Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
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Driving and Operating 273
Warning (Continued)
shift lever to P (Park). See
Shifting Into Park
(Mechanical Shifter)0267 or
Shifting Into Park (Electronic
Shifter) 0268. If you are
pulling a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0358.
Make sure the shift lever is
fully in P (Park) before starting
the engine. The vehicle has an
electronic shift lock release
system. Fully apply the regular
brakes first and then press
the shift lever button before
shifting from P (Park) when the
ignition is on. If you cannot
shift out of P (Park), ease
pressure on the shift lever and
push the shift lever all the way
into P (Park) as you maintain
brake application. Then press
the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into another gear. See Shifting out
of Park (Mechanical Shifter)
0
269 or
Shifting out of Park (Electronic
Shifter) 0270.
Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while
the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the
vehicle is stopped.
R : Use this gear to back up.
At low vehicle speeds,
R (Reverse) can be used to
rock the vehicle back and forth
to get out of snow, ice, or sand
without damaging the
transmission. See If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0255.
N : In this position, the engine
does not connect with the
wheels. To restart the engine
when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear
while the engine is running
at high speed is dangerous.
Unless your foot is firmly on
the brake pedal, the vehicle
could move very rapidly. You
could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while
the engine is running at high
speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the
vehicle.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
274 Driving and Operating
Caution
A transmission hot message
may display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition
can damage the vehicle.
Stop and idle the engine to
cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This
message clears when the
transmission fluid has cooled
sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal
driving. If more power is
needed for passing, press the
accelerator pedal down.
Downshifting the transmission
in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding. See
“Skidding” under Loss of
Control 0237. M :
This mode can be entered
by moving the shift lever from
D (Drive) to M (Manual Mode).
M (Manual Mode) allows the
driver to select gears
appropriate for current driving
conditions. M (Manual Mode)
can be exited by returning the
shift lever to D (Drive). See
Manual Mode (Electronic
Shifter) 0281 or
Manual Mode (Mechanical
Shifter) 0280.
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. While in Sport or Track Mode,
the vehicle monitors driving
behavior, and automatically
enables Performance Shift
Features when spirited driving
is detected. These features
maintain lower transmission
gears to increase available
engine braking and improve
acceleration response. The
vehicle will exit these features
and return to Sport or Track
Mode normal operation after a
short period when no spirited
driving is detected. See Driver
Mode Control
0292.
Engine speeds may be
increased while driving at
highway speeds while the
engine is still warming up.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
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Driving and Operating 275
Automatic
Transmission
(Electronic Shifter)
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 accessory
mode, 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, it can be
shifted into P (Park).
P :
This position locks the
drive wheels. Use P (Park)
when starting the engine 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.
(Continued)
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
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276 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
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
(Mechanical Shifter)0267 or
Shifting Into Park (Electronic
Shifter) 0268 and
Electric Parking Brake 0287.
This vehicle is equipped with
an electronic controlled
transmission. The shift lock
release button is designed to
prevent inadvertent shifting
out of P (Park) unless the
vehicle is on, the brake pedal is
applied, and the shift lock
release button is pressed.
When the vehicle is stopped,
press ENGINE START/STOP
to turn off the vehicle. The
transmission will shift to
P (Park) automatically, unless
the vehicle is in N (Neutral).
See “Car Wash Mode” later in
this section. The vehicle will not shift into
P (Park) if it is moving too fast.
Stop the vehicle and shift into
P (Park).
To shift in and out of P (Park),
see Shifting Into Park
(Mechanical Shifter)
0267 or
Shifting Into Park (Electronic
Shifter) 0268 and
Shifting out of Park
(Mechanical Shifter) 0269 or
Shifting out of Park (Electronic
Shifter) 0270.
Service Shift Lever Message
If the message SERVICE
SHIFTER SEE OWNER’S
MANUAL appears in the
Driver Information
Center (DIC), the shift lever
needs service. Have the
vehicle serviced as soon as
possible. If the vehicle is
automatically shifting into
P (Park), check to see if the
P (Park) button on top of the
shift lever is stuck. To operate
the vehicle, hold the shift lever
in the desired gear,
R (Reverse) or D (Drive), until
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
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Driving and Operating 277
vehicle speed exceeds
15 km/h (10 mph), then release
the shift lever.
R :Use this gear to back up.
