
Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
Driving and Operating 179
3. Turn the steering wheel to gostraight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not
rolling.
. Steering or Cornering Skid —
too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force.
. Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
. Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go. The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
. Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues —such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.
. Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Track Events and
Competitive Driving
Competitive driving may affect the
vehicle warranty. See the warranty
manual before using the vehicle for
competitive driving.
Caution
Low oil levels can damage the
engine. If using the vehicle for
competitive driving, the engine
may use more oil than it would
with normal use. Check the oil
level often during competitive
driving.
Engine Oil
2.0L Turbo (LTG) Engine Only:
. Keep the level at or near 1 L (1
qt) above the upper mark that
shows the proper operating
range on the engine oil dipstick.
. Use a 600 W fan in addition to
the production option V03.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
182 Driving and Operating
Caution
During a first time track or racing
event, high axle temperatures can
occur. Damage could be caused
to the axle and would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Do not drive as long or as fast the
first time the vehicle is driven on
the track or raced.
. The axle lubricant should be
replaced with new lubricant.
. Additional cooling capacity is
also required for continuous
competitive driving.
Track Battery
If equipped, this is a lightweight, low
power battery for track use only.
Remove after each event.
Only use this battery when
temperatures are above freezing.
Store in a cool, dry location. Charge
periodically to keep the state of
charge from getting too low.
A battery tender can be used. When installing or removing the
track battery, steps must be followed
to calibrate the electronic throttle
control. See
Battery0268.
Wheel Alignment (V-Series Only)
Wheel alignment suggested specs
for track use:
. Front: -2.0 deg camber, 0.2 deg
total toe
. Rear: -1.7 deg camber, 0.2 deg
total toe
V-Series Vehicles Equipped
with the Original Equipment
Tires
Follow the requirements and
recommendations for tire inflation
pressures while driving on various
types of tracks/courses. This helps
to achieve a well-balanced vehicle
and enhance tire traction
performance.
Use good judgment to determine the
appropriate tire inflation pressure
and speeds for the track/course
configuration and environmental conditions. Contact the tire
manufacturer if further assistance is
needed.
To maximize tire life, drive 800 km
(500 mi) prior to racetrack driving or
complete the minimum track running
that will increase the tire pressures
by 35 kPa (5 psi). After this,
immediately let the tires cool to cold
pressures.
Tire Inflation Pressure
Guidelines
Tire inflation pressures affect
vehicle handling and tire life, and
should be adjusted for various types
of tracks/courses.
Inspect the tires prior to every track/
course session. Track/course
driving will reduce the tire tread life.
Driving and Operating
{Warning
Operating the vehicle at high
speeds can be dangerous.
Improper tire inflation pressure
(Continued)

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
Driving and Operating 185
Warning (Continued)
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.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
. Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident). .
Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0205.
. Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves vehicle stability during
hard stops, but the brakes
should be applied sooner than when on dry pavement. See
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)
0201.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise
clear roads in shaded areas.
The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear.
Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
. Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby. To get
help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
186 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side
that is away from the wind,
to bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0197.
To save fuel, run the engine for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to
signal for help with the headlamps.
Do this as little as possible, to
save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method. See
Traction
Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0205.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a low
forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
Driving and Operating 187
gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing the Vehicle 0310.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it may
properly carry: the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
reduce stopping distance,
damage the tires, and shorten
the life of the vehicle. Tire and Loading Information
Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Tire and
Loading Information label is
attached to the vehicle's center
pillar (B-pillar). The Tire and
Loading Information label shows
the number of occupant seating
positions (1), and the maximum
vehicle capacity weight (2) in
kilograms and pounds.
The Tire and Loading
Information label also shows the
tire size of the original

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
198 Driving and Operating
Automatic
Transmission
P (Park) :This position locks the
rear wheels. Use this position when
starting the engine 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.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine 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).
SeeShifting Into Park 0195 and
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0238.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an electronic shift
lock release system. Fully apply the
regular brakes first and then press
the shift lever button before shifting
from P (Park) with the ignition in ON/
RUN/START. If you cannot shift out
of P (Park), ease pressure on the
shift lever and 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 0196.
Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving forward could
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
R (Reverse) : Use this gear to
back up.
At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse)
can be used to rock the vehicle
back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging the
transmission. See If the Vehicle Is
Stuck 0186.
N (Neutral) : In this position, the
engine does not connect with the
wheels. To restart when the vehicle
is already moving, use N (Neutral)
only. You can also use N (Neutral)
when the vehicle is being towed.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
200 Driving and Operating
Manual Mode
Driver Shift Control (DSC)Caution
Driving with the engine at a high
rpm without upshifting while using
Driver Shift Control (DSC), could
damage the vehicle. Always
upshift when necessary while
using DSC.
Vehicles with DSC may either use
the shift lever or the tap shift
controls on the back of the steering
wheel (if equipped) to manually shift
the automatic transmission.
To use DSC using the shift lever:1. Move the shift lever to the left from D (Drive) to M (Manual
Mode). The transmission will
be in Manual Mode and will
hold the current gear.
2. Move the shift lever forward to upshift or rearward to
downshift.
3. To cancel DSC, move the shift lever back to D (Drive).Tap Shift
If equipped, the tap shift controls
are on the back of the steering
wheel.
To use DSC using the tap shift
controls:
1. Move the shift lever to the left from D (Drive) to M (Manual
Mode). The transmission will
be in Manual Mode and will
hold the current gear.
2. Pull the control toward you to shift. Pull the left control to
(−) downshift, and the right
control to (+) upshift.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369639) -
2016 - crc - 12/9/15
202 Driving and Operating
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses the wheels are
slowing down. If one of the wheels
is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at
each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You may hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate. This is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows you to steer and brake
at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Parking Brake (Manual)
To set the parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down, then
push the parking brake pedal down.
If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning
Light 0120.
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.
To release the parking brake, hold
the regular brake pedal down, then
push down momentarily on the
parking brake pedal until you feel
the pedal release. Slowly pull your
foot up off the parking brake pedal.
If the parking brake is not released
when you begin to drive, the brake
system warning light will be on and
a chime will sound warning you that
the parking brake is still on.