Page 209 of 354

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
208 Driving and Operating
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak on
again, press and release the
Y
button. The traction off lightiand
StabiliTrak OFF light
gin the
instrument cluster turn off.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle's performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 250.
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 Magnetic Ride
Control, selecting the various Driver
Modes adjusts the ride of the vehicle to enhance the ride
performance for the road conditions
and the selected mode.
While in the Sport and/or Track
Modes, the vehicle monitors driving
behavior and automatically enables
Performance Shift Features when
spirited driving is detected. These
features maintain lower
transmission gears to increase
available engine braking and
improve acceleration response. The
vehicle will exit these features and
return to normal operation after a
short period when no spirited driving
is detected.Driver Mode Control Switch
The Driver Mode Control has three
or four modes: Tour, Sport, Snow/
Ice, and Track. The Track Mode is
for V-Series models only. Press
«
orzon the MODE switch on the
center console to make a mode
selection. The first press of the
switch will show the current mode.
Subsequent presses will scroll
though the available modes. The
Tour and Sport Modes will feel
similar on a smooth road. Select a
new setting whenever driving
conditions change.
Page 210 of 354

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Driving and Operating 209
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).
Competitive Driving Mode can be
accessed through this mode.
Snow/Ice Mode
Use when more traction is needed
during slippery conditions.
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, seeIf the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0189.
Track Mode (V-Series Only)
Use when maximum vehicle
handling is desired.
When selected, the Track Mode
indicator will display in the DIC.
When in Track Mode, the automatic
transmission and steering will
function similar to Sport Mode. The
accelerator pedal is adjusted to give
maximum control during the highest
level of spirited driving. The
Magnetic Ride Control will be set to
the optimum level for vehicle
responsiveness. Competitive Driving
Mode or PTM can be accessed
through this mode.
There are seven attributes that vary
by mode shown below. Not all
vehicles have all features,
depending on the vehicle options.
Page 211 of 354

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
210 Driving and Operating
Modes:TOUR
Default SPORT SNOW/ICE TRACK
Throttle Progression NormalSportNormal Sport/Track
Transmission Shift Mode NormalSportNormal Track
Steering (Assist Effort) Comfort Sport Comfort Track
Magnetic Ride Control (if equipped) TourSport TourTrack
Launch Control NANANAAvailable
Stability Control Normal Normal Normal Track
Performance Traction Management (if
equipped) Off
OffOffAvailable
Driver Mode Selector Attributes
Affected
The Gauge Cluster Display is
configured for each mode when
linked (default):
Throttle Progression
Adjusts throttle sensitivity by
selecting how quick or slow the
throttle reacts to input. .
Snow/Ice - The accelerator
pedal will reduce engine torque
at small pedal inputs. This
allows better wheel control on
slippery surfaces.
. Track - The accelerator pedal is
adjusted to give maximum
control during the highest level
of spirited driving.
Transmission Shift Mode
. Sport or Track –Performance
Mode Lift Foot (PMLF) allows
the transmission to hold the current gear after a quick
release of a heavily applied
accelerator pedal. This provides
greater engine braking and
enhanced vehicle control without
using the paddles. Performance
Algorithm Shift (PAS) recognizes
aggressive cornering, heavy
braking, and high acceleration to
select and hold lower gears
when not using paddles. The
shifts are also firmer to increase
the quickness of shifting.
Page 212 of 354

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Driving and Operating 211
.Snow/Ice –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. The
transmission will also shift
differently to assist in
maintaining traction.
Steering (Assist Effort)
Adjusts from a lighter steering feel
in Tour mode to reduced assist in
Sport and Track mode for more
steering feel.
Magnetic Ride Control (if
equipped)
Adjusts the shock dampening
firmness from a comfort tune in Tour
mode to an optimized
responsiveness tune in Sport and
Track.
Launch Control
Available only in Track mode for
maximum “off-the-line” acceleration
when in Competitive Driving Mode
or PTM. Stability Control
.
Competitive mode allows less
computer control to permit some
slide and drift and is selected
with the button –only available
in Track mode.
. StabiliTrak can be turned off by
pressing and holding the button
for five seconds.
PTM (Performance Traction
Management) (if equipped)
. Available in Track Mode.
. There are five selectable
settings.
Competitive Driving Mode
(V-Series Only)
To select this optional handling
mode, press the
Ybutton quickly
two times and the DIC will display
the appropriate message. While in
the Competitive Driving Mode, the
traction off light
iand StabiliTrak
OFF light
gwill come on in the
instrument cluster. TCS does not
limit wheel spin, the Electronic Limited-Slip Differential (ELSD)
allows increased vehicle agility, and
more effort is required to turn the
steering wheel. See
“Limited-Slip
Differential (V-Series Only)” later in
this section. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
Press the
Ybutton again, or turn
the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY
and restart the vehicle, to turn TCS
back on. The traction off light
iand
StabiliTrak OFF light
gwill go out in
the instrument cluster.
Caution
When traction control is turned
off, or Competitive Driving Mode
is active, it is possible to lose
traction.
Performance Traction
Management (V-Series Only)
Performance Traction Management
(PTM) integrates the Traction
Control, StabiliTrak, and Selective
Ride Control systems to provide
improved and consistent
Page 213 of 354

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
212 Driving and Operating
performance when cornering. The
amount of available engine power is
based on the mode selected, track
conditions, driver skill, and the
radius of each corner.
This light is on when the vehicle is
in the PTM mode.
To select this optional handling
mode, the vehicle mode must be
Track. Then quickly press the TCS/
StabiliTrak
Ybutton on the center
console two times. PERF TRAC 1 -
WET ACTIVE HANDLING ON
displays in the DIC.
When PTM is active, the up and
down buttons will no longer change
Drive Modes, but instead change
PTM modes.
To select a mode while in PTM,
press the Driver Mode Control/PTM
buttons on the center console. To experience the performance
benefit of this system, after entering
a curve and at the point where
normal acceleration occurs, fully
push the accelerator pedal. The
PTM system will modify the level of
engine power for a smooth and
consistent corner exit.
The PTM system contains five
modes. These modes are selected
by pressing the Driver Mode
Control/PTM buttons on the center
console. Scroll up or down through
modes 1–5 by pressing the MODE
SELECT up and down buttons The
following is a DIC display
description and the recommended
usage of each mode:
PERF TRAC 1
–WET ACTIVE
HANDLING ON
. Intended for all driver skill levels.
. Wet or damp conditions only —
not intended for use in heavy
rain or standing water.
. StabiliTrak is on and engine
power is reduced based on
conditions.
PERF TRAC 2 –DRY ACTIVE
HANDLING ON
. For use by less experienced
drivers or while learning a new
track.
. Dry conditions only.
. StabiliTrak is on and engine
power is slightly reduced.
PERF TRAC 3 –SPORT
ACTIVE HANDLING ON
. For use by drivers who are
familiar with the track.
. Dry conditions only.
. Requires more driving skill than
mode 2.
. StabiliTrak is on and more
engine power is available than in
mode 2.
PERF TRAC 4 –SPORT
ACTIVE HANDLING OFF
. For use by drivers who are
familiar with the track.
. Dry conditions only.
. Requires more driving skill than
modes 2 or 3.
Page 214 of 354

