Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12017481) - 2019 - Insert - 1/15/20
This information replaces information
under“Recreational Vehicle Towing”
found in the Vehicle Care Section of the
owner's manual.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle, such as behind a motor home.
The two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are known
as dinghy towing and dolly towing.
Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground.
Dolly towing is towing the vehicle
with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a
dolly. Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing:
.
Become familiar with the local
laws that apply to recreational
vehicle towing. These laws may
vary by region.
. The towing capacity of the towing
vehicle. Be sure to read the tow
vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
. How far the vehicle will be towed.
Some vehicles have restrictions on
how far and how long they can be
towed.
. The proper towing equipment. See
your dealer or trailering
professional for additional advice
and equipment recommendations.
. If the vehicle is ready to be towed.
Just as preparing the vehicle for a
long trip, make sure the vehicle is
prepared to be towed.
Caution
Use of a shield mounted in front of
the vehicle grille could restrict
airflow and cause damage to the
transmission. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
If using a shield, only use one that
attaches to the towing vehicle.
Dinghy Towing
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 19_225706_ENUS©2020 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.
INSERT TO THE 2019 CADILLAC XT4 OWNER'S MANUAL
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12017481) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
180 DRIVING AND OPERATING
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method. SeeTraction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0203.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or
others could be injured. The vehicle
can overheat, causing an engine
compartment fire or other damage.
Spin the wheels as little as possible
and avoid going above 56 km/h
(35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right
to clear the area around the front
wheels. Turn off any traction system.
Shift back and forth between
R (Reverse) and a low forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as
possible. To prevent transmission
wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release
the accelerator pedal while shifting,
and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transmission is in
gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing the Vehicle
0312.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can carry.
This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the
weight of all occupants, cargo, and
all nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it may
properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and the
Certification/Tire label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or
rear Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). This can cause
systems to break and change
the way the vehicle handles.
This could cause loss of control
and a crash. Overloading can
also reduce stopping distance,
damage the tires, and shorten
the life of the vehicle.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12017481) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
182 DRIVING AND OPERATING
5.Determine the combined
weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing
a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to
your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how
this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle.”
See Trailer Towing 0244 for
important information on towing
a trailer, towing safety rules and
trailering tips.
Example 1
1.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 1 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
2.Subtract Occupant Weight
@ 68 kg (150 lbs) × 2 =
136 kg (300 lbs).
3.Available Occupant and
Cargo Weight = 317 kg
(700 lbs).
Example 2
1.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 2 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
2.Subtract Occupant Weight
@ 68 kg (150 lbs) × 5 =
340 kg (750 lbs).
3.Available Cargo Weight =
113 kg (250 lbs).
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12017481) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
244 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more often
when used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule0326. 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
0 265.
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
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.
Trailering is different than just driving
the vehicle by itself. Trailering means
changes in handling, acceleration,
braking, durability, and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used
properly.
The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips
and safety rules. Many of these are
important for your safety and that of
your passengers. Read this section
carefully before pulling a trailer.
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.
When towing a trailer, the combined
weight of the vehicle, vehicle contents,
trailer, and trailer contents must be
below all of the maximum weight
ratings for the vehicle, including:
.
GCWR: Gross Combined Weight
Rating
. GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating
. Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
. Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight
Rating
See “Trailer Brakes ”under Towing
Equipment 0247.
The only way to be sure the weight is
not exceeding any of these ratings is
to weigh the tow vehicle and trailer
combination, fully loaded for the trip,
getting individual weights for each of
these items.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12017481) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
DRIVING AND OPERATING 245
{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.
Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR)
GCWR is the total allowable weight of
the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any fuel, passengers,
cargo, equipment, and accessories. Do
not exceed the GCWR for your vehicle.
The GCWR for the vehicle is on the
Tow Rating Chart following.
Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR)
For information about the vehicle's
maximum load capacity, seeVehicle
Load Limits 0180. When calculating
the GVWR with a trailer attached, the
trailer tongue weight must be
included as part of the weight the
vehicle is carrying.
Maximum Trailer Weight
The maximum trailer weight rating is
calculated assuming the tow vehicle
has a driver, a front seat passenger,
and all required trailering equipment.
This value represents the heaviest
trailer the vehicle can tow, but it may
be necessary to reduce the trailer
weight to stay within the GCW,
GVWR, maximum trailer tongue load,
or GAWR-RR for the vehicle.
Use the tow rating chart to determine
how much the trailer can weigh, based
on the vehicle model and options.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12017481) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
VEHICLE CARE 313
with all four wheels on the ground.
Dolly towing is towing the vehicle
with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a
dolly.
Here are some important things to
consider:
.Before towing the vehicle, become
familiar with the local laws that
apply to recreational vehicle
towing. These laws may vary by
region.
. What is the towing capacity of the
towing vehicle? Be sure to read the
tow vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
. What is the distance that will be
traveled? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow. .
Is the proper towing equipment
going to be used? See your dealer
or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
. Is the vehicle ready to be towed?
Just as preparing the vehicle for a
long trip, make sure the vehicle is
prepared to be towed.
Caution
Use of a shield mounted in front of
the vehicle grille could restrict
airflow and cause damage to the
transmission. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
If using a shield, only use one that
attaches to the towing vehicle.
Dinghy Towing
Caution
If the vehicle is towed with all four
wheels on the ground, the
drivetrain components could be
damaged. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Do
not tow the vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground.