2018 CADILLAC XT5 Owner's Manual

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349110) - 2018 - CRC - 9/28/17
240 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Warning (Continued)
keep it in contact with the fill
opening until filling is
complete.
. Fill the container no more
than 95% full to allow for
expansion.
. Do not smoke, light matches,
or use lighters while
pumping fuel.
. Avoid using cell phones or
other electronic devices.
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle. Contact
your dealer or trailering dealer for
assistance with preparing the vehicle
for towing a trailer. Read the entire
section before towing a trailer.
For towing a disabled vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle 0317. For towing
the vehicle behind another vehicle
such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0317.
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips
Driving with a Trailer
When towing a trailer:
.
Become familiar with the state
and local laws that apply
specifically to trailer towing. .
Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (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.
. The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often.
. 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) 0229.
. Turn off Parking Assist and Rear
Cross Traffic Alert when towing.

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DRIVING AND OPERATING 241
{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 information about carbon
monoxide, see Engine Exhaust
0 195.
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.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the sound of the
stability control system might be
heard. The system is reacting to the
vehicle movement caused by the
trailer, which mainly occurs during
cornering. This is normal when towing
heavier trailers.
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 situations that
require heavy braking and sudden
turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. Because the rig is
longer, it is necessary to go farther
beyond the passed vehicle before
returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. To move the trailer to
the left, move your hand to the left.
To move the trailer to the right, move
your hand to the right. Always back
up slowly and, if possible, have
someone guide you.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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242 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Making TurnsCaution
Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to
come in contact with the vehicle.
The vehicle could be damaged.
Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal so the trailer
will not strike soft shoulders, curbs,
road signs, trees, or other objects. Use
the turn signal well in advance and
avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
The turn signal indicators on the
instrument cluster flash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps
also flash, telling other drivers the
vehicle is turning, changing lanes,
or stopping. When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument cluster flash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Check occasionally to be
sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downgrade. If the transmission is not
shifted down, the brakes might have
to be used so much that they would
get hot and no longer work well.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive). Use
a lower gear if the transmission shifts
too often.
When towing at high altitude on steep
uphill grades, engine coolant boils at a
lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle could show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this, let
the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine off.
If the overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating
0261.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both the
vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the
wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb the load.

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DRIVING AND OPERATING 243
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Thenapply 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 while you:
.Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. 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 the
Maintenance Schedule 0330. Things
that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission
fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system, and brake system.
Inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch
nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See
Engine Overheating
0 261.
Trailer Towing
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 the vehicle's
tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
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 the tow vehicle has the
driver, a front seat passenger, and all
the required towing equipment. Cargo
in the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
Use the following chart to determine
how much the vehicle can weigh,
based upon the vehicle model and
options.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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244 DRIVING AND OPERATING
VehicleMaximum Trailer
Weight GCWR* Maximum Tongue
Weight
3.6L Engine, without Trailering Package 454 kg (1,000 lb) 2 722 kg (6,001 lb) 45.4 kg (100 lb)
3.6L Engine, with Trailering Package 1 588 kg (3,500 lb) 3 850 kg (8,480 lb) 159 kg (350 lb)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and trailer
including any passengers, cargo, equipment, and conversions. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be exceeded.
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
vehicle can tow. If towing a trailer, the
tongue load must be added to the
GVW because the vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See
Vehicle
Load Limits 0184 for more
information about the vehicle's
maximum load capacity.
If a weight-carrying hitch or a
weight-distributing hitch is being
used, the trailer tongue (1) should
weigh 10-15 percent of the total
loaded trailer weight (2).
After loading the trailer, weigh the
trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some items
around in the trailer.
Trailering may be limited by the
vehicle's ability to carry tongue
weight. Tongue weight cannot cause
the vehicle to exceed the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or the
RGAWR (Rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating). The effect of additional

