2006 CADILLAC CTS maintenance

Rear Axle
When to Check Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check rear axle uid
unless you suspect there is a leak or you hear an
unusual noise. A uid loss could indicate a problem.
Have it inspected and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the ller plug hole,
located on the rear axle, you’ll need to add some
lubricant. Add enough lubricant to raise the level to the
bottom of the ller plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-13.
5-48

4. Pull the lamp assembly away from the vehicle to
expose the bulb sockets.
5. Turn the bulb socket one-quarter turn
counterclockwise and pull the bulb and socket out
of the lamp reector.
6. Pull the old bulb from the bulb socket keeping the
bulb straight as you pull it out.
7. Install a new bulb.
8. Reverse the steps to reinstall the lamp assembly.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb Number
Back-Up, Front/Rear Turn Signal,
Stoplamp and Taillamp3157K
Fog Lamp 9145
License Plate Lamp W5WLL
Rear Sidemarker Lamp W5WLL
For replacement bulbs not listed here, contact
your dealer.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected for wear
or cracking. SeeOwner Checks and Services on
page 6-9.
It is 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, seeNormal
Maintenance Replacement Parts on page 6-15.
To replace the wiper blade assembly, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition to ON with the engine off.
2. Turn on the windshield wipers and turn them off
again when the wipers are in the out-wipe position.
The driver’s side blade will be straight up and
down on the windshield.
3. Pull the windshield wiper assembly away from the
windshield.
5-55

Your vehicle’s TPMS can alert you about a low tire
pressure condition but it does not replace normal tire
maintenance. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-71andTires on page 5-57.
Notice:Do not use a tire sealant if your vehicle
has Tire Pressure Monitors. The liquid sealant can
damage the tire pressure monitor sensors.
TPMS Sensor Identication Codes
Each TPMS sensor has a unique identication code.
Any time you replace one or more of the TPMS sensors
or rotate the tires, the identication codes will need to
be matched to the new tire and wheel position. The
sensors are matched, to the tire and wheel positions,
in the following order: left front (LF), right front (RF), right
rear (RR), and left rear (LR) using a TPMS diagnostic
tool. See your GM dealer for service.
The TPMS sensors may also be matched to each tire
and wheel position by increasing or decreasing the
tire’s air pressure. When increasing tire pressure do
not exceed the maximum ination pressure indicated
on the tire’s sidewall.
You will have two minutes to match the rst tire and
wheel position, and ve minutes overall, to match all
four tire and wheel positions. If it takes longer than
two minutes, to match the rst tire and wheel, or more
than ve minutes to match all four tire and wheel
positions the matching process stops and you will
need to start over.The TPM matching process is outlined below:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition switch to ON with the engine off.
3. Using the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter,
lock and unlock the vehicle’s doors.
4. Press the lock and unlock buttons, at the same
time, on the RKE transmitter. A single horn chirp
will sound, indicating that the TPMS system is
ready, and the sensor matching process can begin.
5. Start with the driver’s side front tire.
6. Remove the valve cap from the valve stem.
Activate the TPMS sensor by increasing or
decreasing the tire’s air pressure for ve seconds,
or until a horn chirp sounds. The horn chirp,
which may take up to 30 seconds, conrms that the
sensor identication code has been matched to
this tire position. To decrease the tire’s air-pressure
use the pointed end of the valve cap, a pencil-style
air pressure gage, or a key.
7. Proceed to the passenger’s side front tire, and
repeat the procedure in Step 6.
8. Proceed to the passenger’s side rear tire, and
repeat the procedure in Step 6.
9. Proceed to the driver’s side rear tire, and repeat
the procedure in Step 6.
5-69

Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km).
If your vehicle has P245/45ZR18 96W size tires,
GM recommends rotating these tires at 3,000 mile
(4 800 km) intervals. These tires are optimized for dry
traction and handling performance. Tread life may
be 15,000 miles (24 140 km) or less for these tires,
depending on how and where you drive.
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your vehicle’s
tires as soon as possible and check wheel alignment.
Also check for damaged tires or wheels. SeeWhen
It Is Time for New Tires on page 5-72andWheel
Replacement on page 5-77for 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. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4.When rotating your vehicle’s tires, always use the
correct rotation pattern shown here.
If your vehicle has a compact spare tire, do not include
it in the tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear ination pressures as shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-32, for an example of the tire and loading
information label and its location on your vehicle.
5-71

If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to “blowout” while you are driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. See
Tires on page 5-57. If air goes out of a tire, it is much
more likely to leak out slowly. But if you should ever
have a “blowout”, 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.If a tire goes at, and your vehicle has a spare tire,
seeChanging a Flat Tire (CTS Only) on page 5-84.
This information shows you how to use your vehicle’s
tire changing equipment and how to change a at
tire safely.
{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.
5-82

3. Attach the wheel wrench to the jack.
{CAUTION:
Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up
is dangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack
you could be badly injured or killed. Never get
under a vehicle when it is supported only by
a jack.
{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.
{CAUTION:
Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly
positioned can damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help avoid personal
injury and vehicle damage, be sure to t the
jack lift head into the proper location before
raising the vehicle.
Notice:If you position the jack under the rocker
molding and attempt to raise the vehicle, you could
break the molding and/or cause other damage to
your vehicle. Always position the jack so that when
the jack head is raised, it will t rmly in the
notch located inboard from the rocker molding.
4. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the jack lift head until the jack ts under the
vehicle.
5-88

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 available 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, corrosion and rust can develop 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 the 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.
5-101

Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
Using the Maintenance Schedule......................6-3
Scheduled Maintenance...................................6-4
Additional Required Services............................6-6
Maintenance Footnotes...................................6-8Owner Checks and Services............................6-9
At Each Fuel Fill..........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month.................................6-10
At Least Once a Year...................................6-11
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants...............6-13
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts..........6-15
Engine Drive Belt Routing (CTS-V)..................6-16
Maintenance Record.....................................6-17
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
6-1