
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
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 239
Before leaving the vehicle, check the
red parking brake status light to
ensure that the parking brake is
applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
The red parking brake status light will
flash and then stay on once the EPB is
fully applied. If the red parking brake
status light flashes continuously, then
the EPB is only partially applied or
there is a problem with the EPB.
A DIC message will display. Release
the EPB and try to apply it again.
If the light does not come on, or keeps
flashing, have the vehicle serviced. Do
not drive the vehicle if the red parking
brake status light is flashing. See your
dealer.
If the amber service parking brake
warning light is on, press the EPB
switch. Continue to hold the switch
until the red parking brake status light remains on. If the amber service
parking brake warning light is on, see
your dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the vehicle
is moving, the vehicle will decelerate
as long as the switch is pressed. If the
switch is pressed until the vehicle
comes to a stop, the EPB will remain
applied.
The vehicle may automatically apply
the EPB in some situations when the
vehicle is not moving. This is normal,
and is done to periodically check the
correct operation of the EPB system,
or at the request of other safety
functions that utilize the EPB.
If the EPB fails to apply, block the rear
wheels to prevent vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Turn the ignition on or to ACC/ ACCESSORY.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
The EPB is released when the red
parking brake status light is off. If the amber service parking brake
warning light is on, release the EPB by
pressing and holding the EPB switch.
Continue to hold the switch until the
red parking brake status light is off.
If either light stays on after release is
attempted, see your dealer.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system and
cause premature wear or damage to
brake system parts. Make sure that
the parking brake is fully released
and the brake warning light is off
before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and parking
on a hill, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips 0279.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to drive
away. Avoid rapid acceleration when
the EPB is applied, to preserve parking
brake lining life.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
240 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Brake Assist
Brake Assist detects rapid brake pedal
applications due to emergency braking
situations and provides additional
braking to activate the Antilock Brake
System (ABS) if the brake pedal is not
pushed hard enough to activate ABS
normally. Minor noise, brake pedal
pulsation, and/or pedal movement
during this time may occur. Continue
to apply the brake pedal as the driving
situation dictates. Brake Assist
disengages when the brake pedal is
released.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
Do not rely on the HSA feature.
HSA does not replace the need to
pay attention and drive safely. You
may not hear or feel alerts or
warnings provided by this system.
Failure to use proper care when
driving may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. SeeDefensive
Driving 0211. When the vehicle is stopped on a
grade, Hill Start Assist (HSA) prevents
the vehicle from rolling in an
unintended direction during the
transition from brake pedal release to
accelerator pedal apply. The brakes
release when the accelerator pedal is
applied. If the accelerator pedal is not
applied within a few minutes, the
Electric Parking Brake will apply. The
brakes may also release under other
conditions. Do not rely on HSA to
hold the vehicle.
HSA is available when the vehicle is
facing uphill in a forward gear,
or when facing downhill in
R (Reverse). The vehicle must come to
a complete stop on a grade for HSA to
activate.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC), an electronic stability control system.
These systems help limit wheel spin
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any of
the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. On an
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle in
AWD or Sport Mode, the system will
operate if it senses that any of the
wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens, TCS
applies the brakes to the spinning
wheels and reduces engine power to
limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the
system senses a discrepancy between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure at any one of the
vehicle's brakes to help steer the
vehicle in the direction which you are
steering.
If cruise control is being used and
traction control or StabiliTrak/ESC
begins to limit wheel spin, cruise
control will disengage. Cruise control

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 251
Stationary or Very Slow-Moving
Objects
{Warning
ACC may not detect and react to
stopped or slow-moving vehicles
ahead of you. For example, the
system may not brake for a vehicle
it has never detected moving. This
can occur in stop-and-go traffic or
when a vehicle suddenly appears
due to a vehicle ahead changing
lanes. Your vehicle may not stop
and could cause a crash. Use
caution when using ACC. Your
complete attention is always
required while driving and you
should be ready to take action and
apply the brakes.
Irregular Objects Affecting ACC
ACC may have difficulty detecting the
following objects:
.Vehicles with cargo extending from
the back end.
.Non-standard shaped vehicles, such
as vehicle transport, vehicles with a
side car fitted, or horse carriages.
.Objects that are close to the front of
your vehicle.
ACC Automatically Disengages
ACC may automatically disengage and
the driver will need to manually apply
the brakes to slow the vehicle when:
.The sensors are blocked.
.The Traction Control System (TCS)
or StabiliTrak/ESC has activated or
been disabled.
.There is a fault in the system.
.The radar falsely reports blockage
when driving in a desert or remote
area with no other vehicles or
roadside objects. A DIC message
may display to indicate that ACC is
temporarily unavailable.
The ACC active symbol will turn white
when ACC is no longer active.