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DRIVING AND OPERATING 245
weight may reduce the trailering
capacity more than the total of the
additional weight.
It is important that the vehicle does
not exceed any of its ratings—
GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR, Maximum
Trailer Rating, or Tongue Weight. The
only way to be sure it is not exceeding
any of these ratings is to weigh the
vehicle and trailer.
Total Weight on the Vehicle's
Tires
Be sure the vehicle's tires are inflated
to the upper limit for cold tires. These
numbers can be found on the
Certification label or see Vehicle Load
Limits 0184. Make sure not to go over
the GVW limit for the vehicle, or the
GAWR, including the weight of the
trailer tongue. If using a
weight-distributing hitch, make sure
not to go over the rear axle limit
before applying the weight
distribution spring bars.
Towing Equipment
Hitches
It is important to have the correct
hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large
trucks going by, and rough roads are a
few reasons why the right hitch is
needed.
. The rear bumper on the vehicle is
not intended for hitches. Do not
attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use
only a frame-mounted hitch that
does not attach to the bumper.
. Will any holes be made in the
body of the vehicle when the
trailer hitch is installed? If there
are, then be sure to seal the holes
later when the hitch is removed.
If the holes are not sealed, dirt,
water, and deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from the exhaust
can get into the vehicle. See Engine
Exhaust 0195. Hitch Cover
To remove the hitch cover,
if equipped:
1. Remove the two bolts on the lower tabs by turning
counterclockwise.
2. Lift the lower edge of the cover about 45 degrees.
3. Pull the cover downward to disengage the upper
attachments.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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246 DRIVING AND OPERATING
To reinstall the hitch cover:1. Hold the cover at a 45 degree angle to the vehicle and push the
upper tabs in the hitch cover
into the slots in the fascia.
2. Move the bottom of the cover forward until the lower tabs line
up with the lower fascia slots.
3. Snap the hitch cover into place by pushing the upper corners
forward.
4. Reinstall the two bolts on the lower tabs by turning clockwise.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross the safety
chains under the tongue of the trailer
to help prevent the tongue from
contacting the road if it becomes
separated from the hitch. Always leave
just enough slack so the rig can turn.
Never allow safety chains to drag on
the ground.
Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more than
454 kg (1,000 lb) needs to have its own
brake system that is adequate for the
weight of the trailer. Be sure to read
and follow the instructions for the
trailer brakes so they are installed,
adjusted, and maintained properly.
Because the vehicle has antilock
brakes, do not tap into the vehicle's
brake system. If you do, both brake
systems will not work well, or at all.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Basic Trailer Wiring
The trailer wiring harness, with a
seven-pin connector, is located at the
rear of the vehicle and is tied to the
vehicle's frame. The harness connector
can be plugged into a seven-pin
universal heavy-duty trailer connector
available through your dealer.
Use only a round, seven-wire
connector with flat blade terminals
meeting SAE J2863 specifications for
proper electrical connectivity. The seven-wire harness contains the
following trailer circuits:
.
Yellow/Gray: Stop/Turn Signal Left
. Green/Violet: Stop/Turn Signal
Right
. Gray/Brown: Parking Lamps
. White/Green: Back-up Lamps
. Red/Green: Battery Feed
. Black: Ground
. Blue: Electric Brakes*
*The fuse for this circuit is installed in
the engine compartment fuse block,
but the wires are not connected. They
should be connected by your dealer or
a qualified service center.
If the back-up lamp circuit is not
functional, contact your dealer.

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Electric Trailer Brake Control Wiring
Provisions
These wiring provisions for an electric
trailer brake controller are included
with the vehicle as part of the trailer
wiring package. The instrument panel
contains blunt cut wires above the
parking brake assembly for the electric
trailer brake controller. The harness
contains the following wires:
.Blue: To Trailer
. Red/Black or Red/Blue:
Battery Feed
. White/Blue: Brake Apply Signal
. Black: Ground
The electric trailer brake controller
should be installed by your dealer or a
qualified service center.Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
Vehicles with StabiliTrak have a
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) feature.
Trailer sway is unintended side-to-side
motion of a trailer while being towed.
If the vehicle is towing a trailer and
the TSC detects that sway is
increasing, the vehicle brakes are
selectively applied at each wheel, to
help reduce excessive trailer sway.
If the vehicle is equipped with the
Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) system, and the trailer has the
electric actuated brake system,
StabiliTrak may also apply the trailer
brakes.
If TSC is enabled, the Traction Control
System (TCS)/StabiliTrak warning
light will flash on the instrument
cluster. Vehicle speed must be
reduced. If trailer sway continues,
StabiliTrak can reduce engine torque
to help slow the vehicle. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control
0 205.{Warning
Even if the vehicle is equipped with
TSC, trailer sway could result in
loss of control and the vehicle could
crash. If excessive trailer sway is
detected, slow down to a safe speed.
Check the trailer and vehicle to help
correct possible causes. These could
include an improperly or overloaded
trailer, unrestrained cargo, improper
trailer hitch configuration, excessive
vehicle-trailer speed, or improperly
inflated or incorrect vehicle or
trailer tires. See Towing Equipment
0 245 for trailer ratings and hitch
setup recommendations.
Adding non-dealer accessories can
affect the vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications 0251.