2021 CADILLAC CT5 brakes

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
328 VEHICLE CARE
Caution (Continued)
expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake linings have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake linings
are worn and new linings are needed.
The sound can come and go or can be
heard all the time when the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will not
work well. That could lead to a
crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake linings could result in costly
brake repairs.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied, clearing up
following several applications. This
does not mean something is wrong
with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake linings for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications. See Capacities and
Specifications 0397.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or if
there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign that brake
service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes may not
work properly. The braking
performance can change in many
ways if the wrong brake parts are
installed or if parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Pad Life System (If
Equipped)
When to Change Brake Pads
This vehicle has a system that
estimates the remaining life of the
front and rear brake pads. Brake pad
life is displayed in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), along with
a percentage for each axle. The system
must be reset every time the brake
pads are changed.
When the system has determined that
the brake pads need to be replaced, a
message will display, which may
include mileage remaining.
Brake pads should always be replaced
as complete axle sets.

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
VEHICLE CARE 329
How to Reset the Brake Pad Life
System
The system will automatically detect
when significantly worn brake pads
and sensors are replaced. When the
ignition is turned on after new pads
and sensors are installed, a message
will display. Follow the prompts to
reset the system.
The brake pad life system can also be
manually reset:1. Display Brake Pad Life on the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) 0113 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0116.
2. Press the thumbwheel. Select front or rear pads as appropriate.
3. Select YES on the confirmation message. Repeat for pads on the
other axle if they were also
replaced.
How to Disable the Brake Pad
Life System
The brake pad life system can be
turned off. This may be necessary if
aftermarket brake pads without wear sensors are installed. When the
system is turned off, the front and
rear brake pad life percentages will
not display. However, the built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn can still determine when the
pads should be replaced. See
Brakes
0 328.
To turn off the brake pad life system: 1. Display Brake Pad Life on the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) 0113 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0116.
2. Select DISABLE.
To turn the brake pad life system back
on, follow the above steps but select
ENABLE in Step 2.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir is
filled with GM approved DOT 4 brake
fluid as indicated on the reservoir cap.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 313 for the location of the reservoir.
Checking Brake Fluid
With the vehicle in P (Park) on a level
surface, the brake fluid level should be
between the minimum and maximum
marks on the brake fluid reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down:
.Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the fluid
level goes back up.
.A fluid leak in the brake hydraulic
system. Have the brake hydraulic
system fixed. With a leak, the
brakes will not work well.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir
cap and the area around the cap
before removing it.
Do not top off the brake fluid. Adding
fluid does not correct a leak. If fluid is
added when the linings are worn,
there will be too much fluid when
new brake linings are installed. Add or

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
358 VEHICLE CARE
Warning (Continued)
dealer or authorized tire service
center should mount or
dismount the tires.
{Warning
Mixing tires of different sizes
(other than those originally
installed on the vehicle), brands,
tread patterns, or types may
cause loss of vehicle control,
resulting in a crash or other
vehicle damage. Use the correct
size, brand, and type of tire on
all wheels.
{Warning
Using bias-ply tires on the
vehicle may cause the wheel rim
flanges to develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire
and/or wheel could fail suddenly
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
and cause a crash. Use only
radial-ply tires with the wheels
on the vehicle.
Winter tires with the same speed
rating as the original equipment
tires may not be available for H, V,
W, Y and ZR speed rated tires.
Never exceed the winter tires’
maximum speed capability when
using winter tires with a lower
speed rating.
If the vehicle tires must be
replaced with a tire that does not
have a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size, load
range, speed rating, and
construction (radial) as the
original tires.
The Tire and Loading Information
label indicates the original
equipment tires on the vehicle.
See Vehicle Load Limits 0219.Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed that are
a different size than the original
equipment wheels and tires, vehicle
performance, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover
may be affected. If the vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, electronic stability control,
or All-Wheel Drive, the performance
of these systems can also be affected.
{Warning
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety if
tires not recommended for those
wheels are selected. This increases
the chance of a crash and serious
injury. Only use GM specific wheel
and tire systems developed for the
vehicle, and have them properly
installed by a GM certified
technician.

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
VEHICLE CARE 361
Caution
The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake
cooling, speedometer or odometer
calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance,
and tire or tire chain clearance to
the body and chassis.
Used Replacement Wheels
{Warning
Replacing a wheel with a used one
is dangerous. How it has been used
or how far it has been driven may
be unknown. It could fail suddenly
and cause a crash. When replacing
wheels, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{Warning
Do not use tire chains. There is not
enough clearance. Tire chains used
on a vehicle without the proper(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
amount of clearance can cause
damage to the brakes, suspension,
or other vehicle parts. The area
damaged by the tire chains could
cause loss of control and a crash.
Use another type of traction device
only if its manufacturer
recommends it for the vehicle's tire
size combination and road
conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slowly
and readjust or remove the traction
device if it contacts the vehicle. Do
not spin the wheels. If traction
devices are used, install them on
the rear tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow out
while driving, especially if the tires are
maintained properly. If air goes out of
a tire, it is much more likely to leak
out slowly. SeeTires0342 for additional information. But if there
ever is a blowout, here are a few tips
about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire creates
a drag that pulls the vehicle toward
that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering
wheel firmly. Steer to maintain lane
position, and then gently brake to a
stop, well off the road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and may
require the same correction as used in
a skid. Stop pressing the accelerator
pedal and steer to straighten the
vehicle. It may be very bumpy and
noisy. Gently brake to a stop, well off
the road, if possible.
{Warning
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has been
driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash. Never
attempt to re-inflate a tire that has
(Continued)

