Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
252 Driving and Operating
Brake Burnishing
New brake pads must be
burnished before racing or
other competitive driving.
Caution
These procedures are
specific to the V-Series with
performance brake linings
package. This procedure
should not be run on other
models as damage may
result.
Caution
The new vehicle break-in
period should be completed
before performing the brake
burnishing procedure or
damage may occur to the
powertrain/engine. See New
Vehicle Break-In0265.
Caution
Brake pedal fade will occur
during any track burnish
procedure and can cause
brake pedal travel and force
to increase. This could
extend stopping distance
until the brakes are fully
burnished.
When performed as
instructed, these procedures
will not damage the brakes.
During the burnishing
procedure, the brake pads will
smoke and produce an odor.
The braking force and pedal
travel may increase. After the
procedure is complete, the
brake pads may appear white
at the rotor contact.
Perform these procedures in a
safe manner and in compliance
with all local and state
ordinances/laws regarding
motor vehicle operation.
Perform the procedures only
on dry pavement. As with all high performance
brake systems, some amount
of brake squeal is normal.
Street High Performance
Brake Burnishing Procedure
This section is for the V-Series
Blackwing with J57 carbon
ceramic brake rotors only.
This procedure should only be
run on a track or other
non-public area, and only on
dry pavement.
Caution
Brake fade will occur during
this track burnish procedure
and can cause brake pedal
travel and force to increase.
This could extend stopping
distance until the brakes are
fully burnished.
1. From a stop, accelerate as rapidly as possible without
activating traction control
to a speed of 100 km/h
(60 mph).
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 255
.Performance Traction
Management (PTM) Mode
must be enabled. See Driver
Mode Control0293.
.The steering wheel must be
straight.
.The driver door must be
closed.
.The transmission must be in
D (Drive) or forward gear.
.The parking brake must not
be engaged.
For more information on
Competitive Driving Mode, see
Competitive Driving Mode
0 299.
1. Using the DIC buttons on
the right side of the
steering wheel, navigate to
the Launch Control menu.
See Driver Information
Center (DIC) (Base Level)
0136 or
Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Uplevel) 0139.
2. Press SEL to select Custom.
3. Scroll down toLaunch RPM.
4. Adjust the desired RPM: 2000–4000 RPM for
manual transmissions and
1000–2400 for automatic.
Manual Transmission
5. Set Slip Target to custom desired setting.
.Manual Trans: Apply full
throttle to activate
Launch Control and
quickly release the
clutch pedal to launch
the vehicle.
Automatic Transmission
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
256 Driving and Operating
.Auto Trans: Firmly press
and hold the brake pedal
to activate Launch
Control.
6. Auto Trans Only - Quicklyapply full throttle. Release
the brake pedal to launch
the vehicle.
Line Lock (If Equipped)
{Warning
The vehicle may move
unexpectedly when using
Line Lock, which could cause
injury to persons or property
located nearby. Only use
Line Lock on a closed track
where there is a large clear
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
area around all sides of the
vehicle. Be ready to apply
the brakes immediately if the
vehicle begins to move. Do
not use Line Lock in an area
that is accessible to the
public or where people or
property are located near
the vehicle.
Caution
Attempting to shift when
the drive wheels are
spinning and do not have
traction may cause damage
to the transmission. Damage
caused by misuse of the
vehicle is not covered by the
vehicle warranty. Do not
attempt to shift when the
drive wheels do not have
traction. Line Lock allows for locking
the front brakes
independently of the rear
brakes. This allows the rear
tires to spin when the throttle
is applied.
To enter Line Lock, all of
these conditions must be met:
.The vehicle must be in
Track Mode.
.Performance Traction
Management (PTM) Mode
must be enabled.
.The steering wheel must be
straight.
.The driver door must be
closed.
.The vehicle must be in D
(Drive) for an automatic
transmission or 1 (First) gear
for a manual transmission.
.The parking brake must not
be engaged.
.The vehicle must be stopped
on level ground. The
accelerator pedal must not
be applied.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 257
1. Using the DIC buttons onthe right side of the
steering wheel, navigate to
the Line Lock menu within
Launch Control. See Driver
Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) 0136 or
Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Uplevel) 0139.
2. Press the brake pedal
firmly to move the bar
graph to 100%.
3. Release the brake pedal.
4. There are 15 seconds to complete the burnout
and exit.
5. To release the brakes and
roll out, press
*and SEL
at the same time. If the burnout is not
completed in 15 seconds,
torque will be reduced to idle,
the parking brake will be
applied, Line Lock releases,
and Custom Launch Control
will be disabled.
Ensure the parking brake is
disengaged to re-enter
Launch Control.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can
reduce vehicle traction and
affect your ability to stop and
accelerate. Always drive
slower in these types of
driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles
and deep-standing or flowing
water.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 259
.Check all fluid levels and
brakes, tires, cooling system,
and transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when
going down steep or long
hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill
slope can cause brake
overheating, can reduce
brake performance, and
could result in a loss of
braking. Shift the
transmission to a lower gear
to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill
slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in
N (Neutral) or with the
ignition off is dangerous.
This can cause overheating
of the brakes and loss of(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
steering assist. Always have
the engine running and the
vehicle in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep
the vehicle in its own lane.
Do not swing wide or cross
the center line.
.Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your
lane (e.g., stalled car, crash).
.Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Caution
To avoid damage to the
wheels and brake
components, always clear (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
snow and ice from inside the
wheels and underneath the
vehicle before driving.
Snow or ice between the tires
and the road creates less
traction or grip, so drive
carefully. Wet ice can occur at
about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in
freezing rain until roads can be
treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently.
Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under
the tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control.
See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control
0 291.
.The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle
stability during hard stops,
but the brakes should be
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 261
To save fuel, run the engine
for short periods to warm the
vehicle and then shut the
engine off and partially close
the window. Moving about to
keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to
arrive, when running the
engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine
runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle
and to signal for help with the
headlamps. Do this as little as
possible, to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle
when stuck in sand, mud, ice,
or snow.
The Traction Control System
(TCS) can often help to free a
stuck vehicle. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability
Control0291. If TCS cannot free the vehicle,
turn TCS off and use the
rocking method. See
“Rocking
the Vehicle to Get it Out”
following.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at
high speed, they can
explode, and you or others
could be injured. The vehicle
can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or
other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible
and avoid going above
56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left
and right to clear the area
around the front wheels. Turn
off any traction system. Shift
back and forth between
R (Reverse) and a low forward
gear, spinning the wheels as
little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop spinning
before shifting gears. Release
the accelerator pedal while
shifting, and press lightly on
the accelerator pedal when
the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse
directions causes a rocking
motion that could free the
vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few
tries, it might need to be
towed out. If the vehicle does
need to be towed out, see
Transporting a Disabled
Vehicle
0455.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know
how much weight the
vehicle can carry. This
weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on the
vehicle may show how
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.