2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE maintenance

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle ¯uid to use. SeePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-15.
If the ¯uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
¯uid 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 ¯uid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It doesn't take much ¯uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L). Don't over®ll.
Notice:We recommend you use only ¯uid labeled
DEXRONž±III, because ¯uid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by ¯uid other than DEXRON
ž±III is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
3. After adding ¯uid, recheck the ¯uid level as
described under
How to Check.
4. When the correct ¯uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way and turn the handle
clockwise.
How to Reset the Transaxle Fluid
Indicator
After the transaxle ¯uid has been changed, the transaxle
¯uid change indicator must be reset. To reset the
indicator, do the following:
1. Press the INFO button on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) until TRANS FLUID LIFE is displayed.
2. Press and hold the RESET button until 100%
is displayed. This resets the transaxle ¯uid change
indicator.
The percentage of transaxle ¯uid life remaining may be
checked at any time by pressing the INFO on the
DIC until the TRANS FLUID LIFE message appears.
5-23

Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your
vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality GM
brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system Ð for example, when your brake linings
wear down and you need new ones put in Ð be sure
you get new approved replacement parts. If you
don't, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change Ð for the worse. The braking
performance you've come to expect can change in
many other ways if someone puts in the wrong
replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelcožbattery. When it's time for a new battery, get
one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery's label. We recommend an
ACDelco
žbattery.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.The battery is located under the rear seat cushion.
To access the battery, see ªRemoving the Rear Seat
Cushionº. You don't need to access the battery to jump
start your vehicle. See
Jump Starting on page 5-43.
{CAUTION:
A battery that isn't properly vented can let
sulfuric acid fumes into the area under the rear
seat cushion. These fumes can damage your
rear seat safety belt systems. You may not be
able to see this damage, and the safety belts
might not provide the protection needed in a
crash. If a replacement battery is ever needed,
it must be vented in the same manner as the
original battery. Always make sure that the
vent hose is properly reattached before
reinstalling the seat cushion.
5-41

Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear or cracking. See ªWiper Blade
Checkº under
At Least Twice a Year on page 6-10.
It's a good idea to clean or replace the wiper blade
assembly on a regular basis or when worn. For proper
windshield wiper blade length and type, see
Normal
Maintenance Replacement Parts on page 5-103.
To replace the wiper blade assembly, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY and turn the
wipers on. Position the wipers on the windshield
in the mid-wipe position. Then with a door
open, turn the ignition to OFF.2. Tip the blade up almost to a T position and push
down on the tab to release the wiper blade
assembly.
3. To install, align the wiper blade with the loop on the
wiper blade assembly, and push up to snap it into
place.
5-59

Once a low or high tire pressure condition is detected,
the TPM system will display the CHECK TIRE
MESSAGE each time the engine is started, until the
tire(s) are set to the correct in¯ation pressure.
The Tire-Loading Information Label, which is located on
the rear edge of the driver's door, shows the correct
in¯ation pressure for the tires on your vehicle.
The TPM system also allows the driver to check the air
pressure status of each road tire using the Driver
Information Center (DIC). Each tire's air pressure will be
listed individually, in the following order: LF (left front
or driver's side front tire), RF (right front or passenger's
side front tire), RR (right rear or passenger's side
rear tire) and LR (left rear or driver's side rear tire). See
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure on page 5-61for information
regarding correct tire in¯ation. Also, seeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-57for information on
the DIC controls and displays.If the DIC display doesn't show tire pressures or the
SERVICE TPM SYSTEM message appears, see
your dealer for service. The TPM system may not work
properly while the compact spare tire is installed.
Anytime you replace one or more tires or rotate your
tires, the TPM system will need to be reset. A special
tool is needed to reset the sensor identi®cation
codes. See your dealer for service.
Your vehicle was delivered from the factory with
aluminum valve stem caps. If you ever have to replace
the valve stem caps on your vehicle, you should
replace them with aluminum or plastic caps.
The TPM system can alert you about a low or high tire
pressure condition, but it doesn't replace normal tire
maintenance. See
Tires on page 5-60.
5-63

Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 7,500 miles (12 500 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires
as soon as possible and check wheel alignment. Also
check for damaged tires or wheels. See
When It Is Time
for New Tires on page 5-65andWheel Replacement
on page 5-69for more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The ®rst rotation
is the most important. See
Part A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services on page 6-4for scheduled
rotation intervals.
When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.Don't include the compact spare tire in your tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear in¯ation pressures as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label.
Vehicles equipped with the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system will need to have the sensors reset after a tire
rotation is performed. A special tool is needed to
reset the sensor identi®cation codes. See your dealer
for service.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened.
See ªWheel Nut Torqueº underCapacities and
Speci®cations on page 5-101.
5-64

Notice:If your vehicle has a tire size other than
P235/55R17 size tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you must. Use only SAE Class
ªSº type chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the front tires and tighten them
as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer's instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until
it stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It's unusual for a tire to ªblowoutº while you're driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it's much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a ªblowout,º here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the ¯at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel ®rmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you'd use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.
{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without
the appropriate safety equipment and training.
The jack provided with your vehicle is
designed only for changing a ¯at tire. If it is
used for anything else, you or others could be
badly injured or killed if the vehicle slips off
the jack. Use the jack provided with your
vehicle only for changing a ¯at tire.
If a tire goes ¯at, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a ¯at tire safely.
5-71

Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Original manufacturer replacement parts will provide the
corrosion protection while maintaining the warranty.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the
®nish should be repaired right away. Bare metal
will corrode quickly and may develop into major repair
expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials avaliable from your dealer. Larger areas of
®nish damage can be corrected in your dealer's
body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on
the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, ¯oor pan
and exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.At least every spring, ¯ush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and debris can collect. Dirt packed in close areas of
the frame should be loosened before being ¯ushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can
do this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ring-shaped discolorations,
and small, irregular dark spots etched into the paint
surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, GM will
repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs ®rst.
5-90

Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Part Number
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Element A1208C*
Engine Oil Filter PF58*
Passenger Compartment Air Filter Element **
Spark Plugs41±987*
(GM Part 12571535)
Windshield Wiper Blade
(Shepherd's Hook Type)22 inches (56.5 cm)
*AC Delco
žpart number.
**Use an AC Delcožpart number.
5-103