Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12984300) -
2020 - CRC - 3/19/19
176 DRIVING AND OPERATING
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels
to free the vehicle when stuck in sand,
mud, ice, or snow.
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 0200.
{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
0320.
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 XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12984300) -
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 191
The transmission does not operate
when the vehicle is off.
If the vehicle is in ACC/ACCESSORY,
the transmission can be shifted into
P (Park).
If the vehicle is turned off while at a
relatively high vehicle speed, the
transmission will automatically shift
to N (Neutral). Once the vehicle is
stopped, P (Park) is automatically
selected.
P :This position locks the drive
wheels. Use P (Park) when starting the
engine because the vehicle cannot
move easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the transmission is not in
P (Park) with the parking brake set.
The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If the engine has
been left running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could
be injured. To be sure the vehicle
will not move, even when on fairly
level ground, always set the parking
brake and place the transmission
into P (Park). See Shifting Into Park
0 186 and
Electric Parking Brake 0198.
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 ”later in this section.
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12984300) -
2020 - CRC - 3/19/19
192 DRIVING AND OPERATING
The vehicle will not shift into P (Park)
if it is moving too fast. Stop the
vehicle and shift into P (Park).
To shift into and out of P (Park), see
Shifting Into Park0186 and
Shifting out of Park 0186.
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 the 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 0176. 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.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into
a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine running
at high speed may damage the
transmission. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Be sure the engine is not running at
high speed when shifting the
vehicle.
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12984300) -
2020 - CRC - 3/19/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 195
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using
only the accelerator pedal may
damage the transmission. The
repair will not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. If the vehicle is
stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes to
hold the vehicle in place.
Manual Mode
Tap ShiftCaution
Driving with the engine at a high
rpm without upshifting while using
Tap Shift, could damage the vehicle.
Always upshift when necessary
while using Tap Shift.
If equipped, vehicles with Tap Shift
have controls on the back of the
steering wheel to manually shift the
automatic transmission.
Permanent Tap Shift Mode
To enter Permanent Tap Shift Mode: 1. With the vehicle in D (Drive), pull back on the shift lever to
activate M (Manual Mode). The
M in the shift pattern will
illuminate in red, and the D will
switch to white.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position. 3. Pull the control toward you to
shift. Pull the left control to
downshift, and the right control
to upshift. To shift to the lowest
available gear, pull and hold the
left control.
To exit Permanent Tap Shift Mode: 1. To exit M (Manual Mode) and return to D (Drive), pull back on
the shift lever. The D in the shift
pattern will illuminate in red,
and the M will switch to white.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
M (Manual Mode) can be exited to
return to D (Drive) at any speed by
pulling the lever rearward from the
center position. It is not necessary to
stop the vehicle or shift to N (Neutral)
or P (Park) prior to shifting back to
D (Drive).
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12984300) -
2020 - CRC - 3/19/19
196 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Temporary Tap Shift Mode
To enter Temporary Tap Shift Mode:1. With the transmission in D (Drive) and not in Permanent
Tap Shift Mode, the Tap Shift
controls will activate a
Temporary Tap Shift Mode,
allowing the transmission to be
manually shifted.
2. To shift to the lowest available gear, press and hold the left
control.
3. To deactivate, hold the right control briefly. Automatic shifts
return after no manual shifts
have been done for seven to
10 seconds.
While using Tap Shift, the vehicle will
have firmer, quicker shifting. This can
be used for sport driving or when
climbing or descending hills, to stay in
gear longer, or to downshift for more
power or engine braking. The transmission will only allow
shifting into gears appropriate for the
vehicle speed and engine revolutions
per minute (rpm). If shifting is
prevented for any reason, the M or D
will flash in the instrument cluster.
The transmission will not
automatically shift to the next higher
gear if the engine rpm is too high.
It will only automatically shift to the
next lower gear if the engine rpm is
much too low.Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature can operate
in All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Mode. See
Driver Mode Control
0202.
Press MODE to activate AWD. AWD is
active in both AWD and Sport Modes.
The AWD system delivers power to all
four wheels and the system adjusts as
needed to improve traction.
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 197
The AWD Mode will stay selected
until the mode is changed. If the
vehicle is placed in Sport Mode, see
Driver Mode Control0202.
Sport Mode is canceled with each
ignition cycle. See Driver Mode Control
0 202.
When operated in Tour Mode, the
vehicle will deliver power to the front
wheels only and may provide better
fuel economy.
If Tour Mode is selected see Driver
Mode Control 0202.Brakes
Electric Brake Boost
Vehicles equipped with electric brake
boost have hydraulic brake circuits
that are electronically controlled when
the brake pedal is applied during
normal operation. The system
performs routine tests and turns off
within a few minutes after the vehicle
is shutdown. Noise may be heard
during this time. If the brake pedal is
pressed during the tests or when the
electric brake boost system is off, a
noticeable change in pedal force and
travel may be felt. This is normal.
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
helps prevent a braking skid and
maintain steering while braking hard.
ABS performs a system check when
the vehicle is first driven.
A momentary motor or clicking noise may be heard while this test is going
on, and the brake pedal may move
slightly. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. See
Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 123.
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 or
feeling ABS operate is normal.
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12984300) -
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198 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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
Y,f, or PARK
Electric Parking Brake light, and a
8
Service Parking Brake light. See
Electric Parking Brake Light 0122 and
Service Electric Parking Brake Light
0 123.
Before leaving the vehicle, check
for the
Y,f, or 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
Y,f, or PARK light will flash
and then stay on once the EPB is fully
applied. If the
Y,f, or 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 vehicle if the
Y,f, or PARK light is
flashing. See your dealer. See Electric
Parking Brake Light 0122.
If the
8light is on, press the EPB
switch and hold it. Continue to hold
the switch until the
Y,f, or 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.
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12984300) -
2020 - CRC - 3/19/19
200 DRIVING AND OPERATING
HSA is available when the vehicle is
facing uphill in a forward gear,
or when facing downhill in
R (Reverse). The vehicle must come to
a complete stop on a grade for HSA to
activate.Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
These systems help limit wheel spin
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any of
the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. On an
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle in
AWD or Sport Mode, the system will
operate if it senses that any of the
wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens, TCS
applies the brakes to the spinning
wheels and reduces engine power to
limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the
system senses a discrepancy between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure at any one of the
vehicle's brakes to help steer the
vehicle in the direction which you are
steering.
If cruise control is being used and TCS
or StabiliTrak/ESC begins to limit
wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road conditions
allow. TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC will
automatically turn on when cruise
control is set.
Both systems come on automatically
when the vehicle is started and begins
to move. The systems may be heard or
felt while they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This is
normal and does not mean there is a
problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary to
turn TCS off if the vehicle gets stuck
in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0176 and “Turning
the Systems Off and On ”later in this
section.