2023 CADILLAC XT6 towing

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
350 Driving and Operating
Always signal turns well in
advance. Do not steer or brake
suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a
lower gear before starting
down a long or steep downhill
grade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes
may overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
The vehicle can tow in D
(Drive). Shift the transmission
to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
When towing at higher
altitudes, engine coolant will
boil at a lower temperature
than at lower altitudes. If the
engine is turned off
immediately after towing at
high altitude on steep uphill
grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine
overheating. To avoid this, let
the engine run, preferably onlevel ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a
few minutes before turning
the engine off. If the overheat
warning comes on, see Engine
Overheating
0381.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or
death, always park your
vehicle and trailer on a level
surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and
your trailer on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park)
yet. Turn the wheels into
the curb if facing downhill
or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels. 3. When the wheel chocks
are in place, gradually
release the brake pedal to
allow the chocks to absorb
the load of the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking
brake and shift into
P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on
a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal:
.Start the engine.
.Shift into the
desired gear.
.Release the parking
brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
Driving and Operating 351
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service
more often when used to tow
trailers. See Maintenance
Schedule0454. It is especially
important to check the engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system
before and during each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts
and bolts on the trailer hitch
are tight.
Engine Cooling When
Trailer Towing
The cooling system may
temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions.
See Engine Overheating 0381.
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly
can damage the vehicle and
result in costly repairs not
covered by the vehicle
warranty. To tow a trailer
correctly, follow the
directions in this section and
see your dealer for
important information about
towing a trailer with the
vehicle.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing
capacity for your vehicle. Safe trailering requires
monitoring the weight, speed,
altitude, road grades, outside
temperature, dimensions of
the front of the trailer, and
how frequently the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer.
Trailer Weight Ratings
When towing a trailer, the
combined weight of the
vehicle, vehicle contents,
trailer, and trailer contents
must be below all of the
maximum weight ratings for
the vehicle including:
.Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR)
.Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR)
.Maximum Trailer Weight
Rating
.Maximum Trailer Tongue
Weight Rating
.Gross Axle Weight
Rating-Rear (GAWR-RR)

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
352 Driving and Operating
See“Weight-Distributing Hitch
Adjustment” under Towing
Equipment 0356 to determine
if equalizer bars are required
to obtain the maximum trailer
weight rating.
See “Trailer Brakes” under
Towing Equipment 0356 to
determine if brakes are
required based on the trailer
weight.
The only way to be sure the
weight is not exceeding any of
these ratings is to weigh the
tow vehicle and trailer
combination, fully loaded for
the trip, getting individual
weights for each of these
items.{Warning
You and others could be
seriously injured or killed if
the trailer is too heavy or
the trailer brakes are
inadequate for the load. The
vehicle may be damaged,
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Only tow a trailer if all the
steps in this section have
been followed. Ask your
dealer for advice and
information about towing a
trailer.
Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR)
GCWR is the total allowable
weight of the completely
loaded vehicle and trailer
including any fuel, passengers,
cargo, equipment, and
accessories. Do not exceed
the GCWR for your vehicle.
The GCWR for the vehicle is
on the tow rating chart later in
this section.
To check that the weight of
the vehicle and trailer are
within the GCWR for the
vehicle:
1. Start with the curb weight from the Trailering
Information Label.
2. Add the weight of the trailer loaded with cargo
and ready for the trip.

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
356 Driving and Operating
Towing Equipment
Hitches
Always use the correct hitch
equipment for your vehicle.
Crosswinds, large trucks going
by, and rough roads can affect
the trailer and the hitch.
Never attach rental hitches or
other bumper-type hitches.
Only use frame-mounted
hitches that do not attach to
the bumper.
Hitch Cover
To remove the hitch cover,
if equipped:1. Remove the two fasteners on the lower tabs.
2. Pull the lower edge of the cover to about a 45 degree
angle.
3. Pull the cover downward to disengage the upper
attachments.
To reinstall the hitch cover: 1. Hold the cover at a 45 degree angle to the
vehicle and push the upper
tabs into the slots in the
bumper.
2. Push the bottom of the cover forward until the
lower tabs line up with the
lower slots.
3. Snap the hitch cover into place by pushing the upper
corners forward.
4. Reinstall the two fasteners on the lower tabs. Consider using mechanical
sway controls with any trailer.
Ask a trailering professional
about sway controls or refer
to the trailer manufacturer's
recommendations and
instructions.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
Adjustment
A weight-distributing hitch
may be useful with some
trailers.
1. Front of Vehicle
2. Body to Ground Distance

