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258 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
Park0254 and
Electric Parking Brake 0264.
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
0254
and Shifting out of Park 0254.
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.
R : Use this gear to back up.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 259
If the vehicle is shifted from
either R (Reverse) to D (Drive)
or M (Manual Mode),
or M (Manual Mode) or
D (Drive) to R (Reverse) while
the speed is too high, the
vehicle will shift to N (Neutral).
Reduce the vehicle speed and
try the shift again.
To shift into R (Reverse):1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press and hold shift lock release button on the side
of the shift lever.
3. From the center position, move the shift lever
forward through the first
detent to the end of travel.
R is illuminated in red.
4. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position.
To shift out of R (Reverse): 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.
At low vehicle speeds,
R (Reverse) can be used to
rock the vehicle back and forth
to get out of snow, ice, or sand
without damaging the
transmission. See If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0241.
N : In this position, the engine
does not connect with the
wheels. To restart the engine
when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear
while the engine is running
at high speed is dangerous.
Unless your foot is firmly on
the brake pedal, the vehicle
could move very rapidly. You
could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while
the engine is running at high
speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the
vehicle.
The vehicle is not designed to
stay in N (Neutral) for more
than five minutes. It may
automatically shift into
P (Park). N (Neutral) is not
intended for towing. If the
vehicle needs to be towed, see
Transporting a Disabled
Vehicle 0407.
To shift into N (Neutral): 1. Move the shift lever forward to the first detent
from the center position.
.If the vehicle is in
P (Park), apply the brake
pedal and press the shift
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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264 Driving and Operating
replace the compact spare
with a full-size tire as soon as
possible. See Compact Spare
Tire0404.
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost
Vehicles equipped with
electric brake boost have
hydraulic brake circuits that
are electronically controlled
when the brake pedal is
applied during normal
operation. The system
performs routine tests and
turns off within a few minutes
after the vehicle is turned off.
Noise may be heard during
this time. If the brake pedal is
pressed during the tests or
when the electric brake boost
system is off, a noticeable
change in pedal force and
travel may be felt. This is
normal.
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) helps prevent a braking
skid and maintain steering
while braking hard.
If there is a problem with ABS,
this warning light stays on.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light 0129.
ABS does not change the time
needed to get a foot on the
brake pedal and does not
always decrease stopping
distance. If you get too close
to the vehicle ahead, there will
not be enough time to apply
the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room
ahead to stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just
hold the brake pedal down
firmly. Hearing and feeling ABS
operate is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and
braking at the same time. In
many emergencies, steering
can help even more than
braking.
Electric Parking Brake
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Driving and Operating 265
The Electric Parking Brake
(EPB) can always be applied,
even if the vehicle is off. In
case of insufficient electrical
power, the EPB cannot be
applied or released. To
prevent draining the battery,
avoid unnecessary repeated
cycles of the EPB.
The system has a red parking
brake status light and an
amber service parking brake
warning light. See Electric
Parking Brake Light0129 and
Service Electric Parking Brake
Light 0129. There are also
parking brake-related Driver
Information Center (DIC)
messages.
Before leaving the vehicle,
check the red parking brake
status light to ensure that the
parking brake is applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop. 2. Press the EPB switch
momentarily.
The red parking brake status
light will flash and then stay on
once the EPB is fully applied.
If the red parking brake status
light flashes continuously, then
the EPB is only partially
applied or there is a problem
with the EPB. A DIC message
will display. Release the EPB
and try to apply it again. If the
light does not come on,
or keeps flashing, have the
vehicle serviced. Do not drive
the vehicle if the red parking
brake status light is flashing.
See your dealer.
If the amber service parking
brake warning light is on,
press the EPB switch.
Continue to hold the switch
until the red parking brake
status light remains on. If the
amber service parking brake
warning light is on, see your
dealer. If the EPB is applied while the
vehicle is moving, the vehicle
will decelerate as long as the
switch is pressed. If the switch
is pressed until the vehicle
comes to a stop, the EPB will
remain applied.
The vehicle may automatically
apply the EPB in some
situations when the vehicle is
not moving. This is normal, and
is done to periodically check
the correct operation of the
EPB system, or at the request
of other safety functions that
utilize the EPB.
If the EPB fails to apply, block
the rear wheels to prevent
vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Turn the ignition on or to accessory mode.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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266 Driving and Operating
The EPB is released when the
red parking brake status light
is off.
If the amber service parking
brake warning light is on,
release the EPB by pressing
and holding the EPB switch.
Continue to hold the switch
until the red parking brake
status light is off. If either light
stays on after release is
attempted, see your dealer.
Caution
Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the
brake system and cause
premature wear or damage
to brake system parts. Make
sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the
brake warning light is off
before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and
parking on a hill, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0314.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically
release if the vehicle is
running, placed into gear, and
an attempt is made to drive
away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake
lining life.
Brake Assist
Brake Assist detects rapid
brake pedal applications due
to emergency braking
situations and provides
additional braking to activate
the Antilock Brake System
(ABS) if the brake pedal is not
pushed hard enough to
activate ABS normally. Minor
noise, brake pedal pulsation,
and/or pedal movement during
this time may occur. Continue
to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates.
