2009 CADILLAC STS tow

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 5-124.
B. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-42.
C. Remote Negative (-) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-42.
D. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-42.
E. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-54.
F. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-38.
G. Intercooler System Pressure Cap. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-27.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-37.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 5-39.
L. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-34
andCooling System on page 5-26.
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 Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
V6 Engine
V8 Engine
5-18

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.
3. Loosen the clamp and remove the duct from the
passenger’s side of the engine air cleaner/lter.4. The two sides of the airbox are hinged at the
bottom. Open the airbox by pushing the top of
the airbox cover toward the engine.
5. Remove the air lter by lifting it straight up through
the opening in the airbox.
6. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter.
SeeMaintenance Replacement Parts on page 6-15
for the correct part number for the lter.
7. Reinstall the cover by reversing Steps 1 through 4.
If your vehicle has the 4.4L V8 STS-V engine, there
is a special procedure for checking and changing the
air cleaner/lter. 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.
5-24

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
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 5-12for more information on location.Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant surge
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
do not do anything else until it cools down. If coolant
is visible but the coolant level is not at or above the
FULL COLD/FROID line, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
surge tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool before
this is done.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
or above the FULL COLD/FROID line on the side of the
coolant surge tank. Follow the arrow from the top of the
tank down the side to the horizontal mark. If it is not,
there could be a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant is low, add the coolant or take the vehicle
to a dealer/retailer for service.
5-29

If No Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
An overheat warning, can indicate a serious problem.
If an engine overheat warning is displayed but no steam
can be seen or heard, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot
when the vehicle:
Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
Stops after high-speed driving.
Idles for long periods in traffic.
Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed with no sign of
steam:
1. Turn the air off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and
to the highest fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and let
the engine idle.
If the engine coolant temperature gage is no longer
in the overheat zone or an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven. Continue to drive the
vehicle slow for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe vehicle
distance from the car in front of you. If the warning does
not come back on, continue to drive normally.If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park the
vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it cools down.
Also, see″Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode″later in this section.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This operating mode allows your vehicle to be driven
to a safe place in an emergency. Should an overheated
engine condition exist, an overheat protection mode
which alternates ring groups of cylinders helps prevent
engine damage. In this mode, you will notice a loss in
power and engine performance. An engine overheat
warning will indicate that an overheat condition exists.
Driving extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in
the overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair the
cause of coolant loss and change the oil. SeeEngine
Oil on page 5-18.
5-36

Your vehicle has a remote negative (−) ground
location, as shown in the illustration. It is located on
the passenger side front shock tower. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12. You should
always use this remote ground location, instead of
the terminal on the battery.Notice:If you connect a negative cable to the
Engine Control Module (ECM), ECM mounting
bracket, or any cables that attach to the ECM
bracket, you may damage the ECM. Always attach
the negative cable to your vehicle’s remote negative
ground location, instead of the ECM, ECM bracket,
or any cables attached to the ECM bracket.
{CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
5-44

When rotating P235/50R17 size tires or
255/45ZR18 size tires, always use the correct
rotation pattern shown here.
If the vehicle has a compact spare tire, do not
include the compact spare tire in the tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front
and rear ination pressures as shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-64andLoading the Vehicle on
page 4-24.Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor Operation on page 5-68.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-134.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, you can use a cloth
or a paper towel to do this; but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later, if needed, to get all
the rust or dirt off. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on
page 5-104.
5-72

Lifting the Vehicle (STS-V)
{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle can cause an injury. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over you or other
people. You and they could be badly injured.
Find a level place to lift your vehicle. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever in PARK (P) by pressing
the button on the front of the shift lever while
pushing the lever all the way toward the front
of the vehicle. Release the button.
3. With your right foot still holding the brake
pedal down, set the parking brake with your
left foot.
4. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle will not move,
you can put blocks in front of and behind the wheels.
Also, seeShifting Into Park on page 2-34and
Parking Brake on page 2-33for additional
information.
{CAUTION:
Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is
dangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack, you
could be badly injured or killed. Never get under
a vehicle when it is supported only by a jack.
{CAUTION:
Raising the vehicle with the jack improperly
positioned can damage the vehicle or the vehicle
may fall and cause your or others injury.
If you ever use a jack to lift your vehicle, follow the
instructions that came with the jack, and be sure to
use the correct lifting points to avoid damaging
your vehicle.
5-82