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
Driving and Operating 357
When using a
weight-distributing hitch,
measure the front fender
height above the front axle
distance (2) before and after
connecting the trailer. Adjust
the spring bars until the front
fender height distance (2) is
approximately halfway
between the first and second
measurements.
Tires
.Do not tow a trailer while
using a compact spare tire
on the vehicle.
.Tires must be properly
inflated to support loads
while towing a trailer. See
Tires0400 for instructions
on proper tire inflation.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between
the vehicle and the trailer, and
attach the chains to the holes
on the trailer hitch platform.
Instructions about safety chains may be provided by the
hitch manufacturer or by the
trailer manufacturer.
Cross the safety chains under
the tongue of the trailer to
help prevent the tongue from
contacting the road if it
becomes separated from the
hitch. Always leave just
enough slack so the
combination can turn. Never
allow safety chains to drag on
the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Loaded trailers over 450 kg
(1,000 lb) must be equipped
with brake systems and with
brakes for each axle. Trailer
braking equipment conforming
to Canadian Standards
Association (CSA) requirement
CAN3-D313, or its equivalent,
is recommended.
State or local regulations may
require trailers to have their
own braking system if the
loaded weight of the trailerexceeds certain minimums
that can vary from state to
state.
Read and follow the
instructions for the trailer
brakes so they are installed,
adjusted, and maintained
properly.
{Warning
Never attempt to tamper
with the hydraulic brake
system for your trailer
brakes. Do not connect a
trailer's hydraulic brake
system directly to your
vehicle's hydraulic brake
system. If you do, both the
vehicle antilock brakes and
the trailer brakes may not
function, which could result
in a crash.
Trailer Wiring Harness
lf equipped, the trailer wiring
harness, with a 7-pin
connector is mounted on the
trailer hitch.

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
Driving and Operating 359
the engine compartment fuse
block. The electric trailer brake
controller should be installed
by your dealer or a qualified
service center.
Trailer Lamps
Always check that all trailer
lamps are working at the
beginning of each trip, and
periodically on longer trips.
Turn Signals When
Towing a Trailer
When properly connected, the
trailer turn signals will
illuminate to indicate the
vehicle is turning, changing
lanes, or stopping. When
towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument cluster will
illuminate even if the trailer is
not properly connected or the
bulbs are burned out.
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
Vehicles with StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) have a Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) feature. Trailer
sway is unintended
side-to-side motion of a trailer
while towing. If the vehicle is
towing a trailer and the TSC
detects that sway is
increasing, the vehicle brakes
are selectively applied to help
reduce excessive trailer sway.
If equipped with the
Integrated Trailer Brake
Control (ITBC) system, and the
trailer has an electric brake
system, StabiliTrak/ESC may
also apply the trailer brakes.
If TSC is enabled, the Traction
Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak/ESC warning light
will flash on the instrument
cluster. Reduce vehicle speed
by gradually removing your
foot from the accelerator
pedal. If trailer sway continues,
StabiliTrak/ESC can reduce
engine torque to help slow the
vehicle. TSC will not function if
StabiliTrak/ESC is turned off.
See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control
0276.
{Warning
Trailer sway can result in a
crash and in serious injury or
death, even if the vehicle is
equipped with TSC.
If the trailer begins to sway,
reduce vehicle speed by
gradually removing your foot
from the accelerator. Then
pull over to check the trailer
and vehicle to help correct
possible causes, including an
(Continued)

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
360 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
improperly or overloaded
trailer, unrestrained cargo,
improper trailer hitch
configuration, or improperly
inflated or incorrect vehicle
or trailer tires. See Towing
Equipment0356 for trailer
ratings and hitch setup
recommendations.
Trailer Tires
Special Trailer (ST) tires differ
from vehicle tires. Trailer tires
are designed with stiff
sidewalls to help prevent sway
and to support heavy loads.
These features can make it
difficult to determine if the
trailer tire pressures are low
only based on a visual
inspection.
Always check all trailer tire
pressures before each trip
when the tires are cool. Low
trailer tire pressure is a
leading cause of trailer tire
blowouts. Trailer tires deteriorate over
time. The trailer tire sidewall
will show the week and year
the tire was manufactured.
Many trailer tire
manufacturers recommend
replacing tires more than six
years old.
Overloading is another leading
cause of trailer tire blowouts.
Never load the trailer with
more weight than the tires are
designed to support. The load
rating is on the trailer tire
sidewall.
Always know the maximum
speed rating for the trailer
tires before driving. This may
be significantly lower than the
vehicle tire speed rating. The
speed rating may be on the
trailer tire sidewall. If the
speed rating is not shown, the
default trailer tire speed rating
is 105 km/h (65 mph).
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector
(DLC) is used for vehicle
service and Emission
Inspection/Maintenance
testing. See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light)
0134. A device
connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet
or driver-behavior tracking
device —may interfere with
vehicle systems. This could
affect vehicle operation and
cause a crash. Such devices
may also access information
stored in the vehicle’s
systems.

Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16405819) -
2023 - CRC - 3/22/22
Vehicle Care 363
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - NorthAmerica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 434
Towing the Vehicle
Transporting a DisabledVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 446
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 450
General
Information
For service and parts needs,
visit your dealer. You will
receive genuine GM parts and
GM-trained and supported
service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Perchlorate
Materials
Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt
pretensioners, and lithium
batteries contained in
electronic keys, may contain
perchlorate materials.
Perchlorate Material –special
handling may apply. See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/
hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories
or making modifications to the
vehicle can affect vehicle
performance and safety,
including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride
and handling, emissions
systems, aerodynamics,
durability, Driver Assistance
Systems, and electronic
systems like antilock brakes,