Page 299 of 386
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Engine Oil
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
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need
to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This part explains what kind
of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
I 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.
The oil fill cap is located
behind the radiator on the
passenger’s side of the
engine.
Turn the cap to the
left to remove it.
Be sure to fill
it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
6-12
Page 302 of 386

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Reset the Oil Life Indicator
After the oil has been changed, display the OIL LIFE
LEFT message by pressing the INFORMATION (INFO)
button. Then press and hold the RESET (INFO 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 (INFO) 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.
Air Cleaner
The air cleaner is located next to the windshield washer
fluid reservoir on the driver’s side
of the engine. Be sure
the engine has cooled before following these steps to
replace the air cleaner filter:
6-15
Page 305 of 386

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others to be burned, The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame if the engine
backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned, Don’t drive with
it
off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner
off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfke can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
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:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
0 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.
0 Use such as limousine service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require change
until
the message CHANGE TRANS FLUID appears
on the Driver Information Center.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the
Maintenance Schedule booklet.
6-18
Page 306 of 386

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
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).
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°F to
200°F (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 ( 10°C),
you may have to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
0
0
0
0
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift
lever in PARK (P).
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).
Let the engine
run at idle for three to five minutes.
Page 307 of 386

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
I
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. Lift up on the air cleaner assembly to
remove it.
2. Find the transaxle fluid cap and turn it to the left
to remove.
3. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
4. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
paper towel.
then pull it back out again.
5. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The fluid level must be in the
cross-hatched area.
6. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push
the dipstick back in all the way. 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.
6-20
Page 308 of 386

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 one
pint
(0.5 L). Don’t overfill.
NOTICE:
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-111
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
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
or at each 100,000 miles
(160 000 km) interval, whichever occurs first. 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 OW and rear defog buttons on the
climate control at the same time until the TRANS
FLUID
RESET message appears on the DIC.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
6-21
Page 310 of 386

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL@ coolant which
won’t damage aluminum
parts. If you use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
I
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 mixture will. Your vehicle’s coolant
warning system
is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
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 mixture of clean water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mixture 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.
6-23
Page 311 of 386
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Coolant
L
The surge tank is located next to the engine block on the
passenger's side of the engine.
The cooling system is under a lot of pressure when it is
hot.
If the CHECK COOLANT LEVEL message
appears on the Driver Information Center (DIC), you
will need to add coolant.
l'brning 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 (6.4 cm)
below the base
of the fill neck. Use a flashlight as
necessary to
see into the tank.
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FUEL ONLY IJIJ DJ DJ MK
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If the CHECK COOLANT LEVEL message comes on,
it means you're low on engine coolant.
For more information, see "Check Coolant Level"
message in the Index.