Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 235
.Avoid stressful
conversations while driving,
whether with a passenger or
on a cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the
road too long or too often
could cause a crash
resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on
driving.
Refer to the infotainment
section for more information
on using that system and the
navigation system, if equipped,
including pairing and using a
cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means
“always expect the
unexpected.” The first step in
driving defensively is to wear
the seat belt. See Seat Belts
0 49.
.Assume that other road
users (pedestrians,
bicyclists, and other drivers)
are going to be careless and
make mistakes. Anticipate
what they may do and be
ready.
.Allow enough following
distance between you and
the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Impaired Driving
Death and injury associated
with impaired driving is a
global tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking alcohol or taking
drugs and then driving is
very dangerous. Your
reflexes, perceptions,
attentiveness, and judgment
can be affected by even a
small amount of alcohol or
drugs. You can have a
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
serious—or even fatal —
collision if you drive after
drinking or taking drugs.
Do not drive while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs,
or ride with a driver who has
been drinking or is impaired
by drugs. Find alternate
transportation home; or if
you are with a group,
designate a driver who will
remain sober.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and
accelerating are important
factors in helping to control a
vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves
perception time and reaction
time. Deciding to push the
brake pedal is perception time.
Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
238 Driving and Operating
If the vehicle starts to slide,
follow these suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer
the way you want the vehicle
to go. The vehicle may
straighten out. Be ready for
a second skid if it occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping
distance can be longer and
vehicle control can be
affected when traction is
reduced by water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material on
the road. Learn to recognize
warning clues—such as
enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any
doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden
steering, acceleration,
or braking, including
reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide. Remember: Antilock brakes
help avoid only the
braking skid.
Track Events and
Competitive Driving
(V-Series and
V-Series Blackwing)
Before any track event, there
are three features that should
be turned off:
.Automatic Emergency
Braking (AEB). See
Automatic Emergency
Braking (AEB)
0345.
.Lane Keep Assist. See Lane
Keep Assist (LKA) 0351.
.Adaptive Cruise Control. See
Adaptive Cruise Control
(Advanced) 0304.
{Danger
High-performance features
are intended for use only on
closed tracks by
experienced and qualified
(Continued)
Danger (Continued)
drivers and should not be
used on public roads.
High-speed driving,
aggressive cornering, hard
braking, and other
high-performance driving
can be dangerous. Improper
driver inputs for the
conditions may result in loss
of control of the vehicle,
which could injure or kill you
or others. Always drive
safely.
Track events and competitive
driving may affect the vehicle
warranty. See the warranty
manual before using the
vehicle for competitive driving.
{Warning
Some of the adjustments
and procedures specified in
this section may require
specialized skill, training, and
equipment. Failure to (Continued)
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 239
Warning (Continued)
perform these procedures
properly could cause
malfunction, potentially
resulting in death, personal
injury, or damage to the
vehicle or property. Do not
attempt to perform these
adjustments or procedures
unless properly qualified.
{Warning
Prior to each track event
and again before returning
to public roads, tighten the
wheel nuts with a torque
wrench to the proper torque
specification. Wheel nuts
that are improperly or
incorrectly tightened can
cause the wheels to become
loose or come off, resulting
in a crash. See Capacities
and Specifications0480 for
wheel nut torque
specifications.
Caution
Low oil levels can damage
the engine. If using the
vehicle for competitive
driving, the engine may use
more oil than it would with
normal use. Check the oil
level often during
competitive driving.
Competitive Driving Mode can
be selected. See Driver Mode
Control 0292.
Seat Belts
Lap-Shoulder Belt
If equipped, the driver seat
belt has an Automatic Locking
Retractor (ALR). This feature
is useful in performance
driving scenarios where the
driver wants to be held in the
seat more tightly to take
advantage of the aggressive
bolstering of the seat.
1. Move the seat 8-10 cm (3-4 in) rearward from the
normal driving position. 2. Pull the driver shoulder
belt out as far as it will go,
until it stops, to set the
lock. While holding the
shoulder belt in this
position, buckle the belt.
When the shoulder belt is
released, the retractor will
make a ratchet sound
when it retracts. When the
retractor lock is set, the
belt can be tightened but
not pulled out of the
retractor.
3. Adjust the belt, and then move the seat forward
8-10 cm (3-4 in) to the
desired driving position.
