
Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12533370) -
2019 - crc - 1/23/19
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 125
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Cigarette Lighter
If equipped, there is a cigarette lighter
inside the center console storage area.
To use the cigarette lighter, push it in
all the way, and let go. When it is
ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Caution
Holding a cigarette lighter in while
it is heating does not let the lighter
back away from the heating
element when it is hot. Damage
from overheating can occur to the
lighter or heating element, or a fuse
could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is
heating.
Ashtrays
If equipped, there are front and rear
ashtrays.
Caution
If papers, pins, or other flammable
items are put in the ashtray, hot
cigarettes or other smoking
materials could ignite them and
possibly damage the vehicle. Never
put flammable items in the ashtray.

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12533370) -
2019 - crc - 1/23/19
146 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally, the
indicator light turns off.
If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS and potentially the StabiliTrak/
ESC system have been disabled.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
message may display. Check the DIC
messages to determine which
feature(s) is no longer functioning and
whether the vehicle requires service.
If the light is on and flashing, the TCS
and/or the StabiliTrak/ESC system is
actively working.See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0220.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light
On some vehicles this light comes on
briefly while starting the vehicle. If it
does not, have the vehicle serviced by
the dealer. If the system is working
normally the indicator light goes off.
For vehicles with the reconfigurable
cluster, this light may not come on
when starting the vehicle.
Caution
The engine coolant temperature
warning light indicates that the
vehicle has overheated. Driving with
this light on can damage the engine
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
and it may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. SeeEngine
Overheating 0312.
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens pull over and turn off
the engine as soon as possible. See
Engine Overheating 0312.
Driver Mode Control Light
This light comes on when Sport Mode
is selected.

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12533370) -
2019 - crc - 1/23/19
194 DRIVING AND OPERATING
these types of driving conditions and
avoid driving through large puddles
and deep-standing or flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They
might not work as well in a quick
stop and could cause pulling to one
side. You could lose control of the
vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle
of water or a car/vehicle wash,
lightly apply the brake pedal until
the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can
build up under the vehicle's tires so
they actually ride on the water. This
can happen if the road is wet enough
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 Tires0339.
. 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.

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12533370) -
2019 - crc - 1/23/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 195
{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, crash).
. 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.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0220.
. 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) 0217.
See Driver Mode Control 0222. .
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.
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 Service. See Roadside
Service 0405. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12533370) -
2019 - crc - 1/23/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 205
Engine Heater
Vehicles with the engine heater can
use this option in cold weather
conditions at or below−18 °C (0 °F) for
easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up. Plug
in the coolant heater at least four
hours before starting your vehicle. An
internal thermostat in the plug-end of
the cord may exist which will prevent
engine heater operation at
temperatures above −18 °C (0 °F).
{Warning
Do not plug in the engine block
heater while the vehicle is parked in
a garage or under a carport.
Property damage or personal injury
may result. Always park the vehicle
in a clear open area away from
buildings or structures.
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine. 2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord. The cord is
clipped to the diagonal brace on
the passenger side of the engine
compartment.
Check the heater cord for
damage. If it is damaged, do not
use it. See your dealer for a
replacement. Inspect the cord for
damage yearly.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord or
an extension cord can damage the
cord and may result in overheating
and fire.
. Plug the cord into a
three-prong electrical utility
receptacle that is protected by
a ground fault detection
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
function. An ungrounded
outlet could cause an electric
shock.
. Use a weatherproof,
heavy-duty, 15 amp-rated
extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the
recommended extension cord
in good operating condition,
or using a damaged heater or
extension cord, could make it
overheat and cause a fire,
property damage, electric
shock, and injury.
. Do not operate the vehicle
with the heater cord
permanently attached to the
vehicle. Possible heater cord
and thermostat damage could
occur.
(Continued)

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12533370) -
2019 - crc - 1/23/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 283
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. The combination of
the vehicle and trailer will not
accelerate as quickly and is much
longer than the vehicle alone. It is
necessary to go much farther beyond
the passed vehicle before returning to
the lane. Pass on level roadways.
Avoid passing on hills if possible.
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
that hand to the right. Always back up
slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making TurnsCaution
Turn more slowly and make wider
arcs when towing a trailer to
prevent damage to your vehicle. (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
Making very sharp turns could
cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when
towing, so trailer will not go over soft
shoulders, over curbs, or strike road
signs, trees, or other objects. Always
signal turns well in advance. Do not
steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes may
overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency.
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 higher altitudes,
engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at lower altitudes.
If the engine is turned off immediately after towing at high altitude on steep
uphill grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating. To
avoid this, let the engine run,
preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine off.
If the overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating
0312.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer
on a level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your
trailer 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.

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12533370) -
2019 - crc - 1/23/19
284 DRIVING AND OPERATING
3. When the wheel chocks are inplace, 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. .Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more often
when used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule 0383. It is
especially important to check the
automatic transmission fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before and
during each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling when Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See
Engine Overheating
0 312.
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To tow a trailer
correctly, follow the directions in
this section and see your dealer for
important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity
for your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring the
weight, speed, altitude, road grades,
outside temperature, dimensions of
the front of the trailer, and how
frequently the vehicle is used to tow a
trailer.
{Warning
You and others could be seriously
injured or killed if the trailer is too
heavy or the trailer brakes are
inadequate for the load. The vehicle
may be damaged, and the repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Only tow a trailer if all the steps in
this section have been followed. Ask
your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer.

Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12533370) -
2019 - crc - 1/23/19
288 VEHICLE CARE
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . 304
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . 304
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Brake Pad Life System . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . 316
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . 319
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . 319
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . 322
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . 322
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . 330
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 341 Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Tire Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . 348
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 357
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370