
Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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174 Driving and Operating
Normal driving charges the vehicle’s battery
to achieve the best operation of the vehicle,
including fuel economy and the Stop/Start
System. SeeStop/Start System 0176.
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
0 8.
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) 0179.
If the vehicle is in R (Reverse), D (Drive) or
M (Manual Mode), the vehicle will shift to
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).
4. Set the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0187. 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.

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Driving and Operating 175
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. The ignition will then remain
on. See Starting the Engine 0175.
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.
See Automatic Transmission 0181.
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
operates. Any resulting damage would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Add-On Electrical Equipment 0259.
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 battery is low, a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message will display. See
Remote Key Operation
08.
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

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178 Driving and Operating
2. Push plastic hooks back to engage grilleslats. It is recommended to start with
the lower hooks at the center of the
grille.
3. Repeat for all hooks to fully engage cover to grille.
For vehicles equipped with a front license
plate bracket, only the outer clips will be
engaged on the upper row. Ensure the
top center portion of the cover is
positioned securely behind the license
plate bracket.
4. Make sure all clips remain engaged during installation. Cover should be
stretched to a tight fit when properly
installed.
Engine Heater
The engine heater, if available, can help in
cold weather conditions at or below
−18 °C (0 °F) for easier starting and better
fuel economy during engine warm-up. Plug
in the engine heater at least four hours
before starting the vehicle. An internal
thermostat in the plug end of the cord will
prevent engine heater operation at
temperatures above −18 °C (0 °F).
{Warning
Do not plug in the engine block heater
while the vehicle is parked in a garage or
under a carport. Property damage or
personal injury may result. Always park
the vehicle in a clear open area away
from buildings or structures.
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical
cord. The cord is located on the
passenger side of the compartment near
the air cleaner/filter. Check the heater cord for damage. If it is
damaged, do not use it. See your dealer
for a replacement. Inspect the cord for
damage yearly.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord or an
extension cord can damage the cord and
may result in overheating and fire.
.Plug the cord into a three-prong
electrical utility receptacle that is
protected by a ground fault detection
function. An ungrounded outlet could
cause an electric shock.
.Use a weatherproof, heavy-duty,
15 amp-rated extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the recommended
extension cord in good operating
condition, or using a damaged heater
or extension cord, could make it
overheat and cause a fire, property
damage, electric shock, and injury.
(Continued)

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180 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
to P (Park). If you are towing a trailer,
seeDriving Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0250.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the
engine running, be sure the vehicle is in
P (Park) and the EPB is set before you leave
it. See Electric Parking Brake 0187.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on a
hill, see Driving Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0250.
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.
4. Move the shift lever to the desired position. 5. The P indicator will turn white and the
gear indicator on the shift lever will turn
red when the vehicle is no longer in
P (Park).
6. 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 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 Park 0179 and
Engine Exhaust 0181.

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186 Driving and Operating
3. Pull the control toward you to shift. Pullthe left control to downshift, and the
right control to upshift. To shift to the
lowest available gear, pull and hold the
left control.
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 Manual 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 manual 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. When the
AWD feature is active, the system transfers
engine power, if required, to all four wheels.
The system is fully automatic and adjusts to road conditions for improved traction and
control. In FWD Mode engine power is
transferred to the front wheels only, and
the AWD feature is off.
The AWD feature is automatically activated
when certain modes are selected using the
Driver Mode Control switch. When an AWD
mode change is requested the light will
flash briefly while the system is engaging
and the AWD light will be displayed when
the system is active. When a non-AWD
Mode is selected, the light will flash briefly
while the system disengages and a 2WD
light will be displayed when the AWD
system is off. See
Driver Mode Control
0 190.
When a compact spare tire is installed on an
AWD vehicle, the system will automatically
detect the compact spare and reduce AWD
performance to protect the system. To
restore AWD operation and prevent
excessive wear on the system, replace the
compact spare with a full-size tire as soon as
possible. See Compact Spare Tire 0315.