This will secure the belt.
The belt fit should be tight,
but not uncomfortable.
To unlatch the belt, press
the button on the buckle.
The belt should return to
its stowed position.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 241
the pads, or any other work.
The battery must be
disconnected to prevent the
brake master cylinder from
pressurizing the hydraulic
system during its automated
self diagnostic tests that may
occur when a door is opened
or the remote key is present.
{Warning
To avoid personal injury and/
or vehicle damage, always
disconnect the battery
before performing service
work on the hydraulic brake
system. Bleeding the brake
system with the battery
connected can lead to
excessive pressurization of
the system during automatic
diagnostic tests or diagnosis
of a leak or air in the braking
system. A Diagnostic
Trouble Code (DTC) may set
and vehicle speed may be
limited.Brake Cooling (V-Series
Blackwing)
Prior to any track event, high
speed driving event,
or competitive driving,
complete the following:
1. Ensure all the brake cooling parts are correctly
secured and installed.
2. Inspect and replace any deflectors that have
damage.
3. Inspect for blockage in the front brake cooling duct
prior to every event.
If improved brake cooling is
desired, install the ball joint
protector front shields,
remove both upper and lower
rear rotor shields, and install
the rear lower control arm
cooling deflectors, per the
instructions included with the
brake cooling kit. These parts
are for track use only. After
track events reinstall original
front and rear rotor shields,
and remove rear lower control
arm cooling deflectors.Right Side Front Shown, Left Side Front Similar
1. Front Lower Control Arm Deflector
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
242 Driving and Operating
2. Front Brake Cooling Duct
Brake Pad Wear Sensors
If equipped, the brake pad
wear sensors need to be
removed from the brake
calipers prior to any track or
racing event. The original
sensors can be reinstalled if
significant brake pad wear is
not observed. Refer to Brake
Pad Life System (If Equipped)
0 396. If the sensors are not
reinstalled after the track
event, install brake pad wear
sensor plugs. See your dealer.
The V-Series Blackwing is
equipped with brake pad wear
sensors which are track
capable and should not be
disabled for track and racing.
A message will display in the
Driver Information Center
(DIC) when the brake pads
show excessive wear.
Brake Fluid
Replace existing brake fluid
with a qualified DOT 4 high
performance brake fluid from a sealed container. Brake fluid
with a dry boiling point >310 °C
(590 °F) is qualified. If high
performance brake fluid is
used, replace it with GM
approved brake fluid before
driving on public roads. If high
performance brake fluid is in
the vehicle and the age of the
brake fluid is over a month old
or unknown, replace the brake
fluid before track events and
competitive driving. Do not use
silicone or DOT 5 brake fluids.
Disconnect the battery before
bleeding the system, replacing
the pads, or any other work.
The battery must be
disconnected to prevent the
brake master cylinder from
pressurizing the hydraulic
system during its automated
self diagnostic tests that may
occur when a door is opened
or the remote key is present.
Check the fluid level before
each competitive driving
event.
Brake System Flushing &
Bleeding
The J55 brake system
requires specific processes
for bleeding and fluid flushing.
These can be found in the
service manual.
Properly bleeding the brake
system is required for proper
operation of the hydraulic
brake system.
Brake Leak Detection
The hydraulic braking system
has advanced diagnostic
capability to help detect
hydraulic leaks, trapped air,
and other performance issues.
These diagnostics are active
when the hydraulic system is
powered. In order to avoid
inadvertently setting a leak
Diagnostic Trouble Code
(DTC), disconnect the battery
before servicing the brake
system.
If the vehicle sets a DTC
related to a brake system leak,
the Brake System Warning
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 243
Light will come on and vehicle
speed may be limited to
100 kph (62 mph). Any time a
leak DTC is set, the vehicle
should be inspected carefully
for evidence of a leak and
should be repaired
immediately. See your dealer.
Brake Fade Warning Assist
The Brake Fade Warning
Assist system monitors the
performance of the brake
system. If the system detects
brake fade, or if the brake fluid
is near the boiling point, the
driver will be alerted.
The Brake Fade Warning
Assist system is designed for
use with the factory-installed
brake pads or GM approved
replacement pads. If the brake
pads on the vehicle need to be
replaced, use GM approved
brake pads. If this is not done,
the brake fade warning
system may not function
properly.Stage 1 :
The DIC displays a
“Reduce Braking to Avoid
Overheating” message, a
chime sounds and brake pedal
effort and travel is increased.
