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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
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 239
.Turn off cruise control.
.Activate All-Wheel Drive
(AWD) mode. See Driver
Mode Control0269.
Hill and Mountain
Roads
Driving on steep hills or
through mountains is different
than driving on flat or rolling
terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced
and in good shape.
.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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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
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.
.Select All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Mode. See Driver Mode
Control0269 and
All-Wheel Drive 0263.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Caution
To avoid damage to the
wheels and brake
components, always clear
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.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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240 Driving and Operating
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
0267.
.The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle
stability during hard stops,
but the brakes should be
applied sooner than when on
dry pavement. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) 0264.
.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
0
269 and
All-Wheel Drive 0263.
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
439. 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
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.
(Continued)
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Driving and Operating 241
Warning (Continued)
.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
0 256.
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.
If stuck too severely for the
traction system to free the
vehicle, turn the traction
system off and use the rocking
method. See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control
0
267.
{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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
wheels as little as possible
and avoid going above
56 km/h (35 mph).
For All-Wheel Drive (AWD),
select Off-Road or AWD mode.
See Driver Mode Control
0 269 and
All-Wheel Drive 0263.
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
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246 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Do not leave an
unsecured child
restraint in the vehicle.
.Secure loose items in
the vehicle.
.Do not leave a seat
folded down unless
needed.
Starting and
Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Caution
The vehicle does not need
an elaborate break-in. But it
will perform better in the
long run if you follow these
guidelines:
.Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or
slow, for the first 800 km
(500 mi). Do not make(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake or
slow the vehicle.
.Avoid making hard stops
for the first 300 km
(200 mi) or so. During this
time the new brake linings
are not yet broken in. Hard
stops with new linings can
mean premature wear and
earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you
get new brake linings.
.Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. See Trailer
Towing0318 for the
trailer towing capabilities
of the vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine
speed and load can be
gradually increased.
On new vehicles, the various
mechanical and electrical
systems experience a “break-in”
period during the
first 6 400 km (4,000 mi) of
routine driving. As the vehicle
is driven, the mechanical
systems adjust to provide
optimal fuel economy and
transmission shift
performance.
Electrical systems will adapt
and calibrate during the
break-in period. A one-time
occurrence of clicks and
similar vehicle noises is normal
during this process.
Normal driving charges the
vehicle’s battery to achieve
the best operation of the
vehicle, including fuel economy
and the Stop/Start System.
See Stop/Start System 0249.
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248 Driving and Operating
4. Set the parking brake. SeeElectric Parking Brake
0264. Press ENGINE
START/STOP to turn the
vehicle off.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled
over and must be shut off
while driving, press and hold
ENGINE START/STOP for
longer than two seconds,
or press twice in five seconds.
Accessory Mode (Amber
Indicator Light) : This mode
allows you to use some
electrical accessories when
the engine is off.
With the ignition off, pressing
ENGINE START/STOP once
without the brake pedal
applied will place the ignition
system in accessory mode.
The ignition will switch from
accessory mode to OFF after
10 minutes to prevent battery
rundown. ON/RUN/START (Green
Indicator Light) :
This mode is
for driving and starting. With
the ignition off and the brake
pedal applied, pressing
ENGINE START/STOP once
will place the ignition system in
ON/RUN/START. Once engine
cranking begins, release the
button. Engine cranking will
continue until the engine
starts. The ignition will then
remain on. See Starting the
Engine 0248.
Service Mode
This mode is available to verify
the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as
may be required for emissions
inspection purposes and for
service and diagnostics. See
Automatic Transmission 0257.
With the vehicle off, and the
brake pedal not applied,
pressing and holding ENGINE
START/STOP for more than
five seconds will place the
vehicle in Service Mode. The
instruments and audio systems will operate as they
do in ON/RUN, but the vehicle
will not be able to be driven.
The engine will not start in
Service Mode. Press ENGINE
START/STOP again to turn
the vehicle off.
Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the
proper gear, P (Park) or
N (Neutral). To restart the
engine when the vehicle is
already moving, use
N (Neutral).
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park)
if the vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage
the transmission. Shift to
P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
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Driving and Operating 249
Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could
change the way the engine
operates. Any resulting
damage would not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. See Add-On
Electrical Equipment0325.
To start the vehicle: 1. With the Keyless Access system, the remote key
must be in the vehicle.
Press ENGINE START/
STOP with the brake pedal
applied. When the engine
begins cranking, let go of
the button. The idle speed
will go down as the engine
warms up. Do not race the
engine immediately after
starting it.
If the remote key is not in
the vehicle, if there is
interference, or if the
remote key battery is low,
a Driver Information Center (DIC) message will
display. See Remote Key
Operation
09.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by pressing
ENGINE START/STOP
immediately after cranking
has ended, can overheat and
damage the cranking motor,
and drain the battery. Wait
at least 15 seconds between
each try, to let the cranking
motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds,
especially in very cold
weather (below −18 °C or
0 °F), it could be flooded
with too much gasoline.
Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the
way to the floor and hold it
there, then press ENGINE
START/STOP for up to a
maximum of 15 seconds.
Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to allow the cranking motor to cool
down. When the engine
starts, let go of the button
and the accelerator. If the
vehicle starts briefly but
then stops again, do the
same thing. This clears the
extra gasoline from the
engine. Do not race the
engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the
engine and transmission
gently until the oil warms
up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Stop/Start System
The Stop/Start system will
shut off the engine to help
conserve fuel. It has
components designed for the
increased number of starts.
{Warning
The automatic engine Stop/
Start feature causes the
engine to shut off while the
vehicle is still on. Do not exit
(Continued)
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250 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
the vehicle before shifting to
P (Park). The vehicle may
restart and move
unexpectedly. Always shift
to P (Park), and then turn
the ignition off before
exiting the vehicle.
Auto Engine Stop/Start
When the brakes are applied
and the vehicle is at a
complete stop, the engine may
turn off. When stopped, the
tachometer displays AUTO
STOP. See Tachometer 0122.
When the brake pedal is
released or the accelerator
pedal is pressed, the engine
will restart.
To maintain vehicle
performance, other conditions
may cause the engine to
automatically restart before
the brake pedal is released.
Auto Stops may not occur
and/or Auto Starts may occur
because:
.The climate control settings
require the engine to be
running to cool or heat the
vehicle interior.
.The vehicle battery needs to
charge.
.The vehicle battery has
recently been disconnected.
.Minimum vehicle speed has
not been reached since the
last Auto Stop.
.The accelerator pedal is
pressed.
.The engine or transmission
is not at the required
operating temperature.
.The outside temperature is
not in the required operating
range.
.The vehicle transmission is
shifted out of D (Drive) to
any gear other than P (Park).
.Certain driver modes have
been selected. See Driver
Mode Control 0269.
.The vehicle is on a steep hill
or grade.
.The driver door has been
opened or the driver seat
belt has been unbuckled.
.The hood has been opened.
.The Auto Stop has reached
the maximum allowed time.
Auto Stop Disable Switch
The automatic engine Stop/
Start feature can be disabled
and enabled by pressing
h.
Auto Stop/Start is enabled
each time you start the
vehicle.