2018 CADILLAC XTS Owner's Manual

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
72 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
To unlatch the belt, push the button
on the buckle. The belt should return
to its stowed position.
Always stow the seat belt slowly. If the
seat belt webbing returns quickly to
the stowed position, the retractor may
lock and cannot be pulled out. If this
happens, pull the seat belt straight out
firmly to unlock the webbing, and
then release it. If the webbing is still
locked in the retractor, see your
dealer.
Before a door is closed, be sure the
seat belt is out of the way. If a door is
slammed against a seat belt, damage
can occur to both the seat belt and
the vehicle.
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
The vehicle has a shoulder belt height
adjuster for the driver and front
outboard passenger seating positions.
Adjust the height so the shoulder
portion of the belt is on the shoulder
and not falling off of it. The belt
should be close to, but not contacting,
the neck. Improper shoulder belt
height adjustment could reduce theeffectiveness of the seat belt in a
crash. See
How to Wear Seat Belts
Properly 069.
Push down on the release button and
move the height adjuster to the
desired position. The adjuster can be
moved up by pushing the slide/
trim up.
After the adjuster is set to the desired
position, try to move it down without
pushing the release button to make
sure it has locked into position.
Seat Belt Pretensioners
This vehicle has seat belt
pretensioners for front outboard
occupants. Although the seat belt
pretensioners cannot be seen, they are
part of the seat belt assembly. They
can help tighten the seat belts during
the early stages of a moderate to
severe frontal, near frontal, or rear
crash if the threshold conditions for
pretensioner activation are met. Seat
belt pretensioners can also help
tighten the seat belts in a side crash
or a rollover event.
Pretensioners work only once. If the
pretensioners activate in a crash, the
pretensioners and probably other
parts of the vehicle’s seat belt system
will need to be replaced. See Replacing
Seat Belt System Parts after a Crash
0 74.
Do not sit on the outboard seat belt
while entering or exiting the vehicle or
at any time while sitting in the seat.
Sitting on the seat belt can damage
the webbing and hardware.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 73
Rear Seat Belt Comfort Guides
Rear seat belt comfort guides may
provide added seat belt comfort for
older children who have outgrown
booster seats and for some adults.
When installed on a shoulder belt, the
comfort guide positions the shoulder
belt away from the neck and head.
Comfort guides are available through
your dealer for the rear outboard
seating positions. When using a
comfort guide, remove the seat belt
from the seat-mounted guide before
using the comfort guide. Instructions
are included with the guide.
Seat Belt Use During
Pregnancy
Seat belts work for everyone,
including pregnant women. Like all
occupants, they are more likely to be
seriously injured if they do not wear
seat belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a
lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion
should be worn as low as possible,
below the rounding, throughout the
pregnancy.
The best way to protect the fetus is to
protect the mother. When a seat belt
is worn properly, it is more likely that
the fetus will not be hurt in a crash.
For pregnant women, as for anyone,
the key to making seat belts effective
is wearing them properly.
Seat Belt Extender
If the vehicle's seat belt will fasten
around you, you should use it.But if a seat belt is not long enough,
your dealer will order you an extender.
When you go in to order it, take the
heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you.
To help avoid personal injury, do not
let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. The
extender has been designed for adults.
Never use it for securing child
restraints. For more information on
the proper use and fit of seat belt
extenders see the instruction sheet
that comes with the extender.
Safety System Check
Periodically check the seat belt
reminder, seat belts, buckles, latch
plates, retractors, shoulder belt height
adjusters (if equipped), and seat belt
anchorages to make sure they are all
in working order. Look for any other
loose or damaged seat belt system
parts that might keep a seat belt
system from performing properly. See
your dealer to have it repaired. Torn
or frayed seat belts may not protect
you in a crash. They can rip apart

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
74 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
under impact forces. If a belt is torn
or frayed, have it replaced
immediately.
Make sure the seat belt reminder light
is working. SeeSeat Belt Reminders
0 125.
Keep seat belts clean and dry. See Seat
Belt Care 074.
Seat Belt Care
Keep belts clean and dry.
{Warning
Do not bleach or dye seat belt
webbing. It may severely weaken
the webbing. In a crash, they might
not be able to provide adequate
protection. Clean and rinse seat belt
webbing only with mild soap and
lukewarm water. Allow the webbing
to dry.
