11 Cadillac Key Fob Tricks You Must Know

If you’ve used a Cadillac for more than a day, you’d probably have figured that its key fob does more than just open and close doors.

And if you’re a thoroughly explorative user, you’d want to use every feature that the fob has. So, let’s go over 11 tricks you can do with your Cadillac.

Your key fob, or smart key, has a hidden physical key that you can use during emergencies to open your Cadillac. You can also use it to remotely start your vehicle, turn it off, roll down the windows and open the tailgate, alongside other special features.

11 Cadillac Key Fob Tricks

#1. Hidden Key

The first and probably the most interesting feature of the Cadillac key fob on this list is the hidden mechanical key it comes with.

There is a removable physical key hidden within keyless entry remotes or key fobs.

This key is especially useful when the batteries in your fob are dead, and you don’t have replacements for them. 

In the case of emergencies, there is only one way to access this key, but it varies slightly depending on the model of your Cadillac.

For all models, you need to press the button by the side of the transmitter and pull the key out from the bottom of the fob.

Once it’s out, you can have access to your vehicle.

#2. Lock

The lock feature of the key fob is a very common one. It even has a button dedicated to this easily identifiable purpose.

Press the top left button on the key fob labeled with a closed lock once to lock your Cadillac.

Your vehicle should alert you that it’s locked with a beep and a flash of lights.

#3. Unlock

The second most common feature of the Cadillac keyless entry remote is its unlock feature.

Just like the lock feature, the unlock feature has a dedicated button, and it’s labeled with an open lock.

To unlock the driver’s door of your Cadillac, press the unlock button once. To unlock all the doors, push the button twice.

#4. Remote start

One of the Cadillac’s best and most efficient features is its ability to be remotely started by its key fob.

With your car key fob, you can start it up from even fifteen feet away to get it warm or cooled up for you before entering.

To start up your vehicle remotely, first press the lock button on the smart key. 

Then, locate the remote start button. It’s labeled with a circular arrow that isn’t closed. Also, it’s directly beneath the lock button.

Push the start button once you locate it and hold it for at least four seconds. Your car should start up soon after. 

It’s best to note that your vehicle will be on for only about 15 minutes. To extend the time it stays on, you can repeat the procedure. 

#5. Remote shut down

Once you turn on the vehicle, something may come up that requires your attention. So, you may need to turn off your vehicle.

To do this without entering your vehicle is pretty easy because you just have to repeat the remote start sequence without locking the car.

Just press and hold the button a second time for about three seconds. Then, the vehicle will respond with a flash of lights and shut down.

#6. Open Liftgate

Since modern Cadillacs have hands-free liftgates, key fobs that enable you to open them remotely are an essential feature.

And luckily, the key fobs do have this feature. All you need to do is press the dedicated liftgate release button on the fob twice. 

#7. Close Liftgate

To close the liftgate of your Cadillac when you’re with your business in the trunk, press the liftgate button on the key fob twice.

The vehicle should respond with a beep and close the liftgate within seconds. 

#8. Open back glass

Another feature you can access just from the car key fob is opening the back glass. By pressing the liftgate button once, you can open the back glass of your Cadillac.

#9. Roll down windows

Rolling down your Cadillac’s windows is great when you want to let air in and properly ventilate your vehicle before going for a ride.

One nice feature of the key fob is that you can use it for this function too. So, to roll down all the windows of your vehicle, press and hold the unlock button.

#10. Roll up windows

To roll up the windows of the Cadillac, all you need to do is press and hold the unlock button the second time for about three seconds.

#11. Vehicle start 

You may not be able to start your vehicle with a dead-key fob. So, if this happens, there’s still a solution that involves the key fob.

In the storage console of your Cadillac, there’s a slot designed to fit in your fob.

When you insert the fob in that slot, you’ll be able to start your vehicle by pushing the start button on the dashboard.

However, this slot may be in the cupholder in some Cadillac models.

Why Is My Key Fob Not Working?

Your key fob is not working because it may have run out of battery or isn’t programmed to work with your Cadillac yet. 

It’s not unusual for key fobs to run out of battery. After being used for a while, these batteries tend to lose their charge.

Also, if they’ve been kept in storage for a while, internal resistance in the cells will drain them of current. 

Furthermore, a manufacturing defect may cause the batteries not to fit in the fob.

Extra space between the batteries and the terminals will prevent them from producing electricity for the fob.

Also, if a piece of plastic from the body of the fob is between the terminals and the batteries, it may not work. 

Another reason your key fob isn’t working is that it may not have been programmed to work with your Cadillac.

This issue doesn’t affect the fobs that come with the vehicle when you buy it. However, if you purchase post-manufactured fobs, you may experience this problem.

How Do I Make My Cadillac Key Fob Work?

The first step to solving key fob issues is identifying where the problem lies and offering solutions. 

If you have a dead key fob, check if the batteries are still working. If they aren’t, then replace them.

Cadillac key fobs use 3-volt lithium CR2032 batteries. You can find them in every mall or electronics store. 

Before replacing the batteries, check if any fob piece is wedged between the batteries and the terminals. Try to displace it or cut it out carefully if there’s any. 

On the other hand, if the key fob isn’t working because it’s not programmed yet, it’s best to take it to your nearest dealership.

Certified technicians can program your fob to work with your vehicle within minutes. 

Cadillac /GM key fob features: How to use/ tips and tricks.

Final Thoughts

There are many things you can do with the smart key buttons of your Cadillac, ranging from remote start to opening the liftgate, rolling down the windows, and more.

If these features aren’t working, the key fob may be dead or not programmed yet.

Changing the batteries or getting it programmed at a dealership will help you enjoy these features on your Cadillac.