2010 CADILLAC DTS maintenance

How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to changethe engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Wheneverthe oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculatewhen the next oil change is required. If a situation occurswhere the oil is changed prior to a CHANGE ENGINE OILSOON message in the Driver Information Center (DIC)being turned on, reset the system.
After the oil has been changed, the CHANGE ENGINEOIL SOON message must be reset:
1. Turn the key to the ON/RUN position withoutstarting the engine.
2. Press the INFO button on the Driver InformationCenter (DIC) until OIL LIFE REMAINING isdisplayed. SeeDIC Operation and Displays onpage 4-62.
3. Press and hold the INFO RESET button until 100%is displayed. This resets the oil life indicator.
4. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comesback on when the vehicle is started, the engine oillife system has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can beunhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Cleanyour skin and nails with soap and water, or a goodhand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing orrags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’swarnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If youchange your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from thefilter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting itin the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or intostreams or bodies of water. Recycle it by taking it to aplace that collects used oil.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12forthe location of the engine air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the MaintenanceIIintervals and replace it at the first oil change after each50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. SeeScheduledMaintenance on page 7-3for more information. If youare driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the filterat each engine oil change.
6-17

{WARNING:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter off
can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to stop
flames if the engine backfires. If it is not there and
the engine backfires, you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/filter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/filter is off, a backfire cancause a damaging engine fire. And, dirt caneasily get into the engine, which will damage it.Always have the air cleaner/filter in place when youare driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check the automatic transmission fluidlevel is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed inScheduled Maintenance on page 7-3, and be sure touse the transmission fluid listed inRecommended Fluidsand Lubricants on page 7-8.
6-19

3. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds, andthen pull it back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick and readthe lower level. The fluid level must be in thecross-hatched area.
5. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push thedipstick back in all the way and turn the handleclockwise.
6. Reinstall the engine air cleaner/filter assembly.
How to Add Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine whatkind of transmission fluid to use. SeeRecommendedFluids and Lubricants on page 7-8.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the properfluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area onthe dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at thedipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much fluid, generally less thanone pint (0.5 L). Do not overfill.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmissionfluid may damage the vehicle, and the damagesmay not be covered by the vehicle’s warranty.Always use the automatic transmission fluid listedinRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7-8.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level asdescribed under “How to Check AutomaticTransmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, pushthe dipstick back in all the way and turn thehandle clockwise.
6-21

Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected for wearor cracking. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 7-3for more information on wiper blade inspection.
Replacement blades come in different types and areremoved in different ways. Here is how to remove thewiper blade:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Lit the windshield wiper arm and blade away fromthe windshield.
3. Pull the clip up from the blade connecting point andpull the blade assembly down toward the windshieldto remove it from the wiper arm.
4. Install the new wiper blade onto the wiper arm andfirmly press down on the clip to snap it into place.
6-44

To remove and replace the wiper blade element:
1. The wiper blade element has two notches at oneend which are engaged by the bottom claw set ofthe wiper blade. At the notched end of the wiperblade, pull the wiper blade element from the wiperblade assembly.
2. Replace the element by starting at the heel end ofthe wiper blade, which is the end nearest to thebase of the wiper arm, and slide the wiperblade element, notched end last, into the wiperblade claw sets.
3. Engage the last claw into the notched end of thewiper blade element by squeezing the wiper bladeelement at the notched area, and push the wiperblade element so the claw fits into the notch.
4. Be sure the two wiper blade element notches areengaged by the last claw set and all the otherclaws are properly engaged in the slots of the wiperblade element on both sides.
A. Correct Installation
B. Incorrect Installation
For the proper type and size windshield wiper blades,seeMaintenance Replacement Parts on page 7-10.
6-45