Brake Assist disengages when
the brake pedal is released.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
Do not rely on the HSA
feature. HSA does not
replace the need to pay
attention and drive safely.
You may not hear or feel
alerts or warnings provided
by this system. Failure to
use proper care when
driving may result in injury,
death, or vehicle damage.
See Defensive Driving 0230.
When the vehicle is stopped
on a grade, Hill Start Assist
(HSA) prevents the vehicle
from rolling in an unintended
direction during the transition
from brake pedal release to
accelerator pedal apply. The
brakes release when the
accelerator pedal is applied.
If the accelerator pedal is not
applied within a few minutes,
the Electric Parking Brake will
apply. The brakes may also
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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270 Driving and Operating
Sport Mode modifies steering
efforts, transmission shifting,
and AWD torque, if equipped.
The Performance Algorithm
Liftfoot (PAL) feature is
enabled in Sport Mode. PAL
allows the transmission to
hold the current gear after a
quick release of a heavily
applied accelerator pedal. This
provides greater engine
braking and enhanced vehicle
control.
When PAL is activated, there
may be an additional gear
symbol that appears in the
instrument cluster display. See
Performance Shifting Light
0130.
Off-Road Mode : Use this
mode for off-road recreational
driving. When active, Off–Road
Mode should be used to
improve driving at moderate
speeds, on grass, gravel, dirt,
unpaved roads,
or snow-covered roads. The
accelerator pedal is tuned for off-road use. This mode
modifies pedal mapping, AWD,
ESC, and TCS Performance.
Snow/Ice Mode :
Snow/Ice
Mode improves vehicle
acceleration on snow and ice
covered roads. When active,
Snow/Ice Mode will adjust
acceleration to optimize
traction on slippery surfaces.
This can compromise the
acceleration on dry asphalt.
This feature is not intended
for use when the vehicle is
stuck in sand, mud, ice, snow,
or gravel. If the vehicle
becomes stuck, see If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0241.
Cruise Control
{
Warning
Cruise control can be
dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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).
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274 Driving and Operating
Stability Control (ESC) system
activates, the ACC may
automatically disengage. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control0267. When
road conditions allow ACC to
be safely used, the ACC can
be turned back on.
Disabling the TCS or
StabiliTrak/ESC system will
disengage and prevent
engagement of ACC.
ACC can reduce the need for
you to frequently brake and
accelerate, especially when
used on expressways,
freeways, and interstate
highways. When used on other
roads, you may need to take
over the control of braking or
acceleration more often.
ACC automatically slows the
vehicle down while navigating
the curve and may increase
speed out of the curve, but will
not exceed the set speed.{Warning
ACC has limited braking
ability and may not have
time to slow the vehicle
down enough to avoid a
collision with another vehicle
you are following. This can
occur when vehicles
suddenly slow or stop
ahead, or enter your lane.
Also see “Alerting the
Driver” in this section.
Complete attention is
always required while driving
and you should be ready to
take action and apply the
brakes. See Defensive
Driving 0230.
{Warning
ACC will not detect or brake
for children, pedestrians,
animals, or other objects.
Do not use ACC when:
.On winding and hilly roads
or when the sensors are
blocked by snow, ice,
or dirt. The system may
not detect a vehicle
ahead. Keep the entire
front of the vehicle clean.
.Visibility is low, such as in
fog, rain, or snow
conditions. ACC
performance is limited
under these conditions.
.On slippery roads where
fast changes in tire
traction can cause
excessive wheel slip.
.When towing a trailer.
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276 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Always check the cruise
control indicator on the
instrument cluster to
determine which mode
cruise control is in before
using the feature. If ACC is
not active, the vehicle will
not automatically brake for
other vehicles, which could
cause a crash if the brakes
are not applied manually.
You and others could be
seriously injured or killed.
Setting Adaptive Cruise
Control
If
Jis on when not in use, it
could get pressed and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep
Joff when cruise is not
being used.
Select the set speed desired
for cruise. This is the vehicle
speed when no vehicle is
detected in its path. ACC will not set at a speed
less than 25 km/h (15 mph),
although it can be resumed
when driving at lower speeds.
The minimum allowable set
speed is 25 km/h (15 mph).
To set ACC while moving:
1. Press
J.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release SET–.
4. Remove your foot from the accelerator.
After ACC is set, it may
immediately apply the brakes if
a vehicle ahead is detected
closer than the selected
following gap.
ACC can also be set while the
vehicle is stopped if ACC is on
and the brake pedal is applied. The ACC indicator displays on
the instrument cluster and
Head-Up Display (HUD),
if equipped. When ACC is
turned on, the indicator will be
lit white. When ACC is
engaged, the indicator will turn
green.
Be mindful of speed limits,
surrounding traffic speeds,
and weather conditions when
selecting the set speed.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the ACC is set at a desired
speed and then the brakes are
applied, ACC is disengaged
without erasing the set speed
from memory.
To begin using ACC again,
press RES+ up briefly.
.If the vehicle is moving more
than 5 km/h (3 mph), it
returns to the previous set
speed.
.If the vehicle is stopped with
the brake pedal applied,
press RES+ and release the