tow CADILLAC CTS 2011 2.G Service Manual

Black plate (53,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-53
Pulling A Trailer
Here are some important points:
.There are many laws, including
speed limit restrictions that apply
to trailering. Check for legal
requirements with state or
provincial police.
.Do not tow a trailer at all during
the first 1 600 km (1,000 miles)
the new vehicle is driven. The
engine, axle, or other parts could
be damaged.
.During the first 800 km
(500 miles) that a trailer is
towed, do not drive over 80 km/h
(50 mph) and do not make starts
at full throttle. This reduces wear
on the vehicle.
.Vehicles with automatic
transmissions can tow in
D (Drive) but M (Manual Mode)
is recommended. SeeManual
Mode
on page 9‑28for more
information. Use a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often. For vehicles with a manual
transmission, it is better not to
use the highest gear.
.Use the cruise control when
towing.
.Obey speed limit restrictions. Do
not drive faster than the
maximum posted speed for
trailers, or no more than 90 km/h
(55 mph), to reduce wear on the
vehicle.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires experience.
Get familiar with handling and
braking with the added trailer
weight. The vehicle is now longer
and not as responsive as the
vehicle is by itself.
Check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains,
electrical connectors, lamps, tires,
and mirror adjustments. If the trailer
has electric brakes, start the vehicle
and trailer moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes are working.During the trip, check regularly to be
sure that the load is secure, and the
lamps and trailer brakes are working
properly.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the sound of the
stability control system might be
heard. The system is reacting to the
vehicle movement caused by the
trailer, which mainly occurs during
cornering. This is normal when
towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid situations
that require heavy braking and
sudden turns.

Black plate (54,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
9-54 Driving and Operating
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. Because the
rig is longer, it is necessary to go
much farther beyond the passed
vehicle before returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. Then, to move
the trailer to the left, move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns
while trailering could cause the
trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. The vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very
sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so
the trailer won't strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees
or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel
flash whenever signaling a turn or
lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps also flash, telling
other drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes, or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument panel flash 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.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a
lower gear before starting down a
long or steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, thebrakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
Vehicles with an automatic
transmission can tow in D (Drive)
but M (Manual Mode) is
recommended. 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)
for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. For vehicles with manual
transmissions, let the engine run

Black plate (55,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-55
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the transmission out of
gear and the parking brake applied,
for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, seeEngine Overheating
on page 10‑24.
Parking on Hills
{WARNING
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet for
vehicles with an automatic
transmission, or into gear for
vehicles with a manual transmission. Turn the wheels
into the curb if facing downhill or
into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park) for vehicles with an
automatic transmission or into
gear for vehicles with a manual
transmission.
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
.Start the engine,
.Shift into a gear, and
.Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal. 3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See this
manual's Maintenance Schedule or
Index for more information. Things
that are especially important in
trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.

Black plate (56,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
9-56 Driving and Operating
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 10‑24.
Trailer Towing
(Except CTS-V)
Before pulling a trailer, there are
three important considerations that
have to do with weight:
.The weight of the trailer.
.The weight of the trailer tongue.
.The total weight on the vehicle's
tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
450 kg (1,000 lbs). But even that
can be too heavy. Speed, altitude, road grades,
outside temperature, special
equipment, and the amount of
tongue weight the vehicle can carry
must be considered. See
“Weight of
the Trailer Tongue” later in this
section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming only the driver is in the
tow vehicle and it has all the
required trailering equipment. The
weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers, and cargo
in the tow vehicle must be
subtracted from the maximum
trailer weight.
Ask your dealer for our trailering
information or advice, or write us at
our Customer Assistance Offices.
See Roadside Service
on
page 13‑7for more information.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle.
If there are a lot of options,
equipment, passengers or cargo in
the vehicle, it will reduce the tongue
weight the vehicle can carry, which
will also reduce the trailer weight the
vehicle can tow. If towing a trailer,
the tongue load must be added to
the GVW because the vehicle will
be carrying that weight, too. See
Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑11for more information about the
vehicle's maximum load capacity.

