Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
2018 - crc - 11/16/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 227
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.
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 heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. The combination will
not accelerate as quickly and is longer,so it is necessary to go much 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 that 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.
Making Turns
Caution
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. Do this so
the trailer will not strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees,
or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
If the trailer turn signal bulbs burn
out, the arrows on the instrument
cluster will still flash for turns. It is
important to 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 get hot
and no longer work well.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at high altitude on steep
uphill grades, consider the following:
Engine coolant will boil 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 may show
signs similar to engine overheating. To
avoid this, let the engine run while
parked, preferably on level ground,
Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
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228 DRIVING AND OPERATING
with the automatic transmission in
P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the overheat
warning comes on, seeEngine
Overheating 0249.
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 regular brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply 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.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
7. 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
Maintenance Schedule 0317. Things
that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system, and brake system. It is
a good idea to inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch
nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
Before pulling a trailer, three
important considerations have to do
with weight:
.
Weight of the trailer.
. Weight of the trailer tongue.
. Total weight on your vehicle's
tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
454 kg (1,000 lb). But even that can be
too heavy.
It depends on how the rig is used. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades,
outside temperature, the dimensions
of the front of the trailer, and how
much the vehicle is used to pull a
trailer are all important. It can depend
Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
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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) -
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252 VEHICLE CARE
Caution (Continued)
.Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the windshield
washer. It can damage the
windshield washer system
and paint.
. Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
. When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
. Fill the washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for
fluid expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage
the tank if it is
completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or can be
heard all the time when the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will not
work well. That could lead to a
crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair. Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications 0331.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or if
there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign that brake
service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes may not
work properly. The braking
performance expected can change in
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254 VEHICLE CARE
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the paint
finish can be damaged. Immediately
wash off any painted surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove the
cap and do not add fluid.
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new battery is needed. See
Engine Compartment Overview0236
for battery location.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Batteries also contain other
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer. WASH
HANDS AFTER HANDLING. For
more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See California Proposition 65 Warning
0 233 and the back cover.
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode. You
can be badly hurt if you are not
careful. See Jump Starting - North
America 0301 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the black,
negative (−) cable from the battery to
keep the battery from running down. Extended Storage: Remove the black,
negative (−) cable from the battery or
use a battery trickle charger.
All-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case
Under normal driving conditions,
transfer case fluid does not require
maintenance unless there is a fluid
leak or unusual noise. If required,
have the transfer case serviced by
your dealer.
Starter Switch Check
{Warning
When you are doing this inspection,
the vehicle could move suddenly.
If the vehicle moves, you or others
could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11354412) -
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264 VEHICLE CARE
The vehicle may not be equipped with
all of the fuses, relays, and features
shown.Fuses Usage
1 Wireless charger module/USB charge
2 Body control module 7
3 Body control module 5
4 Radio
5 Infotainment display/ Head-up display/
Instrument cluster Fuses Usage
6 Power outlet 1
7 Power outlet 2
8 Body control module 1
9 Body control module 4
10 Body control module 8
11 Front HVAC blower
12 Passenger seat
13 Driver seat
14 Diagnostic link connector
15 Airbag AOS
16 Glove box
17 HVAC controller
18 Logistics
19 Front camera
20 Telematics (OnStar)
21 CGM Fuses Usage
22 Steering wheel controls/Backlight
23 Body control module 3
24 Body control module 2
25 Power steering column
26 AC DC inverter
Relays Usage R1 Glove box
R2 Logistics
R3 Retained accessory power
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266 VEHICLE CARE
FusesUsage
F10 –
F11 –
F12 –
F13 Spare/MID Power Window
F14 –
F15 –/Spare
F16 –/Video processing
module
F17 –
F18 Semi-active damping system
F19 Universal remote system/Rain, light,
and humidity sensor
F20 –/Shunt
F21 Side blind zone alert
F22 –
F23 All wheel drive
F24 –
F25 – Fuses
Usage
F26 –
F27 –
F28 –
F29 –
F30 External object calculation module
F31 Park assist/Lane departure warning/
Lane keep assist
F32 –
F33 –
F34 –
F35 –
F36 –
F37 –
Relays Usage
K1 –
K2 Front courtesy lamps/ Footwell, puddle
lamps Relays
Usage
K3 Suspension leveling compressor
K4 –
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VEHICLE CARE 267
Wheels and Tires
Tires
Every new GM vehicle has
high-quality tires made by a
leading tire manufacturer. See the
warranty manual for information
regarding the tire warranty and
where to get service. For
additional information refer to the
tire manufacturer.
{Warning
.Poorly maintained and
improperly used tires are
dangerous.
.Overloading the tires can
cause overheating as a
result of too much flexing.
There could be a blowout
and a serious crash. See
Vehicle Load Limits0176.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Underinflated tires pose
the same danger as
overloaded tires. The
resulting crash could cause
serious injury. Check all
tires frequently to
maintain the
recommended pressure.
Tire pressure should be
checked when the tires
are cold.
.Overinflated tires are more
likely to be cut, punctured,
or broken by a sudden
impact —such as when
hitting a pothole. Keep
tires at the recommended
pressure.
.Worn or old tires can
cause a crash. If the tread
is badly worn,
replace them.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Replace any tires that have
been damaged by impacts
with potholes, curbs, etc.
.Improperly repaired tires
can cause a crash. Only
the dealer or an authorized
tire service center should
repair, replace, dismount,
and mount the tires.
.Do not spin the tires in
excess of 56 km/h
(35 mph) on slippery
surfaces such as snow,
mud, ice, etc. Excessive
spinning may cause the
tires to explode.
See Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation 0276 for inflation
pressure adjustment for
high-speed driving.