When the message displays,
the driver should back up
braking points and reduce
brake usage in order to reduce
brake temperature. This will
allow for continued lapping
with no speed limitations.
Stage 2 : The DIC displays a
Brakes Overheated Service
Now message, a chime
sounds, and brake pedal effort
and travel is further increased.
This code indicates that the
brake fluid temperature is
excessive and is about to boil.
The system limits vehicle
speed to 100 km/h (62 mph).
The driver should immediately
start a cool down lap if on the
track. If this message displays,
the vehicle needs to be
serviced. The brake system
needs to cool down, and
the brake fluid must be
immediately flushed with DOT 4 for street use, or to a
qualified DOT 4 race fluid for
track use. Boiled brake fluid is
compromised and must be
replaced.
Brake Burnishing
For vehicles equipped with
front Brembo brake systems:
Performance/racing brake
pads are required prior to
racing or closed track driving.
Vehicles with option code JE2
have performance brake pads.
This procedure should not be
performed on other models as
damage may result.
New brake pads must be
burnished before racing or
other competitive driving.
Caution
Performing the brake
burnish procedure on a base
brake system can result in
brake damage.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
248 Driving and Operating
to 35 to 38 psi. Return the
tires to the recommended cold
tire inflation pressure when
track driving has ended.
Driving and Operating
{Warning
Operating the vehicle at high
speeds can be dangerous.
Improper tire inflation
pressure can put additional
strain on the tires and can
cause a sudden failure. Make
sure the tires are in
excellent condition, and use
the correct cold tire inflation
pressure for the vehicle load
and track/course.
{Warning
Tracks/courses put high
loads on tires operating at
high speed, which can lead
to tire failure if not inflated
properly. Always limit vehicle(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
cargo to the driver plus one
passenger with no additional
cargo.
{Warning
Track/course loads wear
tires both on the tread and
internal to the tire. When
driven in track/course
conditions, even if tread is
not worn down to the
treadwear indicator, tires
must be replaced after the
equivalent of two tanks of
fuel or approximately 160 km
(100 mi).
Custom Launch Control (If
Equipped)
Custom Launch Control allows
the following parameters for
Launch Control to be modified:
.Launch RPM
.Slip Target (5%–15%)
.Surface Type To adjust the Launch RPM, all
of these conditions must
be met:
.The vehicle must be in Track
Mode. See
“Track Mode”
under Driver Mode Control
0 292.
.Performance Traction
Management (PTM) Mode
must be enabled. See Driver
Mode Control 0292.
.The steering wheel must be
straight.
.The driver door must be
closed.
.The transmission must be in
D (Drive) or forward gear.
.The parking brake must not
be engaged.
For more information on
Competitive Driving Mode, see
Competitive Driving Mode
0 298.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
250 Driving and Operating
6. Auto Trans Only - Quicklyapply full throttle. Release
the brake pedal to launch
the vehicle.
Line Lock (If Equipped)
{Warning
The vehicle may move
unexpectedly when using
Line Lock, which could cause
injury to persons or property
located nearby. Only use
Line Lock on a closed track
where there is a large clear
area around all sides of the
vehicle. Be ready to apply
the brakes immediately if the
vehicle begins to move. Do
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
not use Line Lock in an area
that is accessible to the
public or where people or
property are located near
the vehicle.
Caution
Attempting to shift when
the drive wheels are
spinning and do not have
traction may cause damage
to the transmission. Damage
caused by misuse of the
vehicle is not covered by the
vehicle warranty. Do not
attempt to shift when the
drive wheels do not have
traction.
Line Lock allows for locking
the front brakes
independently of the rear
brakes. This allows the rear
tires to spin when the throttle
is applied. To enter Line Lock, all of
these conditions must be met:
.The vehicle must be in
Track Mode.
.Performance Traction
Management (PTM) Mode
must be enabled.
.The steering wheel must be
straight.
.The driver door must be
closed.
.The vehicle must be in D
(Drive) for an automatic
transmission or 1 (First) gear
for a manual transmission.
.The parking brake must not
be engaged.
.The vehicle must be stopped
on level ground. The
accelerator pedal must not
be applied.