Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16412876) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
314 Driving and Operating
Driving
Characteristics and
Towing Tips
{Warning
You can lose control when
towing a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven
properly. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy or the
trailer brakes are
inadequate for the load, the
vehicle may not stop as
expected. You and others
could be seriously injured.
The vehicle may also be
damaged, and the repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Pull a
trailer only if all the steps in
this section have been
followed. Ask your dealer for
advice and information
about towing a trailer with
the vehicle.
Driving with a Trailer
Trailering is different than just
driving the vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking,
durability, and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering
takes correct equipment, and
it has to be used properly.
The following information has
many time-tested, important
trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important
for your safety and that of
your passengers. Read this
section carefully before pulling
a trailer.
When towing a trailer:
.Become familiar with and
follow all state and local laws
that apply to trailer towing.
These requirements vary
from state to state.
.State laws may require the
use of extended side view
mirrors. If your visibility is
limited or restricted while
towing, install extended side
view mirrors, even if not
required.
.Do not tow a trailer during
the first 800 km (500 mi) of
vehicle use to prevent
damage to the engine, axle,
or other parts.
.GM recommends performing
an oil change to the vehicle
before heavy towing.
.Do not drive over 80 km/h
(50 mph) and do not make
starts at full throttle during
the first 800 km (500 mi) of
trailer towing.
.Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
If the transmission
downshifts too often, a
lower gear may be selected
using Manual Mode. See
Manual Mode0262.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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318 Driving and Operating
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 Overheating0342.
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly
can damage the vehicle and
result in costly repairs not
covered by the vehicle
warranty. To tow a trailer
correctly, follow the
directions in this section and
see your dealer for
important information about
towing a trailer with the
vehicle. Trailering is different than just
driving the vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking,
durability, and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering
takes correct equipment, and
it has to be used properly.
The following information has
many time-tested, important
trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important
for your safety and that of
your passengers. Read this
section carefully before pulling
a trailer.Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing
capacity for your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires
monitoring the weight, speed,
altitude, road grades, outside
temperature, dimensions of
the front of the trailer, and
how frequently the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer.
Trailer Weight Ratings
When towing a trailer, the
combined weight of the
vehicle, vehicle contents,
trailer, and trailer contents
must be below all of the
maximum weight ratings for
the vehicle including:
.Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR)
.Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR)
.Maximum Trailer Weight
Rating
.Gross Axle Weight
Rating-Rear (GAWR-RR)
.Maximum Trailer Tongue
Weight Rating
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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332 Vehicle Care
1. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter0337.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0332.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0332.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0338.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0345.
6. Battery - North America 0346.
7. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0338.
8. Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover).
See Jump Starting - North
America 0404.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer
Fluid 0343.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse Block 0354. 11. Remote Negative (-)
Battery Terminal. See
Jump Starting - North
America 0404.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life,
careful attention must be paid
to engine oil. Following these
simple, but important steps
will help protect your
investment:
.Use engine oil approved to
the proper specification and
of the proper viscosity
grade. See “Selecting the
Right Engine Oil” in this
section.
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See
“Checking Engine Oil” and
“When to Add Engine Oil” in
this section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine
Oil Life System 0335.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do
with Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level
regularly, every 650 km
(400 mi), especially prior to a
long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment
Overview0331 for the
location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick
handle may be hot; it could
burn you. Use a towel or
glove to touch the dipstick
handle.
If a low oil Driver Information
Center (DIC) message displays,
check the oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
.To get an accurate reading,
park the vehicle on level
ground. Check the engine oil
level after the engine has
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 335
bodies of water. Recycle it by
taking it to a place that
collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life
System
When to Change
Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer
system that indicates when to
change the engine oil and
filter. This is based on a
combination of factors which
include engine revolutions,
engine temperature, and miles
driven. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change is
indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life
system to work properly, the
system must be reset every
time the oil is changed.
When the system has
calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it indicates that an
oil change is necessary.
A CHANGE ENGINE OILSOON message comes on.
Change the oil as soon as
possible within the next
1 000 km (600 mi). It is
possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system may indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up
to a year. The engine oil and
filter must be changed at least
once a year and at this time
the system must be reset.
Your dealer has trained
service people who will
perform this work and reset
the system. It is also important
to check the oil regularly over
the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km
(3,000 mi) since the last oil
change. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine
Oil Life System
Reset the system whenever
the engine oil is changed so
that the system can calculate
the next engine oil change. To
reset the system:
1. Using the DIC controls on the right side of the
steering wheel, display
REMAINING OIL LIFE on
the DIC. See Driver
Information Center (DIC)
0136. When remaining oil
life is low, the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON
message will appear on the
display.
2. Press
Von the DIC
controls and hold down for
a few seconds to clear the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message and reset
the oil life at 100%.
Be careful not to reset the
oil life display accidentally
at any time other than
after the oil is changed.
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344 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
damage the washer fluid
tank and other parts of
the washer system.
