2004 CADILLAC CTS V check engine light

Engine Oil
If the oil pressure light
and/or the Oil Pressure
Low - Stop Engine
message on the DIC
appears on the instrument
cluster, it means you
need to check your engine
oil level right away.
For more information, see “Oil Pressure Low - Stop
Engine” underDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-70andOil Pressure Light on page 3-49.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is 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 handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this, the
oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
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.
3.2L V6 Engine
3.6L V6 Engine
5-18

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 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
lter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. Your dealer has
GM-trained service people who will perform this
work using genuine GM parts and reset the system. It is
also important to check your oil regularly and keep it
at the proper level.
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 and the Oil Life Indicator
The GM Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and lter 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 DIC being turned on,
reset the system.After the oil has been changed, the Change Engine Oil
message and the oil life indicator must be reset.
To reset the message and indicator, use one of the
following procedures:
Base Audio System
Press the CLR button located to the right of the DIC
display to acknowledge the Change Engine Oil
message. This will clear the message from the display
and reset it.
To reset the oil life indicator, use the following steps:
1. Press the up or down arrow on the INFO button
located to the right of the DIC display to access
the DIC menu.
2. Once XXX% ENGINE OIL LIFE menu item is
highlighted, press and hold the CLR button.
The percentage will return to 100, and the oil life
indicator will be reset. Repeat the steps if the
percentage does not return to 100.
3. Turn the key to OFF.
If the Change Engine Oil message comes back on
when you start your vehicle, the engine oil life system
has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
5-22

The coolant level should be at or slightly above the
FULL COLD/FROID line on the side of the coolant surge
tank. If it isn’t, you may have a leak at the pressure
cap or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator,
water pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant.
That could cause an engine re, and you could
be burned. Get any leak xed before you drive
the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, both fans should be
running. If they aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-35

If the ignition is in ON and the brake uid is low, the
“Check Brake Fluid” message will be displayed in
the DIC. See “Check Brake Fluid Message” underDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-70.
When your brake uid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-43.
What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3 brake
uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed container
only. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-13.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system parts so
badly that they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake uid on your
vehicle. If you do, wash it off immediately.
SeeAppearance Care on page 5-92.
5-43

Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Don’t add anything electrical to your
vehicle unless you check with your dealer rst.
Some electrical equipment can damage your vehicle
and the damage wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from working as they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your vehicle, seeServicing
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-58.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by an internal
circuit breaker. If the wiper motor overheats due to
heavy snow, the wipers will stop until the motor cools
and will then restart.
Power Windows and Other
Power Options
Circuit breakers protect the power windows and power
seats. When the current load is too heavy, the circuit
breaker opens and closes, protecting the circuit until the
problem is xed or goes away.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the chance of res
caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical
size and rating. If a fuse blows, see your dealer
for service immediately.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have
a spare fuse, you can “borrow” one that has the
same amperage. Pick some feature of your vehicle that
you can get along without – like the radio or cigarette
lighter – and use its fuse, if it is the correct amperage.
Replace it as soon as you can.
The fuses are located in three fuse blocks, one located
in the engine compartment on the passenger’s side
and the other two under the rear seat.
5-100

CD Messages...............................................3-122
Cellular Phone Usage....................................3-126
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-51
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-53
Chains, Tire...................................................5-78
Change Engine Oil..........................................3-73
Change Trans (Transmission) Fluid
(Automatic Transmission)..............................3-73
Charging System Light....................................3-43
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-47
Engine Oil Pressure Message.......................3-58
Check Brake Fluid..........................................3-74
Check Coolant Level.......................................3-74
Check Engine Light.........................................3-47
Check Gas Cap..............................................3-74
Check Washer Fluid........................................3-75
Checking Coolant............................................5-30
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-18
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-97
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-35
Infants and Young Children...........................1-32
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-41Child Restraints (cont.)
Older Children.............................................1-29
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-43
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-43
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-46
Top Strap...................................................1-39
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-40
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-38
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-28
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-92
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-95
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-97
Weatherstrips..............................................5-94
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels......5-96
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-95
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-92
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-94
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-93
Cleaning Leather............................................5-93
Cleaning the Mirror.................................2-41, 2-43
Cleaning the Speaker Covers...........................5-94
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-93
3

Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-24
Battery.......................................................5-45
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-47
Check Oil Pressure Message........................3-58
Coolant......................................................5-29
Coolant Heater............................................2-25
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-46
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-45
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-39
Oil .............................................................5-18
Oil Temperature Warning Message.................3-58
Overheating................................................5-31
Starting......................................................2-24
Engine Coolant Hot – AC (Air Conditioning) Off......3-76
Engine Coolant Hot – Idle Engine.....................3-76
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-45
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-21
Engine Overheated – Stop Engine....................3-77
Engine Power Reduced...................................3-77
Engine Specications.....................................5-112
Engine Speed Limiter......................................3-41
Entering the Personalization Menu.....................3-89
Entry Lighting.................................................3-27
Erasing HomeLink
®Buttons..............................2-50
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9Exiting the Personalization Menu.....................3-107
Express-Down Window....................................2-15
Express-Up Window........................................2-15
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-28
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-24
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-26
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-24
Finding a Station...........................................3-110
Finish Care....................................................5-95
Finish Damage...............................................5-97
Five-Speed (CTS)...........................................2-33
Flash-To-Pass Feature.....................................3-11
Flat Tire........................................................5-79
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-81
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-25
Manual Transmission....................................5-27
Power Steering...........................................5-40
Windshield Washer......................................5-41
FM Stereo....................................................3-125
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-51
Fog Lamps....................................................3-13
6

Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-25
Hitches..........................................................4-42
HomeLink
®Transmitter....................................2-46
HomeLink®Transmitter, Programming................2-47
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-7
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning Message........3-57
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank.................................................5-36
How to Add Fluid............................................5-27
How to Check........................................5-27, 5-68
How to Check and Add Fluid............................5-28
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-51
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-40
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-24
How to Reset the Change Transmission
Fluid Message and the Transmission Fluid
Indicator (Automatic Transmission).................5-26
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-14
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-28
Hydroplaning..................................................4-21
I
Ice Possible...................................................3-78
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-33
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-32
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-48
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-48
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-30
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-32
If You Do Decide to Pull a Trailer......................4-40
Ignition Positions.............................................2-22
Immobilizer....................................................2-19
Immobilizer Operation......................................2-20
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-32
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-67
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-38
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-26
Interior Lamps................................................3-26
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-46
8