
Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
172 DRIVING AND OPERATING
If power steering assist is lost due to a
system malfunction, the vehicle can
be steered, but may require increased
effort.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time while the
vehicle is not moving, power assist
may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the system
cools down.
See your dealer if there is a problem.
Variable Effort Steering
Some vehicles have a steering system
that varies the amount of effort
required to steer the vehicle in
relation to the speed of the vehicle.
The amount of steering effort required
is less at slower speeds to make the
vehicle more maneuverable and easier
to park. At faster speeds, the steeringeffort increases to provide a sport-like
feel to the steering. This provides
maximum control and stability.
Hydraulic Power Steering
If the vehicle has hydraulic power
steering, it may require maintenance.
See
Power Steering Fluid (LFX with
FWD) 0250 orPower Steering Fluid
(LF3 and LFX with AWD) 0250.
If power steering assist is lost because
the engine stops or there is a system
malfunction, the vehicle can be
steered but may require increased
effort. See your dealer if there is a
problem.
Caution
If the steering wheel is turned until
it reaches the end of its travel, and
is held in that position for more
than 15 seconds, damage may occur
to the power steering system and
there may be loss of power steering
assist.
Curve Tips
. Take curves at a reasonable speed.
. Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
. Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed through the curve.
. Wait until the vehicle is out of the
curve before accelerating gently
into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may be
more effective than braking.
. Holding both sides of the steering
wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
. Antilock Brake System (ABS)
allows steering while braking.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 181
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. The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter must be in the vehicle for
the system to operate. If the
pushbutton start is not working, the
vehicle may be near a strong radio
antenna signal causing interference to
the Keyless Access system. See
Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
0 28.
To shift out of P (Park), the vehicle
must be on and the brake pedal must
be applied.
Stopping the Engine/OFF (No
Indicator Lights) : When the vehicle
is stopped, press ENGINE START/
STOP once to turn the engine off.
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) 0185.
If the vehicle is not in P (Park), the
ignition will return to ACC/
ACCESSORY and display the message
SHIFT TO PARK in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). When the
vehicle is shifted into P (Park), the
ignition will turn off. Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake and
steering systems and disable the
airbags.
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 turn the
ignition off.
4. Set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake 0191.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
182 DRIVING AND OPERATING
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the vehicle
off in an emergency.
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 the use of
some electrical accessories when the
engine is off.
With the ignition off, pressing the
button one time without the brake
pedal applied will place the ignition
system in ACC/ACCESSORY.
The ignition will switch from ACC/
ACCESSORY to off after five 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 turn the
ignition on. Once engine cranking
begins, release the button. Engine
cranking will continue until the
engine starts. See Starting the Engine
0 182. The ignition will then
remain on.
Service Mode
This power mode is available for
service and diagnostics, and to verify
the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as may be
required for emission inspection
purposes. With the vehicle off, and the
brake pedal not applied, pressing and
holding the button for more than
five seconds will place the vehicle in
Service Mode. The instruments and
audio systems will operate as they do
in ON/RUN, but the vehicle will not be
able to be driven. The engine will not
start in Service Mode. Press the
button again to turn the vehicle off.
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). To restart the engine
when the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
Caution
If the steering wheel is turned until
it reaches the end of its travel, and
is held in that position while
starting the vehicle, damage may
occur to the hydraulic power
steering system and there may be
loss of power steering assist.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
232 VEHICLE CARE
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . 243
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Power Steering Fluid (LFX with FWD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Power Steering Fluid (LF3 and
LFX with AWD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . 254
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . 255
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . 256
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . 259
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . 260
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260 Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . 263
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . 276
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 284
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
VEHICLE CARE 237
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0243.
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Under Engine Cover) (If
Equipped).
See Power Steering Fluid (LFX with
FWD) 0250 orPower Steering
Fluid (LF3 and LFX with AWD)
0 250.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil
0 240.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See Engine Oil0240.
5. Engine Cover 0239.
6. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System 0245.
7. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake
Fluid 0253.
8. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System
0 245.
9. Battery - North America 0254
(Battery Cover not Shown).
10. Remote Positive (+) Terminal (Battery Cover not Shown). See
Jump Starting - North America
0301. 11.
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
0260.
12. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View). See Jump Starting -
North America 0301.
13. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 251.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
VEHICLE CARE 239
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0243.
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Under Engine Cover).
See Power Steering Fluid (LFX with
FWD) 0250 orPower Steering
Fluid (LF3 and LFX with AWD)
0 250.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil
0 240.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil 0240.
5. Engine Cover 0239.
6. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System 0245.
7. Charged Air Coolant Bottle and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System
0 245.
8. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake
Fluid 0253.
9. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System
0 245.
10. Battery - North America 0254
(Battery Cover not Shown). 11. Remote Positive (+) Terminal
(Battery Cover not Shown). See
Jump Starting - North America
0301.
12. Engine Compartment Fuse Block
0260.
13. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 251.
14. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View). See Jump Starting -
North America 0301.Engine Cover
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Engine Oil Fill Cap
2. Engine Cover Bolt
3. Engine Cover
To remove:
1. Remove the oil fill cap (1).
2. Remove the engine cover bolt (2).
3. Raise the engine cover (3) to release it from the retainers.
4. Lift and remove the engine cover.
5. Reverse Steps 1–4 to reinstall the engine cover.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
250 VEHICLE CARE
If No Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen or
heard, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can get
a little too hot when the vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
. Stops after high-speed driving.
. Idles for long periods in traffic.
. Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral), and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer displays,
the vehicle can be driven. Continue to drive the vehicle slow for about
10 minutes. Keep a safe vehicle
distance from the car in front of you.
If the warning does not come back on,
continue to drive normally and have
the cooling system checked for proper
fill and function.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while parked.
If the warning is still displayed, turn
off the engine until it cools down.
Also, see
“Overheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode ”next in
this section.
Overheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode
allows the vehicle to be driven to a
safe place in an emergency situation.
If an overheated engine condition
exists, an overheat protection mode,
which alternates firing groups of
cylinders, helps prevent engine damage. In this mode, there is
significant loss in power and engine
performance.
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on in the
instrument cluster, to indicate the
vehicle has entered overheated engine
protection operating mode. The
temperature gauge also indicates an
overheat condition exists. Driving
extended distances and/or towing a
trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
Power Steering Fluid (LFX
with FWD)
The vehicle has electric power steering
and does not use power steering fluid.
Power Steering Fluid
(LF3 and LFX with AWD)

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
VEHICLE CARE 251
The power steering fluid reservoir is
under the engine cover on the
passenger side toward the rear of the
engine compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0236.
When to Check Power Steering
Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check
power steering fluid unless you
suspect there is a leak in the system
or an unusual noise is heard. A fluid
loss in this system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
Check the level when the engine
is cool.
To check the power steering fluid:
1. Remove the engine cover. Refer toEngine Cover 0239.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Turn the cap counterclockwise and pull it straight up. 4. Wipe the dipstick with a
clean rag.
5. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
6. Remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The fluid level should be
between MIN and MAX on the
dipstick.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to
use, see Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0326. Always use the
proper fluid.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid is
needed, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before use. If operating the vehicle in an area
where the temperature may fall below
freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
The appropriate message will appear
in the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when the fluid level is low.
Open the cap with the washer symbol
on it. Add washer fluid until the tank
is full. See
Engine Compartment
Overview 0236 for reservoir location.
Caution
.
Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
(Continued)