Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
268 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
It is dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the shift lever
is not fully in P (Park) with
the parking brake firmly set.
The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle
when the engine is running.
If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or
others could be injured. To
be sure the vehicle will not
move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always
set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to
P (Park). See Shifting Into
Park (Mechanical Shifter)
0267 or
Shifting Into Park (Electronic
Shifter) 0268. If you are
towing a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0358. If you have to leave the vehicle
with the engine running, be
sure the vehicle is in P (Park)
and the parking brake is set
before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever
into P (Park), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if
you can move the shift lever
away from P (Park) without
first pressing the button.
If you can, it means that the
shift lever was not fully locked
in P (Park).
Torque Lock
Torque lock is when the
weight of the vehicle puts too
much force on the parking
pawl in the transmission. This
happens when parking on a hill
and shifting the transmission
into P (Park) is not done
properly and then it is difficult
to shift out of P (Park). To
prevent torque lock, set the
parking brake and then shift
into P (Park). To find out how,
see
“Shifting Into Park” listed
previously. If torque lock does occur, your
vehicle may need to be pushed
uphill by another vehicle to
relieve the parking pawl
pressure, so you can shift out
of P (Park).
Shifting Into Park
(Electronic Shifter)
To shift into P (Park):
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake.
See Electric Parking Brake
0287.
2. Press the button on top of the shift lever to shift into
P (Park). See Automatic
Transmission (Mechanical
Shifter) 0272 or
Automatic Transmission
(Electronic Shifter) 0275.
3. The P indicator on the shift lever will turn red when the
vehicle is in P (Park).
If the vehicle is shifted into
P (Park) on a hill, the
Electric Parking Brake
(EPB) may apply
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 269
automatically. You may not
be able to release the EPB
using the EPB switch.
It should automatically
release when the vehicle is
shifted out of P (Park).
Leaving the Vehicle with
the Engine Running
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave
the vehicle with the engine
running. It could overheat
and catch fire.
It is dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the vehicle is
not in P (Park) with the
parking brake set. The
vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle
when the engine is running.
If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or
others could be injured. To
be sure the vehicle will not(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always
set the parking brake and
shift to P (Park). See Shifting
Into Park (Mechanical
Shifter)0267 or
Shifting Into Park (Electronic
Shifter) 0268. If you are
towing a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0358.
If you have to leave the vehicle
with the engine running, be
sure the vehicle is in P (Park)
and the parking brake is set
before you leave it.
If you are towing a trailer and
parking on a hill, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0358.
Shifting out of Park
(Mechanical Shifter)
This vehicle is equipped with
an electronic shift lock release
system. The shift lock release
is designed to prevent
movement of the shift lever
out of P (Park), unless the
ignition is on and the brake
pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case
of an uncharged or low
voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If the vehicle has an
uncharged battery or a
battery with low voltage, try
charging or jump starting the
battery. See Jump Starting -
North America 0447 for more
information.
To shift out of P (Park):
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Release the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake
0287.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
270 Driving and Operating
3. Press the shift leverbutton.
4. Move the shift lever.
If unable to shift out of
P (Park): 1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift
lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever.
If equipped, the Buckle to
Drive feature may prevent
shifting from P (Park). See
Buckle To Drive 050.
If the shift lever will not move
from P (Park), consult your
dealer or a professional
towing service.
Shifting out of Park
(Electronic Shifter)
This vehicle is equipped with
an electronic transmission.
The shift lock release button is designed to prevent
inadvertent shifting out of
P (Park).
To shift out of P (Park):
1. Ensure the engine is running.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Press and hold the shift lock release button on the
shift lever.
4. Move the shift lever to the desired position. For
N (Neutral) hold the lever in
the N (Neutral) position
until the N indicator
illuminates red.
5. The P indicator will turn white and the gear
indicator will turn red when
the vehicle is no longer in
P (Park).
6. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position.
If equipped, the Buckle to
Drive feature may prevent
shifting from P (Park). See
Buckle To Drive 050. If the vehicle cannot shift from
P (Park), a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message may be
displayed. Check that the
ignition is on, the engine is
running, the brake pedal is
applied, and the shift lock
release button is pressed
when you are attempting to
shift out of P (Park). If all of
these are met but the vehicle
will not shift out of P (Park),
see your dealer for service.
Parking (Manual
Transmission)
{Warning
If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, never get out
of the vehicle without first
moving the shift lever into
1st or R (Reverse), setting
the parking brake and
turning the ignition off. The
vehicle can roll, which could
cause serious injury or
death.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
272 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
If unusual fumes are
detected or if it is suspected
that exhaust is coming into
the vehicle:
.Drive it only with the
windows completely down.
.Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with
the engine running in an
enclosed area such as a
garage or a building that has
no fresh air ventilation.
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running. See Engine
Exhaust 0271.
If the vehicle is left with the
engine running, follow the
proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not move. See
Shifting Into Park (Mechanical
Shifter)
0267 or
Shifting Into Park (Electronic
Shifter) 0268 and
Electric Parking Brake 0287.
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
(Mechanical Shifter)
There are several different
positions for the shift lever.
P : This position locks the
drive wheels. Use P (Park)
when starting the vehicle to
ensure the vehicle does
not move.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the shift lever
is not fully in P (Park) with
the parking brake firmly set.
The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle
when the engine is running
unless you have to. If you
have left the engine running,
the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure
the vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly
level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the
(Continued)
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
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) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
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) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
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