2009 CADILLAC CTS recommended oil

Speedometer
This display shows a digital speedometer in the DIC.
The speed displays in either miles per hour (mph)
or kilometers per hour (km/h). To change the units from
English to metric, see “Units” later in this section.
Blank Display
This display shows no information.
Vehicle Information Display Menu Items
T
(Vehicle Information):The following display
menu items can be displayed by pressing the vehicle
information button:
Oil Life Remaining
If the vehicle has this display, it shows the estimated oil
life remaining. If you see 99% Oil Life Remaining on
the display, that means that 99% of the current oil life
remains.
When the oil life is depleted, the Change Engine Oil
Soon message appears on the display. You should
change the oil as soon as possible. In addition to the
engine oil life system monitoring the oil life, additional
maintenance is recommended in the Maintenance
Schedule in this manual. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4andEngine Oil on page 5-18.The Oil Life must be reset after each oil change.
It does not reset itself. Avoid accidental resetting of the
Oil Life system. It cannot be reset accurately until
the next oil change. To reset the engine oil life system,
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-21. The display
shows 100% when the system is reset.
Units
This display allows you to select between English or
Metric units of measurement. Once in this display,
press the set/reset button to select between English or
Metric units.
Parking Assist
If the vehicle has the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA) system, this display allows the system to
be turned on or off. Once in this display, press the
set/reset button to select between On or Off. The URPA
system automatically turns back on after each vehicle
start. When the URPA system is turned off and the
vehicle is shifted out of P (Park), the DIC displays the
Parking Assist Off message as a reminder that the
system has been turned off. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-58andUltrasonic Rear
Parking Assist (URPA) on page 2-54for more
information.
3-53

Competitive Driving
Competitive driving may affect the vehicle warranty.
See your warranty book before using your vehicle
for competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for competitive
driving, the engine may use more oil than it would
with normal use. Low oil levels can damage the
engine. Be sure to check the oil level often during
competitive driving and keep the level at or near the
upper mark that shows the proper operating range
on the engine oil dipstick. For information on how to
add oil, seeEngine Oil on page 5-18.
CTS-V Only: For competitive driving, it is recommended
that the brake uid be replaced with a high performance
brake uid that has a dry boiling point greater than 534°F
(279°C). After conversion to the high performance brake
uid, follow the brake uid service recommendations
outlined by the uid manufacturer. Do not use silicone
or DOT-5 brake uids.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving because
some drivers are likely to be impaired — by alcohol or
drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because headlamps can only light up
so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But, as we get older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
4-13

Before Leaving on a Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having
it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires inated to
recommended pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to travel? Have
up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, nd a
safe place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments
often.
4-15

Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
Filling the Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re can
cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow all the instructions on
the pump island. Turn off the engine when you are
refueling. Do not smoke if you are near fuel or
refueling the vehicle. Do not use cellular phones.
Keep sparks, ames, and smoking materials away
from fuel. Do not leave the fuel pump unattended
when refueling the vehicle. This is against the law
in some places. Do not re-enter the vehicle while
pumping fuel. Keep children away from the fuel
pump; never let children pump fuel.
5-8

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil level is within the cross-hatched area at the
tip of the dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of
the recommended oil. This section explains what kind
of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-127.Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above
the proper operating range and into the upper
cross-hatched area on the dipstick, the engine
could be damaged.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the
engine oil ll cap.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the proper
operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back in
when you are through.
5-19

Engine Oil Additives / Engine Oil
Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM standards are all
you need for good performance and engine protection.
Engine oil system ushes are not recommended and
could cause engine damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and lter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, you
must reset the system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary.
A Change Engine Oil Soon message will come on.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-58. Change
the oil 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 oil life system might not indicate that
an oil change is necessary for over a year. However, the
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 people who will perform this
work using genuine parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last
oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
5-21

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, it should be done at the dealer/retailer service
department. Contact your dealer/retailer 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 the vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by the vehicle’s warranty.
Always use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-14.
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 6-14.
Manual Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the manual transmission uid
level. A transmission uid leak is the only reason for uid
loss. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to a dealer/retailer
for service. Have it repaired as soon as possible. You
may also have the uid level checked by your dealer/
retailer when the oil is changed. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-14for the proper uid
to use.
5-29

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle for all engines and
the intercooler is lled with DEX-COOL®. This coolant is
designed to remain in the vehicle for ve years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs rst.
The following explains the cooling system and how to
check and add coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 5-37.
What to Use
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant
mixture will. The vehicle’s coolant warning system
is set for the proper coolant mixture. With plain
water or the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but you would not get the overheat
warning. The engine could catch re and you or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant. If using this mixture, nothing else
needs to be added. This mixture:
Gives freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C),
outside temperature.
Gives boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C),
engine temperature.
Protects against rust and corrosion.
Will not damage aluminum parts.
Helps keep the proper engine temperature.
Notice:If an improper coolant mixture is used, the
engine could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or additives are used
in the vehicle’s cooling system, the vehicle could
be damaged. Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in this manual for the
cooling system. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-14for more information.
5-32