Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293089) -
2017 - crc - 6/22/16
204 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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 : 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 your transmission.
See If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0191.
N : 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.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into
a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine running
at high speed may damage the
transmission. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Be sure the engine is not running at
high speed when shifting the
vehicle. D :
This position is for normal driving.
It provides the best fuel economy.
If you need more power for passing,
and you are:
. Going less than 55 km/h (35 mph),
push the accelerator pedal about
halfway down.
. Going about 55 km/h (35 mph) or
more, push the accelerator all the
way down.
The transmission will shift down
to a lower gear and have more
power.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See “Skidding”underLoss
of Control 0184.
M : This mode can be entered with
the shift lever in the D (Drive) position
by pressing the M (Manual Mode)
button on the top of the shift lever.
M (Manual Mode) allows the driver to
select gears appropriate for current
driving conditions. M (Manual Mode)
can be exited with a second press of
the M (Manual Mode) button. See
Manual Mode 0205.
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293089) -
2017 - crc - 6/22/16
206 DRIVING AND OPERATING
climbing or descending hills, to stay in
gear longer, or to downshift for more
power or engine braking.
The transmission will only allow you
to shift into gears appropriate for the
vehicle speed and engine revolutions
per minute (rpm). The transmission
will not automatically shift to the next
lower gear if the engine rpm is too
high, nor to the next higher gear when
the maximum engine rpm is reached.
If shifting is prevented for any reason,
a SHIFT DENIED message will be
displayed in the instrument cluster.
SeeTransmission Messages 0147.
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.Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature always send
engine power to all four wheels. It is
fully automatic, and adjusts itself as
needed for road conditions.
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has an Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic
braking system that helps prevent a
braking skid.
When the vehicle begins to drive
away, ABS checks itself. A momentary
motor or clicking noise may be heard
while this test is going on, and it may
even be noticed that the brake pedal
moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning
Light 0126.
If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to avoid
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293089) -
2017 - crc - 6/22/16
DRIVING AND OPERATING 207
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 0125 and Service Electric Parking
Brake Light 0126. There are also
parking brake-related Driver
Information Center (DIC) messages.
See Brake System Messages 0138. 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-10293089) -
2017 - crc - 6/22/16
208 DRIVING AND OPERATING
2. Lift up the EPB switchmomentarily.
The red parking brake status light will
flash and then stay on once the EPB is
fully applied. If the red parking brake
status light flashes continuously, then
the EPB is only partially applied or
there is a problem with the EPB.
A DIC message will display. Release
the EPB and try to apply it again.
If the light does not come on, or keeps
flashing, have the vehicle serviced. Do
not drive the vehicle if the red parking
brake status light is flashing. See your
dealer. See Parking Brake Light 0125.
If the amber parking brake warning
light is on, lift up on the EPB switch
and hold it up. Continue to hold the
switch until the red parking brake
status light remains on. If the amber
parking brake warning light remains
on, see your dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the vehicle
is moving, the vehicle will decelerate
as long as the switch is held up. If the
switch is held up until the vehicle
comes to a stop, the EPB will remain
applied. The vehicle may automatically apply
the EPB in some situations when the
vehicle is not moving. This is normal,
and is done to periodically check the
correct operation of the EPB system.
If the EPB fails to apply, the rear
wheels should be blocked to prevent
vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Place the ignition in the ACC/ ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Push down momentarily on the EPB switch.
The EPB is released when the red
parking brake status light is off.
If the amber parking brake warning
light is on, release the EPB by pushing
down on the EPB switch and holding
it down. Continue to hold the switch
until the red parking brake status light
is off. If either light stays on after
release is attempted, see your dealer.
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.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to drive
away. Avoid rapid acceleration when
the EPB is applied, to preserve parking
brake lining life.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a brake assist feature
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle speed
in emergency driving conditions. This
feature uses the stability system
hydraulic brake control module to
supplement the power brake system
under conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293089) -
2017 - crc - 6/22/16
218 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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
0 209. If a collision alert occurs when cruise control is activated, cruise
control is disengaged. See
Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) System 0235.
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: Press to turn the system on and
off. A white indicator appears in the
instrument cluster when cruise is
turned on. +RES :
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− :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.*: Press to disengage cruise control
without erasing the set speed from
memory.
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293089) -
2017 - crc - 6/22/16
220 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase
the vehicle speed. When you take your
foot off the pedal, the vehicle will slow
down to the previously set cruise
speed. While pressing the accelerator
pedal or shortly following the release
to override cruise control, briefly
applying the SET–switch will result in
cruise control set to the current
vehicle speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work
on hills depends upon the vehicle
speed, load, and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you
might have to step on the accelerator
pedal to maintain the vehicle speed.
