Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
248 Driving and Operating
Caution
During a first time track or
racing event, high axle
temperatures can occur.
Damage could be caused to
the axle and would not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not drive as
long or as fast the first time
the vehicle is driven on the
track or raced.
.The axle lubricant should be
replaced with new lubricant.
.On vehicles without a
differential cooler, additional
cooling capacity is required
for continuous competitive
driving. The V-Series
Blackwing has a differential
cooler, so no additional
cooling capacity is
necessary.
Engine OilCaution
If the vehicle is used for
track events and
competitive driving, the
engine may use more oil
than it would with normal
use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Check
the oil level often and
maintain the proper level.
See Engine Oil 0383.
Check the oil level often during
track events and competitive
driving, and keep the oil level
at or near the upper mark. See
“Checking the Engine Oil" in
Engine Oil 0383.
Fuel
Use premium unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 93 at a track event.
Unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 91 may be used, but
performance will be degraded.
See Prohibited Fuels
0361.
Automatic or Manual
Transmission Fluid
Have the transmission fluid
set to the track specific oil
level prior to track usage.
Transmission fluid should be
changed after every 15 hours
of track usage. Any
transmission level set or
change should be performed
at the dealer.
Brakes
Battery Disconnect
Disconnect the battery before
servicing the hydraulic brake
system. It is critical to
disconnect the battery before
bleeding the system, replacing
the pads, or any other work.
The battery must be
disconnected to prevent the
brake master cylinder from
pressurizing the hydraulic
system during its automated
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 281
Car Wash Mode (Engine On–
Driver in Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in
N (Neutral) with the engine on
and the vehicle occupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift to N (Neutral).
4. Release the brake pedal. The vehicle is now ready
for the car wash.
Car Wash Mode (Engine On –
Driver out of Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in
N (Neutral) with the engine on
and the vehicle unoccupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Open the door.
4. Shift to N (Neutral), then release the brake pedal. 5. The indicator should
continue to show N. If it
does not, repeat
Steps 2–4.
6. Exit the vehicle and close the door. The vehicle is
now ready for the
car wash.
7. The vehicle may automatically shift to
P (Park) upon re-entry.
Caution
A transmission hot message
may display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition
can damage the vehicle.
Stop and idle the engine to
cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This
message clears when the
transmission fluid has cooled
sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal
driving. If more power is
needed for passing, press the
accelerator pedal down. To shift into D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. From the center position, move the shift lever back.
.If the vehicle is in
P (Park), press the shift
lock release button while
pulling the shift
lever back.
.D will illuminate in red.
.After releasing the shift
lever, it will return to the
center position.
To shift out of D (Drive): 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.
Downshifting the transmission
in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding. See
“Skidding” under Loss of
Control 0245.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
302 Driving and Operating
Launch Control will initially
limit engine speed as you
rapidly apply the accelerator
pedal to wide open throttle.
Allow the engine rpm to
stabilize. A smooth, quick
release of the brake pedal,
while maintaining the fully
pressed accelerator pedal, will
manage wheel slip.
After the vehicle is launched,
the system continues in
Competitive Driving Mode
or PTM.
Competitive Driving Mode,
PTM, and Launch Control are
systems designed for a closed
course race track and not
intended for public roads. The
systems are not intended to
compensate for lack of driver
experience or familiarity with
the race track.Limited-Slip
Differential
If equipped, the Electronic
Limited-Slip Differential (eLSD)
is automatically activated.
eLSD actively monitors vehicle
sensors and driver inputs to
determine the amount of
change for the conditions.
With eLSD, the vehicle has:
.Enhanced high-speed
control.
.Improved traction through
corners, allowing more
acceleration.
.More precise steering.
.Increased vehicle agility.
.Integration with StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability
Control (ESC).
For vehicles with eLSD, driven
under severe conditions, the
rear axle fluid should be
changed. See Competitive
Driving Mode 0299 and
Maintenance Schedule 0471.
Cruise Control
{
Warning
Cruise control can be
dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a
steady speed. Do not use
cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads.
On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do
not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
With cruise control, a speed of
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or
more can be maintained
without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. Cruise control
does not work at speeds
below about 40 km/h (25 mph).