Seat belts should be properly cared for
and maintained. Seat belt hardware should be kept dry
and free of dust or debris. As
necessary exterior hard surfaces and
seat belt webbing may be lightly
cleaned with mild soap and water.
Ensure there is not excessive dust or
debris in the mechanism. If dust or
debris exists in the system please see
the dealer. Parts may need to be
replaced to ensure proper
functionality of the system.
Replacing Seat Belt
System Parts after a Crash
{Warning
A crash can damage the seat belt
system in the vehicle. A damaged
seat belt system may not properly
protect the person using it,
resulting in serious injury or even
death in a crash. To help make sure
the seat belt systems are working
properly after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as
possible.After a minor crash, replacement of
seat belts may not be necessary. But
the seat belt assemblies that were
used during any crash may have been
stressed or damaged. See your dealer
to have the seat belt assemblies
inspected or replaced.
New parts and repairs may be
necessary even if the seat belt system
was not being used at the time of the
crash.
Have the seat belt pretensioners
checked if the vehicle has been in a
crash, or if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start the vehicle or
while you are driving. See
Airbag
Readiness Light 0126.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 75
Airbag System
Vehicles with a standard wheelbase
and a factory installed rear seat have
the following airbags:
.A frontal airbag for the driver and
for the front outboard passenger
. A knee airbag for the driver and
for the front outboard passenger
. A seat-mounted side impact airbag
for the driver and the front
outboard passenger
. Seat-mounted side impact airbags
for the second row outboard
passengers
. A roof-rail airbag for the driver
and the passenger seated directly
behind the driver
. A roof-rail airbag for the front
outboard passenger and the
passenger seated directly behind
the front outboard passenger
Vehicles with an extended wheelbase
or without a rear seat have the
following airbags:
. A frontal airbag for the driver and
for the front outboard passenger .
A knee airbag for the driver and
for the front outboard passenger
. A seat-mounted side impact airbag
for the driver and the front
outboard passenger
. A roof-rail airbag for the driver
and front outboard passenger
All vehicle airbags have the word
AIRBAG on the trim or on a label near
the deployment opening.
For frontal airbags, the word AIRBAG
is on the center of the steering wheel
for the driver and on the instrument
panel for the front outboard
passenger.
For knee airbags, the word AIRBAG is
on the lower part of the instrument
panel.
For seat-mounted side impact airbags,
the word AIRBAG is on the side of the
seatback closest to the door.
For roof-rail airbags, the word AIRBAG
is on the ceiling or trim.
Airbags are designed to supplement
the protection provided by seat belts.
Even though today's airbags are also
designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inflating
bag, all airbags must inflate very
quickly to do their job.
Here are the most important things to
know about the airbag system:
{Warning
You can be severely injured or
killed in a crash if you are not
wearing your seat belt, even with
airbags. Airbags are designed to
work with seat belts, not replace
them. Also, airbags are not designed
to inflate in every crash. In some
crashes seat belts are the only
restraint. See
When Should an
Airbag Inflate? 078.
Wearing your seat belt during a
crash helps reduce your chance of
hitting things inside the vehicle or
being ejected from it. Airbags are
“supplemental restraints” to the
seat belts. Everyone in the vehicle
should wear a seat belt properly,
whether or not there is an airbag
for that person.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
76 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
{Warning
Because airbags inflate with great
force and faster than the blink of an
eye, anyone who is up against,
or very close to, any airbag when it
inflates can be seriously injured or
killed. Do not sit unnecessarily
close to any airbag, as you would be
if sitting on the edge of the seat or
leaning forward. Seat belts help
keep you in position before and
during a crash. Always wear a seat
belt, even with airbags. The driver
should sit as far back as possible
while still maintaining control of
the vehicle. The seat belts and the
front outboard passenger airbags
are most effective when you are
sitting well back and upright in the
seat with both feet on the floor.
Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the door or side
windows in seating positions with
seat-mounted side impact airbags
and/or roof-rail airbags.
{Warning
Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag when it
inflates can be seriously injured or
killed. Always secure children
properly in the vehicle. To read
how, seeOlder Children 087 or
Infants and Young Children 089.
There is an airbag readiness light on
the instrument cluster, which shows
the airbag symbol. The system checks
the airbag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if
there is an electrical problem. See
Airbag Readiness Light 0126.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the
center of the steering wheel.
