2008 CADILLAC STS engine coolant

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 5-118.
B. Remote Negative (-) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-45.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-45.
D. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-44.
E. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-55.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-39.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-41.
J. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-29
andCooling System on page 5-32.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-40.
5-13

After you have removed the sight shields (if equipped) on the 4.6L V8 engine, here is what you will see:
A. Remote Negative (-) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-45.
B. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-45.
C. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-44.
D. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-55.
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-39.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-18.H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-41.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-29
andCooling System on page 5-32.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
K. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-118.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-40.
5-15

After you have removed the sight shields (if equipped) on the 4.4L V8 STS-V engine, here is what you will see:
A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-118.
B. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-45.
C. Remote Negative (-) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-45.
D. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-44.
E. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-55.
F. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-40.
G. Intercooler System Pressure Cap. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-25.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-39.
I. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.J. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-41.
L. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-29
andCooling System on page 5-32.
M. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
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.
5-17

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 5-11for more information on locating the air
cleaner/lter.
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.
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter remove the lter from
the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains caked with dirt,
a new lter is required.
To inspect or replace the lter in the 3.6L V6 or
4.6L V8 engines, do the following:
1. Remove the two screws located on the top of
the cover.
2. Disconnect the coolant recovery hose so that it
is not going across the top of the engine air
cleaner/lter. 4.6L V8 Engine shown, 3.6L V6 Engine similar
5-23

Automatic Transmission Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transmission uid level.
A transmission uid leak is the only reason for uid
loss. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to the
dealer/retailer service department and have it repaired
as soon as possible.
There is a special procedure for checking and changing
the transmission uid. Because this procedure is
difficult, you should have this done at the dealership
service department. Contact your dealer for additional
information or the procedure can be found in the service
manual. To purchase a service manual, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-15.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 6-6, and be sure
to use the uid listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-13.
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 5-29.
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.
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.
5-25

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.
{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 once or twice 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 6-13for more information.
5-26

Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank and pressure cap are located on
the driver’s side of the vehicle, toward the rear of the
engine compartment. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-11for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. Never turn the surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the
FULL COLD/FROID line on the side of the surge tank.
Follow the arrow from the top of the tank down the
side to the horizontal mark.
5-27

Checking Intercooler System Coolant
(4.4L V8 STS-V Engine Only)
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-11for
the location of the intercooler system pressure cap.Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause your engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
Park the vehicle on a level surface and turn off the
engine. When the engine is cold, the coolant level
should be visible in the intercooler ll neck.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture at the intercooler ll neck, but only
when the engine is cool. SeeCooling System on
page 5-32for instructions on how to add coolant to the
intercooler ll neck.
5-28