2009 CADILLAC XLR engine oil

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below 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, seeCapacities and
Specifications on page 6-90.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be damaged.SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 6-12for
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.
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What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for three things:
GM4718M
This vehicle’s engine requires a special oil meeting
GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting this standard
may be identied as synthetic. However, not all
synthetic oils will meet this GM standard. Use only
an oil that meets GM Standard GM4718M.Notice:Using oils that do not have the GM4718M
Standard designation can cause engine damage not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
SAE 5W-30
SAE 5W-30 is best for the vehicle. These numbers
on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50.
American Petroleum Institute (API) starburst symbol
Oils meeting these
requirements should have
the starburst symbol on the
container. This symbol
indicates that the oil has
been certied by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
This vehicle’s engine was lled at the factory with a
Mobil 1
®synthetic oil meeting all requirements for this
vehicle.
Substitute Engine Oil: When adding oil to maintain
engine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M
might not be available. You can add substitute oil
designated SAE 5W-30 with the starburst symbol at
all temperatures. Substitute oil not meeting GM
Standard GM4718M should not be used for an oil
change.
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Engine Oil Additives / Engine Oil
Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM4718M 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.Notice:If this vehicle is an XLR-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 the vehicle
warranty.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE OIL NOW message in the DIC
will come on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-60. 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.
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How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System and the Oil Life Indicator
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
the engine oil and lter based on vehicle use. Whenever
the oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs
where you change the oil prior to a CHANGE OIL NOW
message in the DIC being turned on, reset the system.
After the oil has been changed, the CHANGE OIL NOW
message and the oil life indicator must be reset. To
reset the message:
1. Press the up or down arrow to scroll the DIC to
show OIL LIFE.
2. Once the XXX% ENGINE OIL LIFE menu item is
highlighted, press and hold the RESET button until
the percentage shows 100%.
If the percentage does not return to 100% or if the
CHANGE OIL NOW message comes back on
when you start the vehicle, the engine oil life system
has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long.
Clean your skin and nails with soap and water, or a
good hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of
clothing or rags containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Recycle it by taking it to a
place that collects used oil.
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Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12for
the location of the engine air cleaner/lters.
Notice:If you spray water into the engine air
cleaner/lter intake and water enters the engine air
cleaner/lter housing, you could damage your
vehicle’s engine. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Do not spray water into the
engine air cleaner/lter intake and/or housing.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filters
Inspect the air cleaner/lters at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace them at the rst oil change after
each 50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 7-4for more information.
If you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the
lters at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filters
To inspect the air cleaner/lters, remove the lters from
the vehicle and lightly shake the lters to release loose
dust and dirt. If the lters remain caked with dirt, new
lters are required.To inspect or replace the lters:
1. Some XLR-V vehicles, have a single piece black
cover that snaps over the entire air cleaner
assembly. For vehicles with this cover, simply pull it’s
left/right sides toward the outside of the vehicle and
lift up to remove cover. Reinstall the cover when you
are nished inspecting/replacing the lters.
2. For vehicles that do not have a single piece black
cover, move the clasps on the top of the engine air
cleaner/lter cover forward to unlatch the cover.
3. Lift the front of the cover at an angle and remove.
This is necessary due to the four tabs located on
the rear of the cover.
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Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. 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 the engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 6-27.
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 7-11for more information.
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Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
The engine coolant surge tank is located toward the
rear of the engine compartment on the driver side of the
vehicle. For more information on location, seeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 6-12.
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 mark, 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 mark on the side of the coolant
surge tank that faces the front. When the engine is hot,
the level could be higher than the FULL COLD mark.
If the coolant is below the FULL COLD mark when the
engine is hot, there could be a leak in the cooling system.
If the LOW COOLANT message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) comes on and stays on, it means the
vehicle is low on engine coolant. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-60. A low coolant level should be
indicated by a LOW COOLANT message on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). If it is, there could be a leak in
the cooling system.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol and
it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough.
Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
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If the overheat warning is displayed with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. Turn the air conditioning 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 temperature overheat 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”
next in this section.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This operating mode allows the vehicle to be driven to a
safe place in an emergency situation. If an overheated
engine condition exists and the DIC message ENGINE
HOT, STOP ENGINE is displayed, an overheat
protection mode which alternates ring groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a signicant loss in power and engine
performance. Driving extended miles (km) 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, change the oil and reset the oil
life system. SeeEngine Oil on page 6-15.
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