
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
208 CLIMATE CONTROLS
Air Vents
Adjustable air vents are in the center
and on the sides of the instrument
panel, and on the rear of the center
console storage.
Move the slider knobs to change the
direction of or to close off the airf low.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves
from air inlets at the base of the
windshield that could block the
flow of air into the vehicle.
.Clear snow off the hood to improve
visibility and help decrease moisture
drawn into the vehicle.
.Keep the path under the front seats
clear of objects to help circulate the
air inside of the vehicle more
effectively.
.Use of non-GM approved hood
deflectors can adversely affect the
performance of the system. Check
with your dealer before adding
equipment to the outside of the
vehicle.
.Do not attach any devices to the air
vent slats. This restricts airf low and
may cause damage to the air vents.
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter
The filter reduces dust, pollen, and
other airborne irritants from outside
air that is pulled into the vehicle. The
filter should be replaced as part of
routine scheduled maintenance. See
Maintenance Schedule0380.
See your dealer regarding replacement
of the filter.
Service
All vehicles have a label underhood
that identifies the refrigerant used in
the vehicle. The refrigerant system
should only be serviced by trained and
certified technicians. The air
conditioning evaporator should never
be repaired or replaced by one from a
salvage vehicle. It should only be
replaced by a new evaporator to
ensure proper and safe operation.
During service, all refrigerants should
be reclaimed with proper equipment.
Venting refrigerants directly to the
atmosphere is harmful to the
environment and may also create
unsafe conditions based on inhalation,
combustion, frostbite, or other
health-based concerns.
The air conditioning system requires
periodic maintenance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0380.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 219
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 0241.
.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) 0239.
.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
0 243 and
All-Wheel Drive 0238.
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 0401. 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:
.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.”
(Continued)

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 231
Warning (Continued)
on fairly level ground, always set
the parking brake and shift to
P (Park).
If you have to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, be sure the
vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking
brake is firmly set before you leave it.
If you are towing a trailer and parking
on a hill, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips 0283.
Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic transmission. The shift lock
release button is designed to prevent
inadvertent shifting out of P (Park).
To shift out of P (Park):
1. Ensure the engine is running.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Press and hold the shift lock release button on the shift lever. 4. Move the shift lever to the desired
position. For N (Neutral) hold the
lever in the N (Neutral) position
until the N indicator
illuminates red.
5. The P indicator will turn white and the gear indicator will turn red
when the vehicle is no longer in
P (Park).
After releasing the shift lever, it will
return to the center position.
If the vehicle cannot shift from
P (Park), a Driver Information Center
(DIC) message may be displayed.
Check that the ignition is on, the
engine is running, the brake pedal is
applied, and the shift lock release
button is pressed when you are
attempting to shift out of P (park).
If all of these are met but the vehicle
will not shift out of P (Park), see your
dealer for service.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the vehicle
and ignite. Do not park over papers,
leaves, dry grass, or other things
that can burn.
Active Fuel Management
This vehicle's engine may be equipped
with Active Fuel Management, which
allows the engine to operate on either
all of its cylinders, or in reduced
cylinder operation mode, depending
on the driving conditions.
When less power is required, such as
cruising at a constant vehicle speed,
the system will operate in reduced
cylinder operation mode, allowing the
vehicle to achieve better fuel economy.
When greater power demands are
required, such as accelerating from a
stop, passing, or merging onto a
freeway, the system will maintain
full-cylinder operation.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 233
Automatic Transmission
The shift pattern is displayed in the
top of the shift lever. The selected
gear position will illuminate red on
the shift lever, while all others will be
displayed in white. If the shift is not
immediate, as in very cold conditions,
the indicator on the shift lever may
flash until it is fully engaged.
The shift lever always starts from a
center position, represented by an up/
down arrow on the shift pattern. After
releasing the shift lever, it will return
to the center position.
The transmission does not operate
when the vehicle is off.If the vehicle is in ACC/ACCESSORY,
the transmission can be shifted into
P (Park).
If the vehicle is turned off while at a
relatively high vehicle speed, the
transmission will automatically shift
to N (Neutral). Once the vehicle is
stopped, P (Park) is automatically
selected.
P :
This position locks the drive
wheels. Use P (Park) when starting the
vehicle to prevent the vehicle from
moving easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the transmission is not in
P (Park) with the parking brake set.
The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If the engine has
been left running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could
be injured. To be sure the vehicle
will not move, even when on fairly
level ground, always set the parking
brake and place the transmission
into P (Park). See Shifting Into Park
0 230 and
Electric Parking Brake 0239.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 237
To shift out of D (Drive):1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear. If shifting from D (Drive) to R (Reverse) the
shift lock release button will need
to be pressed.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See “Skidding”underLoss
of Control 0213.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using
only the accelerator pedal may
damage the transmission. The
repair will not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. If the vehicle is
stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes to
hold the vehicle in place. If equipped with the 2.0L L4 engine,
engine speeds may be increased while
driving at highway speeds while the
engine is still warming up.
Manual Mode
Tap Shift
Caution
Driving with the engine at a high
rpm without upshifting while using
Tap Shift, could damage the vehicle.
Always upshift when necessary
while using Tap Shift.
If equipped, vehicles with Tap Shift
have controls on the back of the
steering wheel to manually shift the
automatic transmission.
Permanent Tap Shift Mode
To enter Permanent Tap Shift Mode:1. With the vehicle in D (Drive), pull back on the shift lever to activate
M (Manual Mode). The M in the
shift pattern will illuminate in red,
and the D will switch to white.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
3. Pull the control toward you to shift. Pull the left control to
downshift, and the right control to
upshift.
