
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349110) - 2018 - CRC - 9/28/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 189
If the pushbutton start is not working,
the vehicle may be near a strong radio
antenna signal causing interference to
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
system. SeeRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation 028.
To shift out of P (Park), the vehicle
must be turned on and the brake
pedal must be applied.
Stopping the Engine/OFF (No
Indicator Light) : When the vehicle is
stopped, press ENGINE START/STOP
once to turn the engine off.
The transmission will shift to P (Park)
automatically.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the
ignition will turn off, and Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) 0193.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the vehicle
off in an emergency.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency: 1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to a
safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and press ENGINE
START/STOP. The transmission
must be in P (Park) to turn the
ignition to the OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake 0203. If the vehicle cannot be pulled over
and must be shut off while driving,
press and hold ENGINE START/STOP
for longer than two seconds, or press
twice in five seconds.
ACC/ACCESSORY (Amber Indicator
Light) :
This mode allows you to use
some electrical accessories when the
engine is off.
With the ignition off, pressing
ENGINE START/STOP once without
the brake pedal applied will place the
ignition system in ACC/ACCESSORY.
The ignition will switch from ACC/
ACCESSORY to OFF after 10 minutes
to prevent battery rundown.
ON/RUN/START (Green Indicator
Light) : This mode is for driving and
starting. With the ignition off and the
brake pedal applied, pressing ENGINE
START/STOP once will place the
ignition system in ON/RUN/START.
Once engine cranking begins, release
the button. Engine cranking will
continue until the engine starts, the
ignition will then remain ON. See
Starting the Engine 0190.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349110) - 2018 - CRC - 9/28/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 193
Warning (Continued)
overheat and cause a fire,
property damage, electric
shock, and injury.
. Do not operate the vehicle
with the heater cord
permanently attached to the
vehicle. Possible heater cord
and thermostat damage could
occur.
. While in use, do not let the
heater cord touch vehicle
parts or sharp edges. Never
close the hood on the
heater cord.
. Before starting the vehicle,
unplug the cord, reattach the
cover to the plug, and
securely fasten the cord. Keep
the cord away from any
moving parts. 4. Before starting the engine, be
sure to unplug and store the cord
as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you
do not it could be damaged.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on several
factors. Ask a dealer in the area where
you will be parking the vehicle for the
best advice on this.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
Some vehicle accessories may be used
after the ignition is turned off.
The power windows and sunroof,
if equipped, will continue to work for
up to 10 minutes or until any door is
opened.
The infotainment system will continue
to work for 10 minutes, until the
driver door is opened, or until the
ignition is turned on or placed in
ACC/ACCESSORY.
Shifting Into Park
To shift into P (Park):
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0203.
2. Press the button on top of the shift lever to shift into P (Park).
See Automatic Transmission
0 196.
3. The P indicator on the shift lever will turn red when the vehicle is
in P (Park).
4. Turn the ignition off.
Leaving the Vehicle with the
Engine Running
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
It could overheat and catch fire. (Continued)

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349110) - 2018 - CRC - 9/28/17
194 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Warning (Continued)
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the vehicle is not in
P (Park) with the parking brake set.
The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
shift to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park 0193. If you are towing a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips 0240.
If you have to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, be sure the
vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking
brake is firmly set before you leave it.
If you are towing a trailer and parking
on a hill, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips 0240.
Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic transmission. The shift lock
release button is designed to prevent
inadvertent shifting out of P (Park)
unless the ignition is on, the brake
pedal is applied, and the shift lock
release button is pressed.
The shift lock control is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less than
9-volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. See Jump Starting - North
America 0314.
To shift out of P (Park): 1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Press ENGINE START/STOP.
3. Press the shift lock release button.
4. Move the shift lever to the desired position. 5. The P indicator will turn white
and the gear indicator on the
shift lever will turn red when the
vehicle is no longer in P (Park).
6. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
If the vehicle cannot shift from
P (Park), a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message will be
displayed. See your dealer for service.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the vehicle
and ignite. Do not park over papers,
leaves, dry grass, or other things
that can burn.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349110) - 2018 - CRC - 9/28/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 197
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the transmission is not in
P (Park) with the parking brake set.
The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If the engine has
been left running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could
be injured. To be sure the vehicle
will not move, even when on fairly
level ground, always set the parking
brake and place the transmission
into P (Park). SeeShifting Into Park
0 193 and Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips 0240.
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic transmission. The shift lock
release button is designed to prevent
inadvertent shifting out of P (Park)
unless the ignition is on, the brake
pedal is applied, and the shift lock
release button is pressed.
When the vehicle is stopped, press
ENGINE START/STOP to turn off the
vehicle. The transmission will shift to
P (Park) automatically.
The vehicle will not shift into P (Park)
if it is moving too fast. Stop the
vehicle and shift into P (Park). To shift in and out of P (Park), see
Shifting Into Park
0193 and Shifting
out of Park 0194.