In some cases, when ACC will not
activate, regular cruise control may be
used. See “Switching Between ACC and
Regular Cruise Control ”previously in
this section. Always consider driving
conditions before using either cruise
control system. Notification to Resume ACC
ACC will maintain a following gap
behind a detected vehicle and slow
your vehicle to a stop behind that
vehicle.
If the stopped vehicle ahead has
driven away and ACC has not
resumed, the vehicle ahead indicator
will flash as a reminder to check
traffic ahead before proceeding. In
addition, the left and right sides of the
Safety Alert Seat will pulse three
times, or three beeps will sound. See
“Alert Type
”and “Adaptive Cruise Go
Notifier” in“Collision/Detection
Systems” underVehicle Personalization
0 123.
When the vehicle ahead drives away,
press RES+ or the accelerator pedal to
resume ACC. If stopped for more than
two minutes or if the driver door is
opened and the driver seat belt is
unbuckled, ACC automatically applies
the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) to
hold the vehicle. The Electric Parking
Brake light will turn on. See Electric
Parking Brake 0238.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
258 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Camera Views
Touch the camera view buttons along
the bottom of the infotainment
display.
Front/Rear Standard View :Displays
an image of the area in front or
behind the vehicle. Touch Front/Rear
Standard View on the infotainment
display when a camera view is active.
Touching the button multiple times
will toggle between front and rear
camera views.
If equipped, the front view camera
also displays when the Park Assist
system detects an object within
30 cm (12 in). Front/Rear Overhead View :
Displays
a front or rear overhead view of the
vehicle. Touching the button will
toggle between the two views.
Side Forward/Rearward View :
Displays a view that shows objects
next to the front or rear sides of the
vehicle. Touch Side Forward/Rearward
View on the infotainment display
when a camera view is active.
Touching the button multiple times
will toggle between forward and
rearward views. Park Assist and RCTA
overlays are not available when Side
Forward/Rearward view is active.
Hitch View : If equipped, assists while
connecting to a trailer. Displays a
zoomed-in view of the hitch to help
align the vehicle’s hitch ball with the
trailer coupler. Shifting into P (Park)
while in this view will automatically
engage the Electronic Parking
Brake (EPB).
Guidance Lines : Displays available
guidelines.
Top Down View : Displays an image
of the area surrounding the vehicle,
along with the rear camera view in the
infotainment display. The rear camera view will be replaced by the front
camera view after shifting from
R (Reverse) to a forward gear or when
the vehicle is moving forward slower
than 12 km/h (8 mph). This view can
only be enabled in Front/Rear
Standard View by touching the Top
Down View button when the CAMERA
view is active.
Hitch Guidance
If equipped, this feature displays a
single, centered guideline on the
camera display to assist with aligning
a vehicle’s hitch ball with a trailer
coupler. Select the trailer guidance
line button, then align the trailer
guidance line over the trailer coupler.
Continuously steer the vehicle to keep
the guidance line centered on the
coupler when backing. RVC Park
Assist overlays will not display when
the trailer guidance line is active.
Hitch Guidance is only available in
Standard View.
To check the trailer when in a forward
gear above 12 km/h (8 mph), touch
CAMERA on the infotainment display

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
260 DRIVING AND OPERATING
R (Reverse), Backing Warning alerts of
rear objects at vehicle speeds greater
than 8 km/h (5 mph), and RAB may
automatically brake hard at speeds
between 1–32 km/h (0.5–20 mph).
The Backing Warning System will
beep once from the rear when an
object is first detected, or pulse twice
on both sides of the Safety Alert Seat.
When the system detects a potential
crash, beeps will be heard from the
rear, or five pulses will be felt on both
sides of the Safety Alert Seat. There
may also be a brief, sharp application
of the brakes.
{Warning
The Backing Warning System only
operates at speeds greater than
8 km/h (5 mph). It does not detect
children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
animals, or objects below the
bumper or that are too close or too
far from the vehicle. In some
situations, such as at higher
backing speeds, there may not be
enough time for the short, sharp
application of the vehicle brake(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
system to occur. To prevent injury,
death, or vehicle damage, even with
the Backing Warning System,
always check the area around the
vehicle and check all mirrors before
backing.
When the vehicle is in R (Reverse),
if the system detects the vehicle is
backing too fast to avoid a crash with
a detected object behind your vehicle
in your path, it may automatically
brake hard to a stop to help avoid or
reduce the harm caused by a backing
crash.
{Warning
RAB may not avoid many types of
backing crashes. Do not wait for the
automatic braking to apply. This
system is not designed to replace
driver braking and only works in
R (Reverse) when an object is
detected directly behind the vehicle.
