN power mode. When the
vehicle is turned off, the POWER
O
button light will turn off.
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter must be in the vehicle for
the system to operate. If the vehicle
will not start, place the RKE
transmitter in the transmitter slot.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2-2.
ON/RUN: This position is for
starting and driving. With the vehicle
off, and the brake pedal applied,
pressing the POWER
Obutton once
will place the vehicle in ON/RUN.
When the READY light is on in the
instrument cluster, the vehicle is
ready to be driven. This could take
up to 15 seconds at extremely cold
temperatures. See Vehicle Ready
Light on page 5-26. The engine will
only start if needed. If the vehicle
did not start, the instrument cluster
will display a screen with inactive
fuel and battery gauges. See
Starting and Stopping the Vehicle
on page 9-18. Service Only Mode
This power mode is available for
service and diagnostics, and to
verify the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as may
be required for emission inspection
purposes. With the vehicle off, and
the brake pedal not applied,
pressing and holding the POWER
O
button for more than five seconds
will place the vehicle in Service
Only Mode. The instruments and
audio systems will operate as they
do in ON/RUN, but the vehicle will
not be able to be driven. The
propulsion system will not start in
Service Only Mode. Press the
button again to turn the vehicle off.
{Caution
Service Only Mode will discharge
the 12-volt battery. Do not use
Service Only Mode for an
extended period, or the vehicle
may not start.
STOPPING THE VEHICLE/OFF:
To turn the vehicle off, press the
POWER
Obutton with the vehicle
in P (Park). Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) will remain active until
the driver door is opened. See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
on page 9-19. When turning off the
vehicle, if the vehicle is not in
P (Park), the vehicle will go to ACC/
ACCESSORY and display the
message SHIFT TO PARK in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Electric Drive Unit Messages
on page 5-44.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
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Black plate (18,1)Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7695154) -
2015 - CRC - 4/25/14
9-18 Driving and Operating
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to a
safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the vehicle
off by pressing the POWER
O
button.
4. Set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake on
page 9-30.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
propulsion system off in an
emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over,
and must be shut off while driving,
press and hold the POWER
O
button for longer than two seconds,
or press twice in five seconds.
Starting and Stopping the
Vehicle
The engine may start, if required,
when the propulsion system is on.
{Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving or the electric
drive unit could be damaged.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
{Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change
the way the vehicle operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Add-On Electrical Equipment
on page 9-71.
Starting Procedure
1. Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). The propulsion
system will not start in any other
position.
2. The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter must be in the
vehicle.
3. Press the brake pedal and press and release the POWER
O
button.
If the RKE transmitter is not in the
vehicle or something is interfering
with the transmitter, a message
displays in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See Key and Lock
Messages on page 5-45.
If the vehicle will not start due to a
low RKE transmitter battery, the
vehicle can still be driven. See
“Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery” inRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2-2.
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Black plate (19,1)Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7695154) -
2015 - CRC - 4/25/14
Driving and Operating 9-19
Welcome, powering up, and
powering down audio messages are
heard as well as displayed on the
instrument cluster. This happens
when opening the driver door upon
entry, and when pressing the
POWER
Obutton.
The instrument cluster displays an
active fuel or battery gauge, along
with an audio startup cue, when the
vehicle is ready to be driven. This
could take up to 15 seconds at
extremely cold temperatures. The
engine will only start if needed.
If the vehicle did not start, the
instrument cluster will display a
screen with inactive fuel and battery
gauges. See Starting and Stopping
the Vehicle on page 9-18.
Restarting Procedure
If the vehicle must be restarted
while it is still moving, move the shift
lever to N (Neutral) and press the
POWER
Obutton twice without
pressing the brake pedal. The
propulsion system will not restart in
any other position. Computers determine when the
engine needs to run. The engine
may start, if required, when the
propulsion system is on. Some
vehicle conditions that force the
engine to run:
.There are cold ambient
temperatures.
.The hood is open or not
completely latched.
.The high voltage battery has a
low charge.
.The engine needs to run for
maintenance.
See Maintenance Modes on
page 9-25.
A chime will sound if the driver door
is opened while the vehicle is in ON/
RUN. Always press the POWER
O
button to turn the vehicle off before
exiting.