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Driving and Operating 189
apply the brake pedal as the driving
situation dictates. Brake Assist disengages
when the brake pedal is released.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
Do not rely on the HSA feature. HSA does
not replace the need to pay attention
and drive safely. You may not hear or
feel alerts or warnings provided by this
system. Failure to use proper care when
driving may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. SeeDefensive Driving
0 164.
When the vehicle is stopped on a grade, Hill
Start Assist (HSA) prevents the vehicle from
rolling in an unintended direction during the
transition from brake pedal release to
accelerator pedal apply. The brakes release
when the accelerator pedal is applied. If the
accelerator pedal is not applied within a few
minutes, the Electric Parking Brake will
apply. The brakes may also release under
other conditions. Do not rely on HSA to hold
the vehicle. HSA is available when the vehicle is facing
uphill in a forward gear, or when facing
downhill in R (Reverse). The vehicle must
come to a complete stop on a grade for HSA
to activate.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control System
(TCS) and StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC). These systems help limit
wheel spin and assist the driver in
maintaining control, especially on slippery
road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any of the
drive wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. On an All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
vehicle in AWD or Sport Mode, the system
will operate if it senses that any of the
wheels are spinning or beginning to lose
traction. When this happens, TCS applies the
brakes to the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the system
senses a discrepancy between the intended
path and the direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure at any one of the vehicle's
brakes to help steer the vehicle in the
direction which you are steering.
If cruise control is being used and traction
control or StabiliTrak/ESC begins to limit
wheel spin, cruise control will disengage.
Cruise control may be turned back on when
road conditions allow. TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC will automatically turn on when cruise
control is set.
Both systems come on automatically when
the vehicle is started and begins to move.
The systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while performing
diagnostic checks. This is normal and does
not mean there is a problem with the
vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both systems on
for normal driving conditions, but it may be
necessary to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0169 and “Turning the
Systems Off and On” later in this section.

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190 Driving and Operating
The indicator light for both systems is in the
instrument cluster. This light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting wheel spin.
.Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is activated.
.Turn on and stay on when either system
is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message may display in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
d
comes on and stays on to indicate that the
system is inactive and is not assisting the
driver in maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be adjusted
accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine. Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on and stays
on, the vehicle may need more time to
diagnose the problem. If the condition
persists, see your dealer.
Turning the Systems Off and On
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when TCS is off. The vehicle
driveline could be damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and release
g.
The Traction Off light
idisplays in the
instrument cluster and a DIC message may
display. To turn TCS on again, press and release
g.
The Traction Off light
idisplayed in the
instrument cluster will turn off and a DIC
message may display.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
gis
pressed, the system will not turn off until
the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC,
press and hold
guntil the Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC Off lightgcome on
and stay on in the instrument cluster. A DIC
message may display.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on again,
press and release
g. The Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC Off lightgin the
instrument cluster turn off and a DIC
message may display.
Adding accessories can affect vehicle
performance. See Accessories and
Modifications 0261.
Driver Mode Control
Driver Mode Control (DMC) allows the driver
to adjust the overall driving experience to
better suit driver preference by adjusting
vehicle systems. Drive mode availability and

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Driving and Operating 191
affected vehicle systems are dependent on
vehicle trim level, region, and optional
features.
If the vehicle is in Tour or AWD Mode, it
will stay in that mode through future
ignition cycles. If the vehicle is in any other
mode, it will return to Tour Mode when the
vehicle is restarted. When a mode is
selected, an indicator will come on in the
instrument cluster and stay on.
Driver Mode Control Switch
To activate each mode, press the MODE
button on the center console.
Tour Mode : Use for normal city and
highway driving to provide a smooth ride.
This setting provides balance between comfort and handling. This is the standard/
default mode. There is no persistent
indicator in the instrument cluster for
this mode.
AWD Mode :
AWD Mode provides torque to
all four wheels. Select AWD to improve
traction and control on slippery road
surfaces, such as gravel, sand, wet
pavement, snow, and ice. For more
information on AWD Mode, see All-Wheel
Drive 0186.
Sport Mode : Use where road conditions or
personal preference demand a more
controlled response. Sport Mode improves
vehicle handling and acceleration on dry
pavement. When active, Sport Mode
modifies steering efforts, transmission
shifting, and AWD torque, if equipped.
The Performance Algorithm Liftfoot (PAL)
feature is enabled in Sport Mode. PAL allows
the transmission to hold the current gear
after a quick release of a heavily applied
accelerator pedal. This provides greater
engine braking and enhanced vehicle control.
When PAL is activated, there may be an
additional gear symbol that appears in the
instrument cluster display. See Performance
Shifting Light 0105. Off-Road Mode :
Use this mode for off-road
recreational driving. When active, Off–Road
Mode should be used to improve driving at
moderate speeds, on grass, gravel, dirt,
unpaved roads, or snow-covered roads. The
accelerator pedal is tuned for off-road use.
This mode modifies pedal mapping, AWD,
ESC, and TCS Performance.
Snow/Ice Mode : Snow/Ice Mode improves
vehicle acceleration on snow and ice covered
roads. When active, Snow/Ice Mode will
adjust acceleration to optimize traction on
slippery surfaces. This can compromise the
acceleration on dry asphalt. This feature is
not intended for use when the vehicle is
stuck in sand, mud, ice, snow, or gravel.
If the vehicle becomes stuck, see If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0169.
qMy Mode : Use this mode to
personalize everyday driving. This mode
allows the driver to configure the vehicle
subsystem settings to their driving
preferences. My mode remains active across
on/off cycles.
Through the infotainment display, the
following vehicle subsystems may be
available for customization in this mode:
Acceleration Feel : Relaxed, Tour, Sport