2021 CADILLAC XT4 overheating

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14584367) - 2021 - CRC - 10/14/20
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 111
If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS and potentially the StabiliTrak/
ESC system have been disabled.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
message may display. Check the DIC
messages to determine which
feature(s) is no longer functioning and
whether the vehicle requires service.
If the light is on and flashing, the TCS
and/or the StabiliTrak/ESC system is
actively working.
SeeTraction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0235.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light
(Uplevel)
This light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle. If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the system
is working normally the indicator light
goes off.
Caution
The engine coolant temperature
warning light indicates that the
vehicle has overheated. Driving with
this light on can damage the engine
and it may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. See
Engine
Overheating 0294.
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens, pull over and turn off
the engine as soon as possible. See
Engine Overheating 0294.
Driver Mode Control Light
This light comes on when Sport Mode
is selected.
This light comes on when Snow/Ice
Mode is selected.
This light comes on when Off-Road
Mode is selected.
See Driver Mode Control 0236.
Tire Pressure Light

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14584367) - 2021 - CRC - 10/14/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 213
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping equipment
in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper tread
depth. SeeTires0308.
.Turn off cruise control.
.Activate All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
mode. See Driver Mode Control
0 236.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving on
flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the vehicle
on a long downhill slope can cause
brake overheating, can reduce brake
performance, and could result in a
loss of braking. Shift the
transmission to a lower gear to let
the engine assist the brakes on a
steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or
with the ignition off is dangerous.
This can cause overheating of the
brakes and loss of steering assist.
Always have the engine running
and the vehicle in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the center line.
.Be alert on top of hills; something
could be in your lane (e.g., stalled
car, crash).
.Pay attention to special road signs
(e.g., falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
.Select All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Mode.
See Driver Mode Control 0236 and
All-Wheel Drive 0232.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and the
road creates less traction or grip, so
drive carefully. Wet ice can occur at
about 0 °C (32 °F) when freezing rain
begins to fall. Avoid driving on wet ice
or in freezing rain until roads can be
treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0235.

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14584367) - 2021 - CRC - 10/14/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 223
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap theelectrical cord. The cord is located
on the passenger side of the
compartment near the air cleaner/
filter.
Check the heater cord for damage.
If it is damaged, do not use it. See
your dealer for a replacement.
Inspect the cord for damage yearly.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord or
an extension cord can damage the
cord and may result in overheating
and fire.
.Plug the cord into a three-prong
electrical utility receptacle that is
protected by a ground fault
detection function. An
ungrounded outlet could cause
an electric shock.
.Use a weatherproof, heavy-duty,
15 amp-rated extension cord if
needed. Failure to use the
recommended extension cord in
good operating condition,
or using a damaged heater or
extension cord, could make it
(Continued)
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.

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14584367) - 2021 - CRC - 10/14/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 273
longer than the vehicle alone. It is
necessary to go much farther beyond
the passed vehicle before returning to
the lane. Pass on level roadways.
Avoid passing on hills if possible.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. To move the trailer to
the left, move that hand to the left. To
move the trailer to the right, move
that hand to the right. Always back up
slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making TurnsCaution
Turn more slowly and make wider
arcs when towing a trailer to
prevent damage to your vehicle.
Making very sharp turns could
cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when
towing, so the trailer will not go over
soft shoulders, over curbs, or strike road signs, trees, or other objects.
Always signal turns well in advance.
Do not steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes may
overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes,
engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at lower altitudes.
If the engine is turned off immediately
after towing at high altitude on steep
uphill grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating. To
avoid this, let the engine run,
preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine off.
If the overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating
0294.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer
on a level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your
trailer on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the
wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, gradually release the brake
pedal to allow the chocks to absorb
the load of the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14584367) - 2021 - CRC - 10/14/20
274 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 0358. 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
0 294.
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.
Trailering is different than just driving
the vehicle by itself. Trailering means
changes in handling, acceleration,
braking, durability, and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used
properly.
The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips
and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers. Read this section
carefully before pulling a trailer.
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.
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
Rating

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14584367) - 2021 - CRC - 10/14/20
VEHICLE CARE 281
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . 289
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . 290
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . 297
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298 Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . 299
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . 300
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . 301
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . 302
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . 303
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . 306
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316 Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . 318
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 326
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14584367) - 2021 - CRC - 10/14/20
VEHICLE CARE 291
4. Inspect or replace the engine aircleaner/filter.
5. Reverse Steps 1–3 to reinstall the filter cover housing.
6. If equipped, reset the engine air filter life system after replacing the
engine air filter. See Engine Air
Filter Life System 0289.
{Warning
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. Use caution
when working on the engine. Do
not start the engine or drive the
vehicle with the air cleaner/filter
off, as flames may be present if the
engine backfires.
Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt
can easily get into the engine,
which could damage it. Always have
the air cleaner/filter in place when
driving.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the engine
to maintain the correct working
temperature.
1. Electric Engine Cooling Fan (Out
of View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can start
up even when the engine is not
running and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{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.
Engine Coolant
The engine cooling system in the
vehicle is filled with DEX-COOL engine
coolant mixture. This coolant needs to
be checked and changed at
appropriate levels. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0367 and
Maintenance Schedule 0358.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating 0294.

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14584367) - 2021 - CRC - 10/14/20
292 VEHICLE CARE
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
water and DEX-COOL coolant. Be sure
the cooling system is cool before this
is done. See Engine Overheating 0294.
The coolant surge tank is in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0285.