Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
176 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Track Events and CompetitiveDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 185
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Composite Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . 200
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . 204
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/ElectronicStability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Competitive Driving Mode (V-Sport Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Limited-Slip Differential . . . . . . . . . 214
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . 217
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . 225
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . 236
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . 236
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . 239
Vehicle-to-Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
California Fuel Requirements . . . . 243
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . 244
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 211
hold lower gears when not using
paddles. The shifts are also firmer to
increase the quickness of shifting.
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 (V-Series Only)
Available only in Track Mode for
maximum“off–the–line ”acceleration
when in Competitive or PTM Modes.
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.Driver Mode Customization
The Engine Sound Management,
steering, and suspension drive modes
can be set to the driver’s preference.
See “Driving Mode ”under Vehicle
Personalization 0144.
When in the Track main vehicle mode,
you cannot overwrite the Steering or
Suspension settings. These settings
are designed to interact with the
advanced functions in the Track Mode
and cannot be overwritten.
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,
select one of the three settings by
touching the infotainment display.
When in the customization screen for
each system, select one of the
available options:
. Auto (Follows the MODE switch)
. Tour
. Sport
. Track 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
(V-Sport Only)
To select this optional handling mode,
press
Yquickly two times and the
DIC will display COMPETITIVE MODE
ON. 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
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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214 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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.
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.Limited-Slip Differential
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-Sport Only) 0211 and
Maintenance Schedule 0339.
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
0 206. If a collision alert occurs when
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE 341
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services -
Normal12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi
60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi
84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi
120 000 km/75,000 mi
132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi
156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi
180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi
204 000 km/127,500 mi
216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires, if recommended for the vehicle, and
perform Required Services. Check engine oil level
and oil life percentage. Change engine oil and filter,
if needed. (1)@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace passenger compartment air filter. (2)@ @@@@@
Inspect evaporative control system. (3)@ @@
Replace engine air cleaner filter. (4)@@@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires. (2.0L
LTG and 3.6L LF3 Turbo Engines)@ @
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires. (3.6L
LGX and 6.2L LT4 Engines)@
Change rear axle fluid, if equipped with electronic
limited slip differential. (5)@@@
Change rear axle fluid, without electronic limited slip
differential. (5)@
Change transfer case fluid, if equipped with
AWD. (5)@
Drain and fill engine cooling system. (6)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (7)@
Replace brake fluid. (8)
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE 343
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services -
Severe12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi
60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi
84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi
120 000 km/75,000 mi
132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi
156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi
180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi
204 000 km/127,500 mi
216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires, if recommended for the vehicle, and
perform Required Services. Check engine oil level
and oil life percentage. Change engine oil and filter,
if needed. (1)@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace passenger compartment air filter. (2)@ @@@@@
Inspect evaporative control system. (3)@ @@
Replace engine air cleaner filter. (Except 6.2L
V8 Engine) (4)@@@
Replace engine air cleaner filter. (6.2L V8 Engine) (4)@@@@@@
2.0L LTG and 3.6L LF3 Engines: Replace spark plugs.
Inspect spark plug wires.@ @
3.6L LFX Engine Only: Replace spark plugs. Inspect
spark plug wires.@
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter.@@@
Change transfer case fluid, if equipped with
AWD. (5)@@@
Change rear axle fluid, if equipped with limited slip
differential. (5)@@@
Change rear axle fluid, without limited slip
differential. (5)@ @
Change front axle fluid, if equipped with limited slip
differential. (5)@@@
Drain and fill engine cooling system. (6)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (7)@
Replace brake fluid. (8)
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
348 SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Automatic Transmission (Except CTS-V and V-Sport) DEXRON-HP Automatic Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. 19353429, in
Canada 19353430).
Automatic Transmission (CTS-V and V-Sport Only) ATF-WS Automatic Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. 88863400, in
Canada 88863401).
Electronic Limited-Slip Differential
(eLSD) Hydraulic Apply Fluid (CTS-V and V-Sport Only) DEXRON-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL Coolant. See
Cooling System 0269.
Engine Oil Engine oil meeting the dexos1 specification of the proper SAE viscosity grade.
ACDelco dexos1 full synthetic is recommended. See Engine Oil0263.
Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch,
Pivots, Spring Anchor, and Release Pawl Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. 89021668, in Canada 89021674) or
lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 19353126, in Canada 19299819).
Key Lock Cylinders, Hood and Door Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Rear Axle/Front Axle (All-Wheel Drive) SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 88863089, in Canada 88863090) meeting GM Specification 9986285.
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SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE 349
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Rear Axle (Limited-Slip Differential) SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 88862624, in Canada 88862625) meeting GM Specification 9986290.
Rear Axle (Non-Limited Slip Differential) SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 88863089, in
Canada 88863090) meeting GM Specification 9986285.
Transfer Case (All-Wheel Drive) Transfer Case Fluid (GM Part No. 88861950, in Canada 88861951).
Weatherstrip Conditioning Weatherstrip Lubricant (GM Part No. 3634770, in Canada 10953518) or equivalent.
Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protection
requirements.
Maintenance Replacement Parts
Replacement parts identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your dealer.
Part GM Part Number ACDelco Part Number
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 2.0L L4 Engine 20857930 A3178C
3.6L V6 Engine (LGX) 20857930 A3178C
3.6L V6 Engine (LF3) 22844634 A3185C
6.2L V8 Engine (V-Series) 22935844 A3203C
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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384 INDEX
Climate Control Systems (cont'd)Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Competitive Driving Mode . . . . . . . . . 211
Composite Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant . . . . . . . 315
Connections OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Control
Traction and ElectronicStability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Coolant Engine Temperature Gauge . . . . . . 124
Engine Temperature WarningLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167, 172
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363 Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Cruise Control, Adaptive . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . . 359
Customer Information Service Publications OrderingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . . . . . 3
Data CollectionInfotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Data Recorder Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . 155
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Diagnostics OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Differential, Limited-Slip . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Door
Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Rear Seat Pass-Through . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . . . . 356
Drive Systems All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203, 279
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . 225
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Driver Mode Control Light . . . . . . . . . 133
Driving Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Competitive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 185
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179