Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14584367) - 2021 - CRC - 10/14/20
200 CLIMATE CONTROLS
@:Press to turn on recirculation.
An indicator light comes on. Air is
recirculated to quickly cool the inside
of the vehicle or to reduce the entry of
outside air and odors.
Auto Defog : The climate control
system may have a sensor to
automatically detect high humidity
inside the vehicle. When high
humidity is detected, the climate
control system may adjust to outside
air supply and turn on the air
conditioner. The fan speed may
slightly increase to help prevent
fogging. If the climate control system
does not detect possible window
fogging, it returns to normal
operation.
Ionizer : If equipped with an ionizer,
this feature helps to clean the air
inside the vehicle and remove
contaminants such as pollen, odors,
and dust. If the climate control
system is on and the ionizer is
enabled, the ionizer status indicator
will be lit on the climate control
display.Rear Window Defogger
K: Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light
on the button comes on to show that
the rear window defogger is on.
The defogger can be turned off by
turning the ignition to off or ACC/
ACCESSORY.
The rear window defogger can be set
to automatic operation. When auto
rear defog is selected, the rear window
defogger turns on automatically when
the interior temperature is cold and
the outside temperature is about 7 °C
(44 °F) and below. The auto rear
defogger turns off automatically.
If equipped, the heated outside
mirrors turn on when the rear window
defogger button is on and help to
clear fog or frost from the surface of
the mirror. See Heated Mirrors029.
Caution
Do not try to clear frost or other
material from the inside of the
front windshield and rear window
with a razor blade or anything else
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
that is sharp. This may damage the
rear window defogger grid and
affect the radio's ability to pick up
stations clearly. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Remote Start Climate Control
Operation : If equipped with remote
start, the climate control system may
run when the vehicle is started
remotely. If equipped with heated or
ventilated seats or a heated steering
wheel, these features may come on
during a remote start. See Remote
Vehicle Start 014, Heated and
Ventilated Front Seats 043, and Heated
Steering Wheel 091.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14584367) - 2021 - CRC - 10/14/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 207
Caution (Continued)
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.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the system
cools down.
See your dealer if there is a problem.
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable speed.
.Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
.Maintain a reasonable steady speed
through the curve.
.Wait until the vehicle is out of the
curve before accelerating gently into
the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may be
more effective than braking.
.Holding both sides of the steering
wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
.The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
allows steering while braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop off
the edge of a road onto the shoulder
while driving. Follow these tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer
the vehicle so that it straddles the
edge of the pavement.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14584367) - 2021 - CRC - 10/14/20
208 DRIVING AND OPERATING
2. Turn the steering wheel aboutone-eighth of a turn, until the right
front tire contacts the
pavement edge.
3. Turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not
rolling.
.Steering or Cornering Skid —too
much speed or steering in a curve
causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force.
.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 warranty 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.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14584367) - 2021 - CRC - 10/14/20
218 DRIVING AND OPERATING
weight of the driver, passengers,
and cargo should never exceed the
vehicle's capacity weight.
Certification/Tire Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Certification/
Tire label is attached to the center
pillar (B-pillar).
The label may show the size of the
vehicle's original tires and the
inflation pressures needed to
obtain the gross weight capacity
of the vehicle. The label shows the
gross weight capacity of the
vehicle. This is called the GrossVehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
The GVWR includes the weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, fuel,
and cargo.
The Certification/Tire label may
also show the maximum weights
for the front and rear axles, called
the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). To find out the actual
loads on the front and rear axles,
weigh the vehicle at a weigh
station. Your dealer can help with
this. Be sure to spread the load
equally on both sides of the
centerline.
CautionOverloading the vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Do
not overload the vehicle.
{Warning
Things inside the vehicle can
strike and injure people in a
sudden stop or turn, or in a
crash.
.Put things in the cargo area
of the vehicle. In the cargo
area, put them as far forward
as possible. Try to spread the
weight evenly.
.Never stack heavier things,
like suitcases, inside the
vehicle so that some of them
are above the tops of the
seats.
.Do not leave an unsecured
child restraint in the vehicle.
.Secure loose items in the
vehicle.
.Do not leave a seat folded
down unless needed.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14584367) - 2021 - CRC - 10/14/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 221
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change the
way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. See
Add-On Electrical Equipment0280.
To start the vehicle: 1. With the Keyless Access system, the RKE transmitter must be in the
vehicle. Press ENGINE START/
STOP with the brake pedal applied.
