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
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
286 Driving and Operating
No Lift-Shift
The vehicle can be shifted up
a gear when the accelerator
pedal is pressed to the floor
without being released. This
allows for less power
interruption and will improve
acceleration times. This
feature is available in all
vehicle modes and is only
active when the engine speed
is greater than 5000 rpm.
Active Rev Match
Vehicles equipped with a
manual transmission have
Active Rev Match (ARM). ARM
aids in smoother shifting by
matching the engine speed to
the next selected gear. By
monitoring shift lever and
clutch operation, ARM adjusts
engine speed to match a
calibrated value based on gear
selection. On upshifts and
downshifts, engine speed will
be increased and decreased to
match vehicle road speed and
transmission gear position.ARM is maintained while the
clutch pedal is pressed, but
will deactivate if the shift lever
is left in the Neutral position.
The system is activated and
deactivated by pressing the
ARM switch on the center
console. The system must be
activated with each new
ignition cycle. If ARM is
deactivated, the system will
still perform rev matching for
upshifts.
A gear indicator in the
instrument cluster displays the
current gear selected. ARM is
also shown in the
Performance View of the HUD:
.When ARM is activated, the
gear number is amber.
.When ARM is deactivated,
the gear number is white.
.If no gear number is
displayed while the shift
lever is in gear, service is
required. All rev matching will
be disabled, and the
malfunction indicator lamp
will be on. See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light)
0125. The
clutch and manual
transmission will continue to
operate normally.
ARM will also:
.Be active above 28 km/h
(18 mph).
.Match engine speed up to
5400 rpm.
.Not operate when the
accelerator pedal is applied.
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
366 Driving and Operating
.Automatic Parking
Assist (APA)
.Reverse Automatic
Braking (RAB)
If equipped, the following
driver assistance features
should be turned to alert or
off when towing a trailer:
.Automatic Emergency
Braking (AEB)
.Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
.Front Pedestrian
Braking (FPB)
If equipped with Lane Change
Alert (LCA), the LCA detection
zones that extend back from
the side of the vehicle do not
move further back when a
trailer is towed. Use caution
while changing lanes when
towing a trailer.
If equipped with Rear Cross
Traffic Alert (RCTA), use
caution while backing up when
towing a trailer, as the RCTA
detection zones that extend out from the back of the
vehicle do not move further
back when a trailer is towed.
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or
death from carbon monoxide
(CO), when towing a trailer:
.Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most
window open.
.Fully open the air outlets
on or under the
instrument panel.
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air.
See
“Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust 0276.
Towing a trailer requires
experience. The combination
of the vehicle and trailer is
longer and not as responsive as the vehicle itself. Become
familiar with handling and
braking by driving on a level
road surface before driving on
public roads.
The trailer structure, the tires,
and the brakes must be all be
rated to carry the intended
cargo. Inadequate trailer
equipment can cause the
combination to operate in an
unexpected or unsafe manner.
Before driving, inspect all
trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains,
electrical connectors, lamps,
tires, and mirrors. See Towing
Equipment
0371. If the trailer
has electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then
manually apply the trailer
brake controller to check the
trailer brakes work. During the
trip, occasionally check that
the cargo and trailer are
secure and that the lamps and
any trailer brakes are working.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
368 Driving and Operating
transmission in P (Park) for a
few minutes before turning
the engine off. If the overheat
warning comes on, see Engine
Overheating0398.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or
death, always park your
vehicle and trailer on a level
surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and
your trailer on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park)
yet. Turn the wheels into
the curb if facing downhill
or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels. 3. When the wheel chocks
are in place, gradually
release the brake pedal to
allow the chocks to absorb
the load of the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking
brake and shift into
P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on
a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
.Start the engine.
.Shift into the
desired gear.
.Release the parking
brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service
more often when used to tow
trailers. See Maintenance
Schedule 0471. It is especially
important to check the
automatic transmission fluid,
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system, and brake
system before and during
each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts
and bolts on the trailer hitch
are tight.
Engine Cooling when
Trailer Towing
The cooling system may
temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions.
See Engine Overheating
0 398.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
372 Driving and Operating
and the trailer brakes may not
function, which could result in
a crash.
Turn Signals When
Towing a Trailer
When properly connected, the
trailer turn signals will
illuminate to indicate the
vehicle is turning, changing
lanes, or stopping. When
towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument cluster will
illuminate even if the trailer is
not properly connected or the
bulbs are burned out.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector
(DLC) is used for vehicle
service and Emission
Inspection/Maintenance
testing. See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light)0125. A device
connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet
or driver-behavior tracking
device —may interfere with
vehicle systems. This could
affect vehicle operation and
cause a crash. Such devices
may also access information
stored in the vehicle’s
systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment
can damage the vehicle or
cause components to not
work and would not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always check with
your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain
the vehicle's 12-volt battery,
even if the vehicle is not
operating.
The vehicle has an airbag
system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to the
vehicle, see Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 077
and
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 077.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
Vehicle Care 373
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . 374
California PerchlorateMaterials
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
Engine Oil Life System . . . 386
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Engine Air Cleaner/ Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Engine Overheating . . . . . . 398
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
Brake Pad Life System (If
Equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 406
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . 406
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409
Bulb Replacement
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409
Electrical System
Electrical SystemOverload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 414 Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 416
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 418
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 419
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419
Run-Flat Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 420
Self-Sealing Tires . . . . . . . . . 420
Noise Reducing Tires(V-Series
Blackwing Only) . . . . . . . . . . . 421
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . 421
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . 422
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . 423
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 424
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 430
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 431
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . 437