2007 CADILLAC STS V brake

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and start a re. These include
liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other uids, and
plastic or rubber. You or others could be
burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the hood
release lever with
this symbol on
it. It is located inside
the vehicle on the
lower left side of the
instrument panel.
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After you have removed the sight shields (if equipped) on the 3.6L V6 engine, here is what you will see:
A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 488.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 404.
C. Battery. SeeBattery on page 408.
D. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 239.
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 403.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 380.G. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 380.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 405.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on
page 393andCooling System on page 396.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 386.
375

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 488.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 408.
C. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 239.
D. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 404.
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 403.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 380.G. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 380.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 405.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on
page 393andCooling System on page 396.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 386.
377

After you have removed the sight shields (if equipped) on the 4.4L V8 STS-V engine, here is what
you will see:
A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 408.
B. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 488.
C. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 239.
D. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 404.
E. Intercooler System Pressure Cap. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 389.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 403.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 380.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 380.I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 405.
J. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on
page 393andCooling System on page 396.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 386.
If your vehicle is equipped with front compartment
underhood sight shields, before closing the
hood be sure to reinstall the sight shields. To
reinstall the shields, locate the tabs on the left and
right sides and insert them into the openings in
the tower to tower brace. Then insert the fasteners
into the top of the shield and push the fasteners
back into place.
379

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master
cylinder reservoir is
lled with DOT-3 brake
uid. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 373for
reservoir location
and access.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid
level in the reservoir might go down. The rst
is that the brake uid goes down to an acceptable
level during normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are put in, the uid level goes back
up. The other reason is that uid is leaking out of
the brake system. If it is, you should have your
brake system xed, since a leak means that
sooner or later your brakes will not work well, or
will not work at all.So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake uid.
Adding brake uid will not correct a leak. If you
add uid when your linings are worn, then you will
have too much uid when you get new brake
linings. You should add or remove brake uid, as
necessary, only when work is done on the
brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has too much brake uid, it
can spill on the engine. The uid will burn
if the engine is hot enough. You or others
could be burned, and your vehicle could
be damaged. Add brake uid only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic
system.
If the ignition is on and the brake uid is low, the
CHECK BRAKE FLUID message will be
displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC).
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 264.
405

What to Add
When you do need brake uid, DOT-3 brake uid
is recommended for use. DOT-4 brake uid is
also compatible with your vehicle’s brake system
parts. However, if you choose to use DOT-4
uid, it is recommended that you ush your brake
hydraulic system and rell it with new DOT-4
uid at a regular maintenance service every
two years. SeeAdditional Required Services on
page 508. Use new brake uid from a sealed
container only. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 516.
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 the brake
system, the 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 the 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. SeeWashing Your Vehicle
on page 480.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that
make a high-pitched warning sound when the
brake pads are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound may come and go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving, except when you
are pushing on the brake pedal rmly.
406

{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon the brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause
a brake squeal when the brakes are rst applied or
lightly applied. This does not mean something is
wrong with your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and evenly tighten
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to GM torque
specications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return
to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without
the vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
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 — for example, when your
brake linings wear down and you need new ones
put in — be sure you get new approved
replacement parts. If you do not, 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 — for the worse. The braking performance
you have come to expect can change in many other
ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
407

{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode
or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly,
some or all of these things can hurt you.
Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in
costly damage to your vehicle that would
not be covered by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or
pulling it will not work, and it could damage
your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a
12-volt battery with a negative ground system.Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a
12-volt system with a negative ground,
both vehicles can be damaged. Only use
vehicles with 12-volt systems with negative
grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper
cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles are
not touching each other. If they are, it could
cause a ground connection you do not
want. You would not be able to start your
vehicle and the bad grounding could damage
the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling,
set the parking brake rmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start procedure. Put
an automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a
manual transmission in NEUTRAL before
setting the parking brake.
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