Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
Introduction 3
Danger, Warning, and
Caution
Warning messages found on
vehicle labels and in this
manual describe hazards and
what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard
with a high level of risk
which will result in serious
injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard
that could result in injury or
death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard
that could result in property
or vehicle damage.
A circle with a slash through it
is a safety symbol which
means“Do not,” “Do not do
this,” or“Do not let this
happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components
and labels that use symbols
instead of text. Symbols are
shown along with the text
describing the operation or
information relating to a
specific component, control,
message, gauge, or indicator.
M: Shown when the owner’s
manual has additional
instructions or information.
*: Shown when the service
manual has additional
instructions or information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.”
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional
symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they
mean. See the features in this
manual for information.
u: Air Conditioning System
G:Air Conditioning
Refrigerant Oil
9: Airbag Readiness Light
!:Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
$: Brake System Warning
Light
9: Dispose of Used
Components Properly
P: Do Not Apply High
Pressure Water
B: Engine Coolant
Temperature
_: Flame/Fire Prohibited
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
Instruments and Controls 103
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering WheelAdjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Windshield Wiper/ Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . 109
Warning Lights, Gauges,
and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Instrument Cluster (Base
Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge
(Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
(Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . 122
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Charging System Light . . . 124
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . 128
Performance Shifting Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Automatic Emergency
Braking (AEB) Disabled
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . 130
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . 131
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Driver Mode Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . 133
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . 135
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . 135
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . 135
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
134 Instruments and Controls
When the Light Flashes First
and Then Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a
minute and then stays on,
there may be a problem with
the TPMS. If the problem is
not corrected, the light will
come on every time the
vehicle is started. See Tire
Pressure Monitor Operation
0431.
Engine Oil Pressure
Light
Caution
Driving the vehicle with low
engine oil pressure can
damage the engine and the
repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty.
If the engine oil pressure
light comes on while driving:
1. Stop in a safe location and turn off the engine.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
2. Check the oil level. SeeEngine Oil 0383.
3. Add oil if the oil level is below the normal
operating range.
4. Restart the vehicle. If the engine oil pressure light
stays on for more than
10 seconds, turn the
vehicle back off. Do not
restart the vehicle. See
your dealer for service.
This light should come on
briefly when the engine starts.
When the engine is off and the
vehicle is on, the light should
remain illuminated. If it does
not come on under either
condition, contact your dealer. If the light comes on and stays
on when the engine is running,
it may not have adequate oil
pressure. The oil level may be
low or there may be some
other oil system problem. Turn
the engine off when it is safe
to do so and contact your
dealer.
Low Fuel Warning
Light
A Low Fuel Warning Light
near the fuel gauge comes on
briefly when the ignition is
turned on as a check to show
it is working.
It also comes on when the fuel
gauge indicator nears empty.
The light turns off when fuel is
added. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
Instruments and Controls 139
based on the various vehicle
speeds recorded since the last
reset. Reset the average
speed by pressing the
thumbwheel while this display
is active to show a
confirmation window to select
yes or no.
Timer :This display can be
used as a timer. To start the
timer, press the thumbwheel
while this display is active. The
display will show the amount
of time that has passed since
the timer was last reset. To
stop the timer, press the
thumbwheel briefly while this
display is active and the timer
is running.
Press the thumbwheel while
this display is active to reset
the timer.
Follow Distance/Gap
Setting : When Adaptive
Cruise Control (ACC) is not
engaged, the current follow
time to the vehicle ahead is
displayed as a time value on
this page. When ACC has been engaged, the display switches
to the gap setting page. This
page shows the current gap
setting along with the vehicle
ahead telltale.
Driver Assistance :
If equipped, shows information
for Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
and Forward Collision
Alert (FCA).
Battery Voltage :
Shows the
current battery voltage.
Coolant Temperature :
Shows the engine coolant
temperature in either degrees
Celsius (°C) or degrees
Fahrenheit (°F).
Oil Temperature : Shows the
engine oil temperature in
either degrees Celsius (°C) or
degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
Engine Hours (Hourmeter) :
Shows the total number of
hours the engine has run. The
display also shows the engine
idle hours. Engine Boost :
Displays
engine manifold pressure
relative to ambient air
pressure. It will display boost
pressure generated by the
turbocharging system.
Transmission Fluid
Temperature : If equipped,
Shows the temperature of the
transmission fluid in either
degrees Celsius (°C) or
degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
Info Page Options : Scroll to
choose which info pages
appear on the DIC. Press the
thumbwheel to select or
deselect.
Blank Page : Allows for no
information to be displayed in
the cluster info display areas.
