Getting Your Cadillac EV Ready for Winter: Tires, Charging and the myCadillac App

The first hard frost has a way of showing up overnight. One day you are driving with the windows down, and the next you are scraping the windshield in the dark. If this is your first winter with a Cadillac EV, a little prep now will make the colder months feel easy.

The good news is that your Cadillac EV already has many of the tools you need. This guide walks through the main areas to check, from tires and charging to visibility and the myCadillac app. Work through it once, and you will be ready for the season.

Start With Your Tires

Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that touches the road, so they come first on any winter list.

Most Cadillac EVs leave the factory on all-season tires. The LYRIQ, OPTIQ and VISTIQ use all-season, self-sealing tires that can seal small tread punctures and help keep air in the tire. The Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL ride on all-season tires as well.

The V-Series models need a closer look. The LYRIQ-V comes standard on summer tires, with all-season tires available, and the OPTIQ-V offers available summer-only tires. Cadillac advises against using summer-only tires in winter conditions, since doing so affects safety, performance and durability. If your V-Series wears summer tires, plan your swap before the snow arrives, and ask about GM-approved tire and wheel combinations.

Keep an eye on tire pressure as temperatures drop:

• The myCadillac app shows tire pressure on properly equipped vehicles, so you can check it from your phone.
• The Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL include a standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System that alerts you to low pressure.

Make Plugging In a Daily Habit

Every Cadillac EV comes with a Dual Level Charge Cord. It plugs into a standard three-prong outlet for Level 1 (120-volt) charging, or into a four-prong, appliance-style 240-volt outlet (professional installation required) for faster Level 2 charging.

For quicker charging at home, every Cadillac EV includes at least an 11.5 kW onboard charging module. A 19.2 kW module is standard on the OPTIQ, VISTIQ, Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL in Premium Luxury trim, and available on the LYRIQ Premium Luxury. Home charging at these rates requires a professionally installed charge station.

Cold weather can change how long a full charge takes. Cadillac notes that actual charge times vary with outside temperature and battery temperature, along with the charger and your vehicle settings. Plugging in each evening keeps you ahead of that.

The myCadillac app helps you stay on top of charging:

• The charge tile shows your battery level, range in kilometres, and whether the vehicle is plugged in or charging.
• If a charge is scheduled, the app shows the estimated completion time.
• You can view your charge limit and charge mode settings, and receive alerts such as a plug-in reminder or a notice that charging was interrupted.

Warm Up the Cabin Before You Leave

Remote start lets you warm the cabin before you head out. It is standard on every OPTIQ and VISTIQ trim, and the Remote Keyless Entry fob on the LYRIQ, Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL includes a remote start button. You can also start the vehicle from the myCadillac app, and some vehicles show the cabin temperature right in the app.

Every Cadillac EV includes heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Heated second-row seats are standard on the VISTIQ and OPTIQ-V, and they are offered on the Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL as well.

Keep Your View Clear

Snow, slush and road salt can cover glass, mirrors and cameras quickly. Several Cadillac EV features help you see clearly:

• Heated wiper park uses heated grids at the wiper rest position so the blades are less likely to freeze in place. You will find it as standard equipment on the LYRIQ, OPTIQ, Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL, while the VISTIQ gets a standard windshield wiper deicer.
• Rainsense automatic wipers clear the windshield when they detect precipitation, and are standard on the LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL.
• The rear camera washer sprays fluid to help remove snow, ice and moisture from the rear camera lens. It is standard on the OPTIQ, VISTIQ, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL and LYRIQ Premium Luxury.

Top up with winter-rated washer fluid before the season starts so the washers are ready on the first slushy commute.

Know Your Drive Settings

The OPTIQ offers a Snow/Ice drive mode designed to help prevent wheel spin on slippery surfaces. The LYRIQ includes a standard Driver Mode Selector and standard electronic traction control, which helps maintain traction when you accelerate on slick roads. Dual Motor AWD is standard on the VISTIQ, Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL.

On very cold days, expect a small change in how the vehicle slows down. Regen on Demand and One-Pedal Driving can be limited when the battery is extremely cold or close to a full charge. Press the brake pedal any time you need to stop right away.

Plan Winter Trips With the App

Longer drives in winter go smoother with a bit of planning. In the myCadillac app, tap the Map icon and choose Explore Range. It shows how far you can travel and return based on your current charge, and it alerts you if you are outside the range of your home charging location. From the same screen, you can search for nearby charging stations or look up stations at your destination.

Your Winter Checklist

Let City Cadillac Help You Prepare

Winter is easier when you know your vehicle well. If you would like a hand setting up the myCadillac app, checking your tire options or learning your charging settings before the cold arrives, the service team at City Cadillac in Toronto can help. Book a visit at a time that works for you, bring your questions, and drive into the season with confidence.