2001 CADILLAC ELDORADO check oil

6-5
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 Countries
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.
Filling Your Tank
CAUTION:
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don't smoke if you're near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.

6-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
CAUTION:
Never fill 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 fill 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 fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

Don't 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 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.

6-11
Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are on
properly. Then pull the hood down and close it firmly.
Underhood Lamp
Turn the parking lamps on to operate the underhood lamp.
The underhood lamp will come on when the hood is opened.
Engine Oil
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message appears on the
instrument panel, it means you need to check your
engine oil level right away. For more information, see
CHECK OIL LEVEL message in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
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. For more
information on location, see
ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index.
The yellow handle says
ENGINE OIL on it.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.

6-12
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 ªCapacities and Specificationsº
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.
The engine oil fill cap is
located behind the radiator
on the passenger's side of
the engine. For more
information on location, see
ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index.
Turn the cap
counterclockwise 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.

6-15
How to Reset the Oil Life Indicator
1. After the oil has been changed, display the OIL LIFE
LEFT message by pressing the SKIP INFO button.
2. Then press and hold the NO INFO RESET button
until the display shows 100% ENGINE OIL LIFE.
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 SKIP INFO
button several times until the OIL LIFE LEFT
message appears.
For more information on the Oil Life feature, see
ªOil Life Indicatorº 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
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

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 change
until the message CHANGE TRANS FLUID appears on
the Driver Information Center.
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the
Maintenance Schedule booklet.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the 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.
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 90F (32C).

At high speed for quite a while.

In heavy traffic
-- especially in hot weather.

While pulling a trailer.

6-68 Wheel Nut Torque
100 lb-ft (140 N´m)
Capacities
Transaxle (4T80-E) 15.0 quarts (14.2 L). . . . . . . . . .
Crankcase (Engine Oil with
Filter Change) 7.5 quarts (7.1 L). . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Cooling System 12.5 quarts (11.8 L). . . . . . .
Fuel Tank 19.0 U.S. gallons (71.9 L). . . . . . . . . . . . .
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to
fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck fluid level after filling.
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Air Filter Element AC Type A1096C. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Filter Element AC Type GF
-650 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil Filter AC Type PF
-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PCV Valve AC Type CV
-774C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark Plugs PT16EPR
-C13 (GM part 12561466) . . .
Gap: 0.050 inches (1.3 mm)
Thermostat AC Type 131
-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Wiper
Blade (Pin Type) 22 inches (56.5 cm). . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle Dimensions
Wheel Base 108.0 inches (274.3 cm). . . . . . . . . . . .
Length 200.6 inches (509.5 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Height 53.6 inches (136.1 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Width 75.5 inches (191.8 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Tread 60.9 inches (154.6 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Tread 60.9 inches (154.6 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . .