Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15283641) -
2022 - CRC - 10/12/21
226 DRIVING AND OPERATING
{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 IceCaution
To avoid damage to the wheels and
brake components, always clear
snow and ice from inside the
wheels and underneath the vehicle
before driving.
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 0257.
.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) 0253.
See Driver Mode Control 0258.
.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.
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 0432. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15283641) -
2022 - CRC - 10/12/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 253
The system is activated and
deactivated by pressing the ARM
switch on the center console. The
system must be activated with each
new ignition cycle. If ARM is
deactivated, the system will still
perform rev matching for upshifts.
A gear indicator in the instrument
cluster displays the current gear
selected. ARM is also shown in the
Performance View of the HUD:
.When ARM is activated, the gear
number is amber.
.When ARM is deactivated, the gear
number is white.
.If no gear number is displayed while
the shift lever is in gear, service is
required. All rev matching will be
disabled and the malfunction
indicator lamp will be on. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light)099. The clutch and
manual transmission will continue
to operate normally.
ARM will also:
.Be active above 28 km/h (18 mph).
.Match engine speed up to
6100 rpm.
.Not operate when the accelerator
pedal is applied.
.Be disabled when the coolant
temperature is below 0 °C (32 °F).
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature always send
engine power to all four wheels. It is
fully automatic, and adjusts itself as
needed for road conditions.
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
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.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15283641) -
2022 - CRC - 10/12/21
254 DRIVING AND OPERATING
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 102.
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 and
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 0102 and
Service Electric Parking Brake Light
0 102. There are also parking
brake-related Driver Information
Center (DIC) messages. 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
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15283641) -
2022 - CRC - 10/12/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 255
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 0315.
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. The EPB can also be used to prevent
roll back for vehicles with a manual
transmission taking off on a hill.
When no roll back is desired, an
applied EPB will allow both feet to be
used for the clutch and accelerator
pedals in preparation for starting the
vehicle moving in the intended
direction. In this case, there is no
need to press the switch to release
the EPB.
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.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15283641) -
2022 - CRC - 10/12/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 317
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. The combination of
the vehicle and trailer will not
accelerate as quickly and is much
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 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.
Vehicles 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
0342.
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 CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15283641) -
2022 - CRC - 10/12/21
348 VEHICLE CARE
Brake Fluid
The brake/clutch master cylinder
reservoir is filled with GM approved
DOT 4 brake fluid as indicated on the
reservoir cap. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview 0326 for the location of the
reservoir.
Checking Brake Fluid
Place the vehicle in P (Park) or
Neutral with the parking brake applied
if equipped with a manual
transmission. On a level surface, the
brake fluid level should be between
the minimum and maximum marks
on the brake fluid reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down:
.Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the fluid
level goes back up.
.A fluid leak in the brake/clutch
hydraulic system. Have the brake/
clutch hydraulic system fixed. With
a leak, the brakes will not work well.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir
cap and the area around the cap
before removing it.
Do not top off the brake/clutch fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are installed.
Add or remove fluid, as necessary,
only when work is done on the brake/
clutch hydraulic system.
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You or
others could be burned, and the
vehicle could be damaged. Add
brake fluid only when work is done
on the brake/clutch hydraulic
system. When the brake/clutch fluid falls to a
low level, the brake warning light
comes on. See
Brake System Warning
Light 0101.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid at
the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0408.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 4 brake
fluid from a clean, sealed container.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0417.{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15283641) -
2022 - CRC - 10/12/21
VEHICLE CARE 349
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the paint
finish can be damaged. Immediately
wash off any painted surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove the
cap and do not add fluid.
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new battery is needed.
The vehicle has an Absorbed Glass
Mat (AGM) 12-volt battery.
Installation of a standard 12-volt
battery will result in reduced 12-volt
battery life.
When using a 12-volt battery charger
on the 12-volt AGM battery, some
chargers have an AGM battery setting
on the charger. If available, use the
AGM setting on the charger, to limit
charge voltage to 14.8 volts. Follow
the charger manufacturer's
instructions.Stop/Start System
This vehicle has a Stop/Start system
to shut off the engine to help
conserve fuel. See
Stop/Start System
0 235.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals and related accessories
can expose you to chemicals
including lead and lead compounds,
which are known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling. For
more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
See the warning on the back cover.
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode. You
can be badly hurt if you are not (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
careful. SeeJump Starting - North
America 0390 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the black,
negative (−) cable from the battery to
keep the battery from running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the black,
negative (−) cable from the battery or
use a battery trickle charger.
All-Wheel Drive
If the vehicle is equipped with
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD), this is an
additional system that needs
lubrication.
Transfer Case
Under normal driving conditions,
transfer case fluid does not require
maintenance unless there is a fluid
leak or unusual noise. If required,
have the transfer case serviced by
your dealer.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15283641) -
2022 - CRC - 10/12/21
358 VEHICLE CARE
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block
The instrument panel fuse block is in
the end of the driver side of the
instrument panel.
To access the fuses, remove the end
panel by gently prying with a plastic
tool near each clip, beginning at the
point shown.
To install the end cover, insert the
tabs on the back of the cover into the
slots in the instrument panel at the
points shown. Align the clips with the
slots in the instrument panel, and
press the cover into place.
The vehicle may not be equipped with
all of the fuses and relays shown.