Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349110) - 2018 - CRC - 9/28/17
LIGHTING 163
If the vehicle is started in a dark
garage, the automatic headlamp
system comes on immediately. If it is
light outside when the vehicle leaves
the garage, there is a slight delay
before the automatic headlamp
system changes to the Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL). During that
delay, the instrument cluster may not
be as bright as usual. Make sure the
instrument panel brightness control is
in the full bright position. See
Instrument Panel Illumination Control
0164.
When it is bright enough outside, the
headlamps will turn off or may change
to DRL.
The automatic headlamp system turns
off when the exterior lamp control is
turned to
Oor the ignition is off.
For vehicles sold in Canada, this
control only works when the
transmission is in P (Park).
Lights On with Wipers
If the windshield wipers are activated
in daylight with the engine on, and
the exterior lamp control is in AUTO, the headlamps, parking lamps, and
other exterior lamps come on. The
transition time for the lamps coming
on varies based on wiper speed. When
the wipers are not operating, these
lamps turn off. Move the exterior
lamp control to
Oor;to disable
this feature.
Hazard Warning Flashers
|: Touch|on the center stack to
make the front and rear turn signal
lamps flash on and off. Touch again to
turn the flashers off. The hazard warning flashers turn on
automatically if the airbags deploy.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
Move the lever all the way up or down
to signal a turn.
An arrow on the instrument cluster
flashes in the direction of the turn or
lane change.
Raise or lower the lever until the
arrow starts to flash to signal a lane
change. Hold it there until the lane
change is completed. If the lever is
briefly pressed and released, the turn
signal flashes three times.
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 177
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 182
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . 196
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . 202
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/ElectronicStability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . 210
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . 219
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . 232
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . 232
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . 234
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
California Fuel Requirements . . . . 237
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . 237
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 179
Refer to the infotainment section for
more information on using that
system and the navigation system,
if equipped, including pairing and
using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means“always
expect the unexpected.” The first step
in driving defensively is to wear the
seat belt. See Seat Belts069.
. Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other
drivers) are going to be careless
and make mistakes. Anticipate
what they might do and be ready.
. Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in
front of you.
. Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even a
small amount of alcohol. You can
have a serious —or even fatal —
collision if you drive after drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating are
important factors in helping to control
a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time. Average driver reaction time is about
three-quarters of a second. In that
time, a vehicle moving at 100 km/h
(60 mph) travels 20 m (66 ft), which
could be a lot of distance in an
emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
.
Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
. Avoid needless heavy braking.
. Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake normally
but do not pump the brakes. Doing so
could make the pedal harder to push
down. If the engine stops, there will
be some power brake assist but it will
be used when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the brake
pedal will be harder to push.
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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182 DRIVING AND OPERATING
and you are going fast enough. When
the vehicle is hydroplaning, it has
little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
. Pass with caution.
. Keep windshield wiping equipment
in good shape.
. Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper tread
depth. See Tires0279.
. Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving on
flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape. .
Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the vehicle
on a long downhill slope can cause
brake overheating, can reduce brake
performance, and could result in a
loss of braking. Shift the
transmission to a lower gear to let
the engine assist the brakes on a
steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or
with the ignition off is dangerous.
This can cause overheating of the
brakes and loss of steering assist.
Always have the engine running
and the vehicle in gear. .
Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
. Be alert on top of hills; something
could be in your lane (e.g., stalled
car, accident).
. Pay attention to special road signs
(e.g., falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and the
road creates less traction or grip, so
drive carefully. Wet ice can occur at
about 0 °C (32 °F) when freezing rain
begins to fall. Avoid driving on wet ice
or in freezing rain until roads can be
treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick.
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 183
.Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0205.
. Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves vehicle stability during
hard stops, but the brakes should
be applied sooner than when on
dry pavement. See Antilock Brake
System (ABS) 0202.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise
clear roads in shaded areas. The
surface of a curve or an overpass
can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. Avoid
sudden steering maneuvers and
braking while on ice.
. Turn off cruise control.
. Select All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
mode. See Driver Mode Control
0 207 and All-Wheel Drive 0201.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby. If possible, use Roadside Assistance. See
Roadside
Service 0347. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. 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.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.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
fan speed to the highest
setting. See “Climate Control
Systems.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0195.
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.
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349110) - 2018 - CRC - 9/28/17
184 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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. SeeTraction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0205.
{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
pedal when the transmission is in
gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing the Vehicle
0317.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can carry.
This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the
weight of all occupants, cargo, and
all nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it may
properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and the
Certification/Tire label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or
rear Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). This can cause
systems to break and change
the way the vehicle handles.
This could cause loss of control
and a crash. Overloading can
also reduce stopping distance,
damage the tires, and shorten
the life of the vehicle.
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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188 DRIVING AND OPERATING
{Warning
Things inside the vehicle can
strike and injure people in a
sudden stop or turn, or in a
crash.
.Put things in the cargo
area of the vehicle. In the
cargo area, put them as far
forward as possible. Try to
spread the weight evenly.
.Never stack heavier things,
like suitcases, inside the
vehicle so that some of
them are above the tops of
the seats.
.Do not leave an unsecured
child restraint in the
vehicle.
.Secure loose items in the
vehicle.
.Do not leave a seat folded
down unless needed.
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Caution
The vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will
perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines: . Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
for the first 800 km (500 mi).
Do not make full-throttle
starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
. Avoid making hard stops for
the first 300 km (200 mi) or
so. During this time the new
brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with
new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake
linings.
Following break-in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
Ignition Positions
The vehicle has an electronic keyless
ignition with pushbutton start.
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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.