check engine light CADILLAC CTS V 2006 1.G User Guide

Change Engine Oil
This message indicates that the life of the engine oil
has expired and it should be changed and that
your vehicle is due for service. See your GM dealer.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16andScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more information.
When you reset the Change Engine Oil message by
clearing it from the display, you still must reset the
engine oil life system separately. For more information
on resetting the engine oil life system, seeEngine
Oil Life System on page 5-20. If you clear this message
from the display, it will not re-appear.
Change Trans (Transmission) Fluid
(Automatic Transmission)
This message indicates that the life of the transmission
uid has expired and it should be changed. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4and
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13for
the proper uid and change intervals.
When you reset the Change Trans Fluid message by
clearing it from the display, you still must reset the
transmission uid life monitor separately. For more
information on resetting the transmission uid life
monitor, seeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on
page 5-23.
Check Brake Fluid
This message will display if the ignition is in ON to
inform the driver that the brake uid level is low.
Have the brake system serviced by your GM dealer as
soon as possible. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 3-38andBrakes on page 5-38for more
information.
Check Coolant Level
Notice:If your engine catches re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on page 5-30for
information on driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
This message will appear when there is a low level of
engine coolant. Have the cooling system serviced
by your GM dealer as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-26for more information.
Check Gas Cap
When this message appears on the display, the gas cap
has not been fully tightened. You should recheck the
gas cap to ensure that it is on and tightened properly.
See “If the Light Is On Steady” underMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-41for more information.
3-63

Check Tire Pressure
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system, this message indicates that one or more of the
vehicle’s tires are low. SeeStatus of Vehicle Systems
on page 3-54for information on checking your vehicle’s
tire pressures. Also, seeTire Pressure Monitor
System on page 5-68andInation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-65for more information.
Check Washer Fluid
When this message appears on the display, it means
that your vehicle is low on windshield washer uid. You
should rell the windshield washer uid reservoir as
soon as possible. SeeWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-37for more information.
Competitive Driving (CTS-V)
When competitive driving mode is turned on with the
TC (traction control) button, this message will be
displayed on the DIC. The TC light will be on when the
competitive driving mode is on. The traction control
system will not operate while in competitive driving
mode. You should adjust your driving accordingly. See
the CTS-V portion ofTraction Control System (TCS)
(CTS) on page 4-9orTraction Control System (TCS)
(CTS-V) on page 4-10for more information.
Driver Door Ajar
When this message appears on the display, it means
that the driver’s door was not closed completely.
You should make sure that the driver’s door is
closed completely.
Engine Coolant Hot – AC
(Air Conditioning) Off
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
To avoid added strain on a hot engine, the air
conditioning compressor is automatically turned off.
When the coolant temperature returns to normal, the air
conditioning compressor will turn back on. You can
continue to drive your vehicle.
If this message continues to appear, have the system
repaired by your GM dealer as soon as possible to avoid
damage to the engine or transmission.
3-64

This message will also appear when the windshield
wipers have been on for more than six seconds and the
exterior lamp control is off or in the parking lamp position.
Ice Possible
This message appears when the outside temperature is
cold enough to create icy road conditions.
Left Rear Door Ajar
When this message appears on the display, it means
that the driver’s side rear door was not closed
completely. You should make sure that the door is
closed completely.
Oil Pressure Low – Stop Engine
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
oil pressure is low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure warning appears on the
instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the
vehicle as soon as possible. Do not drive the vehicle
until the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16for more information.
Passenger Door Ajar
When this message appears on the display, it means
that the passenger’s side front door was not closed
completely. You should make sure that the door
is closed completely.
Right Rear Door Ajar
When this message appears on the display, it means
that the passenger’s side rear door was not closed
completely. You should check to make sure that
the door is closed completely.
Service AC (Air Conditioning) System
This message appears when the electronic sensors that
control the air conditioning and heating systems are
no longer working. Have the climate control system
serviced by your GM dealer if you notice a drop
in heating and air conditioning efficiency.
Service Air Bag
There is a problem with the airbag system when this
message appears. Have your vehicle serviced by your
GM dealer immediately. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-34for more information.
Service Brake Assist
This message will display when a problem with the
panic brake assist system has been detected. Have your
vehicle serviced by your GM dealer.
3-66

