
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 (5 000 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
c”
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 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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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine %‘ .
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
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
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.
6-17

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180 OF to 200 OF
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles (24 km)
when outside temperatures are above 50°F (10°C). If it's
colder
than 50°F (lO"C), you may have to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
0 Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
0 With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
0 With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever
in PARK (P).
running.
in
PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes. Then,
without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
1. The black transaxle fluid cap is located next to the
radiator hose and below the air cleaner assembly
on
the driver's side of the engine. Remove the air
cleaner assembly so you can reach the transaxle fluid
cap, The assembly is attached to the vehicle
by two
fasteners. Simply lift up on the air cleaner assembly
to remove it. Find the transaxle fluid cap and turn it
counterclockwise to remove. Pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with
a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way. wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
6-18

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine c
3-
Don’t overfX We recommend you use only fluid
labeled DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that label
is made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON-III is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluidlevel must be
in the cross-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back
in all the way.
5. Replace the air cleaner assembly.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants”
in the Maintenance Schedule booklet.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid
to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole
to bring it to the proper level. It doesn’t
take much fluid, generally less than a pint (0.5 L).
0 When the correct fluid level is obtained, push.the
dipstick back
in all‘ the way.
How to Reset Transaxle Fluid
Change Indicator
Your vehicle is equipped with a transaxle fluid change
indicator.
A CHANGE TRANS FLUID message will
display on the Driver Information Center (DIC) when
the powertrain computer determines that the transaxle
fluid needs to be changed. See your Maintenance
Schedule booklet for more information. When this
message appears, change the transaxle fluid and reset
the transaxle fluid life indicator as follows:
1. Turn the ignition on but do not start the engine.
2. Press and hold the OFF and rear defog buttons on the
climate control at the same time until the TRANS
FLUID
RESET message appears on the DIC.
6-19

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have 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.
6-21

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Coolant
,/'
The surge tank is located next to the engine block on the
passenger's side
of the engine.
The cooling system when hot is under a.lot of pressure.
If the
CHECK COOLANT LEVEL message appears on
the DIC, you will need to add coolant.
A CAUTION:
Tbrning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn
you badly.
Never turn the surge tank pressure cap
-- even a
little -- when the engine and radiator are hot.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the full cold mark, which is 2.5 inches (60 mm) below
the base
of the fill neck. Use a flashlight as necessary to
see into the tank.
-
6-22

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid
reservoir
is located next to
the coolant surge tank on
the passenger’s side
of
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear
an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, unscrew the cap
and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap
and completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again
and look at the fluid level
on the dipstick.
The level should be
at the FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up to
the mark.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Maintenance Schedule booklet.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use.
If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
6-24

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tires
c4; f **I- *.: C
We don’t make tires. Your new Cadillac comes with
high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer.
If you ever have questions about your tire warranty and
where
to obtain service, see your Cadillac Warranty
booklet for details.
A CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are
dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating
as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air-out and a serious
accident. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently
to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should
be checked
when your tires are cold.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Overinflated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken
by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
See “Inflation
-- Tire Pressure” in this section
for inflation pressure adjustment
for higher
speed driving.
Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label which is located on
the
rear edge of the driver’s door, shows the correct
inflation pressures for your tires when they’re cold.
“Cold” means your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than a mile.
If you’ll be driving at speeds higher than 100 mph
(160’km/h) where it is legal, raise the cold inflation
pressure of each tire to
35 psi (240 Wa). When you end
this very high-speed driving, reduce the cold inflation
6-36