
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 209
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 218
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Active Fuel Management . . . . . . . . 231
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . 233
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . 239
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/ElectronicStability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Adaptive Cruise Control (Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . 256
Assistance Systems for Parkingor Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . 257
Surround Vision System . . . . . . . . . 258
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Automatic Parking Assist (APA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Rear Pedestrian Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Night Vision System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . 275
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . 275

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
210 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . 277
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Recommended Fuel (2.0L L4Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Recommended Fuel (3.6L V6 Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . 280
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . 283
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . 293
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 294
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage.
Here are some driving tips to get the
best fuel economy possible.
.Set the climate controls to the
desired temperature after the engine
is started, or turn them off when
not required.
.On AWD vehicles, use Tour Mode
when conditions permit.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt
stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
.When road and weather conditions
are appropriate, use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed limits or
drive more slowly when conditions
require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a
single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the
same TPC Spec number molded into
the tire's sidewall near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and
can take your focus from the task of
driving. Exercise good judgment and
do not let other activities divert your
attention away from the road. Many
local governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep your
eyes on the road, keep your hands on
the steering wheel, and focus your
attention on driving.
.Do not use a phone in demanding
driving situations. Use a hands-free
method to place or receive
necessary phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read, take
notes, or look up information on
phones or other electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat passenger to
handle potential distractions.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
212 DRIVING AND OPERATING
(60 mph) travels 20 m (66 ft), which
could be a lot of distance in an
emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
.Keep enough distance between you
and the vehicle in front of you.
.Avoid needless heavy braking.
.Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake normally
but do not pump the brakes. Doing so
could make the pedal harder to push
down. If the engine stops, there will
be some power brake assist but it will
be used when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the brake
pedal will be harder to push.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
Caution
To avoid damage to the steering
system, do not drive over curbs,
parking barriers, or similar objects (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
at speeds greater than 3 km/h
(1 mph). Use care when driving over
other objects such as lane dividers
and speed bumps. Damage caused
by misuse of the vehicle is not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
The vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance is
not required.
If power steering assist is lost due to a
system malfunction, the vehicle can
be steered, but may require increased
effort. If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time while the
vehicle is not moving, power assist
may be reduced.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the system
cools down.
See your dealer if there is a problem.
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable speed.
.Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
.Maintain a reasonable steady speed
through the curve.
.Wait until the vehicle is out of the
curve before accelerating gently into
the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may be
more effective than braking.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
224 DRIVING AND OPERATING
{Warning
Things inside the vehicle can
strike and injure people in a
sudden stop or turn, or in a
crash.
.Put things in the cargo area
of the vehicle. In the cargo
area, put them as far forward
as possible. Try to spread the
weight evenly.
.Never stack heavier things,
like suitcases, inside the
vehicle so that some of them
are above the tops of the
seats.
.Do not leave an unsecured
child restraint in the vehicle.
.Secure loose items in the
vehicle.
.Do not leave a seat folded
down unless needed.
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Caution
The vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will
perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
.Do not drive at any one constant
speed, fast or slow, for the first
800 km (500 mi). Do not make
full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake or slow the
vehicle.
.Avoid making hard stops for the
first 300 km (200 mi) or so.
During this time the new brake
linings are not yet broken in.
Hard stops with new linings can
mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this
breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings. (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. SeeTrailer Towing 0286
for the trailer towing capabilities
of the vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
On new vehicles, the various
mechanical and electrical systems
experience a “break-in”period during
the first 6 400 km (4,000 mi) of
routine driving. As the vehicle is
driven, the mechanical systems adjust
to provide optimal fuel economy and
transmission shift performance.
Electrical systems will adapt and
calibrate during the break-in period.
A one-time occurrence of clicks and
similar vehicle noises is normal during
this process.
Normal driving charges the vehicle’s
battery to achieve the best operation
of the vehicle, including fuel economy
and the Stop/Start System. See Stop/
Start System 0227.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 225
Ignition Positions
The vehicle has an electronic keyless
ignition with pushbutton start.
If the pushbutton start is not working,
the vehicle may be near a strong radio
antenna signal causing interference to
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
system. SeeRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation 07.
To shift out of P (Park), the vehicle
must be turned on and the brake
pedal must be applied. Stopping the Engine/OFF (No
Indicator Light) :
When the vehicle is
stopped, press ENGINE START/STOP
once to turn the engine off.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the
ignition will turn off, and Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) 0230.
