Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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200 DRIVING AND OPERATING
.If no gear number is displayed
while the shift lever is in gear,
service is required. ARM will be
disabled, and the malfunction
indicator lamp will be on. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light) 0120. The clutch and
manual transmission will continue
to operate normally.
ARM will also:
. Be active above 14 km/h (9 mph).
. Match engine speed up to
6100 rpm.
. Not operate when the accelerator
pedal is applied.
. Be disabled when the coolant
temperature is below 0 °C (32 °F).Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature always send
engine power to all four wheels. It is
fully automatic, and adjusts itself as
needed for road conditions.
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has an Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic
braking system that helps prevent a
braking skid.
When the vehicle begins to drive
away, ABS checks itself. A momentary
motor or clicking noise may be heard
while this test is going on, and it may
even be noticed that the brake pedal
moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 123.
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 201
If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to avoid
a sudden obstacle, a computer senses
the wheels are slowing down. If one of
the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the
brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure to
each wheel, as required, faster than
any driver could. This can help you
steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the
time needed to get a foot up to the
brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close
to the vehicle in front of you, there
will not be enough time to apply the
brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows
or stops. Always leave enough room
up ahead to stop, even with ABS.Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the
brake pedal down firmly and let ABS
work. You may hear the ABS pump or
motor operating and feel the brake
pedal pulsate. This is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows you to steer and brake at
the same time. In many emergencies,
steering can help more than even the
very best braking.
Parking Brake (Electric)
Automatic Transmission
Manual Transmission
If equipped with an Electric Parking
Brake (EPB), the switch is on the
center console for manual
transmission vehicles, or on the left
side of the instrument panel for
automatic transmission vehicles. The
EPB can always be activated, even if
the ignition is off. To prevent draining
the battery, avoid repeated cycles of
the EPB when the engine is not
running.
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 203
away. Avoid rapid acceleration when
the EPB is applied, to preserve parking
brake lining life.
The EPB can also be used to prevent
roll back for vehicles with a manual
transmission taking off on a hill.
When no roll back is desired, an
applied EPB will allow both feet to be
used for the clutch and accelerator
pedals in preparation for starting the
vehicle moving in the intended
direction. In this case, there is no
need to press the switch to release
the EPB.
Parking Brake (Manual)
To set the parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down, then push
the parking brake pedal down.
If the ignition is on, the brake system
warning light will come on. SeeBrake
System Warning Light 0122.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system and
cause premature wear or damage to
brake system parts. Make sure that
the parking brake is fully released
and the brake warning light is off
before driving.
To release the parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down, then push
down momentarily on the parking
brake pedal until you feel the pedal
release. Slowly pull your foot up off
the parking brake pedal. If the parking
brake is not released when you begin
to drive, the brake system warning
light will be on and a chime will
sound warning you that the parking
brake is still on.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a brake assist feature
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle speed
in emergency driving conditions. This
feature uses the stability system
hydraulic brake control module to
supplement the power brake system
under conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the vehicle
until the ABS activates. Minor brake
pedal pulsation or pedal movement
during this time is normal and the
driver should continue to apply the
brake pedal as the driving situation
dictates. The brake assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake pedal
pressure is quickly decreased.
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206 DRIVING AND OPERATING
package, available features, and mode
selected, the suspension, steering, and
powertrain will change settings to
achieve the desired mode
characteristics. If the vehicle is
equipped with Magnetic Ride Control,
selecting the various Driver Modes
adjusts the ride of the vehicle to
enhance the ride performance for the
road conditions and the
selected mode.
The Driver Mode Control has three or
four modes: Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice,
and Track (V-Series Only). Snow/Ice
mode is only available on automatic
transmission vehicles. Press and
release the MODE button (ATS) or
press the
yorzbutton (ATS-V) on
the center console to activate the
mode menu in the cluster. The first
press of the button will show the
current mode. Subsequent presses will
scroll though the available modes. The
Tour and Sport modes will feel similar
on a smooth road. Select a new
setting whenever driving conditions
change.
Tour Mode
Use for normal city and highway
driving to provide a smooth, soft ride.
Sport Mode
Use where road conditions or personal
preference demand a more controlled
response.
When selected, the Sport mode
indicator will display in the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
When in Sport or Track mode, the
vehicle will shift automatically but
may hold a lower gear longer than it
would in the normal driving mode
based on braking, throttle input, and
vehicle lateral acceleration. See
Automatic Transmission 0194. The
steering will change to provide more
precise control. If the vehicle has
Magnetic Ride Control, the suspension
will change to provide better
cornering performance.
Competitive Driving Mode can be
accessed through this mode.
Snow/Ice Mode
Use when more traction is needed
during slippery conditions.
Snow/Ice mode will use a different
accelerator pedal map to optimize
traction on a slippery surface. The
accelerator pedal will reduce engine
torque at small pedal inputs. The
transmission will also shift differently
to assist in maintaining traction.
When selected, the Snow/Ice mode
indicator will display in the DIC.
This feature is not intended for use
when the vehicle is stuck in sand,
mud, ice, snow, or gravel. If the
vehicle becomes stuck, see If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0181.
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 207
Track Mode (V-Series Only)
Use when maximum vehicle handling
is desired. When selected, the Track
mode indicator will display in the DIC.
The accelerator pedal is adjusted to
give maximum control during the
highest level of spirited driving.The automatic transmission and
steering will function similar to
Sport Mode.
The Magnetic Ride Control will be set
to the optimum level for vehicle
responsiveness.
Competitive Driving Mode can be
accessed through this mode.Use when driving on a closed race
course or drag strip.
