Black plate (36,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707485) -
2015 - CRC - 10/31/14
5-36 Instruments and Controls
Battery Voltage and
Charging Messages
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the
vehicle has detected that the battery
voltage is dropping beyond a
reasonable point. The battery saver
system starts reducing features of
the vehicle that may be noticed. At
the point that features are disabled,
this message displays. Turn off
unnecessary accessories to allow
the battery to recharge.
LOW BATTERY
This message is displayed when the
battery voltage is low. SeeBattery
on page 10-24.
SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM
This message is displayed when
there is a fault in the battery
charging system. Take the vehicle to
your dealer for service.
TRANSPORT MODE ON
This message is displayed when the
vehicle is in transport mode. Some
features can be disabled while in
this mode, including Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE), remote start,
and the vehicle alarm system. Take
the vehicle to your dealer for service
to turn transport mode off.
Brake System Messages
BRAKE FLUID LOW
This message is displayed when the
brake fluid level is low. See Brake
Fluid on page 10-23.
BRAKES OVERHEATED
This message is displayed when the
brakes are becoming overheated.
This may be seen when driving on
hills. Shift to a lower gear.
STEP ON BRAKE TO
RELEASE PARK BRAKE
This message is displayed if you
attempt to release the Electric
Parking Brake without the brake
pedal applied. See Electric Parking
Brake on page 9-27.
RELEASE PARKING BRAKE
This message is displayed if the
Electric Parking Brake is on while
the vehicle is in motion. See Electric
Parking Brake on page 9-27.
SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST
This message may be displayed
when there is a problem with the
brake boost assist system. The
brake boost assist motor may be
heard and brake pedal pulsation
may be felt. This is normal under
these conditions. Take the vehicle to
your dealer for service.
Black plate (4,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707485) -
2015 - CRC - 10/31/14
9-4 Driving and Operating
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
If the vehicle has electric power
steering it does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time, power
assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See specific vehicle steering
messages under
Vehicle Messages
on page 5-35.Variable Effort Steering
Some vehicles have a steering
system that varies the amount of
effort required to steer the vehicle in
relation to the speed of the vehicle.
The amount of steering effort
required is less at slower speeds to
make the vehicle more
maneuverable and easier to park. At
faster speeds, the steering effort increases to provide a sport-like feel
to the steering. This provides
maximum control and stability.
If the vehicle seems harder to steer
than normal when parking or driving
slowly, there may be a problem with
the system. You will still have power
steering, but steering will be stiffer
than normal at slow speeds. See
your dealer for service.
Hydraulic Power Steering
If the vehicle has hydraulic power
steering, it may require
maintenance. See
Power Steering
Fluid (LF3 and LFX with AWD) on
page 10-21 orPower Steering Fluid
(LFX with FWD) on page 10-21.
If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or a
system malfunction, the vehicle can
be steered but may require
increased effort. See your dealer if
there is a problem.
Black plate (7,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707485) -
2015 - CRC - 10/31/14
Driving and Operating 9-7
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper
tread depth. SeeTires on
page 10-38.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
.Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
.Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(stalled car, accident).
Black plate (66,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707485) -
2015 - CRC - 10/31/14
9-66 Driving and Operating
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil 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 may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
automatic transmission in P (Park)
for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, seeEngine Overheating
on page 10-19.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 regular brakes
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.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
7. 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
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11-4. Things that are
especially important in trailer
operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
Black plate (1,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707485) -
2015 - CRC - 10/31/14
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-11
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-13
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-19 Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Power Steering Fluid (LF3 and LFX
with AWD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Power Steering Fluid (LFX with FWD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-25
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-26
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Windshield Replacement . . . 10-27
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-29
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-40
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Black plate (3,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707485) -
2015 - CRC - 10/31/14
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 3-36.
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 13-10.
Black plate (6,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707485) -
2015 - CRC - 10/31/14
10-6 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10-13.
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Under Engine Cover) (If
Equipped). See Power Steering
Fluid (LF3 and LFX with AWD)
on page 10-21 orPower
Steering Fluid (LFX with FWD)
on page 10-21.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10-9.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See Engine Oil on
page 10-9. 5.
Engine Cover on page 10-8.
6. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System on
page 10-14.
7. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes on page 10-22.
8. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10-16.
9. Battery on page 10-24 (Battery
Cover not Shown). 10. Remote Positive (+) Terminal
(Battery Cover not Shown).
SeeJump Starting on
page 10-75.
11. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10-31.
12. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View). See Jump
Starting on page 10-75.
13. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
on page 10-22.
Black plate (8,1)Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707485) -
2015 - CRC - 10/31/14
10-8 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10-13.
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Under Engine Cover). See
Power Steering Fluid (LF3 and
LFX with AWD) on page 10-21
orPower Steering Fluid (LFX
with FWD) on page 10-21.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10-9.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10-9.
5. Engine Cover on page 10-8.
6. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System on
page 10-14.
7. Charged Air Coolant Reservoir and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10-16.
8. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes on page 10-22.
9. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10-16. 10.
Battery on page 10-24 (Battery
Cover not Shown).
11. Remote Positive (+) Terminal (Battery Cover not Shown).
SeeJump Starting on
page 10-75.
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10-31.
13. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
on page 10-22.
14. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View). See Jump
Starting on page 10-75.Engine Cover
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Engine Oil Fill Cap
2. Engine Cover Bolt
3. Engine Cover