2023 CADILLAC XT5 tow

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Driving and Operating 259
If you have to leave the vehicle
with the engine running, be
sure the vehicle is in P (Park)
and the parking brake is firmly
set before you leave it.
If you are towing a trailer and
parking on a hill, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips0322.
Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with
an electronic transmission.
The shift lock release button is
designed to prevent
inadvertent shifting out of
P (Park).
To shift out of P (Park):
1. Ensure the engine is running.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Press and hold the shift lock release button on the
shift lever.
4. Move the shift lever to the desired position. For
N (Neutral) hold the lever in the N (Neutral) position
until the N indicator
illuminates red.
5. The P indicator will turn white and the gear
indicator will turn red when
the vehicle is no longer in
P (Park).
After releasing the shift lever,
it will return to the center
position.
If the vehicle cannot shift from
P (Park), a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message may be
displayed. Check that the
ignition is on, the engine is
running, the brake pedal is
applied, and the shift lock
release button is pressed
when you are attempting to
shift out of P (park). If all of
these are met but the vehicle
will not shift out of P (Park),
see your dealer for service.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could
touch hot exhaust parts
under the vehicle and ignite.
Do not park over papers,
leaves, dry grass, or other
things that can burn.
Active Fuel
Management
This vehicle's engine may be
equipped with Active Fuel
Management, which allows the
engine to operate on either all
of its cylinders, or in reduced
cylinder operation mode,
depending on the driving
conditions.
When less power is required,
such as cruising at a constant
vehicle speed, the system will
operate in reduced cylinder
operation mode, allowing the
vehicle to achieve better fuel

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Driving and Operating 261
Warning (Continued)
.Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with
the engine running in an
enclosed area such as a
garage or a building that has
no fresh air ventilation.
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running.
If the vehicle is left with the
engine running, follow the
proper steps to be sure the
vehicle will not move. See
Shifting Into Park 0258 and
Engine Exhaust 0260.
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0322.
Automatic
Transmission
The shift pattern is displayed
in the top of the shift lever.
The selected gear position will
illuminate red on the shift
lever, while all others will be
displayed in white. If the shift
is not immediate, as in very
cold conditions, the indicator
on the shift lever may flash
until it is fully engaged. The shift lever always starts
from a center position,
represented by an up/down
arrow on the shift pattern.
After releasing the shift lever,
it will return to the center
position.
The transmission does not
operate when the vehicle
is off.
If the vehicle is in accessory
mode, the transmission can be
shifted into P (Park).
If the vehicle is turned off
while at a relatively high
vehicle speed, the
transmission will automatically
shift to N (Neutral). Once the
vehicle is stopped, P (Park) is
automatically selected.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
264 Driving and Operating
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the
vehicle.
The vehicle is not designed to
stay in N (Neutral) for more
than five minutes. It may
automatically shift into
P (Park). N (Neutral) is not
intended for towing. If the
vehicle needs to be towed, see
Transporting a Disabled
Vehicle 0412.
To shift into N (Neutral): 1. Move the shift lever forward to the first detent
from the center position.
.If the vehicle is in
P (Park), apply the brake
pedal and press the shift lock release button while
moving the shift lever
forward.
.N will illuminate in red.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position.
To shift out of N (Neutral): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear. If shifting from N (Neutral)
to R (Reverse), press the
shift lock release button.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position.
Car Wash Mode
This vehicle includes a Car
Wash Mode that allows the
vehicle to remain in N (Neutral)
for use in automatic car
washes. Car Wash Mode (Engine Off
–
Driver in Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in
N (Neutral) with the engine off
and the vehicle occupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift to N (Neutral).
4. Turn off the engine and release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it
does not, repeat
Steps 2–4.
6. The vehicle is now ready for the car wash.
Car Wash Mode (Engine Off –
Driver out of Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in
N (Neutral) with the engine off
and the vehicle unoccupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Open the door.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Driving and Operating 267
2. After releasing the shiftlever, it will return to the
center position.
3. Pull the control toward you to shift. Pull the left
control to downshift, and
the right control to upshift.
To exit Permanent Tap
Shift Mode: 1. To exit M (Manual Mode) and return to D (Drive), pull
back on the shift lever. The
D in the shift pattern will
illuminate in red, and the M
will switch to white.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position.
M (Manual Mode) can be exited
to return to D (Drive) at any
speed by pulling the lever
rearward from the center
position. It is not necessary to
stop the vehicle or shift to
N (Neutral) or P (Park) prior to
shifting back to D (Drive). Temporary Tap Shift Mode
To enter Temporary Tap
Shift Mode:
1. With the transmission in D (Drive) and not in
Permanent Tap Shift
Mode, the Tap Shift
controls will activate a
Temporary Tap Shift
Mode, allowing the
transmission to be
manually shifted.
2. To deactivate, hold the right control briefly.
Automatic shifts return
after no manual shifts have
been done for seven to
10 seconds.
While using Tap Shift, the
vehicle will have firmer, quicker
shifting. This can be used for
sport driving or when climbing
or descending hills, to stay in
gear longer, or to downshift
for more power or engine
braking. The transmission will only
allow shifting into gears
appropriate for the vehicle
speed and engine revolutions
per minute (rpm). If shifting is
prevented for any reason, the
M or D will flash in the
instrument cluster. The
transmission will not
automatically shift to the next
higher gear if the engine rpm
is too high. It will only
automatically shift to the next
lower gear if the engine rpm is
much too low.
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature can
operate in All-Wheel
Drive (AWD) Mode. See Driver
Mode Control
0273.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
270 Driving and Operating
the vehicle if the red parking
brake status light is flashing.
See your dealer.
If the amber service parking
brake warning light is on,
press the EPB switch.
Continue to hold the switch
until the red parking brake
status light remains on. If the
amber service parking brake
warning light is on, see your
dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the
vehicle is moving, the vehicle
will decelerate as long as the
switch is pressed. If the switch
is pressed until the vehicle
comes to a stop, the EPB will
remain applied.
The vehicle may automatically
apply the EPB in some
situations when the vehicle is
not moving. This is normal, and
is done to periodically check
the correct operation of the
EPB system, or at the request
of other safety functions that
utilize the EPB.If the EPB fails to apply, block
the rear wheels to prevent
vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Turn the ignition on or to accessory mode.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
The EPB is released when the
red parking brake status light
is off.
If the amber service parking
brake warning light is on,
release the EPB by pressing
and holding the EPB switch.
Continue to hold the switch
until the red parking brake
status light is off. If either light
stays on after release is
attempted, see your dealer.
Caution
Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the
brake system and cause
premature wear or damage
to brake system parts. Make
sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the
brake warning light is off
before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and
parking on a hill, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0322.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically
release if the vehicle is
running, placed into gear, and
an attempt is made to drive
away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake
lining life.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Driving and Operating 279
Warning (Continued)
oncoming traffic causes
additional environmental
obstructions, such as road
spray. ACC performance is
limited under these
conditions.
.On slippery roads where
fast changes in tire
traction can cause
excessive wheel slip.
.Towing a trailer
5:Press to turn the system
on or off. The indicator turns
white on the instrument
cluster when ACC is
turned on.
RES+ : Press briefly to resume
the previous set speed or to
increase vehicle speed if ACC
is already activated. To
increase speed by about
1 km/h (1 mph), press RES+ to
the first detent. To increase
speed to the next 5 km/h
(5 mph) mark on the
speedometer, press RES+ to
the second detent.
SET– :Press briefly to set the
speed and activate ACC or to
decrease vehicle speed if ACC
is already activated. To
decrease speed by about
1 km/h (1 mph), press SET– to
the first detent. To decrease
speed to the next 5 km/h
(5 mph) mark on the
speedometer, press SET– to
the second detent.*: Press to disengage ACC
without erasing the selected
set speed from memory.
[: Press to select a
following gap time (or
distance) setting for ACC of
Far, Medium, or Near.
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.
Switching Between ACC and
Regular Cruise Control
To switch between ACC and
regular cruise control, press
and hold
*. A Driver
Information Center (DIC)
message displays. See Vehicle
Messages 0146.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Driving and Operating 287
When following a vehicle and
entering a curve, ACC may not
detect the vehicle ahead and
accelerate to the set speed.
When this happens, the
vehicle ahead indicator will not
appear.
ACC may detect a vehicle that
is not in your lane and apply
the brakes.ACC may occasionally provide
an alert and/or braking that is
considered unnecessary.
It could respond to vehicles in
different lanes, signs,
guardrails, and other
stationary objects when
entering or exiting a curve.
This is normal operation. The
vehicle does not need service.
Other Vehicle Lane Changes
ACC will not detect a vehicle
ahead until it is completely in
the lane. The brakes may need
to be manually applied.
Objects Not Directly in Front
of Your Vehicle
The detection of objects in
front of the vehicle may not be
possible if:
.The vehicle or object ahead
is not within your lane.
.The vehicle ahead is shifted,
not centered, or is shifted to
one side of the lane.
Driving in Narrow Lanes
Vehicles in adjacent traffic
lanes or roadside objects may
be incorrectly detected when
located along the roadway.
Do Not Use ACC on Hills and
When Towing a Trailer

