fuel CADILLAC STS 2007 1.G Owner's Manual

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.
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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.
If your vehicle has the 4.4L V8 engine
(VIN Code D), use premium unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 91 or higher. For best
performance, use premium unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 93. In an emergency, you
can use regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating of 87 or higher. If 87 octane fuel is used, do
not perform any aggressive driving maneuvers such
as wide open throttle applications. You may also
hear audible spark knock during acceleration. Rell
your tank with premium fuel as soon as possible to
avoid damaging your engine. If you are using
gasoline rated at 91 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 367for 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.
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The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on and
your vehicle may fail a smog-check test. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 252. 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.
To help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean,
or if your vehicle experiences problems due to
dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that is
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Also,
your dealer has additives that will help correct
and prevent most deposit-related problems.Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may
be available in your area. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels
containing more than 10% ethanol must not be
used in vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for
fuel that contains methanol. Do not use
fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in the fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage would
not be covered under your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you
buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT.
General Motors recommends against the use of
such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce
the life of spark plugs and the performance of
the emission control system may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp may turn on. If this
occurs, return to your dealer for service.
367

Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be
hard to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other
fuel not recommended in the previous text on fuel.
Costly repairs caused by use of improper fuel would
not be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business
in the country where you will be driving.
Filling the Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re
can cause bad injuries. To help avoid
injuries to you and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the pump island.
Turn off your engine when you are
refueling. Do not smoke if you are near
fuel or refueling your vehicle. Do not use
cellular phones. Keep sparks, ames, and
smoking materials away from fuel. Do not
leave the fuel pump unattended when
refueling your vehicle. This is against the
law in some places. Do not re-enter
vehicle while pumping fuel. Keep children
away from the fuel pump; never let
children pump fuel.
368

The tethered fuel cap
is located behind a
hinged fuel door on the
passenger’s side of
the vehicle.
To open the fuel door, apply pressure in the
center of the rear edge of the fuel door and it will
pop open.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly
counterclockwise. The fuel cap has a spring in it;
if the cap is released too soon, it will spring back to
the right.
While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap from
the hook on the fuel door.
{CAUTION:
If you spill fuel and then something
ignites it, you could be badly burned. Fuel
can spray out on you if you open the fuel
cap too quickly. This spray can happen if
your tank is nearly full, and is more likely
in hot weather. Open the fuel cap slowly
and wait for any hiss noise to stop. Then
unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overll
the tank, and wait a few seconds after you have
nished pumping before removing the nozzle.
Clean fuel from painted surfaces as soon as
possible. SeeWashing Your Vehicle on page 480.
369

When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until
it clicks. Make sure the cap is fully installed.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed.
This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 252.
The CHECK GAS CAP message will appear on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) display if
the fuel cap is not reinstalled properly. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 264for
more information.
{CAUTION:
If a re starts while you are refueling, do
not remove the nozzle. Shut off the ow of
fuel by shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant. Leave the
area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to
get the right type. Your dealer can get one
for you. If you get the wrong type, it may not
t properly. This may cause your malfunction
indicator lamp to light and may damage
your fuel tank and emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 252.
370

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it
is in your vehicle. Static electricity
discharge from the container can ignite the
gasoline vapor. You can be badly burned
and your vehicle damaged if this occurs.
To help avoid injury to you and others:
Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup
bed, or on any surface other than the
ground.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ll opening before
operating the nozzle. Contact should
be maintained until the lling is
complete.
Do not smoke while pumping
gasoline.
Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping gasoline.
371

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, do the following:
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.
372

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

Cold Tire Pressure:The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch
(psi) or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up
heat from driving. SeeInation - Tire Pressure
on page 431.
Curb Weight:This means the weight of a motor
vehicle with standard and optional equipment
including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and
coolant, but without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:A code molded into the sidewall
of a tire signifying that the tire is in compliance
with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
motor vehicle safety standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identication Number (TIN),
an alphanumeric designator which can also identify
the tire manufacturer, production plant, brand,
and date of production.
GVWR:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. See
Loading Your Vehicle on page 349.
GAWR FRT:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the
front axle. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 349.GAWR RR:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear
axle. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 349.
Intended Outboard Sidewall:The side of
an asymmetrical tire, that must always face
outward when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa):The metric unit for air pressure.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:A tire used on
light duty trucks and some multipurpose passenger
vehicles.
Load Index:An assigned number ranging from
1 to 279 that corresponds to the load carrying
capacity of a tire.
Maximum Ination Pressure:The maximum air
pressure to which a cold tire may be inated.
The maximum air pressure is molded onto
the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating:The load rating for a tire
at the maximum permissible ination pressure
for that tire.
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