Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 245
.Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to
turn 180 degrees without
removing a hand.
.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
allows steering while
braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can
drop off the edge of a road
onto the shoulder while
driving. Follow these tips:1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is
nothing in the way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn,
until the right front tire
contacts the
pavement edge.
3. Turn the steering wheel to go straight down the
roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids
that correspond to the
vehicle's three control
systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are
not rolling.
.Steering or Cornering Skid —
too much speed or steering
in a curve causes tires to slip
and lose cornering force.
.Acceleration Skid —too
much throttle causes the
driving wheels to spin. Defensive drivers avoid most
skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing
conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions.
But skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide,
follow these suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer
the way you want the vehicle
to go. The vehicle may
straighten out. Be ready for
a second skid if it occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping
distance can be longer and
vehicle control can be
affected when traction is
reduced by water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material on
the road. Learn to recognize
warning clues
—such as
enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any
doubt.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
246 Driving and Operating
.Try to avoid sudden
steering, acceleration,
or braking, including
reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes
help avoid only the
braking skid.
Track Events and
Competitive Driving
(V-Series and
V-Series Blackwing)
Before any track event, there
are three features that should
be turned off:
.Automatic Emergency
Braking (AEB). See
Automatic Emergency
Braking (AEB) 0349.
.Lane Keep Assist. See Lane
Keep Assist (LKA) 0356.
.Adaptive Cruise Control. See
Adaptive Cruise Control
(Advanced) 0305.
{Danger
High-performance features
are intended for use only on
closed tracks by
experienced and qualified
drivers and should not be
used on public roads.
High-speed driving,
aggressive cornering, hard
braking, and other
high-performance driving
can be dangerous. Improper
driver inputs for the
conditions may result in loss
of control of the vehicle,
which could injure or kill you
or others. Always drive
safely.
Track events and competitive
driving may affect the vehicle
warranty. See the warranty
manual before using the
vehicle for competitive driving.
{Warning
Some of the adjustments
and procedures specified in
this section may require
specialized skill, training, and
equipment. Failure to
perform these procedures
properly could cause
malfunction, potentially
resulting in death, personal
injury, or damage to the
vehicle or property. Do not
attempt to perform these
adjustments or procedures
unless properly qualified.
{Warning
Prior to each track event
and again before returning
to public roads, tighten the
wheel nuts with a torque
wrench to the proper torque
specification. Wheel nuts
that are improperly or
incorrectly tightened can (Continued)
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
260 Driving and Operating
applied sooner than when on
dry pavement. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS)0287.
.Allow greater following
distance and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches
can occur on otherwise clear
roads in shaded areas. The
surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy
when the surrounding roads
are clear. Avoid sudden
steering maneuvers and
braking while on ice.
.Turn off cruise control.
.Select All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Mode for vehicles equipped
with AWD. Select Snow/Ice
Mode for FWD only vehicles.
See Driver Mode Control
0293 and
All-Wheel Drive 0287.
Cold Weather Mode
In very low temperatures, a
cold weather message may
display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The
engine speed, transmission
shift patterns, and cabin fan speed may operate differently
to enable the vehicle to warm
up quicker. You can manually
override the cabin fan speed in
cold weather mode.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe
place and signal for help. Stay
with the vehicle unless there is
help nearby. If possible, use
Roadside Assistance. See
Roadside Assistance Program
0
489. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine
exhaust under the vehicle.
This may cause exhaust
gases to get inside. Engine
exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO), which cannot
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and
even death.
If the vehicle is stuck
in snow:
.Clear snow from the base
of the vehicle, especially
any blocking the
exhaust pipe.
.Open a window about
5 cm (2 in) on the vehicle
side that is away from the
wind, to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets
on or under the
instrument panel.
.Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
the fan speed to the
highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about
CO, see Engine Exhaust
0 276.
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