If equipped with a manual
transmission, the cruise
control will remain active when
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 - 5/6/22
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
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
388 Vehicle Care
Automatic
Transmission Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check
the transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the
only reason for fluid loss. If a
leak occurs, take the vehicle to
your dealer and have it
repaired as soon as possible.
The vehicle is not equipped
with a transmission fluid level
dipstick. There is a special
procedure for checking and
changing the transmission
fluid. Because this procedure
is difficult, this should be done
at the dealer. Contact your
dealer for additional
information.
Caution
Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission fluid
may damage the vehicle, and(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
the damage may not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use the
correct automatic
transmission fluid. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0476.
Change the fluid and filter at
the intervals listed in
Maintenance Schedule 0471,
and be sure to use the fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0476.
Manual Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check
the manual transmission fluid
level. A transmission fluid leak
is the only reason for fluid
loss. If a leak occurs, take the
vehicle to your dealer and
have it repaired as soon as
possible. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0476
for the proper fluid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
For vehicles with a manual
transmission, it is not
necessary to regularly check
brake/clutch fluid unless there
is a leak suspected. Adding
fluid will not correct a leak.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have
the system inspected and
repaired.
When to Check and What
to Use
The brake/hydraulic clutch
fluid reservoir cap has this
symbol on it. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0378
for reservoir location. The
common hydraulic clutch and
brake master cylinder fluid
reservoir is filled with brake
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
Service and Maintenance 473
.Drain and fill engine cooling
system. Or every six years,
whichever comes first. See
Cooling System0392.
Severe Conditions
Requiring More Frequent
Maintenance*
.Public service, military,
or commercial use vehicles
to include the following:
‐ Ambulances, police cars,
and emergency rescue
vehicles.
‐ Civilian vehicles such as
light duty pick-up trucks,
SUVs, and passenger cars
that are used in military
applications.
‐ Recovery vehicles such as
tow trucks and flatbed
single vehicle carriers or
any vehicle that is
consistently used in towing
trailers or other loads.
‐ High use commercial
vehicles such as courier
delivery vehicles, private
security patrol vehicles, or any vehicles that
operate on a 24–hour
basis.
‐ Any vehicle consistently
operated in a high sand or
dust environment such as
those used on oil pipelines
and similar applications..Vehicles that are regularly
used for short trips of 6 km
(4 mi) or less.
The oil life indicator will show
you when to change the oil
and filter. Under severe
conditions the indicator may
come on before 12 000 km
(7,500 mi).
* Footnote: Under extreme
driving conditions listed
above, it may be necessary
to replace your spark plugs
at more frequent intervals.
For further assistance in
determining the most
suitable service maintenance
intervals for your vehicle,
please contact your
authorized GM Dealer. Extreme service is for
vehicles mainly driven
off-road in four-wheel drive
or used in farming, mining,
forestry, or snow plowing.
Additional Required
Services
—Severe Service
Every 72 000 km (45,000 mi)
.Change automatic
transmission fluid and filter.
.Change manual transmission
fluid. (If equipped)
.Change transfer case fluid,
if equipped with AWD. Do
not directly power wash the
transfer case and/or front/
rear axle output seals. High
pressure water can
overcome the seals and
contaminate the transfer
case fluid. Contaminated
fluid will decrease the life of
the transfer case and/or
axles and should be
replaced.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
476 Service and Maintenance
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name or specification, including fluids or lubricants not
listed here, can be obtained from your dealer.Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Automatic Transmission DEXRON ULV Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL Coolant. See
Cooling System 0392.
Engine Oil –2.0L L4 Turbo (LSY) and
3.0L V6 Twin Turbo (LGY) Engines Engine oil meeting the dexos1 specification of the proper SAE viscosity grade.
ACDelco dexos1 full synthetic is recommended. See Engine Oil
0383.
Engine Oil –6.2L V8 (LT4) Engine Engine oil meeting the dexosR specification of the proper SAE viscosity grade.
Mobil 1 dexosR full synthetic is recommended. See Engine Oil 0383.
Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and Release Pawl Lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 4 Hydraulic Brake Fluid.
Key Lock Cylinders, Hood and Door Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube. See your dealer.
Manual Transmission DEXRON III Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Rear Axle/Front Axle (All-Wheel Drive) See your dealer. Transfer Case (All-Wheel Drive) See your dealer.
Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protection
requirements.