If the vehicle is shifted from
either R (Reverse) to D (Drive),
or D (Drive) or M (Manual
Mode) to R (Reverse) while the
speed is too high, the vehicle
will shift to N (Neutral). Reduce
the vehicle speed and try the
shift again.
To shift into R (Reverse): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press and hold shift lock release button on the side
of the shift lever.
3. From the center position, move the shift lever
forward through the first
detent to the end of travel.
R is illuminated in red.
4. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position. To shift out of R (Reverse):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position.
At low vehicle speeds,
R (Reverse) can be used to
rock the vehicle back and forth
to get out of snow, ice, or sand
without damaging the
transmission. See If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0255.
N : In this position, the engine
does not connect with the
wheels. To restart the engine
when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear
while the engine is running
at high speed is dangerous.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Unless your foot is firmly on
the brake pedal, the vehicle
could move very rapidly. You
could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while
the engine is running at high
speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the
vehicle.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
278 Driving and Operating
The vehicle is not designed to
stay in N (Neutral) for more
than five minutes. It may
automatically shift into
P (Park). N (Neutral) is not
intended for towing. If the
vehicle needs to be towed, see
Transporting a Disabled
Vehicle (Electronic Shifter)
0450 or
Transporting a Disabled
Vehicle (Mechanical Shifter)
0 452.
To shift into N (Neutral): 1. Move the shift lever forward to the first detent
from the center position.
.If the vehicle is in
P (Park), apply the brake
pedal and press the shift
lock release button while
moving the shift lever
forward.
.N will illuminate in red.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position. To shift out of N (Neutral):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear. If shifting from N (Neutral)
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.
Car Wash Mode
This vehicle includes a Car
Wash Mode that allows the
vehicle to remain in N (Neutral)
for use in automatic car
washes.
Car Wash Mode (Engine Off –
Driver in Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in
N (Neutral) with the engine off
and the vehicle occupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift to N (Neutral). 4. Turn off the engine and
release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it
does not, repeat
Steps 2–4.
6. The vehicle is now ready for the car wash.
Car Wash Mode (Engine Off –
Driver out of Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in
N (Neutral) with the engine off
and the vehicle unoccupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Open the door.
4. Shift to N (Neutral).
5. Turn off the engine and release the brake pedal.
6. The indicator should continue to show N. If it
does not, repeat
Steps 2–5.
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Driving and Operating 279
7. Exit the vehicle and closethe door. The vehicle is
now ready for the
car wash.
8. The vehicle may automatically shift to
P (Park) upon re-entry.
Car Wash Mode (Engine On –
Driver in Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in
N (Neutral) with the engine on
and the vehicle occupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift to N (Neutral).
4. Release the brake pedal. The vehicle is now ready
for the car wash.
Car Wash Mode (Engine On –
Driver out of Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in
N (Neutral) with the engine on
and the vehicle unoccupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal. 3. Open the door.
4. Shift to N (Neutral), then
release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it
does not, repeat
Steps 2–4.
6. Exit the vehicle and close the door. The vehicle is
now ready for the
car wash.
7. The vehicle may automatically shift to
P (Park) upon re-entry.
Caution
A transmission hot message
may display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition
can damage the vehicle.
Stop and idle the engine to
cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This
message clears when the
transmission fluid has cooled
sufficiently. D :
This position is for normal
driving. If more power is
needed for passing, press the
accelerator pedal down.
To shift into D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. From the center position, move the shift lever back.
.If the vehicle is in
P (Park) press the shift
lock release button while
pulling the shift
lever back.
.D will illuminate in red.
.After releasing the shift
lever, it will return to the
center position.
To shift out of D (Drive): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
280 Driving and Operating
Downshifting the transmission
in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding. See
“Skidding”under Loss of
Control 0237.
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.
Manual Mode
(Mechanical Shifter)
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.
Vehicles with Tap Shift have
controls on the back of the
steering wheel to manually
shift the automatic
transmission.
To enter Permanent Tap
Shift Mode: 1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) to M (Manual
Mode). While in Tap Shift
Mode, the M on the
instrument cluster will
become highlighted, and
the current gear is
indicated.
2. Tap the left control to downshift, and the right
control to upshift. To shift
to the lowest available
gear, press and hold the
left control.
3. To exit, move the shift lever back to D (Drive).
With the shift lever in D (Drive)
and not in Permanent Tap
Shift Mode, the tap shift
controls will activate a
temporary tap manual shift
mode, allowing the