
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 227
Auto Engine Stop/Start
When the brakes are applied and the
vehicle is at a complete stop, the
engine may turn off. When stopped,
the tachometer displays AUTO STOP.
SeeTachometer 0105. When the brake
pedal is released or the accelerator
pedal is pressed, the engine will
restart.
To maintain vehicle performance,
other conditions may cause the engine
to automatically restart before the
brake pedal is released.
Auto Stops may not occur and/or Auto
Starts may occur because:
.The climate control settings require
the engine to be running to cool or
heat the vehicle interior.
.The vehicle battery charge is low.
.The vehicle battery has recently
been disconnected.
.Minimum vehicle speed has not
been reached since the last
Auto Stop.
.The accelerator pedal is pressed.
.The engine or transmission is not at
the required operating temperature.
.The outside temperature is not in
the required operating range.
.The vehicle transmission is shifted
out of D (Drive) to any gear other
than P (Park).
.Driver modes have been selected.
.The vehicle is on a steep hill or
grade.
.The driver door has been opened or
the driver seat belt has been
unbuckled.
.The hood has been opened.
.The Auto Stop has reached the
maximum allowed time.
Auto Stop Disable Switch
The automatic engine Stop/Start
feature can be disabled and enabled
by touching the
hsymbol on the
center stack. Auto Stop is enabled
each time you start the vehicle.
When the light next to the
his
illuminated, the system is enabled.
Engine Heater
The engine heater can provide easier
starting and better fuel economy
during engine warm-up in cold
weather conditions at or below −18 °
C (0 °F). Vehicles with an engine
heater should be plugged in at least
four hours before starting. An internal
thermostat in the plug-end of the cord
may exist, which will prevent engine
heater operation at temperatures
above −18 °C (0 °F).
{Warning
Do not plug in the engine block
heater while the vehicle is parked in
a garage or under a carport.
Property damage or personal injury
(Continued)

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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238 DRIVING AND OPERATING
normal operation. The system
performs routine tests and turns off
within a few minutes after the vehicle
is turned off. 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. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 111.
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.
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 Electric Parking Brake (EPB) can
always be applied, even if the vehicle
is off. In case of insufficient electrical
power, the EPB cannot be applied or
released. To prevent draining the
battery, avoid unnecessary repeated
cycles of the EPB.
The system has a red parking brake
status light and an amber service
parking brake warning light. See
Electric Parking Brake Light 0110 and
Service Electric Parking Brake Light
0 111. There are also parking
brake-related Driver Information
Center (DIC) messages.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 289
Electric Trailer
BrakesBlue
Battery Feed Red/Green or
Red/Blue
Brake Apply
Signal White/Blue
Ground Black
Refer to the aftermarket electric trailer
brake controller owner's manual to
determine wire color coding of the
electric trailer brake controller. The
wire colors on the brake controller
may be different from the vehicle. The
electric trailer brake controller should
be installed by your dealer or a
qualified service center.
If equipped, there are four blunt cut
wires inside the front driver side
instrument panel. It will be necessary
to have a technician connect the
12-volt power to the engine
compartment fuse block.
Trailer Lamps
Always check all trailer lamps are
working at the beginning of each trip,
and periodically on longer trips.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
When properly connected, the trailer
turn signals will illuminate to indicate
the vehicle is turning, changing lanes,
or stopping. When towing a trailer,
the arrows on the instrument cluster
will illuminate even if the trailer is not
properly connected or the bulbs are
burned out.
Always check all trailer lamps are
working at the beginning of each trip,
and periodically on longer trips.
Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
Vehicles with StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) have a Trailer
Sway Control (TSC) feature. Trailer
sway is unintended side-to-side
motion of a trailer while towing. If the
vehicle is towing a trailer and the TSC
detects that sway is increasing, the
vehicle brakes are selectively applied
at each wheel, to help reduce
excessive trailer sway. If equipped with
the Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) system, and the trailer has an
electric brake system, StabiliTrak/ESC
may also apply the trailer brakes.
If TSC is enabled, the Traction Control
System (TCS)/StabiliTrak/ESC warning
light will flash on the instrument
cluster. Reduce vehicle speed by
gradually removing your foot from the
accelerator. If trailer sway continues,
StabiliTrak/ESC can reduce engine
torque to help slow the vehicle. TSC
will not function if StabiliTrak/ESC is
turned off. See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0240.
{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
(Continued)

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
VEHICLE CARE 299
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir.See Washer Fluid 0309.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse Block
0317.
11. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0359.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine performance
and long life, careful attention must
be paid to engine oil. Following these
simple, but important steps will help
protect your investment:
.Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil” in
this section.
.Check the engine oil level regularly
and maintain the proper oil level.
See “Checking Engine Oil” and
“When to Add Engine Oil” in this
section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil Life
System 0301.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with Used
Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially prior
to a long trip. The engine oil dipstick
handle is a loop. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0296 for the
location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle may
be hot; it could burn you. Use a
towel or glove to touch the dipstick
handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the oil
level.
Follow these guidelines:
.To get an accurate reading, park the
vehicle on level ground. Check the
engine oil level after the engine has
been off for at least two hours.
Checking the engine oil level on
steep grades or too soon after
engine shutoff can result in incorrect readings. Accuracy
improves when checking a cold
engine prior to starting. Remove the
dipstick and check the level.
.If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is warm,
or at least 30 minutes if the engine
is not warm. Pull out the dipstick,
wipe it with a clean paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the
tip down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
2.0L L4 Engine
3.6L V6 Engine

