2015 Cadillac CTS Owner’s Manual

The 2015 Cadillac CTS is a sleek and exciting luxury sedan that combines style, speed, and the latest technology in a way that is seamless. The CTS gives off a sense of style and modernity with its striking exterior design and clean lines. Inside, the cabin is a great mix of comfort and craftsmanship, with high-quality materials and the latest technology. The CTS is exciting to drive because it has powerful engine options, handles well, and has precise steering. It also has a number of high-tech safety features that will keep you calm on the road. The 2015 Cadillac CTS is top-of-the-line when it comes to luxury sedans. It has a powerful look and great attention to detail.

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, 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.
• 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.

Automatic Transmission
The vehicle may be equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission or an 8-speed automatic transmission.
If the vehicle has engine RPO:

• LTG is equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission with either All-Wheel Drive (AWD) or Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD).
• LFX and AWD, it is equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. With LFX and RWD, it is equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
• LF3 is equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

There are several different positions for the shift lever.

P (Park): This position locks the rear wheels. Use this position when starting the engine because the vehicle cannot move easily.

Warning: It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll. Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake and move the shift lever to P (Park).

Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before starting the engine. The vehicle has an electronic shift lock release system. Fully apply the regular brakes first and then press the shift lever button before shifting from P (Park) when the ignition is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way into P (Park) as you maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever button and move the shift lever into another gear.

Caution: Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle is stopped.

1. R (Reverse): Use this gear to back up. 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 your transmission.
2. N (Neutral): In this position, the engine does not connect with the wheels. To restart when the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only. You can also use N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed.
   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 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.
3. D (Drive): This position is for normal driving. It provides the best fuel economy. If you need more power for passing, and you are:
   • Going less than 55 km/h (35 mph), push the accelerator pedal about halfway down.
   • Going about 55 km/h (35 mph) or more, push the accelerator all the way down. The transmission will shift down to a lower gear and have more power.  Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions could result in skidding.
4. M(Manual Mode): This mode can be entered with the shift lever in the D (Drive) position by pressing the M(Manual Mode) button on the top of the shift lever. M(Manual Mode) allows the driver to select gears appropriate for current driving conditions. M(Manual Mode) can be exited with a second press of the M(Manual Mode) button.
   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 you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.

While in Sport Mode, the vehicle monitors driving behavior and automatically enables Performance Shift Features when spirited driving is detected. These features maintain lower transmission gears to increase available engine braking and improve acceleration response. The vehicle will exit these features and return to normal operation after a short period when no spirited driving is detected.

Manual Mode

Tap Shift

Caution: Driving with the engine at a high rpm without upshifting while using Tap Shift, could damage the vehicle. Always upshift when necessary while using Tap Shift.
Vehicles with Tap Shift have controls on the back of the steering wheel to manually shift the automatic transmission.

To enter Permanent Tap Shift Mode:

1. With the shift lever in D (Drive), press the M(Manual Mode) button on the top of the shift lever. While in Tap Shift Mode, the M of the PRNDM section of the instrument cluster will become highlighted, and the current gear is indicated.
2. Tap the left control to downshift and the right control to upshift.
3. To exit, press the M(Manual Mode) button a second time.

With the shift lever 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. Automatic shifts return after no manual shifts have been done for seven to 10 seconds. The Temporary Tap Shift Mode can also be deactivated by holding the right upshift control briefly. While using Tap Shift, the vehicle will have firmer, quicker shifting. You can use this 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 you to shift into gears appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine revolutions per minute (rpm). The transmission will not automatically shift to the next lower gear if the engine rpm is too high, nor to the next higher gear when the maximum engine rpm is reached.

If shifting is prevented for any reason, a SHIFT DENIED message will be displayed in the instrument cluster.
When accelerating the vehicle from a stop in snowy and icy conditions, it is suggested to shift into second gear. A higher gear allows the vehicle to gain more traction on slippery surfaces.

FAQ’s