2008 CADILLAC DTS brake fluid

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements.............................................5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of the Vehicle.............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-11
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-12
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-21
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-27Engine Overheating.......................................5-27
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-29
Cooling System............................................5-30
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-35
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-36
Brakes........................................................5-37
Battery........................................................5-40
Jump Starting...............................................5-42
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-47
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-50
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting..............5-50
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-50
Tires..............................................................5-52
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-53
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-57
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-60
High-Speed Operation...................................5-62
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-63
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-64
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-68
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-70
Buying New Tires.........................................5-71
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-73
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-101.
B. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-42.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-36.
D. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-27
andCooling System on page 5-30.
E. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-42.
F. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 5-35.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-37.
J. Automatic Transmission Fluid Cap and Dipstick
(Out of View). SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid
on page 5-21.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.Engine Oil
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.
5-15

Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare you vehicle as follows:
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position
the shift lever in PARK (P).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to ve minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The transmission uid cap is located next to the radiator
hose and below the engine air cleaner/lter assembly
on the driver’s side of the vehicle, and is marked
TRANS FLUID. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-14for more information on location.
1. After removing the engine air cleaner/lter assembly
to reach the transmission uid cap, turn the cap
counterclockwise to remove. Pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds, and
then pull it back out again.3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The uid level must be in the
cross-hatched area.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push
the dipstick back in all the way and turn the
handle clockwise. Reinstall the engine air
cleaner/lter assembly.
5-23

Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder
reservoir is lled with
DOT-3 brake uid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14
for 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 hydraulic system. If it is, have
the brake hydraulic system xed, since a leak means
that sooner or later the brakes will not work well.It is not a good idea to top off the brake uid. Adding
brake uid will not correct a leak. If uid is added when
the linings are worn, there will be too much uid when
new brake linings are installed. 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
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM message will be displayed
in the Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-75.
5-37

What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3 brake
uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed container
only. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-13.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This helps keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the brake
hydraulic system, the brakes might not work
well. This could cause a crash. Always use the
proper brake uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in the brake hydraulic system can damage
brake hydraulic 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 5-94.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has 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 can come and go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving, except when you are
pushing on the brake pedal rmly.
5-38

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 oil that meets GM Standard
GM4718M. For the proper viscosity,
seeEngine Oil on page 5-15.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-24.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
WasherOptikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
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).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring
Anchor, and
Release PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346293,
in Canada 992723) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and
Door HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningWeatherstrip Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 3634770,
in Canada 10953518) or
Dielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579,
in Canada 992887).
6-13

Audio System (cont.)
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-118
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-120
Audio System(s)............................................3-100
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-27
B
Backglass Antenna........................................3-120
Battery..........................................................5-40
Electric Power Management..........................3-39
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-37
Inadvertent Power Saver..............................3-40
Load Management.......................................3-38
Run-Down Protection...................................3-40
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-37
Panic Assist................................................. 4-7
System Warning Light..................................3-60
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-22
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-50
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-47
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting...........5-50
Buying New Tires...........................................5-71
C
Calibration...............................................1-9, 2-36
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-109
Carbon Monoxide...........................2-12, 2-34, 4-16
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-93
CD, MP3 .....................................................3-111
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-59
Center Flex Storage Unit.................................2-60
Center Seat..................................................... 1-8
Chains, Tire...................................................5-77
Charging System Light....................................3-60
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-65
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-98
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-38
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-41
Older Children.............................................1-31
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-47
2

P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-97
Panic Brake Assist............................................ 4-7
Parade Dimming.............................................3-38
Park
Shifting Into................................................2-31
Shifting Out of............................................2-33
Park Aid........................................................2-40
Park Brake....................................................2-30
Park Tilt Mirrors..............................................2-39
Parking
Assist........................................................2-40
Over Things That Burn.................................2-34
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-58
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-51
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-63
Passing.........................................................4-10
PASS-KEY
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer...............2-20
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation...................................................2-21
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-4
Performance Shifting.......................................2-29
Power
Door Locks.................................................2-10
Electrical System.......................................5-100
Inadvertent Battery Saver.............................3-40
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-2
Rear Lumbar Controls..................................1-10
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-6Power (cont.)
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-24
Seat............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-35
Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering Column....... 3-7
Windows....................................................2-15
Privacy..........................................................7-18
Event Data Recorders..................................7-18
Navigation System.......................................7-19
OnStar.......................................................7-19
Radio Frequency Identication.......................7-19
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-11
R
Radio Frequency Identication (RFID), Privacy....7-19
Radio(s).......................................................3-100
Radios
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual.................................................3-118
Reception.................................................3-119
Setting the Clock.........................................3-97
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-118
Rainsense™ II Wipers.....................................3-14
Reading Lamps..............................................3-38
Rear Climate Control System............................3-49
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-11
Rear Heated Seats........................................... 1-9
Rear Seat Armrest..........................................2-60
10