Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 227
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driver Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Driving Environment . . . . . . 229
Vehicle Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . 229
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . 230
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . 231
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . 232
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . 238
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . 241
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . 242
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . 246
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . 247
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . 248 Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . 249
Winter Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . 254
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . 254
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Active Fuel Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . 255
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Automatic Transmission
Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . 264
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Electric Parking Brake . . . 264
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266 Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . 266
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . 269
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Adaptive Cruise Control (Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Driver Assistance
Systems
Driver AssistanceSystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . 286
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Surround Vision System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Automatic Parking Assist (APA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Rear Pedestrian Alert . . . . 296
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 229
and aggressive driving can
help make trips safer and
avoid the possibility of a crash.
Driving Environment
Be prepared for driving in
inclement weather, at night,
or during other times where
visibility or traction may be
limited, such as on curves,
slippery roads, or hilly terrain.
Unfamiliar surroundings can
also have hidden hazards.
Vehicle Design
Utility vehicles have a
significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of
vehicles. This is because they
have a higher ground
clearance and a narrower
track or shorter wheelbase
than passenger cars, which
makes them more capable for
off-road driving. While these
design characteristics provide
the driver with a better view
of the road, these vehicles do
have a higher center of gravity
than other types of vehicles.A utility vehicle does not
handle the same as a vehicle
with a lower center of gravity,
like a car, in similar situations.
Safe driver behavior and
understanding of the
environment can help avoid a
rollover crash in any type of
vehicle, including utility
vehicles.
Driving for Better
Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving
tips to get the best fuel
economy possible.
.Set the climate controls to
the desired temperature
after the engine is started,
or turn them off when not
required.
.On AWD vehicles, use Tour
Mode when conditions
permit.
.Avoid fast starts and
accelerate smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for
long periods of time.
.When road and weather
conditions are appropriate,
use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly
when conditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
.Combine several trips into a
single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires
with the same TPC Spec
number molded into the
tire's sidewall near the size.
.Follow recommended
scheduled maintenance.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many
forms and can take your focus
from the task of driving.
Exercise good judgment and
do not let other activities
divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
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{Warning
Drinking alcohol or taking
drugs and then driving is
very dangerous. Your
reflexes, perceptions,
attentiveness, and judgment
can be affected by even a
small amount of alcohol or
drugs. You can have a
serious—or even fatal —
collision if you drive after
drinking or taking drugs.
Do not drive while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs,
or ride with a driver who has
been drinking or is impaired
by drugs. Find alternate
transportation home; or if
you are with a group,
designate a driver who will
remain sober.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and
accelerating are important
factors in helping to control a
vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves
perception time and reaction
time. Deciding to push the
brake pedal is perception time.
Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a
second. In that time, a vehicle
moving at 100 km/h (60 mph)
travels 20 m (66 ft), which
could be a lot of distance in an
emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in
mind include:
.Keep enough distance
between you and the vehicle
in front of you.
.Avoid needless heavy
braking.
.Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while
the vehicle is being driven,
brake normally but do not
pump the brakes. Doing so
could make the pedal harder
to push down. If the engine stops, there will be some
power brake assist but it will
be used when the brake is
applied. Once the power assist
is used up, it can take longer
to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Steering
Caution
To avoid damage to the
steering system, do not
drive over curbs, parking
barriers, or similar objects at
speeds greater than 3 km/h
(1 mph). Use care when
driving over other objects
such as lane dividers and
speed bumps. Damage
caused by misuse of the
vehicle is not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
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Electric Power Steering
The vehicle is equipped with
an electric power steering
system, which reduces the
amount of effort needed to
steer the vehicle. It does not
have power steering fluid.
Regular maintenance is not
required.
If the vehicle experiences a
system malfunction and loses
power steering, greater
steering effort may be
required. Power steering
assist also may be reduced if
you turn the steering wheel asfar as it can turn and hold it
there with force for an
extended period of time.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
.Reduce speed before
entering a curve.
.Maintain a reasonable
steady speed through the
curve.
.Wait until the vehicle is out
of the curve before
accelerating gently into the
straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations
when steering around a
problem may be more
effective than braking.
.Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to
turn 180 degrees without
removing a hand.
.The 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.
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Driving and Operating 233
2. Turn the steering wheelabout 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.
.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.
Off-Road Driving
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles
can be used for off-road
driving. Vehicles without AWD
and vehicles not equipped with
All Terrain (AT) or On-Off Road
(OOR) tires must not be driven
off-road except on a level,
solid surface. To contact the
tire manufacturer for more
information about the original
equipment tires, see the
warranty manual.
Controlling the vehicle is the
key to successful off-road
driving. One of the best ways
to control the vehicle is to
control the speed.
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Driving and Operating 235
.Do not damage shrubs,
flowers, trees, or grasses or
disturb wildlife.
.Do not park over things that
burn. See Parking over
Things That Burn0255.
Driving on Hills
Driving safely on hills requires
good judgment and an
understanding of what the
vehicle can and cannot do.
