tow CADILLAC STS 2007 1.G Owner's Guide

3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for
towing.
5. Release the parking brake.
Dolly Towing (STS-V)
Notice:Dolly towing or dinghy towing your
vehicle may cause damage because of reduced
ground clearance. Always put your vehicle
on a atbed truck.
If you have an STS-V, it can only be towed on a
at-bed trailer.
Dolly Towing (All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles)
Notice:Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground, or even
with only two of its wheels on the ground, will
damage drivetrain components. Do not tow
an all-wheel-drive vehicle if any of its wheels
will be on the ground.
If you have an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle, it
can only be towed on a at-bed trailer.
Towing a Trailer
Your vehicle is neither designed nor intended to
tow a trailer.
357

Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your
vehicle can affect the airow around it. This may
cause wind noise and affect windshield washer
performance. Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part
of the proper maintenance of your vehicle. To
help keep your engine clean and maintain optimum
vehicle performance, GM recommends the use
of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN) shows the code letter or number
that identies your engine. You will nd the VIN at
the top left of the instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identication Number (VIN) on page 485.
Gasoline Octane
If your vehicle has the 3.6L V6 engine
(VIN Code 7), use regular unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. For
best performance or trailer towing, you may
choose to use middle grade 89 octane unleaded
gasoline. If the octane rating is less than 87,
you may notice an audible knocking noise when
you drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If
this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane
or higher as soon as possible. If you are using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear
heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
If your vehicle has the 4.6L V8 engine
(VIN Code A), 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.
365

2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and nd
the secondary hood release lever. The lever
is located under the front edge of the
grille near the center. Move the release lever
to the side and raise the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the ller caps
are on properly. Then pull the hood down and
close it rmly.
Engine Compartment Overview
Your vehicle may be equipped with front
compartment underhood sight shields, which
surround the vehicle’s engine cover. These sight
shields will need to be removed in order to access
some of the underhood components in your vehicle.
To remove the sight shields, turn the fasteners on
each shield to the left until they pop out. Then
remove the fasteners and lift the shields up and
away from the tower to tower brace.
373

After you have removed the sight shields (if equipped) on the 4.4L V8 STS-V engine, here is what
you will see:
A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 408.
B. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 488.
C. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 239.
D. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 404.
E. Intercooler System Pressure Cap. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 389.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 403.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 380.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 380.I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 405.
J. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on
page 393andCooling System on page 396.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 386.
If your vehicle is equipped with front compartment
underhood sight shields, before closing the
hood be sure to reinstall the sight shields. To
reinstall the shields, locate the tabs on the left and
right sides and insert them into the openings in
the tower to tower brace. Then insert the fasteners
into the top of the shield and push the fasteners
back into place.
379

Engine Oil
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.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 373
for 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.
When to Add Engine Oil
V6 Engine
V8 Engine
380

3. Loosen the clamp and remove the duct from
the passenger’s side of the engine air
cleaner/lter.
4. The two sides of the airbox are hinged at the
bottom. Open the airbox by pushing the top of
the airbox cover toward the engine.
5. Remove the air lter by lifting it straight up
through the opening in the airbox.
6. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter.
SeeNormal Maintenance Replacement Parts
on page 518for the correct part number
for the lter.
7. Reinstall the cover by reversing
Steps 1 through 4.
If your vehicle has the 4.4L V8 STS-V engine,
there is a special procedure for checking
and changing the air cleaner/lter. Because this
procedure is difficult, you should have this done at
the dealership service department. Contact your
dealer for additional information or the procedure
can be found in the service manual. To purchase
a service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 543.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/
lter off can cause you or others to be
burned. The air cleaner not only cleans the
air; it helps to stop ames if the engine
backres. If it is not there and the engine
backres, you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful working on
the engine with the air cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine, which will
damage it. Always have the air cleaner/lter in
place when you are driving.
387

Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank and pressure cap are
located on the driver’s side of the vehicle, toward
the rear of the engine compartment. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 373for
more information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when
the engine and radiator are hot can allow
steam and scalding liquids to blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn the surge
tank pressure cap — even a little — when
the engine and radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When
your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the FULL COLD/FROID line on the side of the
surge tank. Follow the arrow from the top of
the tank down the side to the horizontal mark.
391

If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can
burn you badly, even if you just open the
hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it. Turn it
off and get everyone away from the
vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant
before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when the vehicles
engine is overheated, the liquids in it can
catch re. You or others could be badly
burned. Stop your engine if it overheats,
and get out of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 395for
information on driving to a safe place in
an emergency.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. See
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 395for information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
An overheat warning, can indicate a serious
problem.
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or
hear no steam, the problem might not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too
hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
394

If you get the overheat warning with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in
NEUTRAL (N) while stopped. If it is safe to do
so, pull off the road, shift to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) and let the engine idle.
2. Set the climate controls to the highest heat
setting and fan speed and open the windows,
as necessary.
If the coolant warning light is not on or the coolant
temperature gage does not indicate the engine
is overheating, you can drive. Just to be safe, drive
slower for about 10 minutes. If the warnings do
not come back on, drive normally.
If the warnings continue and you have not stopped,
pull over, stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while parked. If the warnings are
still indicated, turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicle until it cools down. Also, see
“Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode”
later in this section.
You might decide not to lift the hood but to get
service help right away.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This operating mode allows your vehicle to be
driven to a safe place in an emergency. Should an
overheated engine condition exist, an overheat
protection mode which alternates ring groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this
mode, you will notice a loss in power and engine
performance. An engine overheat warning will
indicate that an overheat condition exists. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in
the overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated
engine protection operating mode, to avoid
engine damage, allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. The engine oil will be
severely degraded. Repair the cause of coolant
loss and change the oil. SeeEngine Oil on
page 380.
395

When rotating P235/50R17 size tires or
255/45ZR18 size tires, always use the correct
rotation pattern shown here.
If your vehicle has a compact spare tire, do not
include the compact spare tire in the tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the
front and rear ination pressures as shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label.
Vehicles that have the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS) will need to have the TPMS
sensors reset after a tire rotation, seeTire
Pressure Monitor System on page 433.Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specications on page 498.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When
you change a wheel, remove any rust or
dirt from places where the wheel attaches
to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use a cloth or a paper towel to do this;
but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush
later, if needed, to get all the rust or dirt
off. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 464.
439