2017 CADILLAC XT5 Owners Manual

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10260744) - 2017 -
crc - 1/14/16
Driving and Operating 201
To shift into D (Drive):1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. From the center position, move the shift lever back. If the
vehicle is in P (Park) push the
shift lever unlock button while
pressing the shift lever back. D
is illuminated in red.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center
position.
To shift out of D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center
position.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See “Skidding”under
Loss of Control 0183.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.
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), pull back on the shift lever to
activate M (Manual Mode). The
M in the shift pattern will
illuminate in red, and the D will
switch to white.
2. Tap the left steering wheel control to downshift, and the
right control to upshift. To shift
to the lowest available gear,
press and hold the left control.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10260744) - 2017 -
crc - 1/14/16
202 Driving and Operating
3. To exit, pull back on the shiftlever a second time. The D in
the shift pattern will illuminate
in red, and the M will switch to
white.
With the transmission 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.
This can be used for sport driving or
when climbing or descending hills,
to stay in gear longer, or to
downshift 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 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. See
Transmission
Messages 0150.
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 can
operate in All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Mode. See Driver Mode
Control 0208.
Press MODE to activate AWD. AWD
is active in both AWD and Sport
Modes.
The AWD system delivers power to
all four wheels and the system
adjusts as needed to improve
traction.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10260744) - 2017 -
crc - 1/14/16
Driving and Operating 203
The AWD Mode will stay selected
until the mode is changed. If the
vehicle is placed in Sport Mode, see
Driver Mode Control0208.
Sport Mode is canceled with each
ignition cycle. See Driver Mode
Control 0208.
When operated in Tour Mode, the
vehicle will deliver power to the front
wheels only and may provide better
fuel economy.
If Tour Mode is selected see Driver
Mode Control 0208.Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has 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
might be heard while this test is
going on, and it might 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 0130.
If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to 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.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10260744) - 2017 -
crc - 1/14/16
204 Driving and Operating
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 Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
switch 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 when the engine
is not running.
The system has a red parking brake
status light and an amber parking
brake warning light. SeeElectric
Parking Brake Light 0129 and
Service Electric Parking Brake Light
0 129. There are also parking
brake-related Driver Information
Center (DIC) messages. See Brake
System Messages 0141. 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.
2. Press the switch momentarily. 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
Electric
Parking Brake Light 0129.
If the amber parking brake warning
light is on, hold down the EPB
switch. 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
pressed. If the switch is pressed
until the vehicle comes to a stop,
the EPB will remain applied.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10260744) - 2017 -
crc - 1/14/16
Driving and Operating 205
The EPB applies automatically
when shifting to P (Park) on a steep
incline. The EPB releases as soon
as the vehicle is shifted out of
P (Park) and the vehicle
accelerates.
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 ACC/ ACCESSORY or ON/RUN.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
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
pressing and holding the EPB
switch. 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
Avoid rapid acceleration when the
EPB is applied, to preserve parking
brake lining life.
The EPB will automatically release
when the engine is running, the
transmission is placed into gear,
and an attempt is made to drive
away by pressing the accelerator
pedal.
If parking on a hill, or if the vehicle
is pulling a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0239.
Brake Assist
The Brake Assist feature is
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
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates. The
Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10260744) - 2017 -
crc - 1/14/16
206 Driving and Operating
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
This vehicle has an 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 spin
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. On an
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle in
AWD or Sport Mode, the system will
operate if it senses that any of the
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
system senses a discrepancy
between the intended path and the direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any one
of the vehicle's brakes to help steer
the vehicle in the direction which
you are steering.
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. TCS and
StabiliTrak will automatically turn on
when cruise control is set.
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.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10260744) - 2017 -
crc - 1/14/16
Driving and Operating 207
SeeIf the Vehicle Is Stuck 0186
and “Turning the Systems Off and
On” later in this section.
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.
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
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
Y. The Traction Off lighti
displays in the instrument cluster
and the appropriate DIC message is
displayed. See Ride Control System
Messages 0147. To turn TCS on
again, press and release
Y. The
Traction Off light
idisplayed in the
instrument cluster will turn off and
the appropriate DIC message is
displayed.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin
when
Yis pressed, the system will
not turn off until the wheels stop
spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold
Yuntil the Traction
Off light
iand StabiliTrak Off
light
gcome on and stay on in the

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10260744) - 2017 -
crc - 1/14/16
208 Driving and Operating
instrument cluster. The appropriate
DIC message is displayed. See
Ride Control System Messages
0147. To turn TCS and StabiliTrak
on again, press and release
Y. The
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak
Off light
gin the instrument cluster
turn off and the appropriate DIC
message is displayed.
Adding accessories can affect
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and
Modifications 0250.
Driver Mode Control
If equipped, the Driver Mode Control
has the following modes: Tour,
Sport, All-Wheel Drive (AWD), and
Snow/Ice (Front-Wheel Drive
vehicles only). Press MODE on the
center console to make a mode
selection. The first press of the
switch will show the current mode in
the instrument cluster. Continue
pressing through the available
modes. If the vehicle is put in AWD Mode, it
will remain in AWD through future
ignition cycles, until a different mode
is selected.
If the vehicle is in Tour or Sport
Mode when the engine is turned off,
Driver Mode Control will come on in
Tour Mode at the next ignition cycle.
When AWD Mode or Sport Mode is
selected, the indicator light will
come on the AWD indicator below
the MODE switch. The indicator
light will turn off when Tour Mode is
selected. For more information on
AWD Mode, see
All-Wheel
Drive 0202.
Driver Mode Control Switch
Tour : Tour Mode operates in FWD
to improve fuel economy. Use this
mode during normal driving
operations.
Sport : Sport Mode improves
vehicle handling and acceleration
on dry pavement. When active,
Sport Mode modifies steering
efforts, transmission shifting, AWD
torque, and suspension tuning,
if equipped.
AWD : AWD Mode provides drive
torque to all four wheels. Select
AWD to improve traction and control
on slippery road surfaces, such as
gravel, sand, wet pavement, snow,