Vehicle systems are optimized for
maximum track performance.
This mode allows entry to
Performance Traction Management
(PTM) in the Competitive
Driving Mode.
Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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212 DRIVING AND OPERATING
maintaining the fully pressed
accelerator pedal, will manage wheel
slip. Complete shifts as described in
Manual Transmission0198.
Automatic Transmissions
. The brake pedal must be firmly
pressed to the floor, equivalent to
a panic brake event.
. The accelerator pedal is rapidly
applied to wide open throttle. (If
the vehicle rolls due to wide open
throttle, release the throttle, press
the brake pedal more firmly, and
re-apply the accelerator to wide
open throttle.)
The Launch Control feature will
initially limit engine speed as the
driver rapidly applies the accelerator
pedal to wide open throttle. Allow the
engine rpm to stabilize. A smooth,
quick release of the brake pedal, while
maintaining the fully pressed
accelerator pedal, will manage
wheel slip.
After the vehicle is launched, the
system continues in Performance
Traction Management (V-Series). Competitive Driving Mode, PTM, and
Launch Control are systems designed
for a closed course race track and not
intended for use on public roads. The
systems are not intended to
compensate for lack of driver
experience or familiarity with the race
track.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
(Except V-Series)
If equipped, the mechanical
limited-slip differential can give more
traction on snow, mud, ice, sand,
or gravel. It works like a standard axle
most of the time, but when traction is
low, this feature allows the drive
wheel with the most traction to move
the vehicle. For vehicles with
limited-slip differential, driven under
severe conditions, the rear axle fluid
should be changed.
See
Competitive Driving Mode (FE3
Only) 0209 and Maintenance Schedule
0 327.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
(V-Series Only)
If equipped, the Electronic
Limited-Slip Differential (eLSD) is
automatically activated. eLSD actively
monitors vehicle sensors and driver
inputs to determine the amount of
change for the conditions. With eLSD,
the vehicle has:
.
Enhanced high-speed control.
. Improved traction through
corners, allowing more
acceleration.
. More precise steering.
. Increased vehicle agility.
. Integration with StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
For vehicles with eLSD, driven under
severe conditions, the rear axle fluid
should be changed.
See Competitive Driving Mode (FE3
Only) 0209 and Maintenance Schedule
0 327.
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 213
Cruise Control
With cruise control, a speed of about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more can be
maintained without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. Cruise control does
not work at speeds below about
40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at a
steady speed. Do not use cruise
control on winding roads or in
heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could
lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.If equipped with a manual
transmission and 2.0L L4 engine
(LTG), the cruise control will remain
active when the gears are shifted. The
cruise is deactivated if the clutch is
pressed for several seconds. In an
ATS-V Series vehicle, cruise control is
canceled immediately with the
activation of the clutch pedal.
If the StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system begins to limit
wheel spin while using cruise control,
the cruise control automatically
disengages. See
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0204. If a
collision alert occurs when cruise
control is activated, cruise control is
disengaged. See Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System 0228. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it
again, cruise control can be turned
back on.
Turning off the TCS or StabiliTrak/
ESC system will disengage cruise
control.
If the brakes are applied, cruise
control disengages.
J: Press to turn the system on and
off. A white cruise control indicator
appears in the instrument cluster
when cruise is turned on.
+RES : If there is a set speed in
memory, press the control up briefly
to resume that speed or hold to
accelerate. If cruise control is already
active, use to increase vehicle speed.
To increase speed by 1 km/h (1 mph),
press +RES up to the first detent. To
increase speed to the next 5 km/h
(5 mph) mark on the speedometer,
press +RES up to the second detent.
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For each press, the vehicle speed
decreases to the next 5 km/h
(5 mph) mark on the speedometer.
The cruise control system may
automatically brake to slow the
vehicle down (ATS model only).
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster 0113.
The increment value used depends on
the units displayed.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase
the vehicle speed. When you take your
foot off the pedal, the vehicle will slow
down to the previously set cruise
speed. While pressing the accelerator
pedal or shortly following the release
to override cruise control, briefly
applying the SET– control will result
in cruise control set to the current
vehicle speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well cruise control will work on
hills depends upon the vehicle speed,
load, and the steepness of the hills. When going up steep hills, you might
have to step on the accelerator pedal
to maintain the vehicle speed. When
going downhill, the cruise control
system may automatically brake (ATS
only), and the transmission may
downshift to a lower gear, to slow the
vehicle down. Also, you may have to
brake or shift to a lower gear to keep
the vehicle speed down. If the brake
pedal is applied, cruise control will
disengage.
Ending Cruise Control
There are five ways to end cruise
control:
.
Step lightly on the brake pedal
(manual and automatic
transmissions).
. Press the clutch pedal for several
seconds or shift to Neutral
(manual transmissions).
. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
. Press
*.
. Press
J. Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is erased
from memory if
Jis pressed or if
the ignition is turned off.
Adaptive Cruise Control
If equipped with Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC), it allows for selecting
the cruise control set speed and
following gap. Read this entire section
before using this system. ACC uses a
camera and radar sensors to detect
other vehicles. See Radio Frequency
Statement 0356. The following gap is
the following time (or distance)
between your vehicle and a vehicle
detected directly ahead in your path,
moving in the same direction. If no
vehicle is detected in your path, ACC
works like regular cruise control.
If a vehicle is detected in your path,
ACC can speed up the vehicle or apply
limited, moderate braking to maintain
the selected following gap. To
disengage ACC, apply the brake. If the
Traction Control System (TCS) or
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) system activates while ACC is