2023 CADILLAC XT5 ESP

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
238 Driving and Operating
.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. 2. Turn the steering wheel
about 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

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
246 Driving and Operating
{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.
.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(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the fan speed to the
highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about
CO, see Engine Exhaust
0 260.
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
0 271.
{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
wheels as little as possible
and avoid going above
56 km/h (35 mph).

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
254 Driving and Operating
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.
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 Equipment0336.
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

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 271
Brake Assist
Brake Assist detects rapid
brake pedal applications due
to emergency braking
situations and provides
additional braking to activate
the Antilock Brake System
(ABS) if the brake pedal is not
pushed hard enough to
activate ABS normally. Minor
noise, brake pedal pulsation,
and/or pedal movement during
this time may occur. Continue
to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates.
Brake Assist disengages when
the brake pedal is released.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
Do not rely on the HSA
feature. HSA does not
replace the need to pay
attention and drive safely.
You may not hear or feel
alerts or warnings provided
by this system. Failure to(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
use proper care when
driving may result in injury,
death, or vehicle damage.
See Defensive Driving 0235.
When the vehicle is stopped
on a grade, Hill Start Assist
(HSA) prevents the vehicle
from rolling in an unintended
direction during the transition
from brake pedal release to
accelerator pedal apply. The
brakes release when the
accelerator pedal is applied.
If the accelerator pedal is not
applied within a few minutes,
the Electric Parking Brake will
apply. The brakes may also
release under other
conditions. Do not rely on HSA
to hold the vehicle.
HSA is available when the
vehicle is facing uphill in a
forward gear, or when facing
downhill in R (Reverse). The
vehicle must come to a
complete stop on a grade for
HSA to activate.
Ride Control
Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction
Control System (TCS) and
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), an electronic
stability control system. These
systems help limit wheel spin
and assist the driver in
maintaining control, especially
on slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that
any of the drive wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose
traction. On an All-Wheel Drive
(AWD) vehicle in AWD or Sport
Mode, the system will operate
if it senses that any of the
wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction.
When this happens, TCS
applies the brakes to the

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
278 Driving and Operating
following gap is the following
time between your vehicle and
a vehicle detected directly
ahead in your path, moving in
the same direction. If no
vehicle is detected in your
path, ACC works like regular
cruise control. ACC uses
camera and radar sensors.
See Radio Frequency
Statement0452.
If a vehicle is detected in your
path, ACC can speed up the
vehicle or apply limited,
moderate braking to maintain
the selected following gap. To
disengage ACC, apply the
brake. If ACC is controlling
your vehicle speed when the
traction control system (TCS)
or StabiliTrak electronic
stability control system
activates, ACC may
automatically disengage. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0271. When
road conditions allow ACC to
be safely used, ACC can be turned back on. ACC will not
engage if the TCS or
StabiliTrak/ESC is disabled.
ACC can reduce the need for
you to frequently brake and
accelerate, especially when
used on expressways,
freeways, and interstate
highways. When used on other
roads, you may need to take
over the control of braking or
acceleration more often.
{Warning
ACC has limited braking
ability and may not have
time to slow the vehicle
down enough to avoid a
collision with another vehicle
you are following. This can
occur when vehicles
suddenly slow or stop
ahead, or enter your lane.
Also see
“Alerting the
Driver” in this section.
Complete attention is
always required while driving (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
and you should be ready to
take action and apply the
brakes. See Defensive
Driving0235.
{Warning
ACC will not detect or brake
for children, pedestrians,
animals, or other objects.
Do not use ACC when:
.On winding and hilly roads
or when the sensors are
blocked by snow, ice,
or dirt. The system may
not detect a vehicle
ahead. Keep the entire
front of the vehicle clean.
.Visibility is poor due to
rain, snow, fog, dirt, insect
residue, or dust; when
other foreign objects
obscure the camera and/
or radar; or when the
vehicle in front or
(Continued)

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
282 Driving and Operating
.If ACC is holding the vehicle
at a stop and there is
another vehicle directly
ahead, pressing RES+ will
increase the set speed.
.Pressing RES+ when there is
no longer a vehicle ahead or
the vehicle ahead is pulling
away and the brake is not
applied will cause the ACC to
resume.
When it is determined there is
no vehicle ahead or the vehicle
ahead is beyond the selected
following gap, then the vehicle
speed will increase to the set
speed.
The speedometer reading can
be displayed in either English
or metric units. See
Instrument Cluster 0122. The
increment value used depends
on the units displayed.
Reducing Speed While ACC is
at a Set Speed
If ACC is already activated, do
one of the following:
.Use the brake to get to the
desired lower speed.
Release the brake and press
SET–. The vehicle will now
cruise at the lower speed.
.Press and hold SET– until
the desired lower speed is
displayed, then release it.
.To decrease speed in
smaller increments, press
SET− to the first detent. For
each press, the vehicle goes
1 km/h (1 mph) slower.
.To decrease speed in larger
increments, press SET− to
the second detent. For each
press, the vehicle speed
decreases to the next
5 km/h (5 mph) mark on the
speedometer.
The set speed can also be
decreased while the vehicle is
stopped.
.If stopped with the brake
applied, press or hold SET−
until the desired set speed is
displayed. Selecting the Follow
Distance Gap
When a slower moving vehicle
is detected ahead within the
selected following gap, ACC
will adjust the vehicle's speed
and attempt to maintain the
follow distance gap selected.
Press
[on the steering
wheel to adjust the following
gap. Each press cycles the gap
button through three settings:
Far, Medium, or Near.
When pressed, the current
gap setting displays briefly on
the instrument cluster and
HUD (if equipped). Subsequent
presses cycle the gap button
through three settings: Far,
Medium, or Near. The gap
setting will be maintained until
it is changed.
Since each gap setting
corresponds to a following
time (Far, Medium, or Near),
the following distance will vary
based on vehicle speed. The
faster the vehicle speed, the

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 283
further back your vehicle will
follow a vehicle detected
ahead. Consider traffic and
weather conditions when
selecting the following gap.
The range of selectable gaps
may not be appropriate for all
drivers and driving conditions.
Changing the gap setting
automatically changes the
alert timing sensitivity (Far,
Medium, or Near) for the
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
feature. See Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) System0303.
Alerting the Driver
With Head-Up Display
Without Head-Up Display
If ACC is engaged, driver
action may be required when
ACC cannot apply sufficient
braking because of
approaching a vehicle too
rapidly.
When this condition occurs,
the collision alert symbol will
flash on the windshield. Either
eight beeps will sound from
the front, or both sides of the
Safety Alert Seat will pulse
five times. Touch the Settings
icon on the infotainment home
page. Select “Vehicle”to
display the list of available
options and select “Collision/
Detection Systems”.
See Defensive Driving 0235. Approaching and Following a
Vehicle
The vehicle ahead indicator is
in the instrument cluster and
HUD display, if equipped.
The vehicle ahead indicator
only displays when a vehicle is
detected in your vehicle’s path
moving in the same direction.
If this symbol is not displaying,
ACC will not respond to or
brake to vehicles ahead.
ACC automatically slows the
vehicle down and adjusts
vehicle speed to follow a
detected vehicle ahead at the
selected follow gap. The
vehicle speed increases or
decreases to follow a
detected vehicle in front of
your vehicle when that vehicle
is traveling slower than your

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
286 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Leaving the vehicle without
placing it in P (Park) can be
dangerous. Do not leave the
vehicle while it is being held
at a stop by ACC. Always
place the vehicle in P (Park)
and turn off the ignition
before leaving the vehicle.
ACC Override
If using the accelerator pedal
while ACC is active, the ACC
indicator turns blue on the
instrument cluster and in the
HUD (if equipped) indicating
ACC braking will not occur.
ACC will resume operation
when the accelerator pedal is
not being pressed.
{Warning
The ACC will not
automatically apply the
brakes if your foot is resting (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
on the accelerator pedal.
You could crash into a
vehicle ahead of you.
Curves in the Road
{Warning
On curves, ACC may not
detect a vehicle ahead in
your lane. You could be
startled if the vehicle
accelerates up to the set
speed, especially when
following a vehicle exiting or
entering exit ramps. You
could lose control of the
vehicle or crash. Do not use
ACC while driving on an
entrance or exit ramp.
Always be ready to use the
brakes if necessary.
{Warning
On curves, ACC may
respond to a vehicle in
another lane, or may not
have time to react to a
vehicle in your lane. You
could crash into a vehicle
ahead of you, or lose control
of your vehicle. Give extra
attention in curves and be
ready to use the brakes if
necessary. Select an
appropriate speed while
driving in curves.
ACC may operate differently
in a sharp curve. It may reduce
the vehicle speed if the curve
is too sharp.
ACC automatically slows the
vehicle down while navigating
the curve and may increase
speed out of the curve, but will
not exceed the set speed.