.When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions
for adding water.
.Fill the washer fluid tank
only three-quarters full
when it is very cold. This
allows for fluid expansion
if freezing occurs, which
could damage the tank if it
is completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake linings have built-in
wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound
when the brake linings are
worn and new linings are
needed. The sound can come
and go or can be heard all the
time when the vehicle is
moving, except when applying
the brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning
sound means that soon the
brakes will not work well.
That could lead to a crash.
When the brake wear
warning sound is heard,
have the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake linings could
result in costly brake repairs.
Some driving conditions or
climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are
first applied, clearing up
following several applications.
This does not mean something
is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts
are necessary to help prevent
brake pulsation. When tires
are rotated, inspect brake
linings for wear and evenly
tighten wheel nuts in the proper sequence to torque
specifications. See Capacities
and Specifications
0433.
Brake pads should be replaced
as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake
pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a
rapid increase in pedal travel.
This could be a sign that brake
service may be required.
Replacing Brake System
Parts
Always replace brake system
parts with new, approved
replacement parts. If this is
not done, the brakes may not
work properly. The braking
performance can change in
many ways if the wrong brake
parts are installed or if parts
are improperly installed.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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382 Vehicle Care
Reset the Tire Pressure
Monitor System. See Tire
Pressure Monitor
Operation0376.
Check that all wheel nuts
are properly tightened. See
“Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and
Specifications 0433, and
“Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire”
under Tire Changing 0398.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel,
or on the parts to which it
is fastened, can cause
wheel nuts to become
loose over time. The
wheel could come off and
cause a crash. When
changing a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
paper towel can be used;
however, use a scraper
or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
Lightly coat the inner
diameter of the wheel hub
opening with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel
change or tire rotation to
prevent corrosion or rust
buildup.
{Warning
Do not apply grease to
the wheel mounting
surface, wheel conical
seats, or the wheel nuts
or bolts. Grease applied
to these areas could
cause a wheel to become
loose or come off,
resulting in a crash.
When It Is Time for
New Tires
Factors, such as maintenance,
temperatures, driving speeds,
vehicle loading, and road
conditions affect the wear
rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one
way to tell when it is time for
new tires. Treadwear
indicators appear when the
tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in)
or less of tread remaining. See
Tire Inspection 0380 and
Tire Rotation 0381.
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Service and Maintenance 425
Maintenance
Schedule
Tire Rotation and
Required Services Every
12 000 km (7,500 mi)
Tires are rotated to achieve a
more uniform wear for all tires.
The first rotation is the most
important.
Anytime unusual wear is
noticed, rotate the tires as
soon as possible, check for
proper tire inflation pressure,
and check for damaged tires
or wheels. If the unusual wear
continues after the rotation,
check the wheel alignment.
See When It Is Time for New
Tires0382 and
Wheel Replacement 0387.
.Perform Multi-Point Vehicle
Inspection. See Multi-Point
Vehicle Inspection (MPVI)
0427.
.Lubricate body components.
See Exterior Care 0412.
Additional Required
Services —Normal
Service
Every 12 000 km (7,500 mi)
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter,
and reset oil life system. Or
when the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message displays,
have the engine oil and filter
changed within the next
1 000 km (600 mi). If driven
under the best conditions,
the engine oil life system
may not indicate the need
for vehicle service for up to
a year. The engine oil and
filter must be changed at
least once a year and the oil
life system must be reset.
Your trained dealer
technician can perform this
work. If the engine oil life
system is reset accidentally,
service the vehicle within
5 000 km (3,000 mi) since
the last service. Reset the oil life system when the oil is
changed. See Engine Oil Life
System
0335.
.When the REPLACE AT
NEXT OIL CHANGE
message displays, the engine
air filter should be replaced
at the next engine oil
change. When the REPLACE
ENGINE AIR FILTER SOON
message displays, the engine
air filter should be replaced
at the earliest convenience.
Reset the engine air filter life
system after the engine air
filter is replaced. See Engine
Air Filter Life System 0336.
Every 36 000 km (22,500 mi)
.Passenger compartment air
filter replacement (or every
24 months, whichever
occurs first). More frequent
replacement may be needed
if the vehicle is driven in
areas with heavy traffic,
poor air quality, areas with
high dust levels or are
sensitive to environmental
allergens. Filter replacement
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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426 Service and Maintenance
may also be needed if you
notice reduced airflow,
windows fogging up,
or odors. Your local GM
Service location can help you
determine when it is the
right time to replace your
filter.
Every 96 000 km (60,000 mi)
.Replace spark plugs. Inspect
spark plug wires and/or
boots.
Every 161 000 km
(100,000 mi)
.Replace hood and/or body
lift support gas struts. Or
every 10 years, whichever
comes first. See Gas Strut(s)
0 349.
Every 240 000 km
(150,000 mi)
.Change rear axle 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.
.Drain and fill engine cooling
system. Or every six years,
whichever comes first. See
Cooling System
0338.
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.