2005 CADILLAC STS oil level

DIC Controls and Displays
The Driver Information Center (DIC) has different
modes which can be accessed by pressing the four
DIC buttons located on the instrument panel, to the
left of the steering wheel.
DIC Buttons (Base Level)
If your vehicle does not
have a Head-Up Display
(HUD), these are the
buttons for your DIC.
«4ª(Information):Press the top or bottom of this
button to scroll through the available vehicle information
displays which include fuel range, fuel economy, fuel
used, average speed, timer, battery voltage, tire pressure
(if equipped with a tire pressure monitor), engine oil life
(if equipped) and digital speed display (if equipped).
See “MPH (km)” later in this section for more information
on the digital speed display.
AB
300 (Trip Information):Press the top of this
button to scroll through the odometer, trip odometer A
and trip odometer B. Press and hold the bottom of
this button to reset each trip odometer back to zero.
4// (Reset):Press this button to reset certain DIC
features and to acknowledge DIC warning messages
and clear them from the DIC display.
EM (English/Metric):Press this button to change the
display from English to metric.
3-74

DIC Buttons (Uplevel)
If your vehicle has a HUD,
these are the buttons for
your DIC.
«4ª(Information):Press the top or bottom of this
button to scroll through the available vehicle information
displays which include fuel range, fuel economy, fuel
used, average speed, timer, battery voltage, tire
pressure (if equipped with a tire pressure monitor),
engine oil life (if equipped), display units and digital
speed display (if equipped). See “MPH (km)” later in
this section for more information on the digital speed
display.
«~ª(Head-Up Display):Press this button to
change the position of the HUD on the windshield. Press
the top part of the button to move the HUD image up.
Press the bottom part of the button to move the
HUD image down.
You can also adjust the brightness of the HUD image.
Press in the center knob on the DIC control panel
until the knob pops out. Then pull the knob until it stops.
Turn the knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
increase or decrease the brightness. If you turn the
knob all the way counterclockwise, the HUD image will
turn off. SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-43
for more information.
For information on adjusting the instrument panel
brightness, seeInstrument Panel Brightness on
page 3-41.
4// (Reset):Press this button to reset certain DIC
features and to acknowledge DIC warning messages
and clear them from the DIC display.
3(Trip Information):Press this button to scroll
through the odometer, trip odometer A and trip
odometer B. To reset each trip odometer, either press
the reset button or press and hold the trip information
button until the trip odometer displayed returns to zero.
3-75

Information Display Menu Items
The following display menu items can be displayed
by pressing the information button.
ENGLISH DISPLAY UNITS
(METRIC DISPLAY UNITS)
This display allows you to select between English and
metric units of measurement if your vehicle has the
uplevel DIC. Press the reset button to switch between
English and metric units.
ENGINE OIL LIFE
This display, if equipped, shows the estimated oil life
remaining. If you see 99% ENGINE OIL LIFE on
the display, that means that 99% of the current oil life
remains.
When the oil life is depleted, the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message will appear on the display. You
should change your oil as soon as possible. In addition
to the engine oil life system monitoring the oil life,
additional maintenance is recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule in this manual. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4andEngine Oil on page 5-15.
After an oil change, reset the ENGINE OIL LIFE
display by pressing the reset button for three seconds.
The display will show 100% ENGINE OIL LIFE after
it has been reset. Also clear the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message from the display. SeeEngine Oil
Life System on page 5-18for more information.
TIRE PRESSURE
This display, if equipped, shows the air pressure of each
road tire in either pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascals (kPa). If the tire pressure is normal, the value
will display. If the tire pressure is low, LOW will appear on
the display with the value. If the tire pressure is high,
HIGH will appear on the display with the value. Press the
information button to scroll through the following displays:
RR TIRE:This display shows the air pressure in the
passenger’s side rear tire.
LR TIRE:This display shows the air pressure in the
driver’s side rear tire.
RF TIRE:This display shows the air pressure in the
passenger’s side front tire.
LF TIRE:This display shows the air pressure in the
driver’s side front tire.
If the tire pressure display shows dashes instead of a
value, there may be a problem with your vehicle. If this
consistently occurs, see your GM dealer for service.
BATTERY VOLTS
This display shows the current battery voltage. If the
voltage is in the normal range, the value will display. For
example, the display may read 13.2 BATTERY VOLTS.
If the voltage is low, the display will have LOW after it.
If the voltage is high, the display will have HIGH after it.
3-76

CHECK BRAKE FLUID
This message will display if the ignition is on to inform
the driver that the brake uid level is low. Have the
brake system serviced by your GM dealer as soon as
possible. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-64
for more information.
CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
This message will display when there is a low level of
engine coolant. Have the cooling system serviced
by your GM dealer as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-22for more information.
CHECK GAS CAP
When this message displays, the gas cap has not been
fully tightened. You should recheck the gas cap to
ensure that it is on and tightened properly.
CHECK OIL LEVEL
This message will display when the oil level is low.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15for more information on
checking your engine oil.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
This symbol appears
with the CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE message.
If your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitor,
this message will display when one or more of the
vehicle’s tires are low or high. SeeDIC Controls and
Displays on page 3-74for information on checking your
vehicle’s tire pressures.
3-81

Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do
not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive
on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed
according to your speedometer, not to your sense
of motion. After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower
than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you are not fresh — such as after
a day’s work — do not plan to make too many miles that
rst part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course, you
will nd experienced and able service experts in GM
dealerships all across North America. They will be ready
and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-22

After you have removed the sight shields (if equipped)
on the 4.6L V8 engine, here is what you will see:
A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-96.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-37.
C. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-58.
D. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-32.
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-31.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-34.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-24
andCooling System on page 5-27.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.If your vehicle is equipped with front compartment
underhood sight shields, before closing the hood be sure
to replace the sight shields. To replace the shields,
locate the ribs on the underside of each shield and guide
the ribs on to the supporting shock towers. Then
insert the fasteners into the top of the shield and push
the fasteners back into place.
Engine Oil
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. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. 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.
2. 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.
5-15

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of the
dipstick, then you will need to add at least one quart of oil.
But you must use the right kind. This section explains
what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity,
seeCapacities and Specications on page 5-106.Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be damaged.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the
way back in when you are through. 3.6L V6 Engine
4.6L V8 Engine
3.6L V6 Engine4.6L V8 Engine
5-16

Your vehicle’s engine is lled at the factory with a
Mobil 1®synthetic oil, which meets all requirements for
your vehicle.
Substitute Engine Oil: When adding oil to maintain
engine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M
may not be available. You can add substitute oil
designated SAE 5W-30 with the starburst symbol at all
temperatures. Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard
GM4718M should not be used for an oil change.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM4718M are all you will need for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and lter. 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 SOON message in
the DIC will come on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-78. Change your oil as soon as possible
within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). 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.
5-18