{Warning
Many hills are simply too
steep for any vehicle. Driving
up hills can cause the vehicle
to stall. Driving down hills
can cause loss of control.
Driving across hills can
cause a rollover. You could
be injured or killed. Do not
drive on steep hills.
Before driving on a hill, assess
the steepness, traction, and
obstructions. If the terrain ahead cannot be seen, get out
of the vehicle and walk the hill
before driving further.
When driving on hills:
.Use a low gear and keep a
firm grip on the steering
wheel.
.Maintain a slow speed.
.When possible, drive straight
up or down the hill.
.Slow down when
approaching the top of
the hill.
{Warning
Driving to the top of a hill at
high speed can cause a
crash. There could be a
drop-off, embankment, cliff,
or even another vehicle. You
could be seriously injured or
killed. As you near the top of
a hill, slow down and stay
alert.
.Use headlamps even during
the day to make the vehicle
more visible.
.Never go downhill forward
or backward with the
transmission in N (Neutral).
The brakes could overheat
and you could lose control.
.When driving down a hill,
keep the vehicle headed
straight down. Use a low
gear because the engine will
work with the brakes to slow
the vehicle and help keep
the vehicle under control.
{Warning
Heavy braking when going
down a hill can cause your
brakes to overheat and fade.
This could cause loss of
control and you or others
could be injured or killed.
Apply the brakes lightly
when descending a hill and
use a low gear to keep
vehicle speed under control.
.Avoid turns that take the
vehicle across the incline of
the hill. Driving across an
incline puts more weight on
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236 Driving and Operating
the downhill wheels, which
could cause a downhill slide
or a rollover.
.Loose gravel, muddy spots,
or even wet grass can cause
the tires to slip sideways,
downhill. If the vehicle slips
sideways, it can hit
something and potentially
roll over.
.Hidden obstacles can make
the steepness of the incline
more severe. If a rock is
driven across with the uphill
wheels, or if the downhill
wheels drop into a rut or
depression, the vehicle can
tilt even more.
.If an incline must be driven
across and the vehicle starts
to slide, turn downhill. This
should help straighten out
the vehicle and prevent side
slipping.
If the vehicle stalls on a hill: 1. Apply the brakes to stop the vehicle, and then apply
the parking brake. 2. Shift into P (Park) and then
restart the engine.
.If driving uphill when the
vehicle stalls, shift to
R (Reverse), release the
parking brake, and back
straight down.
.Never try to turn the
vehicle around. If the hill
is steep enough to stall
the vehicle, it is steep
enough to cause it to
roll over.
.If you cannot make it up
the hill, back straight
down the hill.
.Never back down a hill in
N (Neutral) using only
the brake.
.The vehicle can roll
backward quickly and
you could lose control.
.If driving downhill when
the vehicle stalls, shift to
a lower gear, release the
parking brake, and drive
straight down the hill. 3. If the vehicle cannot be
restarted after stalling, set
the parking brake, shift
into P (Park), and turn the
vehicle off.
3.1. Leave the vehicle and seek help.
3.2.Stay clear of the path the vehicle would take
if it rolled downhill.
{Warning
Getting out of the vehicle on
the downhill side when
stopped across an incline is
dangerous. If the vehicle
rolls over, you could be
crushed or killed. Always get
out on the uphill side of the
vehicle and stay well clear of
the rollover path.
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Driving in Mud, Sand,
Snow, or Ice
Use a low gear when driving in
mud—the deeper the mud,
the lower the gear. Keep the
vehicle moving to avoid
getting stuck.
Traction changes when driving
on sand. On loose sand, such
as on beaches or sand dunes,
the tires tend to sink into the
sand. This affects steering,
accelerating, and braking.
Drive at a reduced speed and
avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers.
Traction is reduced on hard
packed snow and ice and it is
easy to lose control. Reduce
vehicle speed when driving on
hard packed snow and ice.
{Warning
Driving on frozen lakes,
ponds, or rivers can be
dangerous. Ice conditions
vary greatly and the vehicle
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
could fall through the ice;
you and your passengers
could drown. Drive your
vehicle on safe
surfaces only.
Driving in Water
{Warning
Driving through rushing
water can be dangerous.
Deep water can sweep your
vehicle downstream and you
and your passengers could
drown. If it is only shallow
water, it can still wash away
the ground from under your
tires. Traction could be lost,
and the vehicle could roll
over. Do not drive through
rushing water.
Caution
Do not drive through
standing water if it is deep
enough to cover the wheel
hubs, axles, or exhaust pipe.
Deep water can damage the
axle and other vehicle parts.
If the standing water is not
too deep, drive through it
slowly. At faster speeds, water
can get into the engine and
cause it to stall. Stalling can
occur if the exhaust pipe is
under water. Do not turn off
the ignition when driving
through water. If the exhaust
pipe is under water, the engine
will not start. When going
through water, the brakes get
wet, and it might take longer
to stop. See Driving on Wet
Roads 0238.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris
that has collected on the
underbody or chassis,