It may not brake or stop in time to
avoid a crash. It will not brake for (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
objects when the vehicle is moving
at very low speeds. It does not
detect children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, animals, or objects below
the bumper or that are too close or
too far from the vehicle. To prevent
injury, death, or vehicle damage,
even with RAB, always check the
area around the vehicle before and
while backing.
Pressing the brake pedal after the
vehicle comes to a stop will release
RAB. If the brake pedal is not pressed
soon after the stop, the Electric
Parking Brake (EPB) may be set. When
it is safe, press the accelerator pedal
firmly at any time to override RAB.
{Warning
There may be instances where
unexpected or undesired automatic
braking occurs. If this happens,
either press the brake pedal or
firmly press the accelerator pedal to
release the brakes from the RAB (Continued)

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 261
Warning (Continued)
system. Before releasing the brakes,
check the RVC and check the area
around the vehicle to make sure it
is safe to proceed.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
If equipped, RCTA displays a red
warning triangle with a left or right
pointing arrow on the infotainment
display to warn of traffic coming from
the left or right. This system detects
objects coming from up to 20 m (65 ft)
from the left or right side of the
vehicle. When an object is detected,
either three beeps sound from the left
or right or three Safety Alert Seat
pulses occur on the left or right side,
depending on the direction of the
detected vehicle.
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.
See Radio Frequency Statement 0401.
Turning the Features On or Off
PressXon the center stack to turn
on or off the Front and Rear Park
Assist, Reverse Automatic Braking
(RAB), and the Backing Warning
System at the same time. The
indicator light next to the button
comes on when the features are on
and turns off when the features have
been disabled.
Turn off Park Assist, RCTA, and RAB
when towing a trailer.
RCTA can be turned on or off through
vehicle personalization. See “Collision/
Detection Systems” underVehicle
Personalization 0123.
Automatic Parking Assist (APA)
with Braking
If equipped, APA searches for and
steers the vehicle into parallel and
perpendicular parking spots. When
using APA, you must still shift gears,
while the system applies the brakes
and accelerator. A display and audible
beeps help to guide parking
maneuvers.
Do not use APA when towing a trailer.
{Warning
APA may not detect objects in the
parking space, objects that are soft
or narrow, objects high off the
ground such as flatbed trucks,
objects below ground level such as
large potholes, or moving objects
(e.g. pedestrians). Always verify that
the parking space is appropriate for
parking a vehicle. APA does not
respond to changes in the parking
space, such as movement of an
adjacent vehicle, or a person or
object entering the parking space.
APA does not detect or avoid traffic
that is behind or alongside of the
vehicle. Always be prepared to stop
the vehicle during the parking
maneuver.
Press
Oon the center stack to enable
the system to search for a parking
space that is large enough and within
1.5 m (5 ft) of the vehicle. The vehicle
speed must be below
30 km/h (18 mph). The system cannot:
.Detect whether it is a legal parking
space.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
262 DRIVING AND OPERATING
.Park exactly lined up with the
vehicle next to it if the spot is
approached at an angle or if the
parking space is angled.
.Park exactly centered in a spot that
is marked too large.
.Always detect short curbs.
When enabled, APA searches for
parallel parking spaces to the right of
the vehicle. To search for a parking
space to the left, turn on the left turn
signal or, if available, change the side
selection in the infotainment display.
To switch the parking mode between
parallel and perpendicular, press and
hold
Oduring the search process or,
if available, change the parking mode
in the infotainment display.
After completely passing a large
enough space, an audible beep occurs.
A red stop symbol and a shift to
reverse message are displayed.
If the vehicle is in R (Reverse), but
does not steer into the expected
space, this may be because the system
is maneuvering the vehicle into a
previously detected space. The APA
system does not need service.
APA will instruct the vehicle to stop
once a large enough space is found.
Follow the displayed instructions.
Shift to R (Reverse) to engage
automatic steering. The steering wheel
will vibrate briefly as a reminder to
remove hands from the steering
wheel. APA uses idle speed and
braking to park. If idle speed is not
sufficient, gently press the accelerator. Check surroundings and be prepared
to stop to avoid vehicles, pedestrians,
or objects not detected by the system.
In case the driver brakes, APA will not
disengage. Manual steering by the
driver automatically disengages APA.
Vehicle speed is limited to a
maximum of 5 km/h (3 mph) during
the parking maneuver.
A progress arrow displays the status
of the parking maneuver. Depending
on the space size, additional
maneuvers may be required, and there
will be additional instructions. When
changing gears, allow the automatic
steering to complete before continuing
the parking maneuver. APA will beep
and display a PARKING COMPLETE
message. Apply the brakes and place
the vehicle in P (Park).
APA may automatically disengage if:
.The steering wheel is used by the
driver.
.The maximum allowed speed is
exceeded.
.The parking brake is applied or the
vehicle is shifted into P (Park).
.There is a failure with the APA
system.