2023 CADILLAC XT4 engine

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16412876) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Driving and Operating 231
{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.

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16412876) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
234 Driving and Operating
{Warning
When driving off-road,
bouncing and quick changes
in direction can easily throw
you out of position. This
could cause you to lose
control and crash. You and
your passengers should
always wear seat belts.
Before Driving Off-Road
.Have all necessary
maintenance and service
work completed.
.Fuel the vehicle, fill fluid
levels, and check inflation
pressure in all tires, including
the spare, if equipped.
.Read all the information
about AWD vehicles in this
manual.
.Make sure all underbody
shields, if equipped, are
properly attached.
.Know the local laws that
apply to off-road driving.To gain more ground
clearance if needed, it may be
necessary to remove the front
fascia lower air dam. However,
driving without the air dam
reduces fuel economy.
Caution
Operating the vehicle for
extended periods without
the front fascia lower air
dam installed can cause
improper airflow to the
engine. Reattach the front
fascia air dam after off-road
driving.
Loading the Vehicle for
Off-Road Driving
{Warning
.Unsecured cargo on the
load floor can be tossed
about when driving over
rough terrain. You or your
passengers can be struck
by flying objects. Secure
the cargo properly.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Keep cargo in the cargo
area as far forward and as
low as possible. The
heaviest things should be
on the floor, forward of
the rear axle.
.Heavy loads on the roof
raise the vehicle's center
of gravity, making it more
likely to roll over. You can
be seriously or fatally
injured if the vehicle rolls
over. Put heavy loads
inside the cargo area, not
on the roof.
For more information about
loading the vehicle, see
Vehicle Load Limits 0242.
Environmental Concerns
.Always use established
trails, roads, and areas that
have been set aside for
public off-road recreational
driving and obey all posted
regulations.

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16412876) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
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-
16412876) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
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.

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16412876) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Driving and Operating 237
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,

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16412876) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
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-
16412876) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
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)

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16412876) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
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