Service Shift Lever Message
If the message SERVICE SHIFTER SEE
OWNER’S MANUAL appears in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), the
shift lever needs service. Have the
vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
If the vehicle is automatically shifting
into P (Park), check to see if the
P (Park) button on top of the shift
lever is stuck. To operate the vehicle,
hold the shift lever in the desired gear,
R (Reverse) or D (Drive), until vehicle
speed exceeds 15 km/h (10 mph), then
release the shift lever.
R : Use this gear to back up.
If the vehicle is shifted from either
R (Reverse) to D (Drive), or D (Drive)
to R (Reverse) while the speed is too
high, the vehicle will shift to
N (Neutral). Reduce the vehicle speed
and try the shift again.
To shift into R (Reverse): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349110) - 2018 - CRC - 9/28/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 203
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 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
Yor PARK
Electric Parking Brake light, and a
8
Service Parking Brake light. See
Electric Parking Brake Light 0135 and
Service Electric Parking Brake Light
0 136.
Before leaving the vehicle, check for
the
Yor PARK 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 EPB switch momentarily.
The
Yor PARK light will flash and
then stay on once the EPB is fully
applied. If the
Yor PARK 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
Yor PARK light is
flashing. See your dealer. See Electric
Parking Brake Light 0135.
If the
8light is on, press the EPB
switch and hold it. Continue to hold
the switch until the
Yor PARK light
remains on. If the
8light 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.
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, block the rear
wheels to prevent vehicle movement.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349110) - 2018 - CRC - 9/28/17
204 DRIVING AND OPERATING
EPB Release
To release the EPB:1. Turn the ignition on or to ACC/ ACCESSORY.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
The EPB is released when the
Yor
PARK light is off.
If the
8light is on, release the EPB by
pressing and holding the EPB switch.
Continue to hold the switch until
the
Yor PARK 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.
If parking on a hill, or if the vehicle is
pulling a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips 0240.
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.
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 an
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. HSA will not activate in a
forward drive gear when facing
downhill, or in R (Reverse) when
facing uphill.
Select the duration of the HSA feature
through vehicle personalization. See
”Extended Hill Start Assist
”under
“Comfort and Convenience ”in Vehicle
Personalization 0148. When Standard
Hold is selected, the vehicle is held

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349110) - 2018 - CRC - 9/28/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 205
stationary for up to two seconds after
the brake pedal is released. When
Extended Hold is selected, the vehicle
is held stationary for up to
five minutes after the brake pedal is
released. In either case, override the
hold feature by pressing the
accelerator pedal and attempting to
drive away.
If Standard Hold is selected, it will
hold the vehicle for two seconds
unless the driver door is opened or
the driver seat belt is unbuckled after
releasing the brake pedal. If Extended
Hold is selected, it will hold the
vehicle for five minutes unless the
driver door is opened and the driver
seat belt is unbuckled prior to
releasing the brake pedal. When
deactivated after five minutes, or if it
is deactivated when the driver seat
belt is unlatched or the driver door is
opened, the Electric Parking Brake will
engage to prevent vehicle movement.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. See
If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0184 and “Turning
the Systems Off and On ”later in this
section.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349110) - 2018 - CRC - 9/28/17
216 DRIVING AND OPERATING
feel or sound different than if the
brakes were applied manually. This is
normal.
Stationary or Very Slow-Moving
Objects
{Warning
ACC may not detect and react to
stopped or slow-moving vehicles
ahead of you. For example, the
system may not brake for a vehicle
it has never detected moving. This
can occur in stop-and-go traffic or
when a vehicle suddenly appears
due to a vehicle ahead changing
lanes. Your vehicle may not stop
and could cause a crash. Use
caution when using ACC. Your
complete attention is always
required while driving and you
should be ready to take action and
apply the brakes.ACC Automatically Disengages
ACC may automatically disengage and
the driver will need to manually apply
the brakes to slow the vehicle when:
.
The sensors are blocked.
. The Traction Control System (TCS)
or electronic stability control
system has activated or been
disabled.
. There is a fault in the system.
. The radar falsely reports blockage
when driving in a desert or remote
area with no other vehicles or
roadside objects. A DIC message
may display to indicate that ACC
is temporarily unavailable.
The ACC indicator will turn white
when ACC is no longer active.
Notification to Resume ACC
ACC will maintain a follow gap behind
a detected vehicle and slow your
vehicle to a stop behind that vehicle.
If the stopped vehicle ahead has
driven away and ACC has not
resumed, the vehicle ahead indicator
will flash as a reminder to check traffic ahead before proceeding. In
addition, the left and right sides of the
Safety Alert Seat will pulse three
times, or three beeps will sound. See
”Alert Type
”and “Adaptive Cruise Go
Notifier” in“Collision/Detection
Systems” underVehicle Personalization
0 148.
When the vehicle ahead drives away,
press RES+ or the accelerator pedal to
resume cruise control. If stopped for
more than two minutes or if the driver
door is opened and the driver seat belt
is unbuckled, the ACC automatically
applies the Electric Parking Brake
(EPB) to hold the vehicle. The EPB
status light will turn on. See Electric
Parking Brake 0203. To release the
EPB, press the accelerator pedal.
A DIC warning message may display
indicating to shift to P (Park) before
exiting the vehicle. See Vehicle
Messages 0147.