2021 CADILLAC XT5 traction control

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
218 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Warning (Continued)
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can
build up under the vehicle's tires so
they actually ride on the water. This
can happen if the road is wet enough
and you are going fast enough. When
the vehicle is hydroplaning, it has
little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping equipment
in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper tread
depth. SeeTires0325.
.Turn off cruise control.
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, 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.
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

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 219
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
Control0240.
.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves vehicle stability during
hard stops, but the brakes should be
applied sooner than when on dry
pavement. See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0238.
.Allow greater following distance and
watch for slippery spots. Icy patches
can occur on otherwise clear roads
in shaded areas. The surface of a
curve or an overpass can remain icy
when the surrounding roads are
clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
.Turn off cruise control.
.Select All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Mode
for vehicles equipped with AWD.
Select Snow/Ice Mode for FWD only
vehicles. See Driver Mode Control
0 242 and
All-Wheel Drive 0237.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby. If possible,
use Roadside Service. See Roadside
Service 0396. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may cause
exhaust gases to get inside. Engine
exhaust contains carbon monoxide
(CO), which cannot be seen or
smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Clear snow from the base of the
vehicle, especially any blocking
the exhaust pipe.
.Open a window about 5 cm (2 in)
on the vehicle side that is away
from the wind, to bring in
fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on or
under the instrument panel.
.Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air inside
the vehicle and set the fan speed
to the highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0231.
To save fuel, run the engine for short
periods to warm the vehicle and then
shut the engine off and partially close
the window. Moving about to keep
warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle speed.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
220 DRIVING AND OPERATING
This keeps the battery charged to
restart the vehicle and to signal for
help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible, to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels
to free the vehicle when stuck in sand,
mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method. SeeTraction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0240.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or
others could be injured. The vehicle
can overheat, causing an engine
compartment fire or other damage.
Spin the wheels as little as possible
and avoid going above 56 km/h
(35 mph).
For All-Wheel Drive (AWD), select
Off-Road or AWD mode. See Driver
Mode Control 0242 and
All-Wheel Drive 0237.
Rocking the Vehicle to Get it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right
to clear the area around the front
wheels. Turn off any traction system.
Shift back and forth between
R (Reverse) and a low forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as
possible. To prevent transmission
wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release
the accelerator pedal while shifting,
and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in
gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing the Vehicle 0361.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can carry.
This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the
weight of all occupants, cargo, and
all nonfactory-installed options. Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it may
properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and the
Certification/Tire label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or
rear Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). This can cause
systems to break and change
the way the vehicle handles.
This could cause loss of control
and a crash. Overloading can
also reduce stopping
performance, damage the tires,
and shorten the life of the
vehicle.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 237
M (Manual Mode) can be exited to
return to D (Drive) at any speed by
pulling the lever rearward from the
center position. It is not necessary to
stop the vehicle or shift to N (Neutral)
or P (Park) prior to shifting back to
D (Drive).
Temporary Tap Shift Mode
To enter Temporary Tap Shift Mode:1. With the transmission in D (Drive) and not in Permanent Tap Shift
Mode, the Tap Shift controls will
activate a Temporary Tap Shift
Mode, allowing the transmission to
be manually shifted.
2. To deactivate, hold the right control briefly. Automatic shifts
return after no manual shifts have
been done for seven to 10 seconds.
While using Tap Shift, the vehicle will
have firmer, quicker shifting. This can
be used for sport driving or when
climbing or descending hills, to stay in
gear longer, or to downshift for more
power or engine braking.
The transmission will only allow
shifting into gears appropriate for the
vehicle speed and engine revolutions per minute (rpm). If shifting is
prevented for any reason, the M or D
will flash in the instrument cluster.
The transmission will not
automatically shift to the next higher
gear if the engine rpm is too high.
It will only automatically shift to the
next lower gear if the engine rpm is
much too low.
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature can operate
in All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Mode. See
Driver Mode Control
0242.
Press MODE to activate AWD. AWD is
active in AWD, Sport, and Off-Road
Modes.
The AWD system delivers power to all
four wheels and the system adjusts as
needed to improve traction.
The AWD Mode will stay selected
until the mode is changed. If the
vehicle is placed in Sport Mode, see
Driver Mode Control 0242.
Sport Mode and Off-Road Mode are
canceled with each ignition cycle. See
Driver Mode Control 0242.
When operated in Tour Mode, the
vehicle will deliver power to the front
wheels only and may provide better
fuel economy.
If Tour Mode is selected see Driver
Mode Control 0242.
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost
Vehicles equipped with electric brake
boost have hydraulic brake circuits
that are electronically controlled when
the brake pedal is applied during

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 241
may be turned back on when road
conditions allow. TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC will automatically turn on when
cruise control is set.
Both systems come on automatically
when the vehicle is started and begins
to move. The systems may be heard or
felt while they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This is
normal and does not mean there is a
problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary to
turn TCS off if the vehicle gets stuck
in sand, mud, ice, or snow. SeeIf the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0220 and “Turning
the Systems Off and On ”later in this
section.
The indicator light for both systems is
in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin
.Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is
activated
.Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message may display in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to indicate
that the system is inactive and is not
assisting the driver in maintaining
control. The vehicle is safe to drive,
but driving should be adjusted
accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on and
stays on, the vehicle may need more
time to diagnose the problem. If the
condition persists, see your dealer.
Turning the Systems Off and On
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is off.
The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displays in the instrument cluster and
a DIC message may display. To turn
TCS on again, press and release
g.
The Traction Off light
idisplayed in
the instrument cluster will turn off
and a DIC message may display.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
242 DRIVING AND OPERATING
If TCS is limiting wheel spin wheng
is pressed, the system will not turn off
until the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC, press and hold
guntil the
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC Off light
gcome on and stay on
in the instrument cluster. A DIC
message may display. To turn TCS and
StabiliTrak/ESC on again, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
and StabiliTrak/ESC Off lightgin the
instrument cluster turn off and a DIC
message may display.
StabiliTrak will automatically turn on
if the vehicle exceeds 56 km/h
(36 mph). Traction control will
remain off.
Adding accessories can affect vehicle
performance. See Accessories and
Modifications 0294.
Driver Mode Control
If equipped, the Driver Mode Control
has the following modes: Tour, Sport,
All-Wheel Drive (AWD), Snow/Ice
(Front-Wheel Drive vehicles only), and Off-Road (AWD vehicles only). Press
MODE on the center console to make
a mode selection. The first press of
the switch will show the current mode
in the instrument cluster. Continue
pressing through the available modes.
If the vehicle is in Tour Mode or AWD
Mode, it will start in that mode in
future ignition cycles.
If the vehicle is in Tour, Sport,
or Off-Road Mode when the engine is
turned off, Driver Mode Control will
come on in Tour Mode at the next
ignition cycle.
When AWD Mode or Sport Mode is
selected, the light will come on in the
AWD indicator below the MODE
switch. The indicator light will turn
off when Tour Mode is selected. For
more information on AWD Mode, see
All-Wheel Drive
0237.
Driver Mode Control Switch
Tour : Tour Mode operates in FWD to
improve fuel economy. Use this mode
during normal driving operations.
Sport : Sport Mode improves vehicle
handling and acceleration on dry
pavement. When active, Sport Mode
modifies steering efforts, transmission
shifting, AWD torque, and suspension
tuning, if equipped.
The Performance Algorithm Liftfoot
(PAL) feature is enabled in Sport
Mode. PAL allows the transmission to
hold the current gear after a quick

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14590481) - 2021 - CRC - 10/22/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING 243
release of a heavily applied accelerator
pedal. This provides greater engine
braking and enhanced vehicle control.
When PAL is activated, there may be
an additional green gear symbol which
appears in the instrument cluster
display. SeePerformance Shifting Light
0 111.
AWD : AWD Mode provides drive
torque to all four wheels. Select AWD
to improve traction and control on
slippery road surfaces, such as gravel,
sand, wet pavement, snow, and ice.
When in AWD Mode, the AWD Mode
indicator light will be on. For more
information on AWD Mode, see
All-Wheel Drive 0237.
Snow/Ice (FWD Vehicles Only) :
Snow/Ice Mode improves vehicle
acceleration on snow and ice covered
roads.
Off-Road (AWD Vehicles Only) : Use
this mode for off-road recreational
driving. Choosing Off-Road Mode also
engages AWD Mode. For more
information on Off-Road Mode, see
Off-Road Driving.Cruise Control
{
Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at a
steady speed. Do not use cruise
control on winding roads or in
heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could
lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
With cruise control, a speed of about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more can be
maintained without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. Cruise control does
not work at speeds below about
40 km/h (25 mph).
If the Traction Control/StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system begins to limit wheel spin
while using cruise control, the cruise
control automatically disengages. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0240. If a collision alert occurs when cruise control is
activated, cruise control is disengaged.
See
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0264. When road conditions
allow cruise control to be safely used,
it can be turned back on.
Cruise control will disengage if either
TCS or StabiliTrak/ESC is turned off.
If the brakes are applied, cruise
control disengages.
J: Press to turn the system on and
off. A white indicator appears in the
instrument cluster when cruise is
turned on.