Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
296 VEHICLE CARE
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . 306
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . 307
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . 316
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316 Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . 317
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . 318
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . 319
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . 319
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . 321
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . 325
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338 Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . 339
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 347
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 368
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
298 VEHICLE CARE
under the terms of the vehicle
warranty and may affect remaining
warranty coverage for affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle using
genuine GM Accessories installed by a
dealer technician.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 068.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have the
proper knowledge, service manual,
tools, or parts. Always follow
owner’s manual procedures and
consult the service manual for your
vehicle before doing any
service work. If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service manual.
It tells you much more about how to
service the vehicle than this manual
can. To order the proper service
manual, see
Publication Ordering
Information 0406.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 067.
If equipped with remote vehicle start,
open the hood before performing any
service work to prevent remote
starting the vehicle accidentally. See
Remote Vehicle Start 015.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records 0392.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage to
vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
{Warning
For vehicles with auto engine stop/
start, turn the vehicle off before
opening the hood. If the vehicle is
on, the engine will start when the
hood is opened. You or others could
be injured.
{Warning
Components under the hood can
get hot from running the engine. To
help avoid the risk of burning
unprotected skin, never touch these
components until they have cooled,
and always use a glove or towel to
avoid direct skin contact.
Clear any snow from the hood before
opening.
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
VEHICLE CARE 303
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir.See Washer Fluid 0313.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse Block
0322.
11. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0364.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine performance
and long life, careful attention must
be paid to engine oil. Following these
simple, but important steps will help
protect your investment:
.Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil” in
this section.
.Check the engine oil level regularly
and maintain the proper oil level.
See “Checking Engine Oil” and
“When to Add Engine Oil” in this
section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil Life
System 0305.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with Used
Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially prior
to a long trip. The engine oil dipstick
handle is a loop. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0300 for the
location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle may
be hot; it could burn you. Use a
towel or glove to touch the dipstick
handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the oil
level.
Follow these guidelines:
.To get an accurate reading, park the
vehicle on level ground. Check the
engine oil level after the engine has
been off for at least two hours.
Checking the engine oil level on
steep grades or too soon after
engine shutoff can result in incorrect readings. Accuracy
improves when checking a cold
engine prior to starting. Remove the
dipstick and check the level.
.If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is warm,
or at least 30 minutes if the engine
is not warm. Pull out the dipstick,
wipe it with a clean paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the
tip down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
2.0L L4 Engine
3.6L V6 Engine
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
VEHICLE CARE 317
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping your
foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
.To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
.To check the P (Park) mechanism's
holding ability: With the engine
running, shift to P (Park). Then
release the parking brake followed
by the regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking.
It is a good idea to clean or replace
the wiper blade assembly on a regular
basis or when worn. For proper
windshield wiper blade length and
type, see Maintenance Replacement
Parts 0390.
Caution
Allowing the wiper arm to touch
the windshield when no wiper blade
is installed could damage the
windshield. Any damage that occurs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not allow the wiper
arm to touch the windshield.
Front Wiper Blade Replacement
To replace the wiper blade assembly:
1. Pull the windshield wiper assembly away from the windshield.
2. Lift up on the latch in the middleof the wiper blade where the wiper
arm attaches.
3. With the latch open, pull the wiper blade down toward the windshield
far enough to release it from the
J-hooked end of the wiper arm.
4. Remove the wiper blade.
5. Reverse Steps 1–3 for wiper blade replacement.
Rear Wiper Blade Replacement
To remove the wiper blade:
1. Put the vehicle in ACC/ACCESSORYand turn on the rear windshield
wiper. The wiper will stop pointing
down. See Rear Window Wiper/
Washer 099.
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
344 VEHICLE CARE
.The tire has a bump, bulge,
or split.
.The tire has a puncture, cut,
or other damage that cannot be
repaired well because of the size
or location of the damage.
Tire Rotation
Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km (7,500 mi). See
Maintenance Schedule0380.
Tires are rotated to achieve a
more uniform wear for all tires.
The first rotation is the most
important.
Anytime unusual wear is noticed,
rotate the tires as soon as
possible, check for proper tire
inflation pressure, and check for
damaged tires or wheels. If the
unusual wear continues after the
rotation, check the wheel
alignment. See When It Is Time for
New Tires 0345 and
Wheel Replacement 0349.
Use this rotation pattern when
rotating the tires.
Do not include the compact spare
tire in the tire rotation.
Adjust the front and rear tires to
the recommended inflation
pressure on the Tire and Loading
Information label after the tires
have been rotated. See Tire
Pressure 0337 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0220.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. See Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0340. Check that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See
“Wheel
Nut Torque ”under Capacities and
Specifications 0394, and
“Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire ”under
Tire Changing 0358.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on
the parts to which it is fastened,
can cause wheel nuts to become
loose over time. The wheel
could come off and cause a
crash. When changing a wheel,
remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches
to the vehicle. In an emergency,
a cloth or paper towel can be
used; however, use a scraper or
wire brush later to remove all
rust or dirt.
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
350 VEHICLE CARE
Warning (Continued)
used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes,
suspension, or other vehicle parts.
The area damaged by the tire
chains could cause loss of control
and a crash. Use another type of
traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for
the vehicle's tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slow
and readjust or remove the traction
device if it contacts the vehicle. Do
not spin the wheels. If traction
devices are used, install them on
the front tires.
Caution
If the vehicle is equipped with a tire
size other than 235/55R20, use tire
chains only where legal and only
when necessary. Use low profile
chains that add no more than(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
12 mm thickness to the tire tread
and inner sidewall. Use chains that
are the proper size for the tires.
Install them on the tires of the
front axle. Do not use chains on the
tires of the rear axle. Tighten them
as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly and
follow the chain manufacturer's
instructions. If the chains contact
the vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow
down until it stops. Driving too fast
or spinning the wheels with chains
on will damage the vehicle.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow out
while driving, especially if the tires are
maintained properly. See Tires0330.
If air goes out of a tire, it is much
more likely to leak out slowly. But if
there is ever a blowout, here are a few
tips about what to expect and what
to do: If a front tire fails, the flat tire creates
a drag that pulls the vehicle toward
that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering
wheel firmly. Steer to maintain lane
position, and then gently brake to a
stop, well off the road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and may
require the same correction as used in
a skid. Stop pressing the accelerator
pedal and steer to straighten the
vehicle. It may be very bumpy and
noisy. Gently brake to a stop, well off
the road, if possible.
{Warning
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has been
driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash. Never
attempt to re-inflate a tire that has
been driven on while severely
underinflated or flat. Have your
(Continued)
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
VEHICLE CARE 361
6. Turn the wheel wrench clockwiseto raise the jack until the slot in
the jack lift head fits into the metal
flange located behind the cut out
on the plastic molding.
7. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack handle clockwise. Raise the
vehicle far enough off the ground
so there is enough room for the
road tire to clear the ground.8. Remove all of the wheel nuts.
9. Remove the tire being changed.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on
the parts to which it is fastened,
can cause wheel nuts to become
loose over time. The wheel
could come off and cause a
crash. When changing a wheel,
remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches
to the vehicle. In an emergency,
a cloth or paper towel can be
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
used; however, use a scraper or
wire brush later to remove all
rust or dirt.
10. Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting surfaces,
and spare wheel.
11. Place the spare tire on the wheel-mounting surface.
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15227431) - 2022 - CRC - 8/11/21
366 VEHICLE CARE
{Warning
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode. People
have been hurt doing this, and
some have been blinded. Use a
flashlight if you need more light.
Battery fluid contains acid that can
burn you. Do not get it on you.
If you accidentally get it in your
eyes or on your skin, flush the place
with water and get medical help
immediately.
{Warning
Fans or other moving engine parts
can injure you badly. Keep your
hands away from moving parts
once the engine is running.
5. Connect one end of the red positive (+) cable to the discharged
battery positive (+) terminal.
6. Connect the other end of the red positive (+) cable to the good
battery positive (+) terminal. 7. Connect one end of the black
negative (–) cable to the good
battery negative (–) terminal.
8. Connect the other end of the black negative (–) cable to the discharged
battery negative (–) grounding
point.
9. Start the engine in the vehicle with the good battery and run the
engine at idle speed for at least
four minutes.
10. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it will not start
after a few tries, it probably needs
service.Caution
If the jumper cables are connected
or removed in the wrong order,
electrical shorting may occur and
damage the vehicle. The repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always connect and
remove the jumper cables in the
correct order, making sure that the
cables do not touch each other or
other metal. Jumper Cable Removal
Reverse the sequence exactly when
removing the jumper cables.
After starting the disabled vehicle and
removing the jumper cables, allow it
to idle for several minutes.
Towing the Vehicle
Caution
Incorrectly transporting a disabled
vehicle may cause damage to the
vehicle. Use proper tire straps to
secure the vehicle to the flatbed
tow truck. Do not strap or hook to
any frame, underbody,
or suspension component not
specified below. Do not move
vehicles with drive axle tires on the
ground. Damage is not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Caution
The vehicle may be equipped with
an electric parking brake and/or an
electronic shifter. In the event of a
(Continued)