2006 CADILLAC XLR engine oil

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of the
dipstick, you will need to add at least one quart/liter 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 6-92.
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 6-12for
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.
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What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for two things:
GM4718M
Your vehicle’s engine requires a special oil meeting
GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting this
standard may be identied as synthetic. However,
not allsyntheticoils will meet this GM standard.
You should look for and use only an oil that meets
GM Standard GM4718M.Notice:If you use oils that do not have the
GM4718M Standard designation, you can cause
engine damage not covered by your warranty.
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best
for your vehicle.
These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity
oils such as SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should also
have the starburst
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates
that the oil has been
certied by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
You should look for this on the oil container, and
useonlythose oils that are identied as meeting
GM Standard GM4718M and have the starburst
symbol on the front of the oil container.
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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.Notice:If your vehicle is an XLR-V model, the
engine uses a special oil lter. The use of any other
engine oil lter could lead to lter failure and
result in severe engine damage. Damage caused by
use of the wrong engine oil lter would not be
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary.
A CHANGE OIL NOW message in the DIC will come on.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-67. 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.
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How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System and the Oil Life Indicator
The Engine 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 OIL NOW message in the DIC being turned
on, reset the system.
After the oil has been changed, the CHANGE OIL NOW
message and the oil life indicator must be reset.
To reset the message use the following procedure:
1. Press the up or down arrow to scroll the DIC
to show OIL LIFE.
2. Once the XXX% ENGINE OIL LIFE menu item is
highlighted, press and hold the RESET button until
the percentage shows 100%.
If the percentage does not return to 100% or if
the CHANGE OIL NOW message comes back
on when you start your vehicle, the engine oil life
system has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not 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 dispose of
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 lter 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.
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Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12
for the location of the engine air cleaner/lters.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filters
Inspect the air cleaner/lters at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace them at the rst oil change
after each 50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 7-4for more
information. If you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect the lters at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filters
To inspect the air cleaner/lters, remove the lters
from the vehicle and lightly shake the lters to release
loose dust and dirt. If the lters remain caked with
dirt, new lters are required.To inspect or replace the lters, do the following:
1. Flip the clasps on the top of the engine air
cleaner/lter cover forward to unlatch the cover.
2. Lift the front of the cover at an angle and remove.
This is necessary due to the four tabs located on
the rear of the cover.
3. Remove the engine air cleaner/lter element
and any loose debris that may be found in the
air cleaner base.
4. Inspect or replace the lter.
5. Repeat the procedure for the second
air cleaner/lter.
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Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating
on page 6-25.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Giving freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.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 the rst maintenance
service after each 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.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will not damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you do
not need to add anything else.
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{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or additives
in your vehicle’s cooling system, you could
damage your vehicle. Use only the proper mixture
of the engine coolant listed in this manual for
the cooling system. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 7-11for more information.
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If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine idle.
2. Set the climate controls to the highest heat setting
and fan speed and open the windows as necessary.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you
can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning does not come back on,
you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park
your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while you are parked. If you still have the
warning, turn off the engine and get everyone out of
the vehicle until it cools down. Also, see “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode” later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This operating mode allows your vehicle to be driven
to a safe place in an emergency situation. If an
overheated engine condition exists and the DIC
message ENGINE HOT, STOP ENGINE is displayed,
an overheat protection mode which alternates ring
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode, you will notice a signicant loss in
power and engine performance. Driving extended
miles (km) in the overheat protection mode should
be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil
and reset the oil life system. SeeEngine Oil
on page 6-15.
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