If the vehicle is in R (Reverse),
D (Drive) or M (Manual Mode), the
vehicle will shift to P (Park), the
ignition will turn off, and Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) 0230.
If the vehicle is in N (Neutral), the
ignition will return to ACC/
ACCESSORY and display the message
SHIFT TO PARK in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). When the
vehicle is shifted into P (Park), the
ignition will turn off.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the vehicle
off in an emergency.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency: 1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes
repeatedly. This may deplete power
assist, requiring increased brake
pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the vehicle
is moving. After shifting to
N (Neutral), firmly apply the brakes
and steer the vehicle to a safe
location.
3. Come to a complete stop and shift to P (Park).
4. Set the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0239. Press ENGINE
START/STOP to turn the
vehicle off.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
226 DRIVING AND OPERATING
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over
and must be shut off while driving,
press and hold ENGINE START/STOP
for longer than two seconds, or press
twice in five seconds.
ACC/ACCESSORY (Amber Indicator
Light) :This mode allows you to use
some electrical accessories when the
engine is off.
With the ignition off, pressing
ENGINE START/STOP once without
the brake pedal applied will place the
ignition system in ACC/ACCESSORY.
The ignition will switch from ACC/
ACCESSORY to OFF after 10 minutes
to prevent battery rundown.
ON/RUN/START (Green Indicator
Light) : This mode is for driving and
starting. With the ignition off and the
brake pedal applied, pressing ENGINE
START/STOP once will place the
ignition system in ON/RUN/START.
Once engine cranking begins, release
the button. Engine cranking will
continue until the engine starts. The
ignition will then remain on. See
Starting the Engine 0226. Service Mode
This mode is available to verify the
proper operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp as may be required for
emissions inspection purposes and for
service and diagnostics. See
Automatic
Transmission 0233.
With the vehicle off, and the brake
pedal not applied, pressing and
holding ENGINE START/STOP for
more than five seconds will place the
vehicle in Service Mode. The
instruments and audio systems will
operate as they do in ON/RUN, but
the vehicle will not be able to be
driven. The engine will not start in
Service Mode. Press ENGINE START/
STOP again to turn the vehicle off.
Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the proper
gear, P (Park) or N (Neutral). To restart
the engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral).
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 Equipment 0294.
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.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 229
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Check the heater cord for damage.If it is damaged, do not use it. See
your dealer for a replacement.
Inspect the cord for damage yearly.
3. Remove the engine heaterconnector cover by gently prying
with a flat blade tool.
4. Plug the heater cord into theconnector in the front fascia.
5. Plug the cord into a grounded 110-volt AC outlet that is protected
by a ground fault detection
function.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord or
an extension cord can damage the
cord and may result in overheating
and fire.
.Plug the cord into a three-prong
electrical utility receptacle that is
protected by a ground fault
detection function. An
ungrounded outlet could cause
an electric shock.
.Use a weatherproof, heavy-duty,
15 amp-rated extension cord if
needed. Failure to use the
recommended extension cord in
good operating condition,
or using a damaged heater or
extension cord, could make it
(Continued)

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
230 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Warning (Continued)
overheat and cause a fire,
property damage, electric shock,
and injury.
.Do not operate the vehicle with
the heater cord permanently
attached to the vehicle. Possible
heater cord and thermostat
damage could occur.
.While in use, do not let the
heater cord touch vehicle parts
or sharp edges.
.Before starting the vehicle,
unplug the cord. Keep the cord
away from any moving parts.
6. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord.
7. Install the engine heater connector cover.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on several
factors. Ask a dealer in the area where
you will be parking the vehicle for the
best advice on this.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
When the ignition is turned from on
to off, the following features (if
equipped) will continue to function
for up to 10 minutes, or until the
driver door is opened. These features
will also work when the ignition is in
RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY:
.Infotainment System
.Power Windows (during RAP this
functionality will be lost when any
door is opened)
.Sunroof (during RAP this
functionality will be lost when any
door is opened)
.Auxiliary Power Outlet
.Audio System
.OnStar System
Shifting Into Park
To shift into P (Park): 1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0239. 2. Press the button on top of the shift
lever to shift into P (Park). See
Automatic Transmission 0233.
3. The P (Park) indicator on the shift lever will turn red when the vehicle
is in P (Park).
4. Turn the ignition off.
Leaving the Vehicle with the
Engine Running
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
It could overheat and catch fire.
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the vehicle is not in
P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could
be injured. To be sure the vehicle
will not move, even when you are (Continued)