2018 CADILLAC CTS ABS

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
204 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 131. 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.
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

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
206 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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
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 willautomatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake pedal
pressure is quickly decreased.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
Hill Start Assist (HSA) will activate
when the vehicle is stopped on a
moderate to steep grade to help
prevent it from rolling in the
unintended direction.
After the brake pedal has been
released and before the accelerator
pedal has been pressed, HSA uses
braking pressure to hold the vehicle
stationary.
If HSA is holding the vehicle, a DIC
message displays.
The vehicle will roll if in a drive gear
and facing downhill, or in R (Reverse)
and facing uphill.
Once HSA is active it will hold the
vehicle, unless the driver door is
opened or the driver seat belt is
unbuckled prior to releasing the brake
pedal.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control
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, the system brakes the
spinning wheel(s) and/or reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the
computer senses a difference 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
intended direction.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 241
V2V does not automatically brake or
steer the vehicle.
{Warning
V2V features work only when other
nearby vehicles equipped with V2V
are detected and communications
are received. V2V may not detect
other V2V-equipped vehicles or
receive communications under
certain conditions, including
around tall buildings; in parking
garages; around airports; in tunnels
and underpasses; in an area with
very dense trees; or where the roof
antenna is blocked by objects such
as roof carriers, snow or ice.
Communication failures or delays
can occur and may not provide
notice sufficiently in advance to
help avoid a crash, or may not
provide any notices at all. Pay
attention to the road and operation
of the vehicle at all times and be
ready to take action and apply the
brakes. SeeDefensive Driving 0178.
{Warning
V2V does not detect or warn of
pedestrians, animals, signs,
guardrails, bridges, construction
barrels, or other objects.
Under certain conditions, V2V can
notify of situations that are beyond
line-of-sight. It is important to
understand the feature operation to be
prepared when events that may not be
seen immediately are detected.
Even if the V2V features are turned off
through vehicle personalization,
information from the vehicle is sent to
other vehicles equipped with V2V.
Other vehicles equipped with V2V may
be alerted to certain events involving
your vehicle, such as hard braking;
activation of hazard warning flashers;
an airbag deployment; or a
StabiliTrak, Traction Control,
or Antilock Brake System (ABS) event.
V2V communications are not stored
by the vehicle and cannot be used to
identify owners or occupants or to
later track the vehicle’s location. Unnecessary Alerts
V2V features may provide alerts to
driving situations that are too early or
unnecessary. These alerts are normal
operation and the vehicle does not
need service.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
If this message displays, V2V features
may need service. Do not use them.
Take the vehicle to your dealer.
V2V Hard Braking Ahead
When the vehicle is traveling above
40 km/h (25 mph), V2V may detect
when a V2V-equipped vehicle ahead is
braking hard. Under these conditions,
V2V may display a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message and icon.
If equipped, a red flashing alert on the
windshield may also occur.
With Head-Up Display

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
242 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Without Head-Up Display
When a detected vehicle is braking
extremely hard, rapid beeps or seat
pulses may also occur.
To enable or disable this feature, see
“Connected Vehicle Braking Alert ”
under Vehicle Personalization 0144.
V2V Disabled Vehicle Ahead
When the vehicle is traveling above
20 km/h (13 mph), V2V may detect
when a V2V-equipped vehicle ahead
has a deployed airbag. When the
vehicle is traveling above 60 km/h
(38 mph), V2V may detect when a
V2V-equipped vehicle ahead has
warning flashers active and is moving
slowly or has stopped. Under these
disabled vehicle conditions, V2V may
display the DIC message HAZARD
LIGHTS AHEAD and the estimated
distance to the vehicle. A chime or two seat pulses may also
occur.
TRAFFIC INFORMATION OFF
This message displays when the V2V
Disabled Vehicle Ahead feature has
been turned off.
To enable or disable this feature, see
“Traffic and Roadside Information
”
under Vehicle Personalization 0144.
V2V Slippery Road Ahead
When the vehicle is traveling above
32 km/h (20 mph), V2V may detect
when a V2V-equipped vehicle ahead
has a StabiliTrak, Traction Control,
or Antilock Brake System (ABS) event.
This could indicate that the road
ahead is slippery or has low traction.
Under these conditions, V2V may
display a DIC message.
TRAFFIC INFORMATION OFF
This message displays when the V2V
Slippery Road Ahead feature has been
turned off.
To enable or disable this feature, see
“Traffic and Roadside Information ”
under Vehicle Personalization 0144.
Fuel
GM recommends the use of TOP
TIER®detergent gasoline to keep the
engine cleaner and reduce engine
deposits. See www.toptiergas.com for a
list of TOP TIER detergent gasoline
marketers and applicable countries.
Do not use any fuel labeled E85 or
FlexFuel. Do not use gasoline with
ethanol levels greater than 15% by
volume.
If the vehicle has an LGX 3.6L
V6 engine, use regular unleaded
gasoline meeting ASTM specification
D4814 with a posted octane rating of