When going downhill, the cruise
control system may automatically
brake to slow the vehicle down (CTS
model only). Also, you may have to
brake or shift to a lower gear to keep
the vehicle speed down. If the brake
pedal is applied, cruise control
disengages. Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise
control:
.
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
. Press
*.
. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
. Press
J.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is erased
from memory if
Jis pressed or if
the ignition is turned off.
Adaptive Cruise Control
If equipped with Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC), it allows the driver to
select the cruise control set speed and
following gap. Read this entire section
before using this system. The
following gap is the following time
between your vehicle and a vehicle
detected directly ahead in your path
moving in the same direction. If no
vehicle is detected in your path, ACC
works like regular cruise control. ACC
uses camera and radar sensors. If a vehicle is detected in your path,
ACC can apply acceleration or limited,
moderate braking to maintain the
selected following gap. To disengage
ACC, apply the brake. If ACC is
controlling your vehicle speed when
the Traction Control System (TCS) or
electronic stability control system
activates, the ACC may automatically
disengage. See
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0209. When
road conditions allow ACC to be safely
used, the ACC can be turned back on.
ACC will not engage if the TCS or
electronic stability control system is
disabled.{Warning
ACC has limited braking ability and
may not have time to slow the
vehicle down enough to avoid a
collision with another vehicle you
are following. This can occur when
vehicles suddenly slow or stop
ahead, or enter your lane. Also see
“Alerting the Driver” in this section.
Complete attention is always
(Continued)
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293089) -
2017 - crc - 6/22/16
DRIVING AND OPERATING 221
Warning (Continued)
required while driving and you
should be ready to take action and
apply the brakes. SeeDefensive
Driving 0182.
{Warning
ACC will not detect or brake for
children, pedestrians, animals,
or other objects.
Do not use ACC when:
. On winding and hilly roads or
when the sensors are blocked
by snow, ice, or dirt. The
system may not detect a
vehicle ahead. Keep the entire
front of the vehicle clean.
. Visibility is low, such as in
fog, rain, or snow conditions.
ACC performance is limited
under these conditions.
. On slippery roads where fast
changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip.
J:Press to turn the system on or
off. A white cruise control indicator
comes on.
+RES : Press the control up briefly to
resume the previous set speed or to
increase vehicle speed if ACC is
already activated. 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– :Press the control down briefly
to set the speed and activate ACC or
to decrease vehicle speed if ACC is
already activated. 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.
*: Press to disengage ACC without
erasing the set speed from memory.
[: Press to select a following gap
time (or distance) setting for ACC of
Far, Medium, or Near.
Setting Adaptive Cruise Control
If the cruise control is on when not in
use, the cruise on/off control could get
pressed and cruise control could
become active when not desired. Keep
cruise control button off when cruise
is not being used.
Select the set speed desired for cruise.
This is the vehicle speed when no
vehicle is detected in its path.
ACC will not set at a speed less than
25 km/h (16 mph), although it can be
resumed when driving at lower
speeds.
To set ACC:
1. Press
J.
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293089) -
2017 - crc - 6/22/16
222 DRIVING AND OPERATING
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release the SET–control.
4. Remove foot from the accelerator.
After ACC is set, it may immediately
apply the brakes if a vehicle ahead is
detected closer than the selected
following gap.
The ACC indicator displays in the
instrument cluster and Head-Up
Display (HUD) (if equipped). When the
ACC is active, the indicator turns
green.
Be mindful of speed limits,
surrounding traffic speeds, and
weather conditions when selecting the
set speed. Resuming a Set Speed
If the ACC is set at a desired speed
and then the brakes are applied, the
ACC is disengaged without erasing the
set speed from memory.
To begin using ACC again, press +RES
up briefly. The vehicle returns to the
previous set speed.
Increasing Speed While ACC is at a
Set Speed
If ACC is already activated, do one of
the following:
.
Use the accelerator to get to the
higher speed. Press SET– down.
Release the control and the
accelerator pedal. The vehicle will
now cruise at the higher speed.
When the accelerator pedal is
pressed, ACC will not brake
because it is overridden.
A warning message will appear on
the Driver Information Center
(DIC) and the Head-Up Display
(HUD) (if equipped). See Cruise
Control Messages 0139. .
Press and hold +RES up until the
desired set speed appears on the
display, then release it.
. To increase vehicle speed in small
increments, press +RES up to the
first detent. For each press, the
vehicle goes 1 km/h (1 mph)
faster.
. To increase vehicle speed in larger
increments, press +RES up to the
second detent. For each press, the
vehicle speed increases to the next
5 km/h (5 mph) mark on the
speedometer.
When it is determined that there is no
vehicle ahead or the vehicle ahead is
beyond the selected following gap,
then the vehicle speed will increase to
the set speed.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster 0114.
The increment value used depends on
the units displayed.