Stopping Procedure
For information on how to turn the
vehicle off, see Power Button on
page 9-16.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
The following features will operate
for up to 10 minutes or until the
driver door is opened:
.Audio System
.Accessory Power Outlets
Power windows will operate for up
to 10 minutes or until any door is
opened.
Shifting Into Park
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake. See
Electric Parking Brake on
page 9-30.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by pushing the lever all the way
toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the vehicle off.
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Black plate (25,1)Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7695154) -
2015 - CRC - 4/25/14
Driving and Operating 9-25
responsive acceleration. DIC
messages indicate reduced
propulsion power, that the engine is
not available, and the need for fuel
or service.
Once the vehicle is refueled, or the
malfunction is corrected, the engine
will start the next time the vehicle is
turned on to perform a self test, and
DIC messages will not be displayed.
Once the engine starts successfully,
normal operation will continue in
either Electric or Extended Range
Mode. The engine may stop running
after the self test is completed
based on the current mode of
operation. SeeFuel System
Messages on page 5-45 and
Service Vehicle Messages on
page 5-50.
Maintenance Modes
Engine Maintenance Mode (EMM)
EMM runs the engine to keep it in
good working condition after
approximately six weeks of no or
very limited engine operation. EMM will force the engine to run, even if
there is a charge to power the
vehicle. When EMM is needed, the
EMM Request screen appears on
the center stack display at vehicle
start.
If Start Maintenance is selected,
EMM will begin. The engine will run
for a set amount of time without
turning off. During EMM, a DIC
message displays to show the
EMM percentage complete.
If Postpone is selected, the EMM
Request screen will appear when
the vehicle is next started. The
EMM request can be delayed for
only one day.
If the EMM request was delayed for
one day, EMM will automatically
start the engine at the next vehicle
start. An EMM Notification screen
will appear in the center stack
display.
If the vehicle shuts off during EMM,
it will restart the next time the
vehicle is driven. A message
displays to indicate that EMM is
active.
If EMM is required and the fuel level
is low, EMM may eventually empty
the fuel tank if fuel is not added.
This will result in reduced, or no
power. An adequate fuel level must
be maintained in the vehicle to keep
it operational. See
Propulsion Power
Messages on page 5-48.
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Black plate (28,1)Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7695154) -
2015 - CRC - 4/25/14
9-28 Driving and Operating
Electric Drive Unit
The vehicle uses an electric
drive unit.
P (Park):This position locks the
front wheels. It is the best position
to use when starting the propulsion
system because the vehicle cannot
move easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
propulsion system is running.
If you have left the propulsion
system running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park on
page 9-19.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the
propulsion system. The vehicle has
an electric drive unit shift lock
control system. The regular brake
must be fully applied first and then
the shift lever button pressed before shifting from P (Park) when the
vehicle is in ON/RUN. If you cannot
shift out of P (Park), ease pressure
on the shift lever, then push the shift
lever all the way into P (Park) as
you maintain brake application.
Then press the shift lever button
and move the shift lever into
another gear. See
Shifting out of
Park on page 9-20.
R (Reverse): Use this gear to
back up.
{Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving forward could
damage the electric drive unit.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the electric drive unit, see
If the Vehicle Is Stuck on page 9-12.
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Black plate (34,1)Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7695154) -
2015 - CRC - 4/25/14
9-34 Driving and Operating
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
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
Ybutton. The traction
off light
idisplays in the instrument
cluster. The appropriate DIC
message is displayed. See Ride
Control System Messages on
page 5-49.
To turn TCS on again, press and
release the
Ybutton. The traction
off light
idisplayed in the
instrument cluster will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
the
Ybutton is pressed, the
system will not turn off until the
wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold the
Ybutton 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 5-49.
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Black plate (45,1)Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7695154) -
2015 - CRC - 4/25/14
Driving and Operating 9-45
Warning (Continued)
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 5-41. 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
or if Regen on Demand paddles
are engaged. 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 (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
ACC while driving on an entrance
or exit ramp. Always be ready to
use the brakes if necessary.
{Warning
On curves, ACC may respond to
a vehicle in another lane, or may
not have time to react to a vehicle
in your lane. You could crash into
a vehicle ahead of you, or lose
control of your vehicle. Give extra
attention in curves and be ready
to use the brakes if necessary.
Select an appropriate speed while
driving in curves.
ACC may operate differently in a
sharp curve. It may reduce the
vehicle speed if the curve is too
sharp.
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