Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 287
.Be disabled when the
coolant temperature is
below 0 °C (32 °F).
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature
always send engine power to
all four wheels. It is fully
automatic, and adjusts itself as
needed for road conditions.
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 orwhen 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.
If there is a problem with ABS,
this warning light stays on.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
0128.
ABS does not change the time
needed to get a foot on the
brake pedal and does not
always decrease stopping
distance. If you get too close
to the vehicle ahead, there will not be enough time to apply
the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room
ahead to stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just
hold the brake pedal down
firmly. Hearing and feeling ABS
operate is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and
braking at the same time. In
many emergencies, steering
can help even more than
braking.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
288 Driving and Operating
Electric Parking Brake
The Electric Parking Brake
(EPB) can always be applied,
even if the vehicle is off. In
case of insufficient electrical
power, the EPB cannot be
applied or released. To
prevent draining the battery,
avoid unnecessary repeated
cycles of the EPB.The system has a red parking
brake status light and an
amber service parking brake
warning light. See Electric
Parking Brake Light
0128 and
Service Electric Parking Brake
Light 0128. There are also
parking brake-related Driver
Information Center (DIC)
messages.
Before leaving the vehicle,
check the red parking brake
status light to ensure that the
parking brake is applied.EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
The red parking brake status
light will flash and then stay on
once the EPB is fully applied.
If the red parking brake status
light flashes continuously, then
the EPB is only partially
applied or there is a problem
with the EPB. A DIC message will display. Release the EPB
and try to apply it again. If the
light does not come on,
or keeps flashing, have the
vehicle serviced. Do not drive
the vehicle if the red parking
brake status light is flashing.
See your dealer.
If the amber service parking
brake warning light is on,
press the EPB switch.
Continue to hold the switch
until the red parking brake
status light remains on. If the
amber service parking brake
warning light is on, see your
dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the
vehicle is moving, the vehicle
will decelerate as long as the
switch is pressed. If the switch
is pressed until the vehicle
comes to a stop, the EPB will
remain applied.
The vehicle may automatically
apply the EPB in some
situations when the vehicle is
not moving. This is normal, and
is done to periodically check
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 289
the correct operation of the
EPB system, or at the request
of other safety functions that
utilize the EPB.
If the EPB fails to apply, block
the rear wheels to prevent
vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:1. Turn the ignition on or to accessory mode.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
The EPB is released when the
red parking brake status light
is off.
If the amber service parking
brake warning light is on,
release the EPB by pressing
and holding the EPB switch.
Continue to hold the switch
until the red parking brake
status light is off. If either light
stays on after release is
attempted, see your dealer.
Caution
Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the
brake system and cause
premature wear or damage
to brake system parts. Make
sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the
brake warning light is off
before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and
parking on a hill, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0365.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically
release if the vehicle is
running, placed into gear, and
an attempt is made to drive
away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake
lining life.
Brake Assist
Brake Assist detects rapid
brake pedal applications due
to emergency braking
situations and provides
additional braking to activate
the Antilock Brake System
(ABS) if the brake pedal is not
pushed hard enough to
activate ABS normally. Minor
noise, brake pedal pulsation,
and/or pedal movement during
this time may occur. Continue
to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates.
Brake Assist disengages when
the brake pedal is released.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
Do not rely on the HSA
feature. HSA does not
replace the need to pay
attention and drive safely.
You may not hear or feel
alerts or warnings provided
by this system. Failure to
(Continued)
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
290 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
use proper care when
driving may result in injury,
death, or vehicle damage.
See Defensive Driving0242.
When the vehicle is stopped
on a grade, Hill Start Assist
(HSA) temporarily 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 or
automatically release after a
few seconds. 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.
Automatic Vehicle
Hold (AVH)
{Warning
Do not rely on this feature.
It does not replace the need
to pay attention and drive
safely. You may not hear or
feel alerts or warnings
provided by this system.
Failure to use proper care
when driving may result in
injury, death, or vehicle
damage. When Automatic Vehicle Hold
(AVH) is turned on and the
vehicle is braked to a stop,
AVH prevents the vehicle from
moving during the transition
from brake pedal release to
accelerator pedal apply. The
brakes release when the
accelerator pedal is applied.
The brakes may also release
under other conditions. Do not
rely on AVH to hold the
vehicle.
If the accelerator pedal is not
applied within a few minutes,
the Electric Parking Brake will
apply. The parking brake will
also apply if the driver door is
opened or the driver seat belt
is unfastened while AVH is
holding the vehicle.
AVH can be turned on by
pressing AUTO HOLD. The
indicator light on the switch
will come on. The AVH light on
the instrument panel will come
on while AVH is actively
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 291
holding the vehicle. See
Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH)
Light0129.
Ride Control
Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
The vehicle has a Traction
Control System (TCS) and
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC). These systems
help limit wheel slip 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. When this happens,
the system brakes the
spinning wheel(s) and/or
reduces engine power to limit
wheel spin. StabiliTrak/ESC activates
when the computer senses a
difference 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 intended
direction.
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 conditions
allow.
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
0261 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:
.Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
.Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC
is activated.
.Turn on and stay on when
either system is not working.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
292 Driving and Operating
If either system fails to turn on
or to activate, a message may
display in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is
inactive and is not assisting
the driver in maintaining
control. The vehicle is safe to
drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. if
dcomes
on and stays on, the vehicle
may need more time to
diagnose the problem. If the
condition persists, see your
dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS
is off. The vehicle driveline
could be damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press
and release
g. The traction off
light
idisplays in the
instrument cluster. A DIC
message may display. To turn TCS on again, press
and release
g. The traction off
light
idisplayed in the
instrument cluster will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin
when
gis pressed, the system
will not turn off until the
wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and
StabiliTrak/ESC, press and
hold
guntil the traction off
light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC
OFF light
gcome on and stay
on in the instrument cluster.
A DIC message may display.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC on again, press and
release
g. The traction off
light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC
OFF light
gin the instrument
cluster turn off.
Adding accessories can affect
the vehicle's performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 374.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
298 Driving and Operating
shifts are also firmer to
increase the quickness of
shifting.
Engine Sound
Adjusts the volume of engine
noise.
The sound level changes when
the variable exhaust
valves open.
Steering (Assist Effort)
Adjusts from a lighter steering
feel in Tour Mode to reduced
assist in Sport and Track
Mode for more steering feel.
Magnetic Ride Control (If
Equipped)
Adjusts the shock dampening
firmness from a comfort in
Tour Mode to an optimized
responsiveness tune in Sport
and Track.
Stability Control
.Competitive Mode allows
less computer control to
permit some slide and driftand is selected with the
TCS/StabiliTrak button
–
only available in Sport Mode.
.StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) can
be turned off by pressing
and holding the TCS/
StabiliTrak button for
five seconds.
Brake Feel
Adjusts brake pedal sensitivity
by selecting how quick or slow
the brakes respond to input.
Drive Mode Customization
The following settings can be
changed using the Drive Mode
Customization Menu. See
Settings > Vehicle > Drive
Mode Customization in the
center display to customize
My Mode or V-Mode.
Steering
Steering adjusts the effort
required to turn the steering
wheel. The steering wheel
offers better feedback in the Tour setting, but requires
more effort in the Sport and
Track settings.
–Tour, Sport, Track
Suspension
Suspension adjusts the
firmness of the suspension in
the vehicle. Suspension
adjusts the stiffness of the
shocks and/or springs. The
ride is more comfortable at
lower settings and is stiffer at
higher settings for better
control.
–Tour, Sport, Track
Brake Feel
Brake Feel adjusts the brake
pedal response. Settings
range from a slower response
for more comfortable driving
to the quickest response for
quicker deceleration. Brake
pedal travel decreases and
caliper pressure increases in
the Sport and Track settings.
–Tour, Sport, Track
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 299
Engine/Shift
Engine/Shift adjusts the
throttle response, gear
shifting and engine
performance. Throttle
response increases in the
Sport, Track, and Snow/Ice
settings, and gear shifting is
more aggressive.
–Snow/Ice, Tour, Sport, Track
Engine Sound
Engine sound adjusts the
volume of engine noise. The
settings range from quietest
to loudest volume from
Stealth through Track.
–Stealth, Tour, Sport, Track
PTM (If Equipped)
PTM controls vehicle
performance systems for
professional handling on race
tracks. Traction Control and
Stability Control are reduced
when moving through each of
the settings. Changing PTM
settings may also
automatically change theother subsystem settings.
While driving on a track, turn
off all active safety features.
While driving on a track, turn
off applicable driver
assistance features. For more
information, see Assistance
Systems for Driving
0346. For
more information on PTM, see
Competitive Driving Mode
0 299.
–Off, Wet, Dry, Sport, Race 1,
Race 2
Competitive
Driving Mode
To select this optional
handling mode, place the
vehicle in Sport Mode and
press
gtwo times and the
Driver Information Center
(DIC) will display
COMPETITIVE MODE ON.
While in the Competitive
Driving Mode, the traction off
light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC
OFF light
gwill come on in the
instrument cluster. Traction
Control System (TCS) does not limit wheel spin, the
Electronic Limited-Slip
Differential (eLSD) allows
increased vehicle agility, and
more effort is required to turn
the steering wheel. See
“Limited-Slip Differential
(V–Series Only)”
later in this
section. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
Press
gagain, or turn the
vehicle to accessory mode and
restart the vehicle, to turn
TCS back on. The traction off
light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC
OFF light
gwill go out.
Caution
When traction control is
turned off, or Competitive
Driving Mode is active, it is
possible to lose traction.
Performance Traction
Management (PTM)
If equipped, PTM can be
activated through V-Mode
customization or by pressing