When the engine begins cranking,
let go of the button. The idle speed
will go down as the engine warms
up. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. If the RKE transmitter is not in the
vehicle, if there is interference, or if
the RKE battery is low, a Driver
Information Center (DIC) message
will display. See
Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation 07.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by pressing
ENGINE START/STOP immediately
after cranking has ended, can
overheat and damage the cranking
motor, and drain the battery. Wait
at least 15 seconds between each
try, to let the cranking motor
cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds, especially in
very cold weather (below −18 °C or
0 °F), it could be flooded with too
much gasoline. Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and hold it there, then press
ENGINE START/STOP for up to a
maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at
least 15 seconds between each try,
to allow the cranking motor to cool
down. When the engine starts, let go of the button and the
accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the
same thing. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Do not
race the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Stop/Start System
The Stop/Start system will shut off
the engine to help conserve fuel.
It has components designed for the
increased number of starts.
{Warning
The automatic engine Stop/Start
feature causes the engine to shut
off while the vehicle is still on. Do
not exit the vehicle before shifting
to P (Park). The vehicle may restart
and move unexpectedly. Always
shift to P (Park), and then turn the
ignition off before exiting the
vehicle.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14584367) - 2021 - CRC - 10/14/20
228 DRIVING AND OPERATING
To shift in and out of P (Park), see
Shifting Into Park0224 and
Shifting out of Park 0224.
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 0214.
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.
The vehicle is not designed to stay in
N (Neutral) for more than
five minutes. It may automatically
shift into P (Park). N (Neutral) is not
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14584367) - 2021 - CRC - 10/14/20
230 DRIVING AND OPERATING
4. Release the brake pedal. Thevehicle is now ready for the
car wash.
Car Wash Mode (Engine On –Driver
out of Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
with the engine on and the vehicle
unoccupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Open the door.
4. Shift to N (Neutral), then release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, repeat
Steps 2–4.
6. Exit the vehicle and close the door. The vehicle is now ready for the
car wash.
7. The vehicle may automatically shift to P (Park) upon re-entry.Caution
A transmission hot message may
display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition can
damage the vehicle. Stop and idle
the engine to cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This message
clears when the transmission fluid
has cooled sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal driving.
If more power is needed for passing,
press the accelerator pedal down.
To shift into D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. From the center position, move the shift lever back.
.If the vehicle is in P (Park), press
the shift lock release button
while pulling the shift
lever back.
.D will illuminate in red.
.After releasing the shift lever, it
will return to the center
position. To shift out of D (Drive):
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.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See “Skidding”underLoss
of Control 0208.
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.
If equipped with the 2.0L L4 engine,
engine speeds may be increased while
driving at highway speeds while the
engine is still warming up.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14584367) - 2021 - CRC - 10/14/20
268 DRIVING AND OPERATING
reduced acceleration and fuel
economy. If knocking occurs, use a
gasoline rated at 93 octane as soon as
possible, otherwise, the engine could
be damaged. If heavy knocking is
heard when using gasoline with a
93 octane rating, the engine needs
service.
Do not use any fuel labeled E85 or
FlexFuel. Do not use gasoline with
ethanol levels greater than 15% by
volume.
Prohibited Fuels
Caution
Do not use fuels with any of the
following conditions; doing so may
damage the vehicle and void its
warranty:
.For vehicles that are not
FlexFuel, fuel labeled greater
than 15% ethanol by volume,
such as mid-level ethanol blends
(16–50% ethanol), E85,
or FlexFuel.(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Fuel with any amount of
methanol, methylal, ferrocene,
and aniline. These fuels can
corrode metal fuel system parts
or damage plastic and rubber
parts.
.Fuel containing metals such as
methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT),
which can damage the emissions
control system and spark plugs.
.Fuel with a posted octane rating
of less than the recommended
fuel. Using this fuel will lower
fuel economy and performance,
and may decrease the life of the
emissions catalyst.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico post
fuel octane ratings in anti-knock index
(AKI). For fuel not to use in a foreign
country, seeProhibited Fuels 0268.
Fuel Additives
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is highly
recommended for use with your
vehicle. If your country does not have
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline, add
ACDelco Fuel System Treatment Plus
−Gasoline to the vehicle’s gasoline fuel
tank at every oil change or 15 000 km
(9,000 mi), whichever occurs first. TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline and ACDelco
Fuel System Treatment Plus−Gasoline
will help keep your vehicle’s engine
fuel deposit free and performing
optimally.
Filling the Tank
An arrow on the fuel gauge indicates
which side of the vehicle the fuel door
is on. See Fuel Gauge 0102.
{Warning
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn
violently and can cause injury or
death.
Follow these guidelines to help
avoid injuries to you and others:
(Continued)