2008 CADILLAC CTS oil

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your
dealer/retailer for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections,
replacement parts, and recommended uids and
lubricants as prescribed in this manual are
necessary to keep your vehicle in good working
condition. Any damage caused by failure to follow
scheduled maintenance might not be covered
by warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep
your vehicle in good working condition, but also helps
the environment. All recommended maintenance is
important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even affect
the quality of the air we breathe. Improper uid levels or
the wrong tire ination can increase the level of emissions
from your vehicle. To help protect our environment, and
to keep your vehicle in good condition, be sure to
maintain your vehicle properly.
6-2

When you go to your dealer/retailer for your service
needs, you will know that trained and supported service
technicians will perform the work using genuine parts.
If you want to purchase service information, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-17.
Owner Checks and Services on page 6-10tells you
what should be checked, when to check it, and what you
can easily do to help keep your vehicle in good
condition.
The proper replacement parts, uids, and lubricants to
use are listed inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-14andMaintenance Replacement Parts
on page 6-16. When your vehicle is serviced, make sure
these are used. All parts should be replaced and all
necessary repairs done before you or anyone else
drives the vehicle. We recommend the use of genuine
parts from your dealer/retailer.Scheduled Maintenance
To maintain the ride, handling, and performance of your
vehicle, it is important that the rst tire rotation service
be performed when the vehicle has 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km). Check tires for ination pressures
and wear. SeeTires on page 5-58. Rotate tires. SeeTire
Inspection and Rotation on page 5-74and “Tire Wear
Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month on page 6-10.
When the Change Engine Oil Soon message in the
Driver Information Center (DIC) comes on, it means that
service is required for your vehicle. Have your vehicle
serviced 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 engine oil life system may not
indicate that vehicle service 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/retailer has trained service technicians
who will perform this work using genuine parts and reset
the system.
6-4

If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-19for information on
the Engine Oil Life System and resetting the system.
When the Change Engine Oil Soon message appears,
the following services, checks, and inspections are
required:
❑Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-16. Reset oil life system. SeeEngine Oil Life
System on page 5-19.An Emission Control Service.
❑Visually check for any leaks or damage.
See footnote (k).
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace
lter. SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
See footnote (l).❑Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear.
SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on page 5-74and
“Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month on
page 6-10.
❑Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).
❑Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid
levels and add uid as needed.
❑Perform any needed additional services.
See “Additional Required Services” in this section.
❑Inspect suspension and steering components.
See footnote (b).
❑Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).
❑Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).
❑Inspect restraint system components.
See footnote (e).
❑Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).
6-5

(i)Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer/retailer
perform this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-28
for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator,
condenser, pressure cap, and filler neck. Pressure
test the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)If using DOT-4 brake fluid only: Drain, flush, and
refill brake hydraulic system at a regular maintenance
service every two years. This service can be complex;
you should have your dealer/retailer perform this service.
See Brakes on page 5-41.
(k)A fluid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the fluid level checked. Add fluid if needed.
(l)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the filter at each engine oil change.
(m)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or
obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.
(n)If the vehicle has the 3.6L V6 (VIN Code V) engine,
replace the engine air cleaner filter every 40,000 miles
(64 000 km).(o)Check vent hose at transfer case for kinks and
proper installation. Check to be sure vent hose is
unobstructed, clear, and free of debris. During any
maintenance, if a power washer is used to clean mud
and dirt from the underbody, care should be taken to
not directly spray the transfer case output seals. High
pressure water can overcome the seals and contaminate
the transfer case fluid. Contaminated fluid will decrease
the life of the transfer case and should be replaced.
(p)Change transfer case fluid if the vehicle is mainly
driven under one or more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as high performance operation or taxi,
police, or delivery service.
6-9

Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure vehicle safety,
dependability, and emission control performance. Your
dealer/retailer can assist with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to the
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-14.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Notice:It is important to check the engine oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level. Failure to
keep the engine oil at the proper level can cause
damage to the engine not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-28.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer uid reservoir and add the proper uid if
necessary.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect the vehicle’s tires and make sure they are
inated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to
check the spare tire. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-66. Check to make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-102.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway
drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life System service
notication. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary,
rotate the tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-74.
6-10

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilThe engine requires a special
engine oil meeting GM Standard
GM4718M. Oils meeting this
standard can be identied as
synthetic, and should also be
identied with the American
Petroleum Institute (API) Certied
for Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol. However, not all synthetic
API oils with the starburst symbol
will meet this GM standard. Look
for and use only an oil that meets
GM Standard GM4718M. For the
proper viscosity, seeEngine Oil
on page 5-16.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-28.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
WasherOptikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Hydraulic
Clutch SystemHydraulic Clutch Fluid. Use only
GM Part No. U.S. 88958860, in
Canada 88901244, Super DOT-4
brake uid.
Parking Brake
Cable GuidesChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985,
in Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184,
in Canada 89021186).
Manual
TransmissionSAE 75W-90 GL5 Gear Oil
(GM Part No. U.S. 88862475,
in Canada 88862476).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Transfer Case
(All-Wheel
Drive)Transfer Case Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 88861950,
in Canada 88861951).
6-14

Maintenance Replacement Parts
Replacement parts identied below by name, part number or specication can be obtained from your dealer/retailer.
Part GM Part Numbers ACDelco Part Numbers
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 15875795 —
Engine Oil Filter 25177917 PF2129
Passenger Compartment Air Filter Element 19130403 —
Spark Plugs 12597464 41-990
Wiper Blades
Driver Side – 22 inches (56.5 cm) 12487636 —
Passenger Side – 21 inches (53.3 cm) 12487638 —
6-16

Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-21
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-41
Coolant......................................................5-28
Coolant Heater............................................2-37
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-40
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-40
Cover........................................................5-21
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-17
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-48
Oil .............................................................5-16
Oil Life System...........................................5-19
Oil Pressure Gage.......................................3-45
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-33
Overheating................................................5-31
Speed Limiter.............................................3-32
Starting......................................................2-35
Entry Lighting.................................................3-20
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-19
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-32
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-20
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-21
Finish Damage.............................................5-119
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-82
Flat Tire, Changing........................................5-102
Flat Tire, Storing...........................................5-110
Fluid.............................................................5-26
Automatic Transmission................................5-25
Power Steering...........................................5-39
Windshield Washer......................................5-40
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-19
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-46
Folding Rear Seat...........................................1-11
Fuel............................................................... 5-6
Additives...................................................... 5-8
California Fuel.............................................. 5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-11
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-9
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-8
Gage .........................................................3-47
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-7
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-7
Running Out of...........................................2-49
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-123
Rear Compartment Fuse Block....................5-126
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-123
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-122
5