DIC Vehicle Personalization
If your vehicle has the Navigation system, see the
Navigation system manual for instructions on operating
the DIC for your vehicle.
Your vehicle has personalization that allows you to
program certain features to a preferred setting for up to
two people. The number of programmable features
varies depending upon which model of the vehicle is
purchased.
On all vehicles, features such as climate control
settings, radio preset settings, exterior lighting at unlock,
remote lock and unlock conrmation, and automatic
door locks have already been programmed for
your convenience.
Some vehicles have additional features that can be
programmed including the seat and outside rearview
mirror position.
If your vehicle has the ability to program additional
personalization features, the driver’s preferences are
recalled by pressing the unlock button on the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter, 1 or 2, or by pressing
the appropriate memory button, 1 or 2, located on
the driver’s door. Certain features can be programmed
not to recall until the key is placed in the ignition.
To change feature preferences, see “Entering the
Personalization Menu” following.
Entering the Personalization Menu
To enter the feature programming mode, use the
following procedure:
1. Turn the ignition to ON, but do not start the engine.
Make sure an automatic transmission is in PARK (P)
or a manual transmission has the parking brake set.
To avoid excessive drain on the battery, it is
recommended that the headlamps are turned off.
2. If your vehicle has memory settings, press the
appropriate memory button, 1 or 2, located on
the driver’s door armrest. The DIC display will show
either Driver 1 or 2 depending on which button
was selected.
3. Press the PWR/VOL knob to turn the radio on.
4. Press the TUNE/SEL knob once to access the main
menu of the DIC.
5. Turn the TUNE/SEL knob until SETUP is highlighted.
6. Press the TUNE/SEL knob once to access the
SETUP menu.
7. Turn the TUNE/SEL knob until the feature you want
to change is highlighted, then press the TUNE/SEL
knob to turn the feature on or off. If the feature
is turned on, a check mark will appear next to the
feature name.
If none of the personalization items are turned on,
turn on the personalization menu by pressing
the TUNE/SEL knob. The list of features will then
appear, and you can repeat Step 6.
3-70

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes may not have time
to cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear
out much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking.
If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are driving,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If the engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS),
an advanced electronic braking system that will
help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
ABS will check itself. You may hear a momentary motor
or clicking noise while this test is going on, and you
may even notice that your brake pedal moves a
little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light will
stay on. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-39.
4-7

Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain
you allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit,
do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up.
Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed
according to your speedometer, not to your sense
of motion. After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower
than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you are not fresh — such as after
a day’s work — do not plan to make too many miles
that rst part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you will nd experienced and able service experts in
GM dealerships all across North America. They will be
ready and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated
to the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-24

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-16
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-20
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-23
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-24
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-25
Engine Coolant.............................................5-26
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-28
Engine Overheating.......................................5-28Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-30
Cooling System............................................5-31
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-37
Brakes........................................................5-38
Battery........................................................5-41
Jump Starting...............................................5-42
Rear Axle.......................................................5-48
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-49
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-52
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting............5-52
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-52
Front Turn Signal and Fog Lamps...................5-53
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Sidemarker Lamps.....................................5-53
Back-Up and License Plate Lamps..................5-54
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-55
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-55
Tires..............................................................5-57
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-58
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-61
Run-Flat Tires (CTS-V)..................................5-64
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-65
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-68
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

If your vehicle has the 6.0L V8 engine (VIN Code U),
use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher. You may also use regular
unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but
your vehicle’s acceleration may be slightly reduced,
and you may notice a slight audible knocking noise,
commonly referred to as spark knock. If the octane is
less than 87, you may notice a heavy knocking
noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you might damage your engine. If you are
using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you
hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines may
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
General Motors recommends against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on
page 5-6for additional information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specications. See the underhood
emission control label. If this fuel is not available
in states adopting California emissions standards,
your vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp may turn on and your vehicle may fail
a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 3-41. If this occurs, return to your authorized
GM dealer for diagnosis. If it is determined that the
condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work
properly. In most cases, you should not have to add
anything to your fuel. However, some gasolines contain
only the minimum amount of additive required to
meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
5-6

Engine Oil
There is an oil pressure
light in the instrument
cluster and an Oil
Pressure Low - Stop
Engine message on
the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
If the light and/or message appear, it means you need
to check the engine oil level right away. For more
information, see “Oil Pressure Low - Stop Engine”
underDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-61and
Oil Pressure Light on page 3-44. You should check
the engine oil level regularly; this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5-16

Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and lter. This is based
on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not
on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage
at which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly,
you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary.
A change engine oil message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC) will come on. Change your oil as soon
as possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is
possible that, if you are driving under the best conditions,
the oil life system may not indicate that an oil change
is necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil
and lter must be changed at least once a year and
at this time the system must be reset. Your dealer has
GM-trained service people who will perform this work
using genuine GM parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check your oil regularly and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System and the Oil Life Indicator
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and lter based on vehicle use. Anytime
your oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs
where you change your oil prior to a change engine oil
message in the DIC being turned on, reset the system.
After the oil has been changed, the change engine
oil message and the oil life indicator must be reset.
To reset the message and indicator, use one of
the following procedures:
Base Audio System
Press the CLR button located to the right of the DIC
display to acknowledge the change engine oil message.
This will clear the message from the display and reset it.
To reset the oil life indicator, use the following steps:
1. Press the up or down arrow on the INFO button
located to the right of the DIC display to access
the DIC menu.
2. Once XXX% ENGINE OIL LIFE menu item is
highlighted, press and hold the CLR button.
The percentage will return to 100, and the oil life
indicator will be reset. Repeat the steps if the
percentage does not return to 100.
3. Turn the key to OFF.
5-20