Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527548) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 177
Warning (Continued)
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.
. While in use, do not let the
heater cord touch vehicle
parts or sharp edges. Never
close the hood on the
heater cord.
. Before starting the vehicle,
unplug the cord, reattach the
cover to the plug, and
securely fasten the cord. Keep
the cord away from any
moving parts.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord
as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you
do not it could be damaged. The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on several
factors. Ask a dealer in the area where
you will be parking the vehicle for the
best advice on this.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
When the ignition is turned from on
to off, the following features (if
equipped) will continue to function
for up to 10 minutes, or until the
driver door is opened. These features
will also work when the ignition is in
RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY:
.
Infotainment System
. Power Windows (during RAP this
functionality will be lost when any
door is opened)
. Sunroof (during RAP this
functionality will be lost when any
door is opened)
. Auxiliary Power Outlet
. Audio System
. OnStar System
Shifting Into Park
To shift into P (Park):
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop, and hold the brake pedal down.
2. Press the button on top of the shift lever to shift into P (Park).
See Automatic Transmission
0 182.
3. The P indicator on the shift lever will turn red when the vehicle is
in P (Park).
Leaving the Vehicle with the
Engine Running
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
It could overheat and catch fire.
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the vehicle is not in
P (Park) with the parking brake set.
The vehicle can roll.
(Continued)
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527548) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
178 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Warning (Continued)
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could
be injured. To be sure the vehicle
will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, always
set the parking brake and shift
to P (Park). SeeShifting Into Park
0 177. If you are towing a trailer,
see Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0230.
If you have to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, be sure the
vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking
brake is set before you leave it. See
Electric Parking Brake 0189.
If you are towing a trailer and parking
on a hill, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips 0230.
Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronically controlled transmission.
The shift lock release button is
designed to prevent inadvertent
shifting out of P (Park) unless the
ignition is on, the brake pedal is
applied, and the shift lock release
button is pressed.
The shift lock control is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less than
9-volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. See Jump Starting - North
America 0306.
To shift out of P (Park):
1. Ensure the engine is running.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Press and hold the shift lock release button.
4. Move the shift lever to the desired position. 5. The P indicator will turn white
and the gear indicator on the
shift lever will turn red when the
vehicle is no longer in P (Park).
6. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
If the vehicle cannot shift from
P (Park), a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message will be
displayed. See your dealer for service.
Manual Park Release
{Warning
The transmission will be placed in
N (Neutral) when the manual park
release is pulled. The vehicle can
roll and you or others could be
injured. Ensure the vehicle is on
level ground.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527548) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 179
Caution
The manual park release is not
intended to be used for towing.
Damage may result from using the
manual park release in this way.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
The manual park release can be used
to shift the vehicle into N (Neutral)
when the engine is not running.
Pulling the manual park release while
the vehicle is on or turning the
ignition on while the manual park
release is pulled, will cause a DIC
message to display.
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
using the manual park release: 1. Ensure the vehicle is on level ground and set the parking
brake.
2. Turn the vehicle off.
3. Use a flat-bladed tool to remove the interior trim panel on the
center console to the right of the
accelerator pedal.
4. Ensure more than one minute has elapsed since Step 2. Apply
the brake pedal.5. Pull the manual park release
lever 90° to its latching position.
6. With the brake pedal released, place the ignition in ACC/
ACCESSORY. Then apply the
brake pedal and release the
parking brake.
7. Ensure there are no loose objects in the area that could bump the
manual park release lever.
To return the vehicle to P (Park) using
the manual park release: 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527548) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
180 DRIVING AND OPERATING
2. Rotate the manual park release90° back to its original position.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Confirm that the vehicle is in P (Park) by turning the ignition
on or by placing the vehicle in
ACC/ACCESSORY, then ensure
that the indicator displays P.
5. Reinstall the interior trim panel.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the vehicle
and ignite. Do not park over papers,
leaves, dry grass, or other things
that can burn.
Active Fuel Management
The vehicle’s engine may be equipped
with Active Fuel Management, which
allows the engine to operate on either all of its cylinders, or in reduced
cylinder operation, depending on the
driving conditions.
When less power is required, such as
cruising at a constant vehicle speed,
the system will operate in reduced
operation mode, allowing the vehicle
to achieve better fuel economy. When
greater power demands are required,
such as accelerating from a stop,
passing, or merging onto a highway,
the system will maintain full-cylinder
operation.
If the vehicle has an Active Fuel
Management indicator, see Driver
Information Center (DIC) for more
information on using this display.
Extended Parking
It is best not to park with the vehicle
running. If the vehicle is left running,
be sure it will not move and there is
adequate ventilation.
See
Shifting Into Park 0177 and
Engine Exhaust 0181. If the vehicle is left parked and
running with the RKE transmitter
outside the vehicle, it will continue to
run for up to half an hour.
If the vehicle is left parked and
running with the RKE transmitter
inside the vehicle, it will continue to
run for up to an hour.
The vehicle could turn off sooner if it
is parked on a hill, due to lack of
available fuel.
The timer will reset if the vehicle is
taken out of P (Park) while it is
running.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527548) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 183
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronically controlled transmission.
The shift lock release button is
designed to prevent inadvertent
shifting out of P (Park) unless the
ignition is on, the brake pedal is
applied, and the shift lock release
button is pressed.
When the vehicle is stopped, press
ENGINE START/STOP to turn off the
vehicle. The transmission will shift to
P (Park) automatically unless the
vehicle is in N (Neutral), See“Car
Wash Mode ”following.
The vehicle will not shift into P (Park)
if it is moving too fast. Stop the
vehicle and shift into P (Park). To shift in and out of P (Park), see
Shifting Into Park
0177 and
Shifting out of Park 0178.
Service Shift Lever Message
If the message SERVICE SHIFTER SEE
OWNER’S MANUAL appears in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), the
shift lever needs service. Have the
vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
If the vehicle is automatically shifting
into P (Park), check to see if the
P (Park) button on top of the shift
lever is stuck. To operate the vehicle,
hold the shift lever in the desired gear,
R (Reverse) or D (Drive), until vehicle
speed exceeds 15 km/h (10 mph), then
release the shift lever.
R : Use this gear to back up.
If the vehicle is shifted from either
R (Reverse) to D (Drive) or M (Manual
Mode), or M (Manual Mode) or
D (Drive) to R (Reverse) while the
speed is too high, the vehicle will shift
to N (Neutral). Reduce the vehicle
speed and try the shift again.
To shift into R (Reverse): 1. Bring the vehicle to a
complete stop.
2. Press and hold shift lock release button on the side of the shift
lever.
3. From the center position, move the shift lever forward through
the first detent to the end of
travel. R is illuminated in red.
4. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
To shift out of R (Reverse): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse) can
be used to rock the vehicle back and
forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand
without damaging the transmission.
See If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0167.
N : In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart the engine when the vehicle is
already moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527548) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 189
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 118.
ABS does not change the time needed
to get a foot on the brake pedal and
does not always decrease stopping
distance. If you get too close to the
vehicle ahead, there will not be
enough time to apply the brakes if
that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the
brake pedal down firmly. Hearing and
feeling ABS operate is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and braking at the
same time. In many emergencies,
steering can help even more than
braking.
Electric Parking Brake
The vehicle has an Electric Parking
Brake (EPB). The EPB can always be
activated, even if the ignition is off. To
prevent draining the battery, avoid
repeated cycles of the EPB system
when the engine is not running. The system has a
Yor PARK
Electric Parking Brake light, and a
8
Service Parking Brake light. See
Electric Parking Brake Light 0117 and
Service Electric Parking Brake Light
0 118.
Before leaving the vehicle, check for
the
Yor PARK light to ensure that
the parking brake is applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
The
Yor PARK light will flash and
then stay on once the EPB is fully
applied. If the
Yor PARK light
flashes continuously, then the EPB is
only partially applied or there is a
problem with the EPB. A DIC message
will display. Release the EPB and try
to apply it again. If the light does not
come on, or keeps flashing, have the
vehicle serviced. Do not drive the
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527548) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
190 DRIVING AND OPERATING
vehicle if theYor PARK light is
flashing. See your dealer. See Electric
Parking Brake Light 0117.
If the
8light is on, press the EPB
switch and hold it. Continue to hold
the switch until the
Yor PARK light
remains on. If the
8light remains on,
see your dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the vehicle
is moving, the vehicle will decelerate
as long as the switch is pressed. If the
switch is pressed until the vehicle
comes to a stop, the EPB will remain
applied.
The vehicle may automatically apply
the EPB in some situations when the
vehicle is not moving. This is normal,
and is done to periodically check the
correct operation of the EPB system.
If the EPB fails to apply, block the rear
wheels to prevent vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Turn the ignition on or to ACC/ ACCESSORY. 2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Press the EPB switch
momentarily.
The EPB is released when the
Yor
PARK light is off.
If the
8light is on, release the EPB by
pressing and holding the EPB switch.
Continue to hold the switch until
the
Yor PARK light is off. If either
light stays on after release is
attempted, see your dealer.
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.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to drive away. Avoid rapid acceleration when
the EPB is applied, to preserve parking
brake lining life.
If parking on a hill, or if the vehicle is
pulling a trailer, see
Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips 0230.
Brake Assist
Brake Assist detects rapid brake pedal
applications due to emergency braking
situations and provides additional
braking to activate the Antilock Brake
System (ABS) if the brake pedal is not
pushed hard enough to activate ABS
normally. Minor noise, brake pedal
pulsation, and/or pedal movement
during this time may occur. Continue
to apply the brake pedal as the driving
situation dictates. Brake Assist
disengages when the brake pedal is
released.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527548) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 193
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is off.
The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displays in the instrument cluster and
a DIC message may display.
To turn TCS on again, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off and a DIC message may
display.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
g
is pressed, the system will not turn off
until the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC, press and hold
guntil the
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC Off light
gcome on and stay on
in the instrument cluster. A DIC
message may display. To turn TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on
again, press and release
g. The
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC Off light
gin the instrument
cluster turn off and a DIC message
may display.
Adding accessories can affect vehicle
performance. See Accessories and
Modifications 0243.
Driver Mode Control
If equipped, the Driver Mode Control
has the following modes: Tour, Sport,
All-Wheel Drive (AWD), Snow/Ice
(Front-Wheel Drive vehicles only), and
Off Road. Press MODE on the center
console to make a mode selection.
Each press will scroll through the
available modes.
If the vehicle is in Tour or Sport Mode
when the engine is turned off, Driver
Mode Control will come on in Tour
Mode at the next ignition cycle.
If the vehicle is in AWD Mode when
the engine is turned off, Driver Mode
Control will come on in AWD Mode at
the next ignition cycle. When AWD Mode, Sport Mode, or Off
Road Mode are selected, an indicator
will display on the DIC.
Driver Mode Control Switch
Tour : Tour Mode operates in FWD to
improve fuel economy. Use this mode
during normal driving operations.
Sport : Sport Mode improves vehicle
handling and acceleration on dry
pavement. When active, Sport Mode
modifies steering efforts, transmission
shifting, AWD torque, and suspension
tuning, if equipped. Choosing Sport
Mode also engages AWD, if equipped.