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Driving and Operating 213
.StabiliTrak is off and available
engine power is the same as
mode 3.
PERF TRAC 5 –RACE ACTIVE
HANDLING OFF
. For use by experienced drivers
who are familiar with the track.
. Dry conditions only.
. Requires more driving skill than
in other modes.
. StabiliTrak is off and engine
power is available for maximum
cornering speed.
Press and release the TCS/
StabiliTrak
Ybutton to turn off
PTM and return to the traction
control and StabiliTrak systems. The
traction off light
iand StabiliTrak
OFF light
gwill go out.
Launch Control (V-Series Only)
A Launch Control feature is
available, within Competitive Driving
Mode or Performance Traction
Management (V-Series), to allow the
driver to achieve high levels of
vehicle acceleration in a straight line. Launch Control is a form of
traction control that manages tire
spin while launching the vehicle.
This feature is intended for use
during closed course race events
where consistent zero to
60 and quarter mile times are
desirable.
Launch Control is only available
when the following criteria are met:
.
Competitive Driving Mode is
selected or any of the
Performance Traction
Management modes are
selected (V-Series). The TCS
light comes on the instrument
panel and the appropriate DIC
message displays.
. The vehicle is not moving.
. The steering wheel is pointing
straight.
. The brake pedal must be firmly
pressed to the floor, equivalent
to a panic brake event.
. The accelerator pedal is rapidly
applied to wide open throttle. (If
the vehicle rolls due to wide
open throttle, release the throttle, press the brake pedal
more firmly, and re-apply the
accelerator to wide open
throttle.)
The Launch Control feature will
initially limit engine speed as the
driver rapidly applies the accelerator
pedal to wide open throttle. Allow
the engine rpm to stabilize.
A smooth, quick release of the
brake pedal, while maintaining the
fully pressed accelerator pedal, will
manage wheel slip.
After the vehicle is launched, the
system continues in Competitive
Driving Mode or Performance
Traction Management (V-Series).
Competitive Driving Mode, PTM,
and Launch Control are systems
designed for a closed course race
track and not intended for use on
public roads. The systems are not
intended to compensate for lack of
driver experience or familiarity with
the race track.
Page 215 of 354

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
214 Driving and Operating
Limited-Slip Differential
(Except V-Series)
If equipped, the mechanical
limited-slip differential can give more
traction on snow, mud, ice, sand,
or gravel. It works like a standard
axle most of the time, but when
traction is low, this feature allows
the drive wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle. For
vehicles with limited slip differential,
driven under severe conditions, the
rear axle fluid should be changed.
SeeCompetitive Driving Mode
(V-Series Only) 0211 and
Maintenance Schedule 0329.
Limited-Slip Differential
(V-Series Only)
If equipped, the Electronic
Limited-Slip Differential (ELSD) is
automatically activated. ELSD
actively monitors vehicle sensors
and driver inputs to determine the
amount of change for the
conditions. With ELSD, the
vehicle has:
.
Enhanced high-speed control. .
Improved traction through
corners, allowing more
acceleration.
. More precise steering.
. Increased vehicle agility.
. Integration with StabiliTrak.
For vehicles with ELSD, driven
under severe conditions, the rear
axle fluid should be changed. See
Competitive Driving Mode (V-Series
Only) 0211 and Maintenance
Schedule 0329.
Cruise Control
{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.
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).
If the StabiliTrak
®system begins to
limit wheel spin while using cruise
control, the cruise control
automatically disengages. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0206. If a collision alert
Page 216 of 354

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Driving and Operating 215
occurs when cruise control is
activated, cruise control is
disengaged. SeeForward Collision
Alert (FCA) System 0232. When
road conditions allow the cruise
control to be safely used, cruise
control can be turned back on.
If the brakes are applied, the cruise
control disengages.
J(On/Off) : Press to turn the
system on and off. A white 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 to that speed or press and
hold to accelerate. If the cruise
control is already active, use to
increase vehicle speed. To increase
speed by 1 km/h (1 mph), press
+RES up to the first detent. To
increase speed to the next 5 km/h
(5 mph) mark on the speedometer,
press +RES up to the second
detent.
SET− (Set/Coast) : Press the
control down briefly to SET− 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 the
Jbutton is on when not in
use, SET− or +RES could get
pressed and go into cruise when not
desired. Keep the
Jbutton off
when cruise is not being used.
1. Press
J.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release SET−.
4. Remove foot from the accelerator.
When the cruise control has been
set to the desired speed, a green
cruise control indicator appears 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.