Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15218998) -
2022 - CRC - 10/22/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 225
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 0247.
.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) 0244.
.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.
See Driver Mode Control 0248 and
All-Wheel Drive 0244.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby. 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.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0238.
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15218998) -
2022 - CRC - 10/22/21
226 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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.
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 0247.
{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).
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
0381.
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.
(Continued)
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15218998) -
2022 - CRC - 10/22/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 243
Manual Mode
Tap ShiftCaution
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.
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.
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15218998) -
2022 - CRC - 10/22/21
244 DRIVING AND OPERATING
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 Control0248.
Press MODE to activate AWD. AWD is
active in both AWD and Sport 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
0248.
Sport Mode is canceled with each
ignition cycle. See Driver Mode Control
0 248.
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 0248.
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.
ABS performs a system check when
the vehicle is first driven.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
may be heard while this test is going
on, and the brake pedal may move
slightly. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. See
Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 118.
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15218998) -
2022 - CRC - 10/22/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 247
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).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 TCS
or StabiliTrak/ESC begins to limit
wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road conditionsallow. 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. See
If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0226 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:
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15218998) -
2022 - CRC - 10/22/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 249
Control has the following modes:
Tour, Sport, All-Wheel Drive (AWD),
Snow/Ice (in Front-Wheel Drive
vehicles only), and Off-Road (in AWD
vehicles only). Driver mode availability
and affected vehicle subsystems are
dependent upon vehicle trim level,
region, and optional features.
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 or AWD, it
will stay in that mode through future
ignition cycles. If the vehicle is in any
other mode, it will return to Tour
Mode when the vehicle is restarted.
When a mode is selected, an indicator
will come on in the instrument cluster
and stay on.
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, ESC, engine sound
enhancement, 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 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. See
Performance Shifting Light
0 119.
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 0244.
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. Off-Road Mode should be
used to improve driving at moderate
speeds, on grass, gravel, dirt, unpaved
roads, or snow-covered roads. This
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15218998) -
2022 - CRC - 10/22/21
256 DRIVING AND OPERATING
.Press and hold RES+ until the
desired set speed appears on the
display, then release it.
.To increase vehicle speed in small
increments, press RES+ to the first
detent. For each press, the vehicle
goes 1 km/h or (1 mph) faster.
.To increase vehicle speed in larger
increments, press RES+ to the
second detent. For each press, the
vehicle speed increases to the next
5 km/h (5 mph) mark on the
speedometer.
The set speed can also be increased
while the vehicle is stopped.
.If stopped with the brake applied,
press RES+ until the desired set
speed is displayed.
.If ACC is holding the vehicle at a
stop and there is another vehicle
directly ahead, pressing RES+ will
increase the set speed.
.Pressing RES+ when there is no
longer a vehicle ahead or the vehicle
ahead is pulling away and the brake
is not applied will cause the ACC to
resume.When it is determined that there is no
vehicle ahead, or the vehicle ahead is
beyond the select following gap, then
the vehicle speed will increase to the
set speed.
Reducing Speed While ACC is at a
Set Speed
If ACC is already activated, do one of
the following:
.Use the brake to get to the desired
lower speed. Release the brake and
press SET–. The vehicle will now
cruise at the lower speed.
.Press and hold SET–
until the
desired lower speed is displayed,
then release it.
.To decrease the vehicle speed in
smaller increments, press SET− to
the first detent. For each press, the
vehicle goes 1 km/h (1 mph) slower.
.To decrease speed in larger
increments, press SET− to the
second detent. For each press, the
vehicle speed decreases to the next
5 km/h (5 mph) mark on the
speedometer.
The set speed can also be decreased
while the vehicle is stopped.
.If stopped with the brake applied,
press or hold SET− until the desired
set speed is displayed.
Selecting the Follow Distance Gap
When a slower moving vehicle is
detected ahead within the selected
following gap, ACC will adjust the
vehicle's speed and attempt to
maintain the follow distance gap
selected.
Press
[on the steering wheel to
adjust the following gap. Each press
cycles the gap button through three
settings: Far, Medium, or Near.
When pressed, the current gap setting
displays briefly on the instrument
cluster and HUD (if equipped).
Subsequent presses cycle the gap
button through three settings: Far,
Medium, or Near. The gap setting will
be maintained until it is changed.
Since each gap setting corresponds to
a following time (Far, Medium,
or Near), the following distance will
vary based on vehicle speed. The
faster the vehicle speed, the further
back your vehicle will follow a vehicle
detected ahead. Consider traffic and
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15218998) -
2022 - CRC - 10/22/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 263
Warning (Continued)
.Not detect, steer to avoid,
or steer through construction
zones.
.Not function on surface streets.
.Not respond to crossing or
oncoming traffic.
.Not function in city driving
conditions.
{Warning
Some state and local laws may
require hands to be kept on the
steering wheel at all times. Only
remove your hands from the
steering wheel if Super Cruise is
engaged, it is safe to do so, and it is
permitted by state and local laws.
Failure to do so may result in a
crash involving serious injury or
death.
{Warning
Failure to supervise the driving task
and to respond appropriately, even
while Super Cruise is operating, can
cause a crash. Super Cruise may not
respond as you would to all driving
situations and may not maintain
lane position under all conditions.
It is extremely important to pay
attention to the operation of the
vehicle, even while using Super
Cruise. Do not use a hand-held
device while driving, even with
Super Cruise engaged.
To prevent serious injury or death:
.Always remain properly seated in
the driver seat with your seat
belt fastened.
.Never remove your hands from
the steering wheel when Super
Cruise is not operating.
.Always make sure traffic
conditions are safe before using
Super Cruise.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Always keep the entire front of
the vehicle and the sensors clean.
.Always observe posted speed
limits. Only use Super Cruise at
or below the posted speed limit.
Super Cruise should not be used in
complex or uncertain driving
conditions, including:
.Not in construction zones.
.Not when approaching or exiting
toll plazas.
.Not when lane markings are not
present or cannot be detected.
For example there is too much
glare, weather conditions are
poor, or lanes are poorly marked.
.Not on slippery or icy freeways.
.Not in adverse weather
conditions, including rain, sleet,
fog, ice, or snow.
.Not on winding or hilly roads.
.Not for city driving. (Continued)