Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
274 Driving and Operating
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
move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always
set the parking brake and(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
shift to P (Park). See Shifting
Into Park0273. If you are
towing a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0365.
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 0365.
Shifting out of Park
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 056.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 275
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.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could
touch hot exhaust parts
under the vehicle and ignite.
Do not park over papers,
leaves, dry grass, or other
things that can burn.
Active Fuel
Management
This vehicle's engine may be
equipped with Active Fuel
Management, which allows the
engine to operate on either all
of its cylinders, or in reduced
cylinder operation mode,
depending on the driving
conditions.
When less power is required,
such as cruising at a constant
vehicle speed, the system will
operate in reduced cylinder
operation mode, allowing the
vehicle to achieve better fueleconomy. When greater
power demands are required,
such as accelerating from a
stop, passing, or merging onto
a freeway, the system will
maintain full-cylinder
operation.
If the vehicle has an Active
Fuel Management indicator,
see Driver Information Center
(DIC) for more information on
using this display.
Extended Parking
It is best not to park with the
vehicle running. If the vehicle is
left running, be sure it will not
move and there is adequate
ventilation.
See Shifting Into Park
0273
and
Engine Exhaust 0276.
If the vehicle is left parked and
running with the remote key
outside the vehicle, it will
continue to run for up to
15 minutes.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
276 Driving and Operating
If the vehicle is left parked and
running with the remote key
inside the vehicle, it will
continue to run for up to
30 minutes.
The vehicle could turn off
sooner if it is parked on a hill,
due to lack of available fuel.
Automatic Transmission
The timer will reset if the
vehicle is taken out of P (Park)
while it is running.
Manual Transmission
The timer will reset if vehicle
speed exceeds 4
km/h (2.5 mph).
Engine Exhaust{
Warning
Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO),
which cannot be seen or
smelled. Exposure to CO can
cause unconsciousness and
even death. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Exhaust may enter the
vehicle if:
.The vehicle idles in areas
with poor ventilation
(parking garages, tunnels,
deep snow that may block
underbody airflow or tail
pipes).
.The exhaust smells or
sounds strange or
different.
.The exhaust system leaks
due to corrosion or
damage.
.The vehicle exhaust
system has been modified,
damaged, or improperly
repaired.
.There are holes or
openings in the vehicle
body from damage or
aftermarket modifications
that are not completely
sealed.(Continued)
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
The vehicle should not be left
running while parked.
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 0273 and
Engine Exhaust 0276.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 277
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips0365.
Automatic
Transmission
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 CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
278 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 Park0273
and
Electric Parking Brake 0288.
This vehicle is equipped with
an electronically controlled
transmission. The shift lock
release button is designed to
prevent inadvertent shifting
out of P (Park) unless the
ignition 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”
following. 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
0273
and
Shifting out of Park 0274.
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
vehicle speed exceeds
15 km/h (10 mph), then release
the shift lever.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 279
R :Use this gear to back up.
If the vehicle is shifted from
either R (Reverse) to D (Drive)
or M (Manual Mode),
or M (Manual Mode) or
D (Drive) 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 0261.
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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
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 0455.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 285
1 (First) :Press the clutch
pedal and shift into 1 (First).
Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal while pressing on the
accelerator pedal.
After a complete stop, if it is
hard to shift into 1 (First), let
up on the clutch pedal, then
press it back down and shift
into 1 (First).
2 (Second) : Press the clutch
pedal and let up on the
accelerator pedal, then shift
into 2 (Second). Then, slowly
let up on the clutch pedal
while accelerating.
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth),
and 6 (Sixth) : Shift into
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth),
and 6 (Sixth) the same as
2 (Second).
To stop, let up on the
accelerator pedal and press
the brake pedal. Just before
the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake
pedal, and shift to Neutral. Neutral :
Use this position
when you start or idle the
engine. The shift lever is in
Neutral when it is centered in
the shift pattern, not in
any gear.
R (Reverse) : To back up,
press down the clutch pedal,
completely stop the vehicle,
and shift into R (Reverse). Let
up on the clutch pedal slowly
while pressing the accelerator
pedal.
{Warning
If you skip a gear when
downshifting, you could lose
control of the vehicle. You
could injure yourself or
others. Do not shift down
more than one gear at a
time when downshifting.
Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while
the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
transmission. The repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the
vehicle is stopped.
Caution
Do not rest your hand on
the shift lever while driving.
The pressure could cause
premature wear in the
transmission. The repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Caution
When downshifting, if more
than one gear is skipped,
or the engine is racing when
the clutch pedal is released,
the engine, clutch, driveshaft
or transmission could be
damaged.
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.