
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
202 Driving and Operating
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill
using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission.
The repair will not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes
to hold the vehicle in place.
While in Sport or Track Mode, 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. See Driver Mode
Control 0208.
Manual Mode
Tap Shift
Caution
Driving with the engine at a high
rpm without upshifting while using
Tap Shift, could damage the
vehicle. Always upshift when
necessary while using Tap Shift.
Vehicles with Tap Shift have
controls on the back of the steering
wheel to manually shift the
automatic transmission.
To enter Permanent Tap Shift Mode: 1. With the shift lever in D (Drive), press the M (Manual Mode)
button on the top of the shift
lever. While in Tap Shift Mode,
the M of the PRNDM section of
the instrument cluster will
become highlighted, and the
current gear is indicated.
2. Tap the left control to downshift, and the right control
to upshift.
3. To exit, press the M (Manual Mode) button a second time.
With the shift lever in D (Drive) and
not in Permanent Tap Shift Mode,
the tap shift controls will activate a
temporary tap manual shift mode,
allowing the transmission to be
manually shifted. Automatic shifts
return after no manual shifts have
been done for seven to 10 seconds.
The Temporary Tap Shift Mode can
also be deactivated by holding the
right upshift control briefly.
While using Tap Shift, the vehicle
will have firmer, quicker shifting. You
can use this for sport driving or

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
204 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.
Electric Parking Brake
The vehicle has an Electric Parking
Brake (EPB). The switch for the
EPB is on the instrument panel, to
the left of the steering wheel. The
EPB can always be activated, even
if the ignition is off. To prevent
draining the battery, avoid repeated
cycles of the EPB system when the
engine is not running.
The system has a red parking brake
status light and an amber parking
brake warning light. SeeParking
Brake Light 0123 andService
Electric Parking Brake Light 0123.
There are also parking brake-related
Driver Information Center (DIC)
messages. See Brake System
Messages 0136. In case of
insufficient electrical power, the EPB
cannot be applied or released.
Before leaving the vehicle, check
the red parking brake status light to
ensure that the parking brake is
applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.

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.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
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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

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
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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.

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

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
2016 - crc - 7/30/15
220 Driving and Operating
.Press and hold SET– down until
the desired lower speed is
reached, then release it.
. To decrease the vehicle speed in
smaller increments, press SET−
down to the first detent. For
each press, the vehicle goes
about 1 km/h (1 mph) slower.
. To decrease the vehicle speed in
larger increments, press SET−
down to the second detent. For
each press, the vehicle speed
decreases to the next 5 km/h
(5 mph) mark on the
speedometer.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster 0112.
The increment value used depends
on the units displayed.
Selecting the Follow Distance
When a slower moving vehicle is
detected ahead within the selected
following gap, ACC will adjust the
vehicle's speed and attempt to
maintain the follow distance gap
selected. Press[on the steering wheel to
adjust the following gap. Each press
cycles the gap button through three
settings: Far, Medium, or Near.
When pressed, the current gap
setting displays briefly on the
instrument cluster and HUD,
if equipped. Subsequent presses
cycle the gap button through three
settings: Far, Medium, or Near. The
gap setting will be maintained until it
is changed.
Since each gap setting corresponds
to a following time (Far, Medium,
or Near), the following distance will
vary based on vehicle speed. The
faster the vehicle speed, the further
back your vehicle will follow a
vehicle detected ahead. Consider
traffic and weather conditions when
selecting the following gap. The
range of selectable gaps may not be
appropriate for all drivers and
driving conditions.
Changing the gap setting
automatically changes the alert
timing sensitivity (Far, Medium, or Near) for the Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) feature. See
Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) System 0232.
Alerting the Driver
Without Head-Up Display
With Head-Up Display
If ACC is engaged, driver action
may be required when ACC cannot
apply sufficient braking because of
approaching a vehicle too rapidly.
When this condition occurs, a series
of red lights or the collision alert
symbol on the HUD, if equipped, will
flash on the windshield. Either eight
beeps will sound from the front,

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369309) -
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Driving and Operating 231
After completely passing a large
enough space bordered by two
vehicles or other objects, an audible
beep occurs and a red symbol
displays in the DIC.
APA will instruct the vehicle to stop
once a large enough space is found.
Follow the instructions in the DIC.
When instructed to drive in reverse,
shift to R (Reverse) to engage
automatic steering. The steering
wheel will briefly vibrate as a
reminder to remove hands from the
steering wheel. Check surroundings
and continue braking or accelerating
as needed, and be prepared to stop
to avoid vehicles, pedestrians,
or objects.If the vehicle is in R (Reverse), but
does not steer into the expected
space, this may be because the
system is maneuvering the vehicle
into a previously detected space.
The APA system does not need
service.
If the vehicle exceeds 10 km/h
(6 mph), APA is automatically
disengaged and automatic steering
will turn off. A DIC progress arrow
displays the status of the parking
maneuver. Depending on the space
size, additional maneuvers may be
required, and there will be additional
instructions. When changing gears,
allow the automatic steering to
complete before continuing the
parking maneuver. Upon successful
completion of a maneuver, APA will
beep and display a PARKING
COMPLETE message. Place the
vehicle in P (Park).
APA may automatically disengage if:
.
The steering wheel is used by
the driver.
. The maximum allowed speed is
exceeded. .
There is a failure with the APA
system.
. Electronic stability control or
antilock brakes are activated.
. A high priority vehicle message
is displayed in the DIC.
. An incoming call is received
through a connected phone.
Disconnect the phone from the
vehicle to prevent APA from
disengaging.
To cancel APA, press the APA
button again.
When the System Does Not Seem
to Work Properly
The APA system may require a
short period of driving along curves
to calibrate.
Assistance Systems for
Driving
If equipped, when driving the
vehicle in a forward gear, Forward
Collision Alert (FCA), Lane
Departure Warning (LDW), Lane
Keep Assist (LKA), Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA), Lane Change Alert