Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
Driving and Operating 247
3. If the vehicle cannot berestarted after stalling, set
the parking brake, shift
into P (Park), and turn the
vehicle off.
3.1. Leave the vehicle and seek help.
3.2.Stay clear of the path the vehicle would take
if it rolled downhill.
{Warning
Getting out of the vehicle on
the downhill side when
stopped across an incline is
dangerous. If the vehicle
rolls over, you could be
crushed or killed. Always get
out on the uphill side of the
vehicle and stay well clear of
the rollover path.
Driving in Mud, Sand,
Snow, or Ice
Use a low gear when driving in
mud –the deeper the mud, the
lower the gear. Keep the
vehicle moving to avoid
getting stuck.
Traction changes when driving
on sand. On loose sand, such
as on beaches or sand dunes,
the tires tend to sink into the
sand. This affects steering,
accelerating, and braking.
Drive at a reduced speed and
avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers.
Traction is reduced on hard
packed snow and ice and it is
easy to lose control. Reduce
vehicle speed when driving on
hard packed snow and ice.
{Warning
Driving on frozen lakes,
ponds, or rivers can be
dangerous. Ice conditions
vary greatly and the vehicle
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
could fall through the ice;
you and your passengers
could drown. Drive your
vehicle on safe
surfaces only.
Driving in Water
{Warning
Driving through rushing
water can be dangerous.
Deep water can sweep your
vehicle downstream and you
and your passengers could
drown. If it is only shallow
water, it can still wash away
the ground from under your
tires. Traction could be lost,
and the vehicle could roll
over. Do not drive through
rushing water.
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
248 Driving and Operating
Caution
Do not drive through
standing water if it is deep
enough to cover the wheel
hubs, axles, or exhaust pipe.
Deep water can damage the
axle and other vehicle parts.
If the standing water is not
too deep, drive slowly through
it. At faster speeds, water
splashes on the ignition
system and the vehicle can
stall. Stalling can also occur if
you get the exhaust pipe
under water. While the
exhaust pipe is under water,
you will not be able to start
the engine. When going
through water, the brakes get
wet, and it might take longer
to stop. See Driving on Wet
Roads 0248.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris
that has collected on the
underbody or chassis, or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a fire
hazard.
After operation in mud or
sand, have the brake linings
cleaned and checked. These
substances can cause glazing
and uneven braking. Check the
body structure, steering,
suspension, wheels, tires, and
exhaust system for damage
and check the fuel lines and
cooling system for any
leakage.
More frequent maintenance
service is required. See
Maintenance Schedule
0454.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can
reduce vehicle traction and
affect your ability to stop and
accelerate. Always drive
slower in these types of
driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles
and deep-standing or flowing
water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause
crashes. They might not
work as well in a quick stop
and could cause pulling to
one side. You could lose
control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/
vehicle wash, lightly apply
the brake pedal until the
brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water
creates strong forces.
Driving through flowing
water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away.
If this happens, you and
other vehicle occupants
could drown. Do not ignore
police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to
drive through flowing water.
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
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) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
250 Driving and Operating
.Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or IceCaution
To avoid damage to the
wheels and brake
components, always clear
snow and ice from inside the
wheels and underneath the
vehicle before driving.
Snow or ice between the tires
and the road creates less
traction or grip, so drive
carefully. Wet ice can occur at
about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in
freezing rain until roads can be
treated. For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently.
Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under
the tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control.
See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control
0
276.
.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied
sooner than when on dry
pavement. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) 0273.
.Allow greater following
distance and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches
can occur on otherwise clear
roads in shaded areas. The
surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy
when the surrounding roads
are clear. Avoid sudden
steering maneuvers and
braking while on ice.
.Turn off cruise control.
.Select All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
mode. See Driver Mode
Control 0278 and
All-Wheel Drive 0273.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe
place and signal for help. Stay
with the vehicle unless there is
help nearby. Get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{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.
(Continued)
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
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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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Driving and Operating 257
Ignition Positions
The vehicle has an electronic
keyless ignition with
pushbutton start.
If the pushbutton start is not
working, the vehicle may be
near a strong radio antenna
signal causing interference to
the Keyless Access system.
See Remote Key Operation
09.
To shift out of P (Park), the
vehicle must be turned on and
the brake pedal must be
applied. Stopping the Engine/OFF
(No Indicator Light) :
When
the vehicle is stopped, press
ENGINE START/STOP once to
turn the engine off.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the
ignition will turn off, and
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) will remain active.
See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) 0263.
If the vehicle is in R (Reverse),
D (Drive), or M (Manual Mode),
the vehicle will shift into
P (Park), the ignition will turn
off, and RAP will remain active.
If the vehicle is in N (Neutral),
the ignition will return to
accessory mode and display
the message SHIFT TO PARK
in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). When the vehicle
is shifted into P (Park), the
ignition will turn off.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of
power assist in the brake
and steering systems and
disable the airbags. While
driving, only shut the vehicle
off in an emergency.
If the vehicle must be shut off
in an emergency: 1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not
pump the brakes
repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist,
requiring increased brake
pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be
done while the vehicle is
moving. After shifting to
N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the
vehicle to a safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop and shift to P (Park).
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
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) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
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)