2009 CADILLAC STS service schedule

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Safety Belts
Now and then, check the safety belt reminder light,
safety belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and
anchorages are all working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system
parts that might keep a safety belt system from doing
its job. See your dealer/retailer to have it repaired. Torn
or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash.
They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn
or frayed, get a new one right away.
Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-57for more
information.
Keep safety belts clean and dry. SeeCare of Safety
Belts on page 5-118.
Airbags
The airbag system does not need regularly scheduled
maintenance or replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-58for more information.
Notice:If an airbag covering is damaged, opened,
or broken, the airbag may not work properly.
Do not open or break the airbag coverings. If there
are any opened or broken airbag covers, have
the airbag covering and/or airbag module replaced.
For the location of the airbag modules, seeWhat
Makes an Airbag Inflate? on page 1-57.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
1-66

Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passenger
compartment air lter. There are two types of lters
available. There is a standard dust lter that traps small
particles including pollen. There is, also, a dust/odor lter
available that traps dust and pollen and uses a charcoal
element to help reduce many offensive odors from
entering your vehicle. The lter will need to be changed
periodically. For information on when to change the
passenger compartment air lter, seeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4.
Notice:Driving without a passenger compartment
air lter in place can cause water and small particles,
like paper and leaves, to be pulled into your climate
control system which may cause damage to it. Make
sure you always replace the old lter with a new one.The access panel for the passenger compartment air
lter is located under the hood near the windshield, on the
passenger side of the vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for more information on location.
SeeDoing Your Own Service Work on page 5-4for
information on doing your own service work.
To access the passenger compartment air lter:
1. Pull back the rubber hood seal from the edge of the
leaf screen vent cover.
2. Remove the three fasteners that hold the lter
cover in place and slide the cover off.
3. To access the lter, remove the water deector by
lifting the outboard edge of the deector to release
the retention tab.
3-54

Oil Pressure Light
For vehicles with an oil
pressure light, if there
is a problem with the oil,
the light may stay on
after the engine is started,
or comes on while
driving.
This light indicates that oil is not going through the
engine quickly enough to keep it lubricated. The engine
could be low on oil or could have some other oil problem.
Have it xed right away.
The oil light could also come on in the following
situations:
The light comes on briey when the ignition is
turned on to show that it is working properly.
If it does not come on with the ignition on, there
may be a problem with the fuse or bulb. Have
it xed right away.
Sometimes when the engine is idling at a stop, a
chime sounds and the light may blink on and off.
This is normal.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
The engine can become so hot that it catches re.
Someone could be burned. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
can damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
Security Light
For information regarding
this light and the vehicle’s
security system, see
Theft-Deterrent System
on page 2-21.
3-69

Tire Pressure
This display shows the pressure for each tire in either
pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa). If the
tire pressure is normal, the value will display. If the tire
pressure is low or high, LOW or HIGH will appear on
the display with the value. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-64andDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-79for more information. Press the information
button to scroll through the following displays:
LF TIRE:This display shows the pressure in the driver
side front tire.
RF TIRE:This display shows the pressure in the
passenger side front tire.
LR TIRE:This display shows the pressure in the driver
side rear tire.
RR TIRE:This display shows the pressure in the
passenger side rear tire.
If the tire pressure display shows dashes instead of
a value, there may be a problem with your vehicle. If this
consistently occurs, see your dealer/retailer for service.
ENGINE OIL LIFE
If your vehicle has this display, it shows the estimated
oil life remaining. If you see 99% ENGINE OIL LIFE
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 will appear on the display. 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 6-4
andEngine Oil on page 5-18.
After an oil change, reset the ENGINE OIL LIFE display.
To reset, seeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-21.
The display will show 100% ENGINE OIL LIFE after
it has been reset. Also clear the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message from the display.
ENGLISH DISPLAY UNITS
(METRIC DISPLAY UNITS)
This display allows you to select between English and
metric units of measurement if your vehicle has the
uplevel DIC. Press the reset button to switch between
English and metric units.
Blank Line
This display shows no information.
3-77

Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
Parking the vehicle on a hill with the trailer
attached can be dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move. People can be
injured, and both the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always park the rig on a
at surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park)
yet. Turn the wheels into the curb if facing downhill
or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking
brake and shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
Start the 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
The vehicle needs service more often when pulling a
trailer. See this manual’s Maintenance Schedule
or Index for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
uid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake system. It is a good idea to inspect
these before and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-34.
4-38

How to Check Lubricant
A. Drain Plug
B. Filler Plug
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the ller plug hole,
located on the front axle, you may need to add
some lubricant.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-13.
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset at the factory and
should need no further adjustment.
However, if your vehicle is damaged in a crash, the
headlamp aim may be affected. Aim adjustment to the
low-beam headlamps may be necessary if oncoming
drivers ash their high-beam headlamps at you
(for vertical aim).
If the headlamps need to be re-aimed, it is
recommended that you take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service.
5-50

Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
Using the Maintenance Schedule......................6-3
Scheduled Maintenance...................................6-4
Additional Required Services............................6-6
Maintenance Footnotes...................................6-8Owner Checks and Services..........................6-10
At Each Fuel Fill..........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month.................................6-11
At Least Once a Year...................................6-11
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants...............6-13
Maintenance Replacement Parts.....................6-15
Engine Drive Belt Routing..............................6-16
Maintenance Record.....................................6-18
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
6-1

Using the Maintenance Schedule
We want to help keep this vehicle in good working
condition. But we do not know exactly how you will drive
it. You might drive very short distances only a few times a
week. Or you might drive long distances all the time in
very hot, dusty weather. You might use the vehicle in
making deliveries. Or you might drive it to work, to do
errands, or in many other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You might need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read the
following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep the vehicle in good condition,
see your dealer/retailer.
This schedule is for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits on the Tire and Loading Information label.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on page 4-24.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline Octane
on page 5-5.
The services inScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
should be performed when indicated. SeeAdditional
Required Services on page 6-6andMaintenance
Footnotes on page 6-8for further information.
{CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can be
dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can be
seriously injured. Do your own maintenance work
only if you have the required know-how and the
proper tools and equipment for the job. If you have
any doubt, see your dealer/retailer to have a
qualied technician do the work. SeeDoing Your
Own Service Work on page 5-4.
Some maintenance services can be complex. So, unless
you are technically qualied and have the necessary
equipment, have your dealer/retailer do these jobs.
When you go to your dealer/retailer for service, trained
and supported service technicians will perform the
work using genuine parts.
To purchase service information, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-15.
Owner Checks and Services on page 6-10tells what
should be checked, when to check it, and what can easily
be done to help keep the vehicle in good condition.
6-3