2023 CADILLAC CT4 brake

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
236 Driving and Operating
Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a
second. In that time, a vehicle
moving at 100 km/h (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 or a
brake fault occurs, the brakes
may lose power assist. More
effort will be required to stop
the vehicle and it can take
longer to stop.
Steering
Caution
To avoid damage to the
steering system, do not
drive over curbs, parking
barriers, or similar objects 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.
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle is equipped with
an electric power steering
system, which reduces the
amount of effort needed to
steer the vehicle. It does not
have power steering fluid.
Regular maintenance is not
required.
If the vehicle experiences a
system malfunction and loses
power steering, greater
steering effort may be
required. Power steering
assist also may be reduced if
you turn the steering wheel as
far as it can turn and hold it
there with force for an
extended period of time.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
.Reduce speed before
entering a curve.

Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 237
.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.
.Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to
turn 180 degrees without
removing a hand.
.The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) allows steering while
braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can
drop off the edge of a road
onto the shoulder while
driving. Follow these tips:1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is
nothing in the way, steer
the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn,
until the right front tire
contacts the
pavement edge. 3. Turn the steering wheel to
go straight down the
roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids
that correspond to the
vehicle's three control
systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are
not rolling.
.Steering or Cornering Skid —
too much speed or steering
in a curve causes tires to slip
and lose cornering force.
.Acceleration Skid —too
much throttle causes the
driving wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most
skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing
conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions.
But skids are always possible.

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
240 Driving and Operating
Axle Fluid
Axles must have 2 400 km
(1,500 mi) before being used in
track driving.
The rear axle fluid
temperatures may be higher
than when driving in severe
conditions. Drain and refill with
new fluid after the first racing
or competitive driving event,
and then after every 24 hours
of racing or competitive
driving. See your dealer for
the correct fluid.
Caution
During a first time track or
racing event, high axle
temperatures can occur.
Damage could be caused to
the axle and would not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not drive as
long or as fast the first time
the vehicle is driven on the
track or raced.
.The axle lubricant should be
replaced with new lubricant.
.On vehicles without a
differential cooler, additional
cooling capacity is required
for continuous competitive
driving. The V-Series
Blackwing has a differential
cooler, so no additional
cooling capacity is
necessary.
Engine OilCaution
If the vehicle is used for
track events and
competitive driving, the
engine may use more oil
than it would with normal
use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Check
the oil level often and
maintain the proper level.
See Engine Oil 0378.
Check the oil level often during
track events and competitive
driving, and keep the oil level
at or near the upper mark. See
“Checking the Engine Oil" in
Engine Oil 0378.
Fuel
Use premium unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 93 at a track event.
Unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of
91 may be used, but
performance will be degraded.
See Prohibited Fuels 0355.
Automatic or Manual
Transmission Fluid
Have the transmission fluid
set to the track specific oil
level prior to track usage.
Transmission fluid should be
changed after every 15 hours
of track usage. Any
transmission level set or
change should be performed
at the dealer.
Brakes
Battery Disconnect
Disconnect the battery before
servicing the hydraulic brake
system. It is critical to
disconnect the battery before
bleeding the system, replacing

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.