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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308 VEHICLE CARE
1. With a cold system, disconnect thevent line from the port near the
cap on the surge tank. Add coolant
to the indicated mark on the
surge tank.
2. Reconnect the vent line to the surge tank and replace the cap on
the surge tank.
3. Connect the vehicle to a battery charger.
4. Put the vehicle in Service Mode. See Ignition Positions 0224.
5. Turn off the air conditioning.
6. Set the parking brake. 7. At the same time, press the
accelerator and the brake for
automatic transmission vehicles for
two seconds, then release.
At the end of the cycle, check the
coolant level in the surge tank and
add coolant, if it is low. Turn off the
vehicle, allow the Engine Control
Module (ECM) to go to sleep, about
two minutes, and repeat steps 3-7.
Listen for pump activation and
movement of the control valves while
watching the level of the tank. If the
tank empties, turn the ignition off,
carefully remove the surge tank cap,
refill to the indicated mark and repeat
steps 3-6. The fill and air removal
process will run for approximately
10 minutes.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators to
warn of the engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the instrument
cluster. See Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge 0106. The vehicle may also
display a message on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears, get
service help right away. See
Roadside
Service 0396.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is parked
on a level surface. Then check to see if
the engine cooling fan is running.
If the engine is overheating, the fan
should be running. If it is not, do not
continue to run the engine. Have the
vehicle serviced.
Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak in the engine cooling system.
This can cause a loss of all coolant
and can damage the system and
vehicle. Have any leaks fixed
right away.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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VEHICLE CARE 337
When the low tire pressure warning
light comes on:1. Park the vehicle in a safe, level place.
2. Set the parking brake firmly.
3. Place the vehicle in P (Park).
4. Add air to the tire that is underinflated. The turn signal lamp
will flash.
When the recommended pressure
is reached, the horn sounds once
and the turn signal lamp will stop
flashing and briefly turn solid.
Repeat these steps for all
underinflated tires that have
illuminated the low tire pressure
warning light.
{Warning
Overinflating a tire could cause the
tire to rupture and you or others
could be injured. Do not exceed the
maximum pressure listed on the
tire sidewall. See Tire Sidewall
Labeling 0327 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0220. If the tire is overinflated by more than
35 kPa (5 psi), the horn will sound
multiple times and the turn signal
lamp will continue to flash for several
seconds after filling stops. To release
and correct the pressure, while the
turn signal lamp is still flashing,
briefly press the center of the valve
stem. When the recommended
pressure is reached, the horn
sounds once.
If the turn signal lamp does not flash
within 15 seconds after starting to
inflate the tire, the tire fill alert has
not been activated or is not working.
If the hazard warning flashers are on,
the tire fill alert visual feedback will
not work properly.
The TPMS will not activate the tire fill
alert properly under the following
conditions:
.There is interference from an
external device or transmitter.
.The air pressure from the inflation
device is not sufficient to inflate
the tire.
.There is a malfunction in the TPMS.
.There is a malfunction in the horn
or turn signal lamps.
.The identification code of the TPMS
sensor is not registered to the
system.
.The battery of the TPMS sensor
is low.
If the tire fill alert does not operate
due to TPMS interference, move the
vehicle about 1 m (3 ft) back or
forward and try again. If the tire fill
alert feature is not working, use a tire
pressure gauge.
TPMS Sensor Matching Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identification code. The identification
code needs to be matched to a new
tire/wheel position after rotating the
vehicle’s tires or replacing one or more
of the TPMS sensors. The TPMS
sensor matching process should also
be performed after replacing a spare
tire with a road tire containing the
TPMS sensor. The malfunction light
and the DIC message should go off at
the next ignition cycle. The sensors
are matched to the tire/wheel
positions, using a TPMS relearn tool,

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
VEHICLE CARE 359
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North
America
For more information about the
vehicle battery, seeBattery - North
America 0312.
If the battery has run down, try to use
another vehicle and some jumper
cables to start your vehicle. Be sure to
use the following steps to do it safely.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm.
Batteries also contain other
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer. WASH
HANDS AFTER HANDLING. For
more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle. See
California Proposition 65 Warning
0 293 and the back cover.
{Warning
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
.They contain acid that can
burn you.
.They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
.They contain enough electricity
to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these things
can hurt you.
Caution
Ignoring these steps could result in
costly damage to the vehicle that
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Trying to start the vehicle
by pushing or pulling it will not
work, and it could damage the
vehicle.
3.6L V6 Shown, 2.0L L4 Similar
1. Discharged Remote Battery Positive Terminal
2. Discharged Remote Battery Negative Ground Terminal
3. Good Battery Negative Terminal
4. Good Battery Positive Terminal
The jump start remote positive
terminal (1) and the remote negative
ground terminal (2) for the discharged
battery are on the driver side of the
vehicle.
The jump start negative terminal (3)
and positive terminal (4) are on the
battery of the vehicle providing the
jump start.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
418 INDEX
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201, 206
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . 218
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . 49
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201, 206
I
If the System Needs Service . . . . . . . 168
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
IndicatorPedestrian Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Information Publication Ordering . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 139
J
Jump Starting - North America . . . . 359
K
Keyless Entry Remote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Lamps Cornering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . 134
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . 134
Exterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Lane Keep Assist Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
LATCH System Replacing Parts after a Crash . . . . . 80
LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Light
Performance Shifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Lighting Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Lights Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . 134