2017 CADILLAC ATS traction control

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10287885) -
2017 - crc - 6/16/16
180 DRIVING AND OPERATING
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{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 the
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate Control
Systems.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0190.
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 0198.
{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 gears. Release
the accelerator pedal while shifting,
and press lightly on the accelerator

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10287885) -
2017 - crc - 6/16/16
194 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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.
3. To cancel DSC, move the shift lever back to D (Drive).
Tap Shift Mode can also be used
temporarily while driving in D (Drive).
Pull either the (+) upshift or
(−) downshift control.
To cancel Tap Shift Mode, hold
the (+) upshift control for two seconds.
If no action is taken, the vehicle
returns to automatic shifting after a
brief period of driving at a steady
speed, or when the vehicle comes to
a stop.
While using the DSC feature, the
vehicle will have firmer, quicker
shifting. This can be used for sport driving, climbing or descending hills,
staying in gear longer, downshifting
for more power, or engine braking.
The transmission will only allow
shifting into gears appropriate for the
vehicle speed and engine revolutions
per minute (rpm). The transmission
will not automatically shift to the next
lower or higher gear if the engine rpm
is too high or too low.
If shifting is prevented for any reason,
a DIC message will appear. See
Transmission Messages
0136.
When accelerating the vehicle from a
stop in snowy and icy conditions, it is
suggested to shift into second gear.
A higher gear allows the vehicle to
gain more traction on slippery
surfaces. See Driver Mode
Control 0199.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10287885) -
2017 - crc - 6/16/16
198 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
This vehicle has a Hill Start Assist
(HSA) feature, which may be useful
when the vehicle is stopped on a
grade sufficient enough to activate
HSA. This feature is designed to
prevent the vehicle from rolling, either
forward or rearward, during vehicle
drive off. After the driver completely
stops and holds the vehicle in a
complete standstill on a grade, HSA
will be automatically activated. During
the transition period between when
the driver releases the brake pedal and
starts to accelerate to drive off on a
grade, HSA holds the braking pressure
for a maximum of two seconds to
ensure that there is no rolling. The
brakes will automatically release when
the accelerator pedal is applied within
the two-second window. It will not
activate if the vehicle is in a drive gear
and facing downhill, or if the vehicle
is facing uphill and in R (Reverse).
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak®, an
electronic stability control system.
These systems help limit wheel slip
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any of
the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to the
spinning wheels and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the vehicle
senses a difference between the
intended path and the direction the
vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies braking
pressure to any one of the vehicle
wheel brakes to assist the driver in
keeping the vehicle on the
intended path. If cruise control is being used and
traction control or StabiliTrak begins
to limit wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road conditions
allow.
Both systems come on automatically
when the vehicle is started and begins
to move. The systems may be heard or
felt while they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This is
normal and does not mean there is a
problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary to
turn TCS off if the vehicle gets stuck
in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0180 and “Turning
the Systems Off and On ”later in this
section.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10287885) -
2017 - crc - 6/16/16
DRIVING AND OPERATING 199
The indicator light for both systems is
in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
. Flash when StabiliTrak is
activated.
. Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to indicate
that the system is inactive and is not
assisting the driver in maintaining
control. The vehicle is safe to drive,
but driving should be adjusted
accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
4. Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on and stays on, the
vehicle may need more time to
diagnose the problem. If the condition
persists, see your dealer.
Turning the Systems Off and On
Thegbutton for TCS and StabiliTrak
is on the center console (ATS) or the
steering wheel (ATS-V).
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is off.
The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displays in the instrument cluster and
the appropriate DIC message displays.
See Ride Control System
Messages 0134.
To turn TCS on again, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off. If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
g
is pressed, the system will not turn off
until the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold
guntil the Traction
Off light
iand StabiliTrak OFF light
gcome on and stay on in the
instrument cluster. The appropriate
DIC message displays. See Ride Control
System Messages 0134.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak on again,
press and release
g. The Traction Off
light
iand StabiliTrak OFF lightg
in the instrument cluster turn off.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See Accessories
and Modifications 0232.
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

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10287885) -
2017 - crc - 6/16/16
200 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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.
The Driver Mode Control has three or
four modes: Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice,
and Track (V-Series Only). Press and
release the MODE button (ATS) or
press the
yorzbutton (ATS-V) on
the center console to activate the
mode menu in the cluster. The first
press of the button 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.
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).
When in Sport or Track mode, the
vehicle will shift automatically but
may hold a lower gear longer than it
would in the normal driving mode
based on braking, throttle input, and
vehicle lateral acceleration. See
Automatic Transmission 0191. The
steering will change to provide more
precise control. If the vehicle has
Magnetic Ride Control, the suspension
will change to provide better
cornering performance.
Competitive Driving Mode can be
accessed through this mode.
Snow/Ice Mode
Use when more traction is needed
during slippery conditions. 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.
For V-Series only, Snow/Ice mode will
use a different accelerator pedal map
to optimize traction on a slippery
surface. The accelerator pedal will
reduce engine torque at small pedal
inputs. The transmission will also
shift differently to assist in
maintaining traction.
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, see
If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0180.
Track Mode (V-Series Only)
Use when maximum vehicle handling
is desired. When selected, the Track
Mode indicator will display in the DIC.
Accelerator pedal is adjusted to give
maximum control during the highest
level of spirited driving.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10287885) -
2017 - crc - 6/16/16
DRIVING AND OPERATING 201
The automatic transmission and
steering will function similar to
Sport Mode.
The Magnetic Ride Control will be set
to the optimum level for vehicle
responsiveness.
Competitive Driving Mode can be
accessed through this mode.
Use when driving on a closed race
course or drag strip.
Vehicle systems are optimized for
maximum track performance.
This mode allows entry to
Performance Traction Management
(PTM) in the Competitive
Driving Mode.
Driver Mode Customization
The Engine Sound Management,
steering, and suspension drive modes
can be set to the driver’s preference.
See“Driving Mode ”under
“Personalization Menus ”in Vehicle
Personalization 0137.
The selections made in the Driving
Mode menu overwrite the main
vehicle mode selection via the buttons
or switch on the center console. In order to customize and overwrite, the
driver select one of the three settings
by touching the infotainment display.
When in the customization screen for
each system, select one of four
options:
.
Auto (Follows the mode switch)
. Engine Sound Management
. Steering
. Suspension
The default will be to follow the
vehicle mode switch settings, but the
main vehicle mode selection for the
currently selected system can be
overwritten using this menu. The
settings selected in this menu will set
the vehicle behavior in all selected
vehicle modes, and will be retained
over each ignition cycle. They do not
have to be reset each time the vehicle
is started.
Competitive Driving Mode
(FE4 Only)
To select this optional handling mode,
press
Yquickly two times and the
DIC will display the appropriate message. While in the Competitive
Driving Mode, the traction off light
i
and StabiliTrak OFF lightgwill 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 Rear Axle
(V-Series Only)” later in this section.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
Press
Yagain, 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.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10287885) -
2017 - crc - 6/16/16
202 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Performance Traction
Management (V-Series Only)
Performance Traction Management
(PTM) integrates the Traction Control,
StabiliTrak, and Magnetic Ride
Control systems to provide improved
and consistent 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
Yon 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
button 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.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10287885) -
2017 - crc - 6/16/16
DRIVING AND OPERATING 203
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.
. 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
Yto turn off PTM
and return to the traction control and
StabiliTrak systems. The traction off
light
iand StabiliTrak OFF lightg
will go out.
Launch Control (V-Series Only)
A Launch Control feature is available,
within Competitive Driving Mode
(V-Series) 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 (V-Series) 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 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