Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 321
The trailer tongue weight (1)
should be 10% of the total
loaded trailer weight (2). Some
specific trailer types, such as
boat trailers, fall outside of
this range. Always refer to the
trailer owner’s manual for the
recommended trailer tongue
weight for each trailer. Never
exceed the maximum loads for
your vehicle, hitch and trailer.
The trailer load
balance percentage is
calculated as: weight (1)
divided by weight (2)
times 100.After loading the trailer,
separately weigh the trailer
and then the trailer tongue to
see if the weights are
appropriate for your vehicle.
If the trailer weight is too high,
it may be possible to transfer
some of the cargo into your
vehicle. If the trailer tongue
weight is too high or too low, it
may be possible to rearrange
some of the cargo inside of
the trailer.
Do not exceed the maximum
allowable tongue weight for
your vehicle. Use the shortest
hitch extension available to
position the hitch ball closer to
your vehicle. This will help
reduce the effect of the trailer
tongue weight on the trailer
hitch and the rear axle.
If a cargo carrier is used in the
trailer hitch receiver, choose a
carrier that positions the load
as close to the vehicle as
possible. Make sure the total
weight, including the carrier, is
no more than half of themaximum allowable tongue
weight for the vehicle or
227 kg (500 lb), whichever
is less.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or assistance.
Rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR-RR)
The GAWR-RR is the total
weight that can be supported
by the rear axle of the vehicle.
Do not exceed the GAWR-RR
for the vehicle, with the tow
vehicle and trailer fully loaded
for the trip including the
weight of the trailer tongue.
If using a weight-distributing
hitch, do not exceed the
GAWR-RR before applying the
weight distribution
spring bars.
For additional assistance with
trailering or additional
information, see your dealer.
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322 Driving and Operating
Towing Equipment
Hitches
Always use the correct hitch
equipment for your vehicle.
Crosswinds, large trucks going
by, and rough roads can affect
the trailer and the hitch.
Proper hitch equipment for
your vehicle helps maintain
control of the vehicle-trailer
combination. Many trailers can
be towed using a
weight-carrying hitch which
has a coupler latched to the
hitch ball, or a tow eye latched
to a pintle hook. Other trailers
may require a
weight-distributing hitch that
uses spring bars to distribute
the trailer tongue weight
between your vehicle and
trailer axles. See“Maximum
Trailer Tongue Weight” under
Trailer Towing 0318 for
weight limits with various hitch
types. Never attach rental hitches or
other bumper-type hitches.
Only use frame-mounted
hitches that do not attach to
the bumper.
Hitch Cover
To remove hitch cover,
if equipped:
1. Remove the two fasteners on the lower tabs.
2. Pull the lower edge of the cover to about a 45 degree
angle.
3. Pull the cover downward to disengage the upper
attachments. To reinstall the hitch cover:
1. Hold cover at a 45 degree angle to the vehicle and
push the upper tabs into
the slots in the bumper.
2. Push the bottom of the cover forward until the
lower tabs line up with the
lower slots.
3. Snap the hitch cover into place by pushing the upper
corners forward.
4. Reinstall the two fasteners on the lower tabs.
Consider using mechanical
sway controls with any trailer.
Ask a trailering professional
about sway controls or refer
to the trailer manufacturer's
recommendations and
instructions.
Tires
.Do not tow a trailer while
using a compact spare tire
on the vehicle.
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Driving and Operating 323
.Tires must be properly
inflated to support loads
while towing a trailer. See
Tires0364 for instructions
on proper tire inflation.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between
the vehicle and the trailer, and
attach the chains to the holes
on the trailer hitch platform.
Instructions about safety
chains may be provided by the
hitch manufacturer or by the
trailer manufacturer.
Cross the safety chains under
the tongue of the trailer to
help prevent the tongue from
contacting the road if it
becomes separated from the
hitch. Always leave just
enough slack so the
combination can turn. Never
allow safety chains to drag on
the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Loaded trailers over 450 kg
(1,000 lb) must be equipped
with brake systems and with brakes for each axle. Trailer
braking equipment conforming
to Canadian Standards
Association (CSA) requirement
CAN3-D313, or its equivalent,
is recommended.
State or local regulations may
require trailers to have their
own braking system if the
loaded weight of the trailer
exceeds certain minimums
that can vary from state to
state. Read and follow the
instructions for the trailer
brakes so they are installed,
adjusted, and maintained
properly. Never attempt to tap
into your vehicle's hydraulic
brake system. If you do, both
the vehicle anti-lock brakes
and the trailer brakes may not
function, which could result in
a crash.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Basic Trailer Wiring
The trailer wiring harness is
located at the rear of the
vehicle and is tied to the
vehicle's frame. The harness
connector can be plugged into
a trailer connector available
through your dealer.
Trailer Lamps
Always check all trailer lamps
are working at the beginning
of each trip, and periodically
on longer trips.
Turn Signals When
Towing a Trailer
When properly connected, the
trailer turn signals will
illuminate to indicate the
vehicle is turning, changing
lanes, or stopping. When
towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument cluster will
illuminate even if the trailer is
not properly connected or the
bulbs are burned out.
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
Vehicles with StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) have a Trailer Sway
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324 Driving and Operating
Control (TSC) feature. Trailer
sway is unintended
side-to-side motion of a trailer
while towing. If the vehicle is
towing a trailer and the TSC
detects that sway is
increasing, the vehicle brakes
are selectively applied at each
wheel, to help reduce
excessive trailer sway.
If equipped with the
Integrated Trailer Brake
Control (ITBC) system, and the
trailer has an electric brake
system, StabiliTrak/ESC may
also apply the trailer brakes.
If TSC is enabled, the Traction
Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak/ESC warning light
will flash on the instrument
cluster. Reduce vehicle speed
by gradually removing your
foot from the accelerator.If trailer sway continues,
StabiliTrak/ESC can reduce
engine torque to help slow the
vehicle. TSC will not function if
StabiliTrak/ESC is turned off.
See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control
0
267.
{Warning
Trailer sway can result in a
crash and in serious injury or
death, even if the vehicle is
equipped with TSC.
If the trailer begins to sway,
reduce vehicle speed by
gradually removing your foot
from the accelerator. Then
pull over to check the trailer
and vehicle to help correct
possible causes, including an
improperly or overloaded
trailer, unrestrained cargo,
improper trailer hitch
configuration, or improperly
inflated or incorrect vehicle
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
or trailer tires. See Towing
Equipment0322 for trailer
ratings and hitch setup
recommendations.
Trailer Tires
Special Trailer (ST) tires differ
from vehicle tires. Trailer tires
are designed with stiff
sidewalls to help prevent sway
and to support heavy loads.
These features can make it
difficult to determine if the
trailer tire pressures are low
only based on a visual
inspection.
Always check all trailer tire
pressures before each trip
when the tires are cool. Low
trailer tire pressure is a
leading cause of trailer tire
blow-outs.
Trailer tires deteriorate over
time. The trailer tire sidewall
will show the week and year
the tire was manufactured.
Many trailer tire
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Vehicle Care 327
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . 389
Tire Sealant andCompressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . 390
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . 398
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . 404
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404
Towing the Vehicle
Transporting a DisabledVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421
General
Information
For service and parts needs,
visit your dealer. You will
receive genuine GM parts and
GM-trained and supported
service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Perchlorate
Materials
Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt
pretensioners, and lithium
batteries contained in
electronic keys, may contain
perchlorate materials.
Perchlorate Material –special
handling may apply. See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/
hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories
or making modifications to the
vehicle can affect vehicle
performance and safety,
including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride
and handling, emissions
systems, aerodynamics,
durability, Driver Assistance
Systems, and electronic
systems like antilock brakes,
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Vehicle Care 329
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause
damage to vehicle systems.
Do not allow contaminants
to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
{Warning
For vehicles with auto
engine stop/start, turn the
vehicle off before opening
the hood. If the vehicle is on,
the engine will start when
the hood is opened. You or
others could be injured.
{Warning
Components under the hood
can get hot from running the
engine. To help avoid the
risk of burning unprotected
skin, never touch these
components until they have
cooled, and always use a
glove or towel to avoid
direct skin contact.
Clear any snow from the hood
before opening.
To open the hood: 1. Pull the hood release lever with the
isymbol. It is
on the lower left side of
the instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and locate the
secondary release lever
under the front center of
the hood. Push the
secondary hood release
lever to the right to
release.
3. After you have partially lifted the hood, the gas
strut system will
automatically lift the hood
and hold it in the fully open
position.
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
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Vehicle Care 333
been off for at least two
hours. Checking the engine
oil level on steep grades or
too soon after engine
shutoff can result in
incorrect readings. Accuracy
improves when checking a
cold engine prior to starting.
Remove the dipstick and
check the level.
.If unable to wait two hours,
the engine must be off for at
least 15 minutes if the
engine is warm, or at least
30 minutes if the engine is
not warm. Pull out the
dipstick, wipe it with a clean
paper towel or cloth, then
push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the
tip down, and check the
level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the
cross-hatched area at the tip
of the dipstick and the engine
has been off for at least
15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then
recheck the level. See
“Selecting the Right Engine
Oil”later in this section for an
explanation of what kind of oil
to use. For engine oil
crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications
0 433.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
harmful to the engine. If the
oil level is above the
operating range (i.e., the
engine has so much oil that
the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that
shows the proper operating
range), the engine could be
damaged. Drain the excess
oil or limit driving of the
vehicle, and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess oil.
See Engine Compartment
Overview 0331 for the
location of the engine oil
fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper
operating range. Push the
dipstick all the way back in
when through.