2023 CADILLAC XT6 Owners Manual

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
264 Driving and Operating
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
Tips0347.
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 XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
Driving and Operating 265
economy. When greater
power demands are required,
such as accelerating from a
stop, passing, or merging onto
a freeway, the system will
maintain full-cylinder
operation.
If the vehicle has an Active
Fuel Management indicator,
see Driver Information Center
(DIC) for more information on
using this display.
Extended Parking
It is best not to park with the
vehicle running. If the vehicle is
left running, be sure it will not
move and there is adequate
ventilation.
See Shifting Into Park0263
and Engine Exhaust 0265.
If the vehicle is left parked and
running with the remote key
outside the vehicle, it will
continue to run for up to
15 minutes. If the vehicle is left parked and
running with the remote key
inside the vehicle, it will
continue to run for up to
30 minutes.
The vehicle could turn off
sooner if it is parked on a hill,
due to lack of available fuel.
The timer will reset if the
vehicle is taken out of P (Park)
while it is running.
Engine Exhaust
{
Warning
Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO),
which cannot be seen or
smelled. Exposure to CO can
cause unconsciousness and
even death.
Exhaust may enter the
vehicle if:
.The vehicle idles in areas
with poor ventilation
(parking garages, tunnels, (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
deep snow that may block
underbody airflow or tail
pipes).
.The exhaust smells or
sounds strange or
different.
.The exhaust system leaks
due to corrosion or
damage.
.The vehicle exhaust
system has been modified,
damaged, or improperly
repaired.
.There are holes or
openings in the vehicle
body from damage or
aftermarket modifications
that are not completely
sealed.
If unusual fumes are
detected or if it is suspected
that exhaust is coming into
the vehicle:
.Drive it only with the
windows completely down. (Continued)

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
266 Driving and Operating
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 0263 and
Engine Exhaust 0265.
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0347.
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 XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
Driving and Operating 267
P :This position locks the
drive wheels. Use P (Park)
when starting the engine
because the vehicle cannot
move easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the
transmission is not in
P (Park) with the parking
brake set. The vehicle
can roll.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Do not leave the vehicle
when the engine is running.
If the engine has been left
running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or
others could be injured. To
be sure the vehicle will not
move, even when on fairly
level ground, always set the
parking brake and place the
transmission into P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park 0263
and Electric Parking Brake
0 274.
This vehicle is equipped with
an electronically controlled
transmission. The shift lock
release button is designed to
prevent inadvertent shifting
out of P (Park) unless the
vehicle is on, the brake pedal is
applied, and the shift lock
release button is pressed.
When the vehicle is stopped,
press ENGINE START/STOP
to turn off the vehicle. The
transmission will shift to
P (Park) automatically unless
the vehicle is in N (Neutral),
See “Car Wash Mode” later in
this section.

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
268 Driving and Operating
The vehicle will not shift into
P (Park) if it is moving too fast.
Stop the vehicle and shift into
P (Park).
To shift into and out of
P (Park), see Shifting Into Park
0263 and Shifting out of Park
0 264.
Service Shift Lever Message
If the message SERVICE
SHIFTER SEE OWNER’S
MANUAL appears in the
Driver Information
Center (DIC), the shift lever
needs service. Have the
vehicle serviced as soon as
possible. If the vehicle is
automatically shifting into
P (Park), check to see if the
P (Park) button on top of the
shift lever is stuck. To operate
the vehicle, hold the shift lever
in the desired gear,
R (Reverse) or D (Drive), until
vehicle speed exceeds
15 km/h (10 mph), then release
the shift lever.
R : Use this gear to back up. If the vehicle is shifted from
either R (Reverse) to D (Drive)
or M (Manual Mode),
or M (Manual Mode) or
D (Drive) to R (Reverse) while
the speed is too high, the
vehicle will shift to N (Neutral).
Reduce the vehicle speed and
try the shift again.
To shift into R (Reverse):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press and hold the shift lock release button on the
side of the shift lever.
3. From the center position, move the shift lever
forward through the first
detent to the end of travel.
R is illuminated in red.
4. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position.
To shift out of R (Reverse): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear. 3. After releasing the shift
lever, it will return to the
center position.
At low vehicle speeds,
R (Reverse) can be used to
rock the vehicle back and forth
to get out of snow, ice, or sand
without damaging the
transmission. See If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0251 or
If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0251.
N : In this position, the engine
does not connect with the
wheels. To restart the engine
when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear
while the engine is running
at high speed is dangerous.
Unless your foot is firmly on
the brake pedal, the vehicle
could move very rapidly. You
could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not
(Continued)

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
Driving and Operating 269
Warning (Continued)
shift into a drive gear while
the engine is running at high
speed.
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 0437. 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.

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
270 Driving and Operating
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.
4. Shift to N (Neutral).
5. Turn off the engine and release the brake pedal.
6. The indicator should continue to show N. If it
does not, repeat
Steps 2–5.
7. Exit the vehicle and close the door. The vehicle is
now ready for the
car wash.
8. The vehicle may automatically shift to
P (Park) when the door is
opened. Car Wash Mode (Engine On
–
Driver in Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in
N (Neutral) with the engine on
and the vehicle occupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift to N (Neutral).
4. Release the brake pedal. The vehicle is now ready
for the car wash.
Car Wash Mode (Engine On –
Driver out of Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in
N (Neutral) with the engine on
and the vehicle unoccupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Open the door.
4. Shift to N (Neutral), then release the brake pedal. 5. The indicator should
continue to show N. If it
does not, repeat
Steps 2–4.
6. Exit the vehicle and close the door. The vehicle is
now ready for the
car wash.
7. The vehicle may automatically shift to
P (Park) when the door is
opened.
Caution
A transmission hot message
may display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition
can damage the vehicle.
Stop and idle the engine to
cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This
message clears when the
transmission fluid has cooled
sufficiently.

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
Driving and Operating 271
D :This position is for normal
driving. If more power is
needed for passing, press the
accelerator pedal down.
To shift into D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. From the center position, move the shift lever back.
.If the vehicle is in
P (Park), press the shift
lock release button while
pulling the shift
lever back.
.D will illuminate in red.
.After releasing the shift
lever, it will return to the
center position.
To shift out of D (Drive): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the
center position. Downshifting the transmission
in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding. See
“Skidding”
under Loss of
Control 0243.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding
the vehicle in one place on a
hill using only the
accelerator pedal may
damage the transmission.
The repair will not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. If the vehicle is
stuck, do not spin the tires.
When stopping on a hill, use
the brakes to hold the
vehicle in place.
Manual Mode
Tap Shift
Caution
Driving with the engine at a
high rpm without upshifting
while using Tap Shift, could (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
damage the vehicle. Always
upshift when necessary
while using Tap Shift.
If equipped, vehicles with Tap
Shift have controls on the
back of the steering wheel to
manually shift the automatic
transmission.