
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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226 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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 Equipment0290.
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.

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DRIVING AND OPERATING 277
Caution (Continued)
.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 0276.
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 0105.
{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:
.Read and follow all the
instructions on the fuel pump
island.
.Turn off the engine when
refueling.
.Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away
from fuel.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended.
.Avoid using electronic devices
while refueling.
.Do not re-enter the vehicle while
pumping fuel.
.Keep children away from the fuel
pump and never let children
pump fuel.
.Before touching the fill nozzle,
touch a metallic object to
discharge static electricity from
your body.
.Fuel can spray out if the fill
nozzle is inserted too quickly.
This spray can happen if the
tank is nearly full, and is more
likely in hot weather. Insert the
fill nozzle slowly and wait for any
hiss noise to stop before
beginning to flow fuel.
If equipped, the fuel door unlocks
when the vehicle doors are unlocked.
See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation 07.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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280 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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.
When towing a trailer:
.Become familiar with and follow all
state and local laws that apply to
trailer towing. These requirements
vary from state to state.
.State laws may require the use of
extended side view mirrors. Even if
not required, you should install
extended side view mirrors if your
visibility is limited or restricted
while towing.
.Do not tow a trailer during the first
800 km (500 mi) of vehicle use to
prevent damage to the engine, axle,
or other parts.
.It is recommended to perform the
first oil change before heavy towing.
.During the first 800 km (500 mi) of
trailer towing, do not drive over
80 km/h (50 mph) and do not make
starts at full throttle.
.Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). If the
transmission downshifts too often, a
lower gear may be selected using
Manual Mode SeeManual Mode
0 236.
If equipped, the following driver
assistance features should be turned
off when towing a trailer:
.Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
.Super Cruise Control
.Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
.Park Assist
.Automatic Parking Assist (APA)
.Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB)
If equipped, the following driver
assistance features should be turned
to alert or off when towing a trailer:
.Automatic Emergency
Braking (AEB)
.Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
.Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) If equipped with Lane Change Alert
(LCA), the LCA detection zones that
extend back from the side of the
vehicle do not move further back
when a trailer is towed. Use caution
while changing lanes when towing a
trailer.
If equipped with Rear Cross Traffic
Alert (RCTA), use caution while
backing up when towing a trailer, as
the RCTA detection zones that extend
out from the back of the vehicle do
not move further back when a trailer
is towed.
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death
from carbon monoxide (CO), when
towing a trailer:
.Do not drive with the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window open.
.Fully open the air outlets on or
under the instrument panel.
(Continued)

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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282 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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 Overheating0308.
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.
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 0374. It is
especially important to check the
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
0 308.

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292 VEHICLE CARE
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . 302
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . 303
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . 312
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . 313
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . 314
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . 315
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . 316
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . 316
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . 320
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331 Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . 334
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 342
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359

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VEHICLE CARE 297
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0303.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil
0 299.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil
0 299.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System 0304.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake
Fluid 0311.
6. Battery - North America 0312.
7. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System
0 304.
8. Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover). See Jump Starting -
North America 0359.
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.

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298 VEHICLE CARE
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0303.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil
0 299.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil
0 299. 4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View).
See Cooling System 0304.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake
Fluid 0311.
6. Battery - North America 0312. 7. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap. See Cooling System
0 304.
8. Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover). See Jump Starting -
North America 0359.

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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