1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE check oil

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, belt, cooling system and brake adjustment.
Each
of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s
a good idea to review these sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically
to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
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In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called
“T. If you use such fuels, your
emission control system performance may deteriorate
and
the malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument
panel may turn on. If this happens, return
to your
authorized Cadillac dealer for service.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines are now required to
contain additives that will help prevent deposits from
forming
in your engine and fuel system, allowing your
emission control system
to function properly. Therefore,
you should not have to add anything to the fuel. In
addition, gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be
available
in your area to help clean the air. General
Motors recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with
the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts
in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countrics
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in
the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by
use of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation North American Export Sales
(NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you hear at least three clicks. Make sure you fully install
the cap.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one
for you. If you get
the wrong type, it may not
fit or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
.Checking Things Under the Hood
A 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.
A CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant,
brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, 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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine f
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Engine Oil
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A CHECK OIL LEVEL message will appear when
the engine oil
is approximately a quart low. If the
message
is displayed, check the dipstick level and add
oil
as needed.
It's 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
is
located behind
the radiator
on the driver's side of the
engine. The black handle
says ENGINE OIL on it.
Turn off the engine and
give the oil a few minutes
to
drain back into the oil
pan. If you don't, the oil
dipstick
might not show
the actual level.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need
cloth, then push
it back in all the way. Remove it again, to add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This
keeping the tip down, and check the level. part explains
what kind of oil to use. For crankcase
capacity, see “Capacities
and Specifications” in
the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
When to Add Oil
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When to Change Engine Oil
Your Cadillac has an Oil Life Indicator. This feature
will let you know when to change your oil and
filter
-- usually between 3,000 miles (5 000 km) and
7,500 miles (12 500 km) since your last oil change.
Under severe conditions, the indicator may come on
before
3,000 miles (5 OOO km). Never drive your vehicle
more than
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months,
(whichever occurs first) without an oil change.
The system won’t detect dust in the oil.
So, if you
drive in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL message comes on. Remember to reset
the
Oil Life Indicator when the oil has been changed.
For more information, see “Oil Life Indicator”
in
the Index.
How to Reset the Oil Life Indicator
After the oil has been changed, display the OIL LIFE
LEFT message by pressing the INFORMATION button.
Then press and hold the RESET button until the display
shows
“100.” This resets the oil life index. The message
will remain off until the next oil change is needed. The
percentage of oil life remaining may be checked at any
time by pressing the INFORMATION button several
times until the
OIL LIFE LEFT message appears. For more information
on the Oil Life Index
feature, see “oil
Life Indicator” in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t 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 throw
away 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 real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain
all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing
of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
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Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change
both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 0oO km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
0 Uses such
as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid
and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the
Maintenance Schedule booklet.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at
your Cadillac dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here,
or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
I NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle.
Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust ,system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if
you check your
transaxle fluid.
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A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water
or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you
or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
[f you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
lave your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.