checking oil CADILLAC XLR V 2006 1.G Owners Manual

HOT ENGINE–A/C OFF:This message displays when
the engine coolant becomes hotter than the normal
operating temperature. To avoid added strain on a hot
engine, the air conditioning compressor is automatically
turned off. When the coolant temperature returns to
normal, the A/C operation will automatically resume.
You can continue to drive your vehicle. If this message
continues to appear, have the system repaired by
your GM dealer as soon as possible to avoid
compressor damage.
ICE POSSIBLE:This message appears when the
outside air temperature is cold enough to create icy
road conditions.
LEFT DOOR AJAR:This message will display anytime
the vehicle engine is running, the transmission is not
in PARK (P) and the driver’s door is open or ajar.
A chime will sound when the vehicle’s speed is greater
than 3 mph (4.8 km/h).
LOW BRAKE FLUID:This message will display if the
vehicle is running to inform the driver that the brake
uid level is low. Have the brake system serviced
by your GM dealer as soon as possible. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 6-35.LOW COOLANT:This message will appear when there
is a low level of engine coolant. Have the cooling
system serviced by your GM dealer as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 6-22.
LOW FUEL:This message will appear when the fuel
supply is less than 5 gallons (18.9 L) and the display is
turned off. A single chime will also sound when this
message is displayed.
LOW OIL LEVEL:For correct operation of the low oil
sensing system, your vehicle should be on a level
surface. A false LOW OIL LEVEL message may appear
if the vehicle is parked on a grade. The oil level
sensing system does not check for actual oil level if
the engine has been off for a short period of time,
and the oil level is never checked while the engine is
running. If the LOW OIL LEVEL message appears,
and your vehicle has been parked on level ground
with the engine off for at least 30 minutes, the oil level
should be checked by observing the oil dipstick. Prior
to checking the oil level, be sure the engine has been
off for a few minutes and your vehicle is on a level
surface. Then check the dipstick and add oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 6-15.
3-70

Service............................................................6-3
Accessories and Modications..........................6-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................6-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................6-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................6-4
Fuel................................................................6-4
Gasoline Octane............................................6-5
Gasoline Specications....................................6-5
California Fuel...............................................6-5
Additives.......................................................6-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................6-6
Filling the Tank..............................................6-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................6-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................6-10
Hood Release..............................................6-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................6-12
Engine Oil...................................................6-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................6-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................6-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................6-21
Engine Coolant.............................................6-22
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................6-25
Engine Overheating.......................................6-25
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................6-27Cooling System............................................6-28
Power Steering Fluid.....................................6-33
Windshield Washer Fluid................................6-34
Brakes........................................................6-35
Battery........................................................6-38
Jump Starting...............................................6-39
Rear Axle.......................................................6-44
Headlamp Aiming...........................................6-45
Headlamp Vertical Aiming..............................6-46
Bulb Replacement..........................................6-48
Windshield Replacement.................................6-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............6-49
Tires..............................................................6-50
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................6-52
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................6-54
Run-Flat Tires..............................................6-56
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................6-58
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................6-59
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................6-62
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................6-63
Buying New Tires.........................................6-64
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................6-65
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................6-66
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................6-67
Wheel Replacement......................................6-67
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-1

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.
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.
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.
6-10

A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 6-38.
B. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-47.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 6-89.
D. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering Fluid
on page 6-33.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6-20.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15.G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 6-35.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on
page 6-25.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-34.
6-13

A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 6-38Battery.
B. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-47Passenger
Compartment Air Filter.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 6-89Underhood Fuse Block.
D. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 6-33Power Steering Fluid.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6-20Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15Engine Oil.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15Engine Oil.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 6-35Brakes.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 6-25
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-34Windshield Washer Fluid.Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL LEVEL or LOW OIL PRESSURE
message on the Driver Information Center appears
(DIC), it means you need to check your engine oil level
right away. For more information, see LOW OIL LEVEL
and LOW OIL PRESSURE underDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-67.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your 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 6-12for
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.
6-15

Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake uid without taking off the cap.
Look at the brake uid reservoir. The uid level should
be above the MIN mark on the reservoir. If it is not, have
your brake system checked to see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure the level is between the MIN and MAX marks.
What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3 brake
uid. Refer toRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 7-11. Use new brake uid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the
area around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system parts so
badly that they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake uid on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. SeeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 6-80.
6-36