
Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
242 Driving and Operating
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (1) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle.
If there are a lot of options,
equipment, passengers, or cargo in
the vehicle, it will reduce the tongue
weight the vehicle can carry, which
will also reduce the trailer weight the
vehicle can tow. If towing a trailer,
the tongue load must be added to
the GVW because the vehicle will
be carrying that weight, too. See
Vehicle Load Limits0187.
The trailer tongue (1) should weigh
10 to 15 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight (2).
After loading the trailer, weigh the
trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's
Tires
Be sure the vehicle's tires are
inflated to the upper limit for cold
tires. These numbers can be found
on the Tire and Loading Information label. See
Vehicle Load Limits
0 187. Make sure not to go over the
GVW limit for the vehicle, including
the weight of the trailer tongue.
Towing Equipment
Hitches
Use the correct hitch equipment.
See your dealer or a hitch dealer for
assistance.
. The rear bumper on the vehicle
is not intended for hitches. Do
not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use
only a frame-mounted hitch that
does not attach to the bumper.
. Will any holes be made in the
body of the vehicle when the
trailer hitch is installed? If so,
seal the holes when the hitch is
removed. If the holes are not
sealed, dirt, water, and deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) from the
exhaust can get into the vehicle.
See Engine Exhaust 0197.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
Vehicle Care 245
Jump Starting
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine parts and trained and
supported service people.
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 and
handling, 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 suspension components
caused by modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will not be
covered by the 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 081.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
310 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
vehicle. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always connect and remove the
jumper cables in the correct order,
making sure that the cables do
not touch each other or other
metal.
Jumper Cable Removal
Reverse the sequence exactly when
removing the jumper cables.
After starting the disabled vehicle
and removing the jumper cables,
allow it to idle for several minutes.
Towing the Vehicle
Caution
Incorrectly towing a disabled
vehicle may cause damage. The
damage would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Do not lash or hook to
suspension components. Use the
proper straps around the tires to
secure the vehicle.
Have the vehicle towed on a flatbed
car carrier. A wheel lift tow truck
could damage the vehicle.
Due to low ramp angles on the
V-Series only, use care when
loading the vehicle onto a flatbed
carrier. Front spring spacers were
provided for lifting the front
suspension if more clearance is
necessary when towing.
Consult your dealer or a
professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed.
Use the tow eye for towing a
disabled vehicle or loading it onto a
flatbed car carrier. The tow eye
should not be used to recover a
vehicle from an off road situation.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
Vehicle Care 311
Caution
Improper use of the tow eye can
cause vehicle damage. Use
caution and low speeds to
prevent damage to the vehicle.
Carefully open the cover in the
fascia by using the small notch that
conceals the tow eye socket.
Install the tow eye into the socket by
turning it clockwise until it stops.
When the tow eye is removed,
reinstall the cover with the notch in
the original position.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle, such as a motorhome. The
two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are
known as dinghy towing and dolly
towing. Dinghy towing is towing the
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground. Dolly towing is towing the vehicle with two wheels on the
ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a dolly.
Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing:
.
What is the towing capacity of
the towing vehicle? Be sure to
read the tow vehicle
manufacturer's
recommendations.
. What is the distance that will be
traveled? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
. Is the proper towing equipment
going to be used? See your
dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and
equipment recommendations.
. Is the vehicle ready to be
towed? Just as preparing the
vehicle for a long trip, make sure
the vehicle is prepared to be
towed.
Dinghy Towing

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
312 Vehicle Care
Caution
If the vehicle is towed with all four
wheels on the ground, the
drivetrain components could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not tow the vehicle
with all four wheels on the
ground.
The vehicle was not designed to be
towed with all four wheels on the
ground. If a rear-wheel-drive vehicle
must be towed, a dolly or a trailer
should be used. If an all-wheel-drive
vehicle must be towed, a trailer
should be used. See “Dolly Towing”
following.
Dolly Towing
To dolly tow a rear-wheel-drive
vehicle from the rear:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the dolly
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Put the rear wheels on the dolly.
3. Firmly set the parking brake. See Parking Brake (Manual)
0 202 orParking Brake
(Electric) 0203.
4. Put the vehicle in P (Park).
5. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the dolly. 6. Clamp the steering wheel in a
straight-ahead position with a
clamping device designed for
towing.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
Service and Maintenance 325
.Engine air cleaner filter
replacement or every 20 000 km/
12,500 Miles. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter 0258. If driving in
dusty conditions, inspect the
filter at each oil change or more
often as needed.
Every 40 000 km/25,000 Miles
. Passenger compartment air filter
replacement (or every
24 months, whichever occurs
first). More frequent replacement
may be needed if you drive in
areas with heavy traffic, areas
with poor air quality, or areas
with high dust levels.
Replacement may also be
needed if you notice reduced air
flow, windows fogging up,
or odors. Your dealer can help
you determine when it is the
right time to replace the filter.
Every 72 000 km/45,000 Miles
. Replace brake fluid (or every
three years, whichever occurs
first).
. Rear axle fluid (If equipped with
limited slip). Every 80 000 km/50,000 Miles
.
Evaporative control system
inspection. Check all fuel and
vapor lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, routing, and condition.
Every 100 000 km/60,000 Miles
(2.0L Turbo and 3.6L Twin Turbo
Engines)
. Spark plug replacement and
spark plug wire inspection. An
Emission Control Service.
Every 160 000 km/100,000 Miles
(2.5L and 3.6L Engines)
. Spark plug replacement and
spark plug wire inspection. An
Emission Control Service.
Every 240 000 km/150,000 Miles
. Engine cooling system drain and
refill (or every five years,
whichever occurs first). See
Cooling System (Engine) 0259
or Cooling System (Intercooler)
0 261. An Emission Control
Service. .
Engine drive belts inspection for
fraying, excessive cracks,
or obvious damage (or every
10 years, whichever occurs
first). Replace, if needed.
Severe Conditions Requiring
More Frequent Maintenance*
.Public service, military,
or commercial use vehicles to
include the following:
‐Ambulances, police cars and
emergency rescue vehicles.
‐ Civilian vehicles such as light
duty pick-up trucks, SUVs and
passenger cars that are used
in military applications.
‐ Recovery vehicles such as
tow trucks and flatbed single
vehicle carriers or any vehicle
that is consistently used in
towing trailers or other loads.
‐ High use commercial vehicles
such as courier delivery
vehicles, private security patrol
vehicles or any vehicles that
operate on a 24 hour basis.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
326 Service and Maintenance
‐Any vehicle consistently
operated in a high sand or
dust environment such as
those used on oil pipelines
and similar applications.
. Vehicles that are regularly used
for short trips of 6 kilometers
or less
If your vehicle has an Oil Life
Indicator, the indicator will show
you when to change the oil and
filter. Under severe conditions
the indicator may come on
before 10 000 km/6,000 mi. The
indicator won't detect dust in the
oil, so if you drive in a dusty
area you may have to change
the oil and filter sooner than
every 10 000 km/6,000 mi.
Note: All vehicles with
rear-wheel drive —change
driveline axle oil every
30 000 km/19,000 mi if vehicle is
used for towing purposes.
* Footnote: Under extreme
driving conditions listed above, it
may be necessary to replace
your spark plugs at more
frequent intervals. For further assistance in determining the
most suitable service
maintenance intervals for your
vehicle, please contact your
authorized GM Dealer.
Additional Required
Services
—Severe Service
Every 72 000 km/45,000 mi
.
Change automatic transmission
fluid and filter.
. Rear axle fluid (If equipped with
limited slip).

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
340 Index
Coolant (cont'd)Engine Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 259, 261
Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Cruise Control, Adaptive . . . . . . . . 214
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
D
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 2
Data Recorder Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 336
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Rear Seat Pass-Through . . . . . . . 64 Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 335
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 221
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Driving Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 226
Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Competitive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 27
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 184
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 186
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Track Events and Competitive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . 164, 168
E
Easy Entry Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Electrical System
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 275
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 247
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . 259, 261
Cooling System Messages . . . 134
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256