2018 CADILLAC CTS Climate

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
174 CLIMATE CONTROLS
Manual Operation
Fan Controls :Press or press and
hold
A yorz Aon the rear
climate controls to increase or
decrease the rear climate airf low.
M/N: Touch or pressMorNon the rear climate display or the rear
climate controls to increase or
decrease the rear passenger
temperature.
Y/[/\:TouchY,[,\on
the rear climate display or press
MODE on the rear climate controls to
change the direction of the airf low in
the rear seating area.
MorL: If equipped, pressMorLto heat the left or right outboard seat
cushion. See Heated Rear Seats 068.
Air Vents
Adjustable air vents are in the center
and on the side of the instrument
panel.
1. Thumbwheel
2. Slider Knob
Use the thumbwheels (1) near the air
vents to open or close off the airflow.
Move the slider knobs (2) to change
the direction of the airf low.
Additional air vents are beneath the
windshield and the driver and
passenger side door windows. These
are fixed and cannot be adjusted.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
CLIMATE CONTROLS 175
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves
from air inlets at the base of the
windshield that could block the
flow of air into the vehicle.
. Clear snow off the hood to
improve visibility and help
decrease moisture drawn into the
vehicle.
. Keep the path under the front
seats clear of objects to help
circulate the air inside of the
vehicle more effectively.
. Use of non-GM approved hood
deflectors can adversely affect the
performance of the system. Check
with your dealer before adding
equipment to the outside of the
vehicle.
. Do not attach any devices to the
air vent slats. This restricts airflow
and may cause damage to the air
vents.Maintenance
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter
The filter reduces dust, pollen, and
other airborne irritants from outside
air that is pulled into the vehicle. The
filter should be replaced as part of
routine scheduled maintenance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0339.
See your dealer regarding replacement
of the filter.
Service
All vehicles have a label underhood
that identifies the refrigerant used in
the vehicle. The refrigerant system
should only be serviced by trained and
certified technicians. The air
conditioning evaporator should never
be repaired or replaced by one from a
salvage vehicle. It should only be
replaced by a new evaporator to
ensure proper and safe operation. During service, all refrigerants should
be reclaimed with proper equipment.
Venting refrigerants directly to the
atmosphere is harmful to the
environment and may also create
unsafe conditions based on inhalation,
combustion, frostbite, or other
health-based concerns.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 177
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . 246
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Trailer Towing (V6 Engine, Non Twin Turbo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Trailer Towing (V6 Twin Turbo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Towing Equipment (V6 Engine, Non Twin Turbo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Towing Equipment (V6 Twin Turbo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 251
Driving Information
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and
can take your focus from the task of
driving. Exercise good judgment and
do not let other activities divert your
attention away from the road. Many
local governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep your
eyes on the road, keep your hands on
the steering wheel, and focus your
attention on driving.
. Do not use a phone in demanding
driving situations. Use a
hands-free method to place or
receive necessary phone calls.
. Watch the road. Do not read, take
notes, or look up information on
phones or other electronic devices.
. Designate a front seat passenger
to handle potential distractions. .
Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings. Program
all trip information into any
navigation device prior to driving.
. Wait until the vehicle is parked to
retrieve items that have fallen to
the floor.
. Stop or park the vehicle to tend to
children.
. Keep pets in an appropriate carrier
or restraint.
. Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 187
.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 0199.
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 0206.
{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 CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
196 DRIVING AND OPERATING
.The shift lever is in any gear other
than D (Drive).
. The battery has been recently
disconnected.
. The battery charge is low.
. The interior comfort level has not
reached the required level for the
climate control system or defog
settings. See Dual Automatic
Climate Control System 0167.
. The Auto Stop time is greater than
two minutes.The automatic engine stop/start
function can be disabled using the
switch. The indicator on the switch
will illuminate when the system is
operational.
When
hcomes on green in the
instrument cluster, the system is
active. The system is not active when
it comes on white with a slash
through it.
Engine Heater
Vehicles with the engine heater can
use this option in cold weather
conditions at or below −18 °C (0 °F) for
easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up. Plug
in the engine heater at least four
hours before starting your vehicle. An
internal thermostat in the plug-end of
the cord may exist which will prevent
engine heater operation at
temperatures above −18 °C (0 °F).
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine. 2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord. The cord is
clipped to the diagonal brace on
the passenger side of the engine
compartment.
Check the heater cord for
damage. If it is damaged, do not
use it. See your dealer for a
replacement. Inspect the cord for
damage yearly.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord or
an extension cord can damage the
cord and may result in overheating
and fire.
. Plug the cord into a
three-prong electrical utility
receptacle that is protected by
a ground fault detection
(Continued)

