engine coolant CADILLAC CTS 2009 2.G User Guide

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel ash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the
trailer lamps also ash, telling other drivers the vehicle
is turning, changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument
panel ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. For this reason you may think other
drivers are seeing the signal when they are not. It is
important to check occasionally to be sure the
trailer bulbs are still working.
The vehicle has bulb warning lights. When a trailer
lighting system is plugged into the vehicle’s lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not let the driver
know if one of the lamps goes out. So, when the a trailer
lighting system plugged in, be sure to check the
vehicle and trailer lamps from time to time to be sure
they are all working. Once the trailer lamps are
disconnected, the bulb warning lights can again let the
driver know that one of the vehicle lamps is out.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforestarting
down a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce the
vehicle’s speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of the engine and the transmission
overheating.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift the transmission to
a lower gear if the transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions. For vehicles with a
manual transmission, it is better not to use the
highest gear.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, the vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let
the engine run while parked, preferably on level ground,
with the automatic transmission in P (Park) or the
manual transmission in N (Neutral) for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-37.
4-33

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-8
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-11
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-12
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-18
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-21
Engine Cover...............................................5-23
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-25
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-29
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-29
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-30
Cooling System............................................5-31
Engine Coolant.............................................5-32Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-37
Engine Overheating.......................................5-37
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode.........................................5-39
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-40
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-41
Brakes........................................................5-42
Battery........................................................5-45
Jump Starting...............................................5-46
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-51
Rear Axle.......................................................5-52
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-53
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-57
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting............5-57
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-57
Front Turn Signal and Fog Lamps...................5-58
License Plate Lamp......................................5-59
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-59
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-59
Tires..............................................................5-61
Winter Tires.................................................5-62
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-63
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-66
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-69
High-Speed Operation...................................5-70
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-71
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a re. These include liquids like fuel, oil,
coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and other
uids, and plastic or rubber. You or others could
be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill things
that will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release
lever with this symbol
on it. It is located
inside the vehicle on
the lower left side
of the instrument
panel.
5-12

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-41.
B.Underhood Fuse Block (CTS) on page 5-115or
Underhood Fuse Block (CTS-V) on page 5-119.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-46.
D. Remote Negative (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-46.
E. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-29.
F. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-31.G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Under Engine
Cover). SeePower Steering Fluid on page 5-40.
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-18.
J. Hydraulic Clutch Reservoir (If Equipped) (Not
Shown). See “When to Check and What to Use”
underHydraulic Clutch on page 5-30.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir (Out of View).
SeeBrakes on page 5-42.
L. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCooling System on page 5-31.
M.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
5-15

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-41.
B.Underhood Fuse Block (CTS) on page 5-115or
Underhood Fuse Block (CTS-V) on page 5-119.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-46.
D. Remote Negative (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-46.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap (Out of View). See “When to Add
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
G. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-29.H. Intercooler System Pressure Cap. SeeCooling
System on page 5-31.
I. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-31.
J. Hydraulic Clutch Reservoir (If Equipped) (Not
Shown). See “When to Check and What to Use”
underHydraulic Clutch on page 5-30.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. SeeBrakes on
page 5-42.
L. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCooling System on page 5-31.
M. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Under Engine
Cover). SeePower Steering Fluid on page 5-40.
N.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
5-17

Cooling System
The cooling system allows the engine to maintain the
correct working temperature.
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fan(s) (Out of View)
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine parts,
can be very hot. Do not touch them. If you do, you
can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine re, and you could be burned.
Get any leak xed before you drive the vehicle.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®can
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant could
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in
the vehicle.
5-31

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle for all engines and
the intercooler is lled with DEX-COOL®. This coolant is
designed to remain in the vehicle for ve years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs rst.
The following explains the cooling system and how to
check and add coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 5-37.
What to Use
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant
mixture will. The vehicle’s coolant warning system
is set for the proper coolant mixture. With plain
water or the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but you would not get the overheat
warning. The engine could catch re and you or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant. If using this mixture, nothing else
needs to be added. This mixture:
Gives freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C),
outside temperature.
Gives boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C),
engine temperature.
Protects against rust and corrosion.
Will not damage aluminum parts.
Helps keep the proper engine temperature.
Notice:If an improper coolant mixture is used, the
engine could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or additives are used
in the vehicle’s cooling system, the vehicle could
be damaged. Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in this manual for the
cooling system. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-14for more information.
5-32

Checking Coolant (CTS)
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
The engine coolant reservoir is located in the engine
compartment on the driver side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-14.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the surge tank.
If the coolant inside the surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not at or above the FULL COLD
mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant surge tank,
but be sure the cooling system is cool before this
is done. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-32for more
information.
If the engine is warm or hot, the coolant level should be
at or above the FROID/FULL COLD line on the side
of the coolant surge tank. If the engine is cold, the
coolant level should be near the FROID/FULL COLD
line on the side of the coolant surge tank. If it is
not, there could be a leak in the cooling system.
How to Add Coolant to the Surge Tank
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough.
Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause the engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
5-33

3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture,
to slightly above the FROID/FULL COLD line on the
side of the coolant surge tank.4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. The upper radiator
hose is the top hose coming out of the radiator, on
the passenger side of the vehicle. Watch out for
the engine cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mixture to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches the FROID/FULL COLD
line on the side of the coolant surge tank.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Recheck the coolant level in the bottle next time you
use your vehicle to insure the system is full when cold.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-32.
5-35

Checking Coolant in the Intercooler
System (CTS-V)
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
The super charged engine intercooler coolant ll bottle
is located in the engine compartment on the passenger
side of the vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant ll bottle.
If the coolant inside the coolant ll bottle is boiling, do not
do anything else until it cools down. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not at or above the COLD FILL
mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant ll bottle, but be sure
the cooling system is cool before this is done.
If the engine is warm or hot, the coolant level should be
at or above the COLD FILL line on the side of the coolant
ll bottle. If the engine is cold, the coolant level should be
near the COLD FILL line on the side of the coolant ll
bottle. If it is not, you could have a leak in the cooling
system.
Adding Coolant to the Intercooler
System Coolant (CTS-V)
1. Remove the intercooler system pressure cap when
the intercooler system hoses are no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
about one-quarter of a turn. If you hear a hiss, wait
for that to stop. This allows any pressure still left
to be vented.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly and
remove it.
5-36