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246 Driving and Operating
.Avoid turns that take the
vehicle across the incline of
the hill. Driving across an
incline puts more weight on
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
the side slipping.
.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.
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.
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
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Driving and Operating 249
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous.
Water can build up under the
vehicle's tires so they actually
ride on the water. This can
happen if the road is wet
enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule
about hydroplaning. The best
advice is to slow down when
the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other
wet weather driving tips
include:
.Allow extra following
distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer
fluid reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires
0400.
.Turn off cruise control.
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, and cooling
system.
.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).
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
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Driving and Operating 251
Warning (Continued)
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
the fan speed to the
highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about
CO, see Engine Exhaust
0 265.
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.
The Traction Control System
(TCS) can often help to free a
stuck vehicle. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability
Control
0276.
If TCS cannot free the vehicle,
turn TCS off and use the
rocking method. See “Rocking
the Vehicle to Get it Out”
following.
{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).
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
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
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252 Driving and Operating
the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse
directions causes a rocking
motion that could free the
vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few
tries, it might need to be
towed out. If the vehicle does
need to be towed out, see
Transporting a Disabled
Vehicle0437.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know
how much weight the
vehicle can carry. This
weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on the
vehicle may show how
much weight it may
properly carry, the Tire and Loading Information label
and the Certification/Tire
label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle
any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR), or either
the maximum front or
rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). This can
cause systems to break
and change the way the
vehicle handles. This
could cause loss of
control and a crash.
Overloading can also
reduce stopping
performance, damage the
tires, and shorten the life
of the vehicle.
Tire and Loading Information
Label
Example Label
A vehicle-specific Tire and
Loading Information label is
attached to the center
pillar (B-pillar). The tire and
loading information label
shows the number of
occupant seating
positions (1), and the
maximum vehicle capacity
weight (2) in kilograms and
pounds.
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256 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Do not leave an
unsecured child
restraint in the vehicle.
.Secure loose items in
the vehicle.
.Do not leave a seat
folded down unless
needed.
Starting and
Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Caution
The vehicle does not need
an elaborate break-in. But it
will perform better in the
long run if you follow these
guidelines:
.Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or
slow, for the first 800 km
(500 mi). Do not make(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake or
slow the vehicle.
.Avoid making hard stops
for the first 300 km
(200 mi) or so. During this
time the new brake linings
are not yet broken in. Hard
stops with new linings can
mean premature wear and
earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you
get new brake linings.
.Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. See Trailer
Towing0351 for the
trailer towing capabilities
of the vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine
speed and load can be
gradually increased. On new vehicles, the various
mechanical and electrical
systems experience a
“break-in”
period during the
first 6 400 km (4,000 mi) of
routine driving. As the vehicle
is driven, the mechanical
systems adjust to provide
optimal fuel economy and
transmission shift
performance.
Electrical systems will adapt
and calibrate during the
break-in period. A one-time
occurrence of clicks and
similar vehicle noises is normal
during this process.
Normal driving charges the
vehicle’s battery to achieve
the best operation of the
vehicle, including fuel economy
and the Stop/Start System.
See Stop/Start System 0259.
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
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258 Driving and Operating
4. Set the parking brake. SeeElectric Parking Brake
0274. Press ENGINE
START/STOP to turn the
vehicle off.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled
over and must be shut off
while driving, press and hold
ENGINE START/STOP for
longer than two seconds,
or press twice in five seconds.
Accessory Mode (Amber
Indicator Light) : This mode
allows you to use some
electrical accessories when
the engine is off.
With the ignition off, pressing
ENGINE START/STOP once
without the brake pedal
applied will place the ignition
system in accessory mode.
The ignition will switch from
accessory mode to OFF after
10 minutes to prevent battery
rundown. ON/RUN/START (Green
Indicator Light) :
This mode is
for driving and starting. With
the ignition off and the brake
pedal applied, pressing
ENGINE START/STOP once
will place the ignition system in
ON/RUN/START. Once engine
cranking begins, release the
button. Engine cranking will
continue until the engine
starts, and the ignition will
then remain ON. See Starting
the Engine 0258.
Service Mode
This mode is available to verify
the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as
may be required for emissions
inspection purposes and for
service and diagnostics.
With the vehicle off, and the
brake pedal not applied,
pressing and holding ENGINE
START/STOP for more than
five seconds will place the
vehicle in Service Mode. The
instruments and audio
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
(Continued)
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
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Driving and Operating 259
Caution (Continued)
operates. Any resulting
damage would not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. See Add-On
Electrical Equipment0360.
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 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
the cranking motor to cool
down. When the engine
starts, let go of the button and the accelerator. If the
vehicle starts briefly but
then stops again, do the
same thing. This clears the
extra gasoline from the
engine. Do not race the
engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the
engine and transmission
gently until the oil warms
up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Stop/Start System
This vehicle has a Stop/Start
system to shut off the engine
to help conserve fuel. It has
components designed for the
increased number of starts.
{Warning
The automatic engine Stop/
Start feature causes the
engine to shut off while the
vehicle is still on. Do not exit
the vehicle before shifting to
P (Park). The vehicle may
restart and move
(Continued)
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
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260 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
unexpectedly. Always shift
to P (Park), and then turn
the ignition off before
exiting the vehicle.
Auto Engine Stop/Start
When the brakes are applied
and the vehicle is at a
complete stop, the engine may
turn off. When stopped, the
tachometer displays AUTO
STOP. See Tachometer 0130.
When the brake pedal is
released or the accelerator
pedal is pressed, the engine
will restart.
To maintain vehicle
performance, other conditions
may cause the engine to
automatically restart before
the brake pedal is released.
Auto Stops may not occur
and/or auto restarts may
occur because:
.The climate control settings
require the engine to be
running to cool or heat the
vehicle interior.
.The vehicle battery needs to
charge.
.The vehicle battery has
recently been disconnected.
.Minimum vehicle speed has
not been reached since the
last Auto Stop.
.The accelerator pedal is
pressed.
.The engine or transmission
is not at the required
operating temperature.
.The outside temperature is
not in the required operating
range.
.The vehicle transmission is
shifted out of D (Drive) to
any gear other than P (Park).
.Certain driver modes have
been selected. See Driver
Mode Control 0278.
.The vehicle is on a steep hill
or grade.
.The driver door has been
opened or the driver seat
belt has been unbuckled.
.The hood has been opened.
.The Auto Stop has reached
the maximum allowed time.
Auto Stop Disable Switch
The automatic engine Stop/
Start feature can be disabled
and enabled by touching the
hsymbol. Auto Stop is
enabled each time you start
the vehicle.