2008 CADILLAC STS Owners Manual

(i)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.
(j)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 5-25
for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator,
condenser, pressure cap, and filler neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
(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)Drain, flush, and refill intercooler system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer/retailer
perform this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-25.
(m)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
inspect the filter at each engine oil change.
(n)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or
obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability, and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your dealer/retailer can assist you with these
checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
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 your warranty.
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18.
6-9

Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-25.
Intercooler Coolant Level Check
(4.4L Supercharged Engine)
Check the coolant level and add DEX-COOL®coolant
mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-25.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the
windshield washer uid reservoir and add the proper
uid if necessary. SeeWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-40.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect your 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 5-96.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation is recommended if your vehicle has the
same size tires at all four wheel positions and 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 5-73.
6-10

At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-35.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle
should start only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the vehicle starts in any other position, contact
your dealer/retailer for service.
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-35.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off and without applying the regular
brake, try to move the shift lever out of PARK (P)
with normal effort. If the shift lever moves out
of PARK (P), contact your dealer/retailer for service.
6-11

Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front of your
vehicle in case it begins to roll. Be ready to
apply the regular brake at once should the
vehicle begin to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability:
With the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to PARK (P).
Then release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-12

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 5-18.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Cooling
System50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-25.
Intercooler
System
(4.4L V8
Supercharged
engine)50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and use only
DEX-COOL
®Coolant.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
WasherOptikleen
®Washer Solvent.
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).
6-13

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Rear AxleSAE 75W-90 Synthetic
Axle Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021677,
in Canada 89021678) meeting
GM Specication 9986115.
Front Axle
(All-Wheel
Drive)SAE 75W-90 Synthetic
Axle Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021677,
in Canada 89021678) meeting
GM Specication 9986115.
Transfer Case
(All-Wheel
Drive)Manual Transmission Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 88861800,
in Canada 88861801).
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
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).
6-14

Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Replacement parts identied below by name, part number, or specication can be obtained from your dealer/retailer.
Part GM Part Number ACDelco®Part Number
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Element
3.6L and 4.6L Engines 25735595 or 25798271 A2944C
4.4L (V-Series) Engine 15813300 A3078C
Engine Oil Filter
3.6L Engine 25177917 PF2129
4.4L (V-Series) Engine 89017527
1PF261
4.6L Engine 89017342 PF61
Passenger Compartment Air Filter 88957450 CF13C
Spark Plugs
3.6L Engine 12597464 41-990
4.4L (V-Series) Engine 12592619 41-991
4.6L Engine 12571535 41-987
Windshield Wiper Blade
Driver’s Side – 22 inches (56.5 cm) 88958361 —
Passenger’s Side – 21 inches (53.0 cm) 88958359 —
1Notice: If your vehicle is an STS-V model, the engine uses a special oil lter. The use of any other engine
oil lter could lead to lter failure and result in severe engine damage. Damage caused by use of the
wrong engine oil lter would not be covered by your new vehicle warranty.
6-15

Engine Drive Belt Routing
3.6L V6 Engine
4.4L V8 Engine
6-16