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE 381
Service and
Maintenance
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . 383
Special Application Services
Special Application Services . . . . . 389
Additional Maintenance
and Care
Additional Maintenanceand Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Maintenance Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Maintenance Records
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
General Information
Your vehicle is an important
investment. This section describes the
required maintenance for the vehicle.
Follow this schedule to help protect
against major repair expenses
resulting from neglect or inadequate
maintenance. It may also help to
maintain the value of the vehicle if it
is sold. It is the responsibility of the
owner to have all required
maintenance performed.
Your dealer has trained technicians
who can perform required
maintenance using genuine
replacement parts. They have
up-to-date tools and equipment for
fast and accurate diagnostics. Many
dealers have extended evening and
Saturday hours, courtesy
transportation, and online scheduling
to assist with service needs.
Your dealer recognizes the importance
of providing competitively priced
maintenance and repair services. With trained technicians, the dealer is the
place for routine maintenance such as
oil changes and tire rotations and
additional maintenance items like
tires, brakes, batteries, and wiper
blades.
Caution
Damage caused by improper
maintenance can lead to costly
repairs and may not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Maintenance
intervals, checks, inspections,
recommended fluids, and lubricants
are important to keep the vehicle in
good working condition.
Do not have chemical flushes that
are not approved by GM performed
on the vehicle. The use of flushes,
solvents, cleaners, or lubricants that
are not approved by GM could
damage the vehicle, requiring
expensive repairs that are not
covered by the vehicle warranty.

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE 389
(10)Or every 10 years, whichever
comes first. See Gas Strut(s)0332.
(11) Replace air conditioning
desiccant every seven years.
Special Application
Services
.Severe Commercial Use Vehicles
Only: Lubricate chassis components
every oil change.
.Have underbody flushing service
performed. See "Underbody
Maintenance" in Exterior Care0372.
Additional Maintenance
and Care
Your vehicle is an important
investment and caring for it properly
may help to avoid future costly
repairs. To maintain vehicle
performance, additional maintenance
services may be required. It is recommended that your dealer
perform these services
—their trained
dealer technicians know your vehicle
best. Your dealer can also perform a
thorough assessment with a
multi-point inspection to recommend
when your vehicle may need
attention.
The following list is intended to
explain the services and conditions to
look for that may indicate services are
required.
Battery
The 12-volt battery supplies power to
start the engine and operate any
additional electrical accessories.
.To avoid break-down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a battery
with full cranking power.
.Trained dealer technicians have the
diagnostic equipment to test the
battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion-free. Belts
.Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of cracking or
splitting.
.Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment to
inspect the belts and recommend
adjustment or replacement when
necessary.
Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are crucial
to safe driving.
.Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping.
.Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment to
inspect the brakes and recommend
quality parts engineered for the
vehicle.

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
410 CUSTOMER INFORMATION
If another party's insurance company
is paying for the repairs, you are not
obligated to accept a repair valuation
based on that insurance company's
collision policy repair limits, as you
have no contractual limits with that
company. In such cases, you can have
control of the repair and parts choices
as long as the cost stays within
reasonable limits.
Publication Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service manuals have the diagnosis
and repair information on the engine,
transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical system, steering system,
body, etc.
Customer Literature
Owner’s manuals are written
specifically for owners and are
intended to provide basic operational
information about the vehicle. The
owner’s manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all models.Customer literature publications
available for purchase include owner’s
manuals, warranty manuals, and
portfolios. Portfolios include an
owner’s manual, warranty manual,
if applicable, and zip lock bag or
pouch.
Current and Past Models
Service manuals and customer
literature are available for many
current and past model year GM
vehicles.
To order, call 1-800-551-4123
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
eastern time
For credit card orders only (VISA,
MasterCard, or Discover), see Helm,
Inc. at: www.helminc.com.
To order by mail, write to:
Helm, Incorporated
Attention: Customer Service
47911 Halyard Drive
Plymouth, MI 48170
Make checks payable in U.S. funds.
Radio Frequency
Statement
This vehicle uses license-exempt
transmitters / receivers / systems that
operate on a radio frequency that
complies with Part 15/Part 18 of the
Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) rules and with Innovation,
Science and Economic Development
(ISED) Canada's license-exempt RSS(s)
/ RSP-100 / ICES-GEN.
Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
1. The device may not cause harmful interference.
2. The device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
Changes or modifications to any of
these systems by other than an
authorized service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14584312) -
2021 - CRC - 11/23/20
INDEX 423
Appearance CareExterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . 285
Assistance Systems for Parking and Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Audio Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Auto Stop
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Automatic Dimming Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . 288
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Vehicle Hold Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Automatic Transmission
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH) . . . . 240
Avoiding Untrusted Media Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151B
Battery
Exterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Battery - North America . . . . . .330, 368
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . . . . . 331
Bluetooth Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175, 176
Bluetooth Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Brake Electric Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Parking, Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Brake Pad Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Pad Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Automatic Emergency (AEB) . . . . . 288
Braking System
Front Pedestrian (FPB) . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Buckle To Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Bulb Replacement
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . .309, 330, 368, Back Cover
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . 397
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Cargo Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . . . . . 2
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Charging
Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103