If your vehicle has P235/55R17 or P245/50R18 sizetires, and you will be driving at speeds of 100 mph(160 km/h) or higher, where it is legal, set the coldinflation pressure to the maximum inflation pressureshown on the tire sidewall, or 38 psi (265 kPa),whichever is lower. See the example following.
Example:
You will find the maximum load and inflation pressuremolded on the tire’s sidewall, in small letters, nearthe rim flange. It will read something like this: Maximumload 690 kg (1521 lbs) 300 kPa (44 psi) Max. Press.
For this example, you would set the inflation pressure forhigh-speed driving at 38 psi (265 kPa).
When you end this high-speed driving, return the tires tothe cold inflation pressure shown on the Tire andLoading Information label. SeeLoading the Vehicle onpage 5-18.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses radioand sensor technology to check tire pressure levels. TheTPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in yourvehicle’s tires and transmit tire pressure readings to areceiver located in the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should bechecked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflationpressure recommended by the vehicle manufactureron the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label.(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the sizeindicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflationpressure label, you should determine the proper tireinflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has beenequipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when oneor more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltaleilluminates, you should stop and check your tires assoon as possible, and inflate them to the properpressure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tirecauses the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tiretread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handlingand stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for propertire maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility tomaintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation hasnot reached the level to trigger illumination of theTPMS low tire pressure telltale.
6-57

At the same time a message to check the pressure in aspecific tire appears on the Driver Information Center(DIC) display. The low tire pressure warning lightand the DIC warning message come on at each ignitioncycle until the tires are inflated to the correct inflationpressure. Using the DIC, tire pressure levels canbe viewed by the driver. For additional information anddetails about the DIC operation and displays seeDIC Operation and Displays on page 4-62andDICWarnings and Messages on page 4-67.
The low tire pressure warning light may come on in coolweather when the vehicle is first started, and thenturn off as you start to drive. This could be an earlyindicator that the air pressure in the tire(s) are gettinglow and need to be inflated to the proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information label, attached to yourvehicle, shows the size of your vehicle’s originalequipment tires and the correct inflation pressure foryour vehicle’s tires when they are cold. SeeLoading theVehicle on page 5-18, for an example of the Tire andLoading Information label and its location on yourvehicle. Also seeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 6-54.
Your vehicle’s TPMS can warn you about a low tirepressure condition but it does not replace normaltire maintenance. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation onpage 6-62andTires on page 6-46.
Notice:Using non-approved tire sealants coulddamage the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)sensors. TPMS sensor damage caused by usingan incorrect tire sealant is not covered by thevehicle warranty. Always use the GM approved tiresealant available through your dealer/retailer.
Factory-installed Tire Inflator Kits use a GM approvedliquid tire sealant. Using non-approved tire sealantscould damage the TPMS sensors. SeeTire Sealant andCompressor Kit on page 6-71for information regardingthe inflator kit materials and instructions.
TPMS Malfunction Light and Message
The TPMS will not function properly if one or more of theTPMS sensors are missing or inoperable. When thesystem detects a malfunction, the low tire warning lightflashes for about one minute and then stays on forthe remainder of the ignition cycle. A DIC warningmessage is also displayed. The low tire warning lightand DIC warning message come on at each ignitioncycle until the problem is corrected. Some of theconditions that can cause the malfunction light and DICmessage to come on are:
•One of the road tires has been replaced with the
spare tire. The spare tire does not have a TPMSsensor. The TPMS malfunction light and DICmessage should go off once you re-install the roadtire containing the TPMS sensor.
6-59

Tire Inspection and Rotation
We recommend that you regularly inspect yourvehicle’s tires, including the spare tire, for signs ofwear or damage. SeeWhen It Is Time for NewTires on page 6-64for more information.
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles(8 000 to 13 000 km). SeeScheduled Maintenanceon page 7-3.
The purpose of a regular tire rotation is to achievea uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. Thiswill ensure that your vehicle continues to performmost like it did when the tires were new.
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate yourtires as soon as possible and check wheelalignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels.SeeWhen It Is Time for New Tires on page 6-64andWheel Replacement on page 6-68formore information.
If your vehicle has a compact spare tire, it shouldnot be included in the tire rotation process.Use the four-tire rotation pattern shown.
Four-Tire Rotation Pattern
Five-Tire Rotation Pattern
6-62