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
288 Driving and Operating
Do not use ACC when driving
on steep hills or when towing
a trailer. ACC will not detect a
vehicle in the lane while driving
on steep hills. If the brakes are
applied, ACC disengages.
Disengaging ACC
There are three ways to
disengage ACC:
.Step lightly on the brake
pedal.
.Press*.
.Press5.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if
5is
pressed or if the ignition is
turned off.
Weather Conditions
Affecting ACC
System operation may be
limited under snow, heavy rain,
or road spray conditions. Accessory Installations and
Vehicle Modifications
Do not install or place any
object around the front
camera windshield area that
would obstruct the front
camera view.
Do not install objects on top of
the vehicle that overhang and
obstruct the front camera,
such as a canoe, kayak,
or other items that can be
transported on a roof rack
system. See Roof Rack
System
0109.
Do not modify the hood,
headlamps, or fog lamps, as
this may limit the camera’s
ability to detect an object.
Cleaning the Sensing System
The camera sensor on the
windshield behind the
rearview mirror can become
blocked by snow, ice, dirt, mud,
or debris. This area needs to
be cleaned for ACC to operate
properly. The vehicle headlamps may
need to be cleaned due to dirt,
snow, or ice. Objects that are
not illuminated correctly may
be difficult to detect.
If ACC will not operate, regular
cruise control may be
available. See
“Switching
Between ACC and Regular
Cruise Control” previously in
this section. Always consider
driving conditions before using
either cruise control system.
For cleaning instructions, see
“Washing the Vehicle” under
Exterior Care 0416.Driver Assistance
Systems
This vehicle may have features
that work together to help
avoid crashes or reduce crash
damage while driving, backing,
and parking. Read this entire
section before using these
systems.