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 249
3. When the wheel chocks are inplace, release the regular brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more often
when pulling a trailer. See
Maintenance Schedule 0339. Things
that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system, and brake system. It is
a good idea to inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch
nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing (V6 Engine,
Non Twin Turbo)
Before pulling a trailer, there are three
important considerations that have to
do with weight:
.
The weight of the trailer.
. The weight of the trailer tongue.
. The total weight on your vehicle's
tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
454 kg (1,000 lb). But even that can be
too heavy.
It depends on how the rig is used. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades,
outside temperature, and how much
the vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all important. It can depend on any
special equipment on the vehicle, and
the amount of tongue weight the
vehicle can carry. See
“Weight of the
Trailer Tongue ”later in this section.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming only the driver is in the tow
vehicle and it has all the required
trailering equipment. The weight of
additional optional equipment,
passengers, and cargo in the tow
vehicle must be subtracted from the
maximum trailer weight.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or advice.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (1) of any trailer is an
important weight to measure because
it affects the total gross weight of the
vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) includes the curb weight of the
vehicle, any cargo carried in it, and
the people who will be riding in the
vehicle. If there are a lot of options,
equipment, passengers, or cargo in the
vehicle, it will reduce the tongue
weight the vehicle can carry, which
will also reduce the trailer weight the

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
VEHICLE CARE 277
The brake master cylinder reservoir is
filled with GM approved DOT 3 brake
fluid as indicated on the reservoir cap.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
0 256 for the location of the reservoir.
Checking Brake Fluid
With the vehicle in P (Park) on a level
surface, the brake fluid level should be
between the minimum and maximum
marks on the brake fluid reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down:
. Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the fluid
level goes back up.
. A fluid leak in the brake hydraulic
system. Have the brake hydraulic
system fixed. With a leak, the
brakes will not work well.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir
cap and the area around the cap
before removing it.
Do not top off the brake fluid. Adding
fluid does not correct a leak. If fluid is
added when the linings are worn,
there will be too much fluid when new brake linings are installed. Add or
remove fluid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic
system.
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You or
others could be burned, and the
vehicle could be damaged. Add
brake fluid only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning Light
0 129.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid at
the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0339. What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3 brake
fluid from a clean, sealed container.
See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0348.{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the paint
finish can be damaged. Immediately
wash off any painted surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove the
cap and do not add fluid.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
278 VEHICLE CARE
The battery is in the trunk, behind the
trim panel, on the driver side of the
vehicle. Refer to the replacement
number shown on the original battery
label when a new battery is needed.
{Warning
WARNING:Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm.
Batteries also contain other
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer. WASH
HANDS AFTER HANDLING. For
more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See California Proposition 65 Warning
0 253 and the back cover.
After a power loss, such as
disconnecting the battery or removing
the maxi fuses in the power
distribution fuse block, the following steps must be performed to calibrate
the electronic throttle control. If this
is not done, the engine will not run
properly.
1. Turn the ignition on but do not start the engine.
2. Leave the ignition on for at least three minutes so that the
electronic throttle control will
cycle and relearn its home
position.
3. Turn the ignition off.
4. Start and run the engine for at least 30 seconds.
Stop/Start System
If equipped with the Stop/Start
system, the engine will not engage
auto stop after the battery is
disconnected. After reconnecting the
battery, the vehicle must sit
untouched for four hours. See “Auto
Stop/Start ”in Starting the Engine
0 194. This vehicle has an Absorbed Glass
Mat (AGM) 12-volt battery.
Installation of a standard 12-volt
battery will result in reduced 12-volt
battery life.
When using a 12-volt battery charger
on the 12-volt AGM battery, some
chargers have an AGM battery setting
on the charger. If available, use the
AGM setting on the charger, to limit
charge voltage to 14.8 volts. Follow
the charger manufacture’s
instructions.
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode. You
can be badly hurt if you are not
careful. See
Jump Starting - North
America 0323 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the black,
negative (−) cable from the battery to
keep the battery from running down.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
VEHICLE CARE 289
RelaysUsage
24 Wiper speed
25 Engine control module
46 Rear washer
47 Front washer
54 Coolant pump
57 Low-beam headlamp relay
58 High-beam headlamp
59 Run/Crank
60 Starter 2
61 Vacuum pump
62 Starter 1
63 Air conditioning control
70 HornInstrument Panel Fuse
Block
The instrument panel fuse block is in
the end of the driver side of the
instrument panel.
To access the fuses, remove the end
panel by gently prying with a plastic
tool near each clip, beginning at the
point shown.
To install the end cover, insert the
tabs on the back of the cover into the
slots in the instrument panel at the
points shown. Align the clips with the
slots in the instrument panel, and
press the cover into place.
The vehicle may not be equipped with
all of the fuses and relays shown.