The front outboard passenger frontal
airbag is in the passenger side
instrument panel.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 77
The driver knee airbag is below the
steering column. The front outboard
passenger knee airbag is below the
glove box.Driver Side Shown, Passenger SideSimilar
The driver and front outboard
passenger seat-mounted side impact
airbags are in the side of the
seatbacks closest to the door.
The roof-rail airbags, for vehicles with
a standard wheelbase and a factory
installed rear seat, are in the ceiling
above the side windows for the driver,
front outboard passenger, and second
row outboard passengers.Rear Seat Driver Side Shown, Passenger Side Similar
The second row seat-mounted side
impact airbags, for vehicles with a
standard wheelbase and a factory
installed rear seat, are in the sides of
the rear seatback closest to the door.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
78 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
Driver Side Shown, Passenger SideSimilar
The roof-rail airbags, for vehicles with
an extended wheelbase or vehicles
without a factory installed rear seat,
are in the ceiling above the front row
side windows, for the driver and front
outboard passenger only.
{Warning
If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the airbag
might not inflate properly or it
might force the object into that (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
person causing severe injury or
even death. The path of an inflating
airbag must be kept clear. Do not
put anything between an occupant
and an airbag, and do not attach or
put anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other airbag
covering.
Do not use seat accessories that
block the inflation path of a
seat-mounted side impact airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof of
a vehicle with roof-rail airbags by
routing a rope or tie‐down through
any door or window opening. If you
do, the path of an inflating roof-rail
airbag will be blocked.
When Should an Airbag
Inflate?
This vehicle is equipped with airbags.
SeeAirbag System 075. Airbags are
designed to inflate if the impact
exceeds the specific airbag system's deployment threshold. Deployment
thresholds are used to predict how
severe a crash is likely to be in time
for the airbags to inflate and help
restrain the occupants. The vehicle
has electronic sensors that help the
airbag system determine the severity
of the impact. Deployment thresholds
can vary with specific vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are designed to inflate
in moderate to severe frontal or near
frontal crashes to help reduce the
potential for severe injuries, mainly to
the driver's or front outboard
passenger's head and chest.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should inflate is not based primarily
on how fast the vehicle is traveling.
It depends on what is hit, the
direction of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.
Frontal airbags may inflate at
different crash speeds depending on
whether the vehicle hits an object
straight on or at an angle, and
whether the object is fixed or moving,
rigid or deformable, narrow or wide.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 79
Frontal airbags are not intended to
inflate during vehicle rollovers, in rear
impacts, or in many side impacts.
In addition, the vehicle has advanced
technology frontal airbags. Advanced
technology frontal airbags adjust the
restraint according to crash severity.
Knee airbags are designed to inflate in
moderate to severe frontal or near
frontal impacts. Knee airbags are not
designed to inflate during vehicle
rollovers, in rear impacts, or in many
side impacts.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags are
designed to inflate in moderate to
severe side crashes depending on the
location of the impact. Seat-mounted
side impact airbags are not designed
to inflate in frontal impacts, near
frontal impacts, rollovers, or rear
impacts. A seat-mounted side impact
airbag is designed to inflate on the
side of the vehicle that is struck.
Roof-rail airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe side
crashes depending on the location of
the impact. In addition, the roof-rail
airbags are designed to inflate in asevere frontal impact. Roof-rail airbags
are not designed to inflate in rear
impacts. Both roof-rail airbags will
inflate when either side of the vehicle
is struck, or in a severe frontal impact.
The roof-rail airbags in vehicles with a
standard wheelbase and a factory
installed rear seat will also inflate if
the sensing system predicts that the
vehicle is about to roll over on
its side.
The roof-rail airbags in vehicles with
an extended wheelbase and in vehicles
without a factory installed rear seat
are not intended to inflate during a
rollover.
In any particular crash, no one can
say whether an airbag should have
inflated simply because of the vehicle
damage or repair costs.
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the
airbag causing the bag to break out ofthe cover. The inflator, the airbag, and
related hardware are all part of the
airbag module.
For airbag locations, see
Where Are the
Airbags? 076.
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near
frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering
wheel or the instrument panel. In
moderate to severe side collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the
inside of the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection
provided by seat belts by distributing
the force of the impact more evenly
over the occupant's body.
Rollover capable roof-rail airbags are
designed to help contain the head and
chest of occupants in the outboard
seating positions in the first and
second rows. The rollover capable
roof-rail airbags are designed to help
reduce the risk of full or partial