2016 Cadillac ELR Owner’s Manual

The 2016 Cadillac ELR is an electric hybrid coupe that is both new and stylish. It has an elegant design, the latest technology, and eco-friendly performance. The ELR stands out wherever it goes thanks to its smooth, efficient body. Under the hood, it features a sophisticated electric drivetrain paired with a small gasoline engine, offering amazing electric range and extended driving capabilities. The ELR has a comfortable and well-equipped cabin that shows how much Cadillac cares about luxury and style. It has many modern features, like a touchscreen infotainment system, high-quality sound, and improved safety features. The 2016 Cadillac ELR is a unique choice for drivers who care about the environment and want a high-end driving experience. It combines style, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology.

Defensive Driving

Defensive driving means “always expect the unexpected.” The first step in driving defensively is to wear a safety belt. See Safety Belts 0 58

• Assume that other road users (pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers) are going to be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might do and be ready.
• Allow enough following distance between you and the driver in front of you.
• Focus on the task of driving.

Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a global tragedy.

Warning
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and judgment can be affected by even a small amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are with a group, designate a driver who will not drink.

Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating are important factors in helping to control a vehicle while driving.

Braking
Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. Deciding to push the brake pedal is perception time. Actually doing it is reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is about three-quarters of a second. In that time, a vehicle moving at
100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 ft), which could be a lot of distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind include:

• Keep enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Avoid needless heavy braking.
• Keep pace with traffic.
  If propulsion is disabled while the vehicle is being driven, brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If the brakes are pumped, the pedal could get harder to push down. If propulsion stops, there will still be some power brake assist but it will be used when the brake is applied. Once the power assist is used up, it can take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push.

Steering Electric Power Steering
The vehicle has electric power steering. It does not have power steering fluid. Regular maintenance is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due to a system malfunction, the vehicle can be steered but may require increased effort. See your dealer if there is a problem.
If the steering wheel is turned until it reaches the end of its travel and is held against that position for an extended period of time, the power steering assist may be reduced.
If the steering assist is used for an extended period of time, power assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering assist should return when the system cools down.
See specific vehicle steering messages under Service Vehicle
Messages 0 142. See your dealer if there is a problem.

Curve Tips

• Take curves at a reasonable speed.
• Reduce speed before entering a curve.
• Maintain a reasonable steady speed through the curve.
• Wait until the vehicle is out of the curve before accelerating gently into the straightaway.
  Steering in Emergencies
• There are some situations when steering around a problem may be more effective than braking.
• Holding both sides of the steering wheel allows you to turn 180 degrees without removing a hand.
• The Antilock Brake System (ABS) allows steering while braking.

Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle’s right wheels can drop off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while driving. Follow these tips:

1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer the vehicle so that it straddles the edge of the pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the right front tire contacts the pavement edge.
3. Turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.

Loss of Control

Skidding
There are three types of skids that correspond to the vehicle’s three control systems:

• Braking Skid — wheels are not rolling.
•  Steering or Cornering Skid — too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
• Acceleration Skid — too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
  Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving those conditions. But skids are always possible.
  If the vehicle starts to slide, follow these suggestions:
• Ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and steer the way you want the vehicle to go.
  The vehicle may straighten out.
  Be ready for a second skid if it occurs. Slow down and adjust your driving according to weather conditions. Stopping distance can be longer and vehicle control can be affected when traction is reduced by water, snow, ice, gravel, or other material on the road. Learn to recognize warning clues — such
  as enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down when you have any doubt.
• Try to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
  Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only the braking skid.

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.

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 0 272.
• Turn off cruise control.

Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different than driving on flat or rolling terrain. See “Mountain Mode” under Driver Selected Operating Modes 0 188.
Tips include:

• Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shape.
• Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires, cooling system, and electric drive unit.
• Keep the vehicle in gear when going down steep or long hills.

Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with the vehicle turned off is dangerous. The brakes will have to do all the work of slowing down the vehicle and could become too hot. Hot brakes may not be able to slow the vehicle enough to maintain speed and control. You could crash. Always have the vehicle running and in gear (preferably LOW range) when going downhill. This will allow the electric drive unit to assist in slowing and maintaining speed.

• Drive at speeds to 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, accident).
• 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 Ice 
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 0 198.
• Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves vehicle stability during hard stops, but apply the brakes sooner than when on dry pavement. See Antilock Brake System (ABS) 0 195.
• 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.

Blizzard Conditions
Stay with the vehicle unless there is help nearby. If possible, use Roadside Assistance. See Roadside Service 0 336. To get help and keep everyone in the vehicle safe:

• Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
• Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror

Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how much weight the vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle capacity weight and includes the weight of all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may show how much weight it may properly carry: the Tire and Loading Information label and the Certification label.

FAQ’s