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 247
.Do not tow a trailer during the
first 2 414 km (1,500 mi) to
prevent damage to the engine,
axle, or other parts.
. Then during the first 800 km
(500 mi) of trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
. Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
. Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control when towing.
. The Forward Automatic Braking
System should be set to Off when
towing. See Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) 0235.
. Turn off Parking Assist when
towing.{Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of the
vehicle and enter if the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most window
is open.
When towing a trailer:
. Do not drive with the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Also adjust the climate
control system to a setting
that brings in only outside air.
See “Climate Control Systems ”
in the Index.
For more information about carbon
monoxide, see Engine Exhaust
0 199.
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. The
combination you are driving is longer and not as responsive as the vehicle
itself. Get acquainted with the
handling and braking of the rig before
setting out for the open road.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety chains,
electrical connectors, lamps, tires, and
mirrors. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start the combination moving
and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure the
brakes work.
During the trip, check occasionally to
be sure that the load is secure and the
lamps and any trailer brakes
still work.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. The combination will
not accelerate as quickly and is longer

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
276 VEHICLE CARE
heard all the time when the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will not
work well. That could lead to a
crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes. If equipped with high performance
brake linings, there could be an
increased build-up of brake dust as
well as minor noises as compared to
standard brake linings.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications 0353.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete sets.Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or if
there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign that brake
service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes may not
work properly. The braking
performance expected can change in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are installed
or parts are improperly installed.
Cold Weather Brake Operation
(CTS-V Model)
High performance brake components
may bind and clunk when moving the
vehicle. This may be noticeable after
parking when the brakes have been
wet, such as when driving in the rain
or after a car wash. This is normal for
brakes with high friction pads and
does not affect the operation of the
brakes. Apply the brakes several times
until the binding or clunking stops.
Drive the vehicle and apply the brakes
several times if it is washed before
long-term storage.
Brake Fluid

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
VEHICLE CARE 297
and compound will have decreased
performance in cold climates, and on
ice and snow. It is recommended that
winter tires be installed on the vehicle
if frequent driving at temperatures
below approximately 5 °C (40 °F) or on
ice or snow covered roads is expected.
SeeWinter Tires 0295.
Caution
High performance summer tires
have rubber compounds that lose
flexibility and may develop surface
cracks in the tread area at
temperatures below −7 °C (20 °F).
Always store high performance
summer tires indoors and at
temperatures above −7 °C (20 °F)
when not in use. If the tires have
been subjected to −7 °C (20 °F) or
less, let them warm up in a heated
space to at least 5 °C (40 °F) for
24 hours or more before being
installed or driving a vehicle on
which they are installed. Do not
apply heat or blow heated air
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
directly on the tires. Always inspect
tires before use. SeeTire Inspection
0 307.
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is
molded into its sidewall. The
examples show a typical passenger
tire sidewall.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire Example
(1) Tire Size:The tire size is a
combination of letters and
numbers used to define a
particular tire's width, height,
aspect ratio, construction type,
and service description. See the
“Tire Size ”illustration later in this
section for more detail.
(2) TPC Spec (Tire Performance
Criteria Specification)
:Original
equipment tires designed to GM's
specific tire performance criteria
have a TPC specification code
molded onto the sidewall. GM's
TPC specifications meet or exceed
all federal safety guidelines.
(3) DOT (Department of
Transportation)
:The
Department of Transportation
(DOT) code indicates that the tire
is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.