To exit Permanent Tap Shift Mode: 1. To exit M (Manual Mode) and return to D (Drive), pull back on
the shift lever. The D in the shift
pattern will illuminate in red, and
the M will switch to white.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
256 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Driver Assistance
Systems
This vehicle may have features that
work together to help avoid crashes or
reduce crash damage while driving,
backing, and parking. Read this entire
section before using these systems.
{Warning
Do not rely on the Driver
Assistance Systems. These systems
do not replace the need for paying
attention and driving safely. You
may not hear or feel alerts or
warnings provided by these
systems. Failure to use proper care
when driving may result in injury,
death, or vehicle damage. See
Defensive Driving0211.
Under many conditions, these
systems will not:
.Detect children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or animals. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Detect vehicles or objects outside
the area monitored by the
system.
.Work at all driving speeds.
.Warn you or provide you with
enough time to avoid a crash.
.Work under poor visibility or bad
weather conditions.
.Work if the detection sensor is
not cleaned or is covered by ice,
snow, mud, or dirt.
.Work if the detection sensor is
covered up, such as with a
sticker, magnet, or metal plate.
.Work if the detection sensor
viewing zone is interrupted by an
installed accessory, such as a
bike rack, or hitch mounted
cargo carrier.
.Work if the area surrounding the
detection sensor is damaged or
not properly repaired.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Complete attention is always
required while driving, and you
should be ready to take action and
apply the brakes and/or steer the
vehicle to avoid crashes.
Audible or Safety Alert Seat
Some driver assistance features alert
the driver of obstacles by beeping. To
change the volume of the warning
chime, see “Comfort and Convenience ”
under Vehicle Personalization 0126.
If equipped with the Safety Alert Seat,
the driver seat cushion may provide a
vibrating pulse alert instead of
beeping. To change this, see
“Collision/Detection Systems” under
Vehicle Personalization 0126.
Cleaning
Depending on vehicle options, keep
these areas of the vehicle clean to
ensure the best driver assistance
feature performance. Driver
Information Center (DIC) messages
may display when the systems are
unavailable or blocked.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
262 DRIVING AND OPERATING
When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
If a service message displays, check
the following conditions:
.The sensors may not be clean. Keep
the vehicle's front and rear bumpers
free of mud, dirt, snow, ice, and
slush. For cleaning instructions, see
Exterior Care0370.
.The Park Assist sensors may be
covered by frost or ice. Frost or ice
can form around and behind the
sensors and may not always be
seen; this can occur after washing
the vehicle in cold weather. The
message may not clear until the
frost or ice has melted.
If a service message displays and the
above conditions do not exist, take the
vehicle to your dealer for repairs.
If the Park Assist System does not
activate due to a temporary condition,
a system off message is shown on the
display. This can occur under the
following conditions:
.The driver has disabled the system.
.An object is currently blocking the
rear sensors (for example, bike rack,
tailgate, trailer hitch, etc.). Once the
object is removed, Park Assist will
return to normal operation.
.The bumper is damaged. Take the
vehicle to your dealer for repairs.
.Other conditions, such as vibrations
from a jackhammer or the
compression of air brakes on a very
large truck, are affecting system
performance.
Automatic Parking
Assist (APA)
Automatic Parking Assist (APA)
with Braking
If equipped, under certain conditions
APA with Braking can use sensors
based on sonar technology along the
vehicle’s front, rear and sides to detect
a parking spot, and automatically park
the vehicle with some driver
assistance. The vehicle will
automatically maneuver into a
detected spot moving at or near idle
speed. It does this by automatically
steering and braking while the driver is responsible for acceleration and
gear shifting as needed. The driver
must always be prepared to apply
braking or additional acceleration, as
needed. A display and audible beeps
help to guide the parking maneuvers.
{Warning
APA may not always detect objects
in the parking space, objects that
are not rigid (e.g. shrubs and
chain-link fences), objects below the
bumper, objects high off the ground
(e.g. flatbed trucks), hanging
objects, objects below ground level
(e.g. large potholes), or moving
objects (e.g. pedestrians, cyclists,
vehicles). Always verify that the
parking space is appropriate for
parking a vehicle. APA may 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
(Continued)

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
264 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Automatic Unparking
How to Cancel Automatic Parking
To cancel automatic parking or
automatic unparking at any time,
press
O. Be prepared to resume full
control of the vehicle. APA holds the
vehicle until the parking brake or
brake is applied, or the vehicle is
shifted into P (Park). To start driving
away, press the brakes and shift into
D (Drive).
Certain vehicle conditions and driver
interferences may also cancel
automatic parking:
.The driver manually steers the
vehicle.
.The maximum allowed speed is
exceeded.
.There is a failure with the APA
system.
.Electronic stability control or
antilock brakes are activated.
.The parking brake is applied.
.Driver unbuckles the seat belt and
opens the door.
System Limitations
Automatic Parking Assist has certain
limitations. The system cannot:
.Continue to operate if the maneuver
speed exceeds 5 km/h (3 mph).
.Detect whether a parking space is
legal or restricted.
.Detect pavement markings or lines.
.Park the vehicle closely lined up
with the vehicle next to it,
particularly if the spot is
approached at an angle or if the
parking space is angled.
.Park exactly centered in a very
large spot.
.Always detect short curbs.
.Operate while towing any trailer.
.Function the vehicle is raised or
lowered by air suspension,if
equipped. When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
If the vehicle does not reverse into the
expected parking space, the system
could be maneuvering the vehicle into
a previously detected space.
Reverse Automatic
Braking (RAB)
Backing Warning and Reverse
Automatic Braking (RAB)
Vehicles with Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC) have the Backing Warning
System and Reverse Automatic
Braking (RAB) system. When in
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