2008 CADILLAC STS transmission

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal asher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer/retailer. The arrows on your instrument
panel will ash whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
ash, telling other drivers you are about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It
is important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Your vehicle has bulb warning lights. When you plug a
trailer lighting system into your vehicle’s lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not let you know if
one of your lamps goes out. So, when you have a trailer
lighting system plugged in, be sure to check your
vehicle and trailer lamps from time to time to be sure
they are all working. Once you disconnect the trailer
lamps, the bulb warning lights again can tell you if one
of your vehicle lamps is out.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you do not shift down,
you might have to use your brakes so much that they
would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down to THIRD (3) and
reduce your speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of engine and transmission overheating.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People can
be injured, and both your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here is how
to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
4-39

3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake, and then shift to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine.
Shift into a gear.
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission uid (don’t overll),
engine oil, drive belt, cooling system and brake
system. Each of these is covered in this manual, and
the Index will help you nd them quickly. If you’re
trailering, it’s a good idea to review this information
before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-29.
Towing a Trailer (Vehicles Without
Heavy Duty Cooling)
Vehicles without heavy duty cooling are neither designed
nor intended to tow a trailer.
4-40

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-11
Engine Oil...................................................5-18
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-21
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-23
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-25
Engine Coolant.............................................5-25
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-29
Engine Overheating.......................................5-29
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . .5-31Cooling System............................................5-32
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-39
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-40
Brakes........................................................5-41
Battery........................................................5-44
Jump Starting...............................................5-45
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-50
Rear Axle.......................................................5-51
Front Axle......................................................5-52
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-53
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-54
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting............5-54
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-54
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-54
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-55
Windshield Replacement.................................5-55
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-55
Tires..............................................................5-57
Winter Tires.................................................5-58
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-59
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-62
Run-Flat Tires (STS-V)..................................5-65
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-66
High-Speed Operation...................................5-68
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

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

Jump Starting
If your vehicle’s battery has run down, you may want to
use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle. Be sure to use the following steps to do it safely.
{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.
5-45

(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that
indicates the tire height-to-width measurements.
For example, if the tire size aspect ratio is 60,
as shown in item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire’s sidewall is 60 percent as
high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code
:A letter code is
used to indicate the type of ply construction
in the tire. The letter R means radial ply
construction; the letter D means diagonal or
bias ply construction; and the letter B means
belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of the wheel in
inches.
(F) Service Description
:These characters
represent the load range and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents the load carry
capacity a tire is certied to carry. The load index
can range from 1 to 279. The speed rating is
the maximum speed a tire is certied to carry a
load. Speed ratings range from A to Z.
Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the
tire pressing outward on each square inch of
the tire. Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight
:This means the combined
weight of optional accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are, automatic transmission,
power steering, power brakes, power windows,
power seats, and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship of a tire’s height
to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of cords that is
located between the plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead
:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire in which the plies
are laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees
to the centerline of the tread.
5-62

The underhood fuse block is located in the front of the
engine compartment on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-11for more information on location and removal
procedure for the front compartment underhood
sights shields.
To access the fuses, push in the tabs located on each
side of the fuse block cover, then lift the cover off.
Notice:Spilling liquid on any electrical components
on your vehicle may damage it. Always keep the
covers on any electrical component.
Fuses JCase Usage
ABS MTRABS Module- ABS
Module-StabiliTrak
®
AFS Active Front Steering
BLWR Blower Motor
FAN 1 Cooling Fan-Low Speed
FAN 2 Cooling Fan-High Speed
LPDB 1 Driver Side Rear Fuse Block
LPDB 2 Driver Side Rear Fuse Block
RPDB 1 Passenger Side Rear Fuse Block
RPDB 2 Passenger Side Rear Fuse Block
SPARE Spare
SPARE Spare
STRTR Starter
Fuses Mini Usage
A/C CLTCH Air Conditioning Compressor Clutch
ABS ABS Module-StabiliTrak
®
ABS IGN Antilock Brake Controller
AUX OUTLET Rear Accessory Power Outlet
BRK VAC
PUMPBrake Vacuum Pump
CCP Climate Control Panel
CCP/RLY
COILSClimate Control Panel, Headlamp
Level Control, Active Cruise Control,
Relay Coils, Starter, Front Blower
ECM 1 Engine Control Module (ECM)
ECM/TCM
BATTECM, Transmission Control
Module (TCM)
ECM/TCM IGNECM, TCM, Instrument Panel
Cluster
EKM/I/P MDLEasy Key Module (EKM), Instrument
Panel Module (I/P MDL)
EVEN COILSEven Ignition Coils, Even Fuel
Injectors
FOG LAMP Front Fog Lamps
FRT PWR
OUTLETFront Accessory Power Outlet
FUEL COOL Fuel Cooling
HORN Horn
HTD
WASH/AQSHeated Headlamp Washer, Air
Quality Sensor
5-119

ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Transmission (Pan Removal and Filter Replacement)
6-Speed Automatic 6.7 qt 6.3 L
6-Speed Automatic (V-Series) 6.5 qt 6.2 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb ft 140Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ll to the approximate level as recommended in this
manual. Recheck the uid level after lling.
Engine Specications
Engine VIN Code Transmission Spark Plug Gap
3.6L SIDI V6 V Automatic 0.044 inches (1.11 mm)
4.4L DOHC V8 (V-Series) D Automatic 0.040 inches (1.02 mm)
4.6L DOHC V8 A Automatic 0.050 inches (1.27 mm)
STS-V Engine Data
Engine Horsepower Torque Displacement Compression Ratio
4.4L V8 (V-Series)469hp (350 kW)
@ 6400 rpm439 lb ft (595 Nm)
@ 3800 rpm4.4L 9.0:1
5-129