Black plate (57,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-57
For a weight-carrying hitch, the
trailer tongue (A) should weigh 10 to
15 percent of the total loaded trailer
weight (B).
After loading the trailer, weigh the
trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on the Vehicle's
Tires
Inflate the vehicle's tires to the
upper limit for cold tires. These
numbers can be found on the
Certification label or seeVehicle
Load Limits
on page 9‑11. Do not
go over the GVW limit for the
vehicle, or the GAWR, including the
weight of the trailer tongue.
Trailer Towing (CTS-V)
The vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to tow a trailer.
Towing Equipment
Hitches
Use the correct hitch equipment.
See your dealer or a hitch dealer for
assistance.
.The rear bumper on the vehicle
is not intended for hitches. Do
not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use
only a frame-mounted hitch that
does not attach to the bumper.
.Will any holes be made in the
body of the vehicle when the
trailer hitch is installed? If there
are, seal the holes when the
hitch is removed. If the holes are
not sealed, dirt, water, and
deadly carbon monoxide (CO)
from the exhaust can get into the
vehicle. See Engine Exhaust
on
page 9‑24.

Black plate (2,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
10-2 Vehicle Care
Rear Compartment FuseBlock (CTS Coupe and
Sedan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-58
Rear Compartment Fuse Block (CTS-V Coupe and
Sedan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-60
Rear Compartment Fuse Block (CTS Wagon) . . . . . . . 10-62
Rear Compartment Fuse Block (CTS-V Wagon) . . . . . 10-64
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-66
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-67
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-67
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-68
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-70
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-71
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-74
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-75
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-76
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-77
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-80
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-81 When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-82
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-85
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-85
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-87
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-88
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-89
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-90
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . 10-92
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
(Wagon) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-101
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
(Coupe) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-101
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
(Sedan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-102
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-102
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . 10-111
Jump Starting
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-112
Towing
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . 10-117
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-117
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-120
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-124
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-127

Black plate (11,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-11
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and of
the proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil.”
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See“Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil.”
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System on page 10‑14.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do With
Used Oil.”
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. 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 10‑6for the location of the
engine oil dipstick.
1. If the engine has been running
recently, turn off the engine and
allow several minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Checking your oil level too soon
after engine shutoff will not
provide an accurate oil level
reading. 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
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick, add at
least one liter/quart of the
recommended oil. See “Selecting
the Right Engine Oil” for an
explanation of what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2.

Black plate (25,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-25
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
.Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral) while stopped.
If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle. If the temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slow
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the car in front
of you. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down. Also, see
“Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode”
next in this section.
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode
This operating mode allows the
vehicle to be driven to a safe place
in an emergency. Should a hot
engine condition exist, an overheat
protection mode which alternates
firing groups of cylinders helps
prevent engine damage. In this
mode, there is a loss in power and
engine performance. Driving
extended distances and/or towing a
trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.

Black plate (39,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-39
3. Remove the electrical connectorfrom the bulb by lifting the two
plastic clips.
4. Remove the bulb socket from the lamp housing by turning the
bulb socket one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
5. Pull the old bulb from the lamp housing keeping the bulb
straight as you pull it out.
6. Install a new bulb.
7. Reinstall the electrical connector by pushing in the two plastic
clips.
8. Push the bulb socket into the lamp housing and turn the
socket one‐quarter turn
clockwise.License Plate Lamp
(Coupe and Sedan)
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Push the tab to remove thelicense plate lamp.
2. Turn the license plate lamp assembly down to remove it.
3. Turn the socket counterclockwise and remove it.
4. Pull the bulb straight out to remove it.
5. Push the new bulb straight into the socket.
6. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the license plate lamp
assembly.
License Plate Lamp
(Wagon)
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the liftgate. See Liftgate
(Wagon)
on page 2‑20for more
information.
Passenger Side Shown, Driver
Side Similar
2. Push the left end of the lamp assembly towards the right.
3. Turn the lamp assembly down to remove it from the liftgate.

Black plate (82,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
10-82 Vehicle Care
After the tires have been
rotated, adjust the front and rear
inflation pressures as shown on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. SeeTire Pressure
on
page 10‑74
and Vehicle Load
Limits
on page 9‑11.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation
on page 10‑77.
Make certain that all wheel nuts
are properly tightened. See
“Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications
on
page 12‑2
.
{WARNING
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
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, 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. See If a Tire Goes Flat
on page 10‑90.
Lightly coat the center of the wheel
hub with bearing grease after a
wheel change or tire rotation to
prevent corrosion or rust build-up.
Do not get grease on the flat wheel
surface or on the wheel nuts or
bolts.
When It Is Time for New
Tires
Various factors, such as
maintenance, temperatures, driving
speeds, vehicle loading, and road
conditions influence when you need
new tires.
One way to tell when it is time for
new tires is to check the treadwear
indicators, which appear when the
tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in) or
less of tread remaining. See Tire