service CADILLAC STS 2011 1.G Manual PDF

Black plate (18,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil depends on both the
proper oil specification and viscosity grade:
Specification
Use and ask for engine oils with the dexos™
certification mark. Oils meeting the requirements of your
vehicle should have the dexos™certification mark on
the container. This certification mark indicates that the
oil has been approved to the dexos™ specification.
Your vehicle was filled at the factory with dexos™
approved engine oil. Notice:
Use only engine oil that is approved to the
dexos™ specification or an equivalent engine oil
of the appropriate viscosity grade. Engine oils
approved to the dexos™ specification will show the
dexos™ symbol on the container. Failure to use the
recommended engine oil or equivalent can result in
engine damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.
If you are unsure whether your oil is approved to
the dexos™ specification, ask your service provider.
Use of Substitute Engine Oils if dexos™ is unavailable:
In the event that dexos™ approved engine oil is not
available at an oil change or for maintaining proper oil
level, you may use substitute engine oil displaying the
API Starburst symbol and of SAE 5W-30 viscosity
grade. Use of oils that do not meet the dexos™
specification, however, may result in reduced
performance under certain circumstances.
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Black plate (20,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good hand
cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer's
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from
the filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting
it in the trash or pouring it on the ground, into sewers,
or into streams or bodies of water. Recycle it by taking it
to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that indicates when
to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change is indicated can vary considerably.
For the oil life system to work properly, the system must
be reset every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary.
A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message in the DIC
comes on. See
DIC Warnings and Messages
on
page 4‑76. Change the oil as soon as possible within
the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that,
if driving under the best conditions, the oil life system
might indicate that an oil change is not necessary for up
to a year. The engine oil and filter must be changed at
least once a year and, at this time, the system must be
reset. Your dealer has trained service people who will
perform this work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly over the course of
an oil drain interval and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
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Black plate (23,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Automatic Transmission Fluid
How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only reason for fluid
loss. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to the dealer
service department and have it repaired as soon as
possible.
The vehicle is not equipped with a transmission fluid
level dipstick. There is a special procedure for checking
and changing the transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, it should be done at the dealer
service department. Contact the dealer for additionalinformation or the procedure can be found in the service
manual. To purchase a service manual, see
Service
Publications Ordering Information on page 8‑17.
Notice: Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
fluid may damage the vehicle, and the damages may
not be covered by the vehicle's warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7‑9.
Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed in
Scheduled Maintenance
on page 7‑3, and be sure
to use the fluid listed in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 7‑9.
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Black plate (27,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
The coolant surge tank and pressure cap are located on
the driver's side of the vehicle, toward the rear of the
engine compartment. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview
on page 6‑13for more information on
location. Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant surge
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant 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/FROID line, 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.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
or above the FULL COLD/FROID line on the side of the
coolant surge tank. Follow the arrow from the top of the
tank down the side to the horizontal mark. If it is not,
there could be a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant is low, add the coolant or take the vehicle
to a dealer for service
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Black plate (30,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, startthe engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. The upper radiator
hose is the largest of the hoses which comes 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 FULL COLD/FROID
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.
Start the engine and allow it to warm up.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators to warn of engine
overheating.
There are two engine hot messages that could be
displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC). See
DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑76DIC
Warnings and Messages for more information. If the engine is overheating, then you will find a coolant
temperature gauge and a coolant warning light on the
instrument panel. See
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
on page 4‑61and Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Lighton page 4‑61for more information.
You may decide not to lift the hood when this warning
appears, but instead get service help right away. See
Roadside Service on page 8‑8.
If you do decide to lift the hood , make sure the vehicle
is parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should
be running. If they are not, do not continue to run the
engine and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by the vehicle
warranty. See Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode for information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
Notice: If the engine catches fire while driving with
no coolant, the vehicle can be badly damaged. The
costly repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. See Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
on page 6‑32for information on
driving to a safe place in an emergency.
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Black plate (36,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
What to Add
DOT 3 brake fluid is recommended. DOT 4 brake fluid
is also compatible with the vehicle's brake system parts.
However, if DOT 4 fluid is used, it is recommended that
the brake hydraulic system be flushed and refilled with
new DOT 4 fluid at a regular maintenance service every
two years. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 7‑3.
Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7‑9.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This helps keep dirt
from entering the reservoir.
{WARNING:
With the wrong kind of fluid in the brake hydraulic
system, the brakes might not work well. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake fluid. Notice:
.Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake hydraulic system parts. For example,
just a few drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in the brake hydraulic system
can damage brake hydraulic system parts so
badly that they will have to be replaced. Do
not let someone put in the wrong kind of
fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the vehicle's
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on the vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See
Washing Your Vehicle
on
page 6‑109
.
Brake Wear
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads have
built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new
pads are needed. The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal firmly.
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Black plate (37,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
{WARNING:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
the brakes will not work well. That could lead to a
crash. When the brake wear warning sound is
heard, have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque specifications in
Capacities and Specifications on page 6‑128.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign that brake service might be
required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied, with or without the
vehicle moving, the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. The vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality brake parts.
When parts of the braking system are replaced —for
example, when the brake linings wear down and new
ones are installed —be sure to get new approved
replacement parts. If this is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for the vehicle, the balance
between the front and rear brakes can change —for the
worse. The braking performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong replacement brake
parts are installed.
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Black plate (42,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to thepositive (+) terminal of the dead battery. Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
7. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery. Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one. 8. Now connect the black negative (−) cable to the
negative terminal of the good battery. Use a
remote negative (−) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch anything until the
next step. The other end of the negative (−) cable
does not go to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (−) terminal on the vehicle with the dead
battery.
9. Connect the other end of the negative (−) cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the dead
battery, but not near engine parts that move. The
electrical connection is just as good there, and the
chance of sparks getting back to the battery is
much less.
Use a remote negative (−) terminal if the vehicle
has one. Your vehicle's remote negative (−) ground
location is for this purpose.
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine for a while.
11. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it will not start after a few tries, it probably needs
service.
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Black plate (46,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
How to Check Lubricant
A. Drain Plug
B. Filler Plug
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
located on the front axle, you may need to add some
lubricant.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 7‑9.
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset at the factory and
should need no further adjustment.
However, if your vehicle is damaged in a crash, the
headlamp aim may be affected. Aim adjustment to the
low-beam headlamps may be necessary if oncoming
drivers flash their high-beam headlamps at you (for
vertical aim).
If the headlamps need to be re-aimed, it is
recommended that you take the vehicle to your dealer
for service.
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Black plate (47,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulbs, see
Replacement Bulbs on page 6‑48.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer.
High Intensity Discharge (HID)
Lighting
{WARNING:
The low beam high intensity discharge lighting
system operates at a very high voltage. If you try
to service any of the system components, you
could be seriously injured. Have your dealer or a
qualified technician service them.The vehicle may have HID headlamps. After an HID
headlamp bulb has been replaced, you may notice that
the beam is a slightly different shade than it was
originally. This is normal.
Halogen Bulbs
{WARNING:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
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