Driver Information
Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
The DIC is displayed in the
instrument cluster. It shows
the status of many vehicle
systems.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 247
Warning (Continued)
cause the wheels to become
loose or come off, resulting
in a crash. See Capacities
and Specifications0482 for
wheel nut torque
specifications.
Caution
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.
Competitive Driving Mode can
be selected. See Driver Mode
Control 0293.
Seat Belts
Lap-Shoulder Belt
If equipped, the driver seat
belt has an Automatic Locking
Retractor (ALR). This feature
is useful in performance
driving scenarios where the
driver wants to be held in the
seat more tightly to take
advantage of the aggressive
bolstering of the seat.
1. Move the seat 8-10 cm (3-4 in) rearward from the
normal driving position.
2. Pull the driver shoulder belt out as far as it will go,
until it stops, to set the
lock. While holding the
shoulder belt in this
position, buckle the belt.
When the shoulder belt is
released, the retractor will
make a ratchet sound
when it retracts. When the
retractor lock is set, the
belt can be tightened but
not pulled out of the
retractor. 3. Adjust the belt, and then
move the seat forward
8-10 cm (3-4 in) to the
desired driving position.
This will secure the belt.
The belt fit should be tight,
but not uncomfortable.
To unlatch the belt, press
the button on the buckle.
The belt should return to
its stowed position.
Axle Fluid
Axles must have 2 400 km
(1,500 mi) before being used in
track driving.
The front, if equipped with
AWD, and rear axle fluid
temperatures may be higher
than when driving in severe
conditions. Drain and refill with
new fluid after the first racing
or competitive driving event,
and then after every 24 hours
of racing or competitive
driving. See your dealer for
the correct fluid.
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
250 Driving and Operating
3. Front Brake Cooling Duct
Brake Pad Wear Sensors
If equipped, the brake pad
wear sensors need to be
removed from the brake
calipers prior to any track or
racing event. The original
sensors can be reinstalled if
significant brake pad wear is
not observed. Refer to Brake
Pad Life System (If Equipped)
0 403. If the sensors are not
reinstalled after the track
event, install brake pad wear
sensor plugs. See your dealer. The V-Series Blackwing is
equipped with brake pad wear
sensors which are track
capable and should not be
disabled for track and racing.
A message will display in the
Driver Information Center
(DIC) when the brake pads
show excessive wear.
Brake Fluid
Replace existing brake fluid
with a qualified DOT 4 high
performance brake fluid from
a sealed container. Brake fluid
with a dry boiling point >310 °C
(590 °F) is qualified. If high
performance brake fluid is
used, replace it with GM
approved brake fluid before
driving on public roads. If high
performance brake fluid is in
the vehicle and the age of the
brake fluid is over a month old
or unknown, replace the brake
fluid before track events and
competitive driving. Do not use
silicone or DOT 5 brake fluids.
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 self diagnostic
tests that can possibly occur
when a door is opened or the
remote key is present.
Check the fluid level before
each competitive driving
event.
Brake System Flushing &
Bleeding
The J56 brake system
requires specific processes
for bleeding and fluid flushing.
These can be found in the
service manual.
Properly bleeding the brake
system is required for proper
operation of the hydraulic
brake system.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/10/22
Driving and Operating 367
Towing with a Stability
Control System
When towing, the stability
control system might be
heard. The system reacts to
vehicle movement caused by
the trailer, which mainly occurs
during cornering. This is
normal when towing heavier
trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far
behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving
without a trailer. This can help
to avoid heavy braking and
sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is
needed when towing a trailer.
The combination of the vehicle
and trailer will not accelerate
as quickly and is much longer
than the vehicle alone. It is
necessary to go much farther
beyond the passed vehiclebefore returning to the lane.
Pass on level roadways. Avoid
passing on hills if possible.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand.
To move the trailer to the left,
move that hand to the left. To
move the trailer to the right,
move that hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Caution
Turn more slowly and make
wider arcs when towing a
trailer to prevent damage to
your vehicle. Making very
sharp turns could cause the
trailer to contact the vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal
when towing, so trailer will not
go over soft shoulders, over
curbs, or strike road signs,
trees, or other objects. Always signal turns well in advance.
Do not steer or brake
suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a
lower gear before starting
down a long or steep downhill
grade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes
may overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
Shift the transmission to a
lower gear if the transmission
shifts too often under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at higher
altitudes, engine coolant will
boil at a lower temperature
than at lower altitudes. If the
engine is turned off
immediately after towing at
high altitude on steep uphill
grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine
overheating. To avoid this, let
the engine run, preferably on
level ground, with the