2002 CADILLAC ELDORADO Owners Manual

6-13
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 engine oil 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 vehicle. 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.

6-14 What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the starburst symbol.
This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any
oil which does not carry this starburst symbol.
If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the starburst symbol on the
front of the oil container.
If you have your oil
changed for you, be sure
the oil put into your engine
is American Petroleum
Institute certified for
gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:

6-15
As in the chart shown previously, SAE 5W-30 is best for
your vehicle. However, you can use SAE 10W
-30 if it's
going to be 0F (
-18C) or above. These numbers on
an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not
use other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W
-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline
Engines starburst symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage
not covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench
oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20F (-29C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W
-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based
on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not
on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage
at which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly,
you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL message in
the Driver Information Center (DIC) will come on.
Change your oil as soon as possible within the next
two times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you
are driving under the best conditions, the oil life system
may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for
over a year. However, your engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the system
must be reset. It is also important to check your oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level.

6-16
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change
your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
How to Reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL Message
The GM Oil Life System
calculates when to change
your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Anytime
your oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation
occurs where you change your oil prior to a CHANGE
ENGINE OIL message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC) being turned on, reset the system.
Use the following steps to reset the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL message:
1. After the oil has been changed, display the OIL
LIFE LEFT message by pressing the SKIP INFO
button repeatedly.
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
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 threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
filter before disposal. Never 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.

6-17
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is located next to the
windshield washer fluid reservoir in the engine
compartment on the driver's side of the vehicle.
For more information on location, see ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº in the Index.Be sure the engine has cooled before following these
steps to replace the engine air cleaner/filter:
1. Loosen the air duct
clamp, which is
located at the mass
airflow sensor end of
the air duct.
2. Disconnect the air duct from the mass airflow sensor.

6-18
3. Unhook both engine air cleaner/filter cover
latches. One latch is located near the radiator
hose (not shown) and the other latch is located
next to the mass airflow sensor.
4. Pivot the air cleaner and air duct assembly toward
the front of the vehicle. Remove the cover.5. Take out the engine air cleaner/filter and remove any
loose debris that may be found in the base.
6. Install a new engine air cleaner/filter element.
See ªNormal Maintenance Replacement Partsº
in the Index.

6-19
Follow these steps to reinstall the engine air
cleaner/filter assembly:
1. Slide the lid into the slots in the front edge of
the base.
2. Pivot the cover and the air duct assembly
downward. Make sure that both latches are
secure and fully engaged.
3. Reinstall the clean air duct over the mass airflow
sensor. Make sure that the duct is secure around
the entire outer edge of the sensor.
4. Tighten the air duct clamp.
5. Reconnect the mass airflow sensor.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
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/filter off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner/filter is off, a backfire can
cause a damaging engine fire. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter in place when
you're driving.

6-20
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 Index.
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.
Too little fluid could cause the transaxle to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading
if you check your transaxle fluid.