2020 CADILLAC XT6 maintenance

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12984300) -
2020 - CRC - 3/19/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 167
Braking
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is about
three-quarters of a second. In that
time, a vehicle moving at 100 km/h
(60 mph) travels 20 m (66 ft), which
could be a lot of distance in an
emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
.Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
. Avoid needless heavy braking.
. Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake normally
but do not pump the brakes. Doing so
could make the pedal harder to push
down. If the engine stops, there will
be some power brake assist but it will
be used when the brake is applied. Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the brake
pedal will be harder to push.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
Caution
To avoid damage to the steering
system, do not drive over curbs,
parking barriers, or similar objects
at speeds greater than 3 km/h
(1 mph). Use care when driving over
other objects such as lane dividers
and speed bumps. Damage caused
by misuse of the vehicle is not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
The vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance is
not required.
If power steering assist is lost due to a
system malfunction, the vehicle can
be steered, but may require increased
effort.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time while the
vehicle is not moving, power assist
may be reduced.

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12984300) -
2020 - CRC - 3/19/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 169
.Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving wheels
to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by
taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
. Ease your foot off the accelerator
pedal and steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. The vehicle may
straighten out. Be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
. Slow down and adjust your driving
according to weather conditions.
Stopping distance can be longer
and vehicle control can be affected
when traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other material
on the road. Learn to recognize
warning clues —such as enough
water, ice, or packed snow on the
road to make a mirrored surface
— and slow down when you have
any doubt. .
Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking, including
reducing vehicle speed by shifting
to a lower gear. Any sudden
changes could cause the tires to
slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid
only the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
All-wheel-drive vehicles can be used
for off-road driving. Vehicles without
all-wheel drive and vehicles not
equipped with All Terrain (AT) or
On-Off Road (OOR) tires must not be
driven off-road except on a level, solid
surface. To contact the tire
manufacturer for more information
about the original equipment tires, see
the Limited Warranty and Owner
Assistance Information manual.
Controlling the vehicle is the key to
successful off-road driving. One of the
best ways to control the vehicle is to
control the speed.
{Warning
When driving off-road, bouncing
and quick changes in direction can
easily throw you out of position.
This could cause you to lose control
and crash. You and your passengers
should always wear seat belts.
Before Driving Off-Road
. Have all necessary maintenance
and service work completed.
. Fuel the vehicle, fill fluid levels,
and check inflation pressure in all
tires, including the spare,
if equipped.
. Read all the information about
all-wheel-drive vehicles in this
manual.
. Make sure all underbody shields,
if equipped, are properly attached.
. Know the local laws that apply to
off-road driving.

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12984300) -
2020 - CRC - 3/19/19
248 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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 0333. 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
0 272.
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.
Trailer Weight Ratings
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
See “Weight-Distributing Hitch
Adjustment ”under Towing Equipment
0 252 to determine if equalizer bars
are required to obtain the maximum
trailer weight rating.

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12984300) -
2020 - CRC - 3/19/19
256 DRIVING AND OPERATING
{Warning
Trailer sway can result in a crash
and in serious injury or death, even
if the vehicle is equipped with TSC.
If the trailer begins to sway, reduce
vehicle speed by gradually removing
your foot from the accelerator. Then
pull over to check the trailer and
vehicle to help correct possible
causes, including an improperly or
overloaded trailer, unrestrained
cargo, improper trailer hitch
configuration, or improperly
inflated or incorrect vehicle or
trailer tires. SeeTowing Equipment
0 252 for trailer ratings and hitch
setup recommendations.
Trailer Tires
Special Trailer (ST) tires differ from
vehicle tires. Trailer tires are designed
with stiff sidewalls to help prevent
sway and to support heavy loads.
These features can make it difficult to determine if the trailer tire pressures
are low only based on a visual
inspection.
Always check all trailer tire pressures
before each trip when the tires are
cool. Low trailer tire pressure is a
leading cause of trailer tire blowouts.
Trailer tires deteriorate over time. The
trailer tire sidewall will show the week
and year the tire was manufactured.
Many trailer tire manufacturers
recommend replacing tires more than
six years old.
Overloading is another leading cause
of trailer tire blowouts. Never load the
trailer with more weight than the tires
are designed to support. The load
rating is on the trailer tire sidewall.
Always know the maximum speed
rating for the trailer tires before
driving. This may be significantly
lower than the vehicle tire speed
rating. The speed rating may be on
the trailer tire sidewall. If the speed
rating is not shown, the default trailer
tire speed rating is 105 km/h (65 mph).
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. See
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0120.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle systems.
This could affect vehicle operation
and cause a crash. Such devices
may also access information stored
in the vehicle’s systems.

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12984300) -
2020 - CRC - 3/19/19
VEHICLE CARE 261
If equipped with remote vehicle start,
open the hood before performing any
service work to prevent remote
starting the vehicle accidentally. See
Remote Vehicle Start015.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records 0345.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage to
vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
{Warning
For vehicles with auto engine stop/
start, turn the vehicle off before
opening the hood. If the vehicle is
on, the engine will start when the
hood is opened. You or others could
be injured.
{Warning
Components under the hood can
get hot from running the engine. To
help avoid the risk of burning
unprotected skin, never touch these
components until they have cooled,
and always use a glove or towel to
avoid direct skin contact.
Clear any snow from the hood before
opening.
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release lever with the
isymbol. It is on the
lower left side of the instrument
panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and locate the secondary release
lever under the front center of
the hood. Push the secondary
hood release lever to the right to
release.
3. After you have partially lifted the hood, the gas strut system will
automatically lift the hood and
hold it in the fully open position.

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12984300) -
2020 - CRC - 3/19/19
VEHICLE CARE 267
If the system is ever reset accidentally,
the oil must be changed at 5 000 km
(3,000 mi) since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
Reset the system whenever the engine
oil is changed so that the system can
calculate the next engine oil change.
To reset the system:1. Using the DIC controls on the right side of the steering wheel,
display REMAINING OIL LIFE on
the DIC. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) 0128. When
remaining oil life is low, the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message will appear on the
display.
2. Press the thumbwheel on the DIC controls and hold down for a
few seconds to clear the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message and reset the oil life
at 100%. Be careful not to reset the oil life
display accidentally at any time
other than after the oil is
changed. It cannot be reset
accurately until the next oil
change.
The oil life system can also be reset as
follows: 1. Display REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) 0128.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three times
within five seconds.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message is not on, the
system is reset.
The system is reset when the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
is off.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat the
procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak occurs,
take the vehicle to your dealer and
have it repaired as soon as possible.
Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage the
vehicle, and the damage may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use the correct automatic
transmission fluid. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0 343.
See your dealer to have the fluid and
filter changed at the intervals listed in
the Maintenance Schedule 0333.
Engine Air Filter Life
System
If equipped, this feature provides the
engine air filter’s remaining life and
best timing for a change. The timing

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12984300) -
2020 - CRC - 3/19/19
268 VEHICLE CARE
to change an engine air filter depends
on driving and environmental
conditions.
When to Change the Engine Air
Filter
When the Driver Information Center
(DIC) displays a message to replace
the engine air filter at the next oil
change, follow this timing.
When the DIC displays a message to
replace the engine air filter soon,
replace the engine air filter at the
earliest convenience.
The system must be reset after the
engine air filter is changed.
If the DIC displays a message to check
the engine air filter system, see your
dealer.
How to Reset the Engine Air
Filter Life System
To reset:1. Place the vehicle in P (Park).
2. Display the Air Filter Life on the DIC. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) 0128. 3. Press
Ton the steering wheel to
move to the Reset/Disable
display area. Select Reset then
press the thumbwheel for several
seconds.
4. Press the thumbwheel to confirm the reset.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is in the
engine compartment on the passenger
side of the vehicle. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0263.
When to Inspect/Replace the
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
If the vehicle is not equipped with the
engine air filter life system, see
Maintenance Schedule 0333.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Do not start the engine or have the
engine running with the engine air
cleaner/filter housing open. Before
removing the engine air cleaner/filter,
make sure that the engine air cleaner/
filter housing and nearby components are free of dirt and debris. Remove the
engine air cleaner/filter. Do not clean
the engine air cleaner/filter or
components with water or
compressed air.
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Remove the five screws on top of
the engine air cleaner/filter
housing.
2. Lift the air cleaner/filter cover housing away from the engine.
3. Pull out the filter.
4. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12984300) -
2020 - CRC - 3/19/19
270 VEHICLE CARE
appropriate levels. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0343 and
Maintenance Schedule 0333.
The following explains the cooling
systems and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating 0272.
What to Use
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts. They
can be very hot and can burn you.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak; all coolant could leak out.
That could cause an engine fire and
can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down to
−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature. .
Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
. Protects against rust and
corrosion.
. Will not damage aluminum parts.
. Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a
mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard GMW3420 and
clean, drinkable water. Anything
else can cause damage to the
engine cooling system and the
vehicle, which would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or pouring into sewers,
streams, or bodies of water. Have the
coolant changed by an authorized
service center, familiar with legal requirements regarding used coolant
disposal. This will help protect the
environment and your health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface
when checking the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the
coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down. If coolant is visible but
the coolant level mark is not at or
above the indicated mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable