2008 CADILLAC CTS engine oil

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-40.
B. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-123.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-45.
D. Remote Negative (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-45.
E. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-29.
F. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-34.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Under Engine
Cover). SeePower Steering Fluid on page 5-39.H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-16.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-16.
J. Hydraulic Clutch Reservoir (If Equipped)
(Not Shown). See “When to Check and What
to Use” underHydraulic Clutch on page 5-27.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir (Out of View).
See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes on page 5-41.
L. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-31
andCooling System on page 5-34.
M. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
5-15

Engine Oil
There is an oil pressure
light in the instrument
cluster and an Oil Pressure
Low Stop Engine message
on the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
If the light and/or message appear, check the engine oil
level right away. For more information, see “Oil Pressure
Low Stop Engine” underDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-56andOil Pressure Light on page 3-44.
You should check the engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the 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 5-14
for 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.
5-16

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil level is within the add cross-hatched area at
the tip of the dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of
the recommended oil. This section explains what kind
of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-129.Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above
the proper operating range and into the upper
cross-hatched area on the dipstick, the engine
could be damaged.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14
for the location of the
engine oil ll cap.
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.
5-17

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for three 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 all synthetic oils will meet this GM standard.
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
SAE 5W-30 is best for the vehicle. These numbers
on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50.
American Petroleum Institute (API) starburst symbol
Oils meeting these
requirements should have
the starburst symbol on the
container. This symbol
indicates that the oil has
been certied by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
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.
5-18

Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM standards are all
you 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 will come on. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56. Change
the 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 might not indicate that
an oil change is necessary for over a year. However, the
engine oil and lter must be changed at least once a year
and at this time the system must be reset. Your dealer/
retailer has trained service people who will perform this
work using genuine parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change the 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.
5-19

How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
the engine oil and lter based on vehicle use. Whenever
the oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs
where you change the oil prior to a Change Engine Oil
Soon message being turned on, reset the system.
Always reset the engine oil life to 100% after every
oil change. It will not reset itself. To reset the Engine
Oil Life System:
1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC.
2. Press and hold the SET/RESET button on the DIC
for more than ve seconds. The oil life will change
to 100%.
If the Change Engine Oil Soon 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 can 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. Recycle it by taking it to a
place that collects used oil.
5-20

Engine Cover
Installing Engine Cover
1. Raise front edge of cover (B) while inserting rear
tabs (C).
2. Lower front edge of cover and slide cover rearward
so that rear tabs slide under retainers.3. Align cover over the oil ll tube.
4. Press cover down rmly on ball stud at the right
front corner.
5. Install oil ll cap (A).
6. Install the cross car brace.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/lter is in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle,
near the front. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-14for more information on location.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change after each
50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more information. If you are
driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the lter at each
engine oil change.
5-21

How to Check and Add Fluid
Visually check the clutch uid reservoir to make sure the
uid level is at the MIN (Minimum) line on the side of the
reservoir. The hydraulic clutch uid system should be
kept closed and sealed. Do not remove the cap to check
the uid level or to top-off the uid level. Remove the cap
only when necessary to add the proper uid until the level
reaches the MIN line.
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 the cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If the engine overheats, see
Engine Overheating on page 5-31.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give 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.
Allow the warning lights and gages to work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®can
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 the vehicle warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in the vehicle.
5-28