2011 CADILLAC CTS recommended oil

Black plate (12,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
10-12 Vehicle Care
Notice:Do not add too much oil.
Oil levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating reange, i.e. 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. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit your
driving of the vehicle and seek a
service professional to remove
the excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6for the location of the
engine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade:
.Specification
Use and ask for engine oils with
the dexos™ certification mark.
Oils meeting the requirements of
your vehicle should have the
dexos™ certification mark on the
container. This certification mark
indicates that the oil has been
approved to the dexos™
specification.
Your vehicle was filled at the factory
with dexos™ approved engine oil.
Notice: Use only engine oil that is
approved to the dexos™
specification or an equivalent
engine oil of the appropriate
viscosity grade. Engine oils
approved to the dexos™
specification will show the
dexos™ symbol on the container.
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty. If you are
unsure whether your oil is
approved to the dexos™
specification, ask your service
provider.

Black plate (13,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-13
Use of Substitute Engine Oils if
dexos™is unavailable: In the
event that dexos™ approved
engine oil is not available at an oil
change or for maintaining proper
oil level, you may use substitute
engine oil displaying the API
Starburst symbol and of
SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade. Use
of oils that do not meet the
dexos™ specification, however,
may result in reduced
performance under certain
circumstances.
.Viscosity Grade
SAE 5W-30 is best viscosity
grade for the vehicle. Do not use
other viscosity grade oils such
as SAE 10W‐30, 10W‐40,
or 20W-50.
Cold Temperature Operation: In
an area of extreme cold, where
the temperature falls
below −29°C (−20°F), an
SAE 0W-30 oil should be used.
An oil of this viscosity grade will
provide easier cold starting for
the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting
an oil of the appropriate viscosity
grade, be sure to always select
an oil that meets the required
specification, dexos™. See
“Specification” for more
information.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils that meet the
dexos™ certification mark are all
that is needed for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.

Black plate (15,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-15
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to the
dealer service department and have
it repaired as soon as possible.
The vehicle is not equipped with a
transmission fluid level dipstick.
There is a special procedure for
checking and changing the
transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, it should be
done at the dealer service
department. Contact your dealer for
additional information or refer to the
procedure in the service manual. To
purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information on page 13‑14.Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed in
Scheduled
Maintenance
on page 11‑3, and be
sure to use the fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑7.
Manual Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
manual transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to a dealer
for service. Have it repaired as soon
as possible. You may also have the
fluid level checked by your dealer
when the oil is changed. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
on page 11‑7for the
proper fluid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
It is not necessary to regularly
check clutch fluid unless you
suspect there is a leak in the
system. Adding fluid will not correct
a leak. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What
to Use
The hydraulic clutch fluid reservoir
cap has this symbol on it. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on
page 10‑6for reservoir location.

Black plate (16,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
10-16 Vehicle Care
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
for the proper fluid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
on page 11‑7. The fluid
requires changing every two years.
See Scheduled Maintenance
on
page 11‑3.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Visually check the clutch fluid
reservoir to make sure the fluid level
is at the MIN (minimum) line on the
side of the reservoir. The hydraulic
clutch fluid system should be closed
and sealed.
Do not remove the cap to check the
fluid level or to top‐off the fluid level.
Remove the cap only when
necessary to add the proper fluid
until the level reaches the MIN line.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle, near the front.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6for more information
on location.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the
Maintenance IIintervals and replace
it at the first oil change after each
80 000 km (50,000 mile) interval.
See Scheduled Maintenance
on
page 11‑3for more information.
If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/filter,
remove the filter from the vehicle
and lightly shake the filter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the filter
remains caked with dirt, a new filter
is required.
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Turn the ignition off.
2. Remove the side cover by
pulling up on the front of the
cover.

Black plate (29,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-29
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
{WARNING
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light on page 5‑22. What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid
from a sealed container. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑7.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the
reservoir.
{WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake fluid.
Notice:
.Using the wrong fluid can
badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For
example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can
damage brake hydraulic
system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in
the wrong kind of fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces,
the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to
spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately.

Black plate (120,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
10-120 Vehicle Care
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/
Lenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a
soft cloth, and a car washing soap
to clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Follow instructions under“Washing
the Vehicle” later in this section.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing
of the vehicle by hand may be
necessary to remove residue from
the paint finish. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from your
dealer.
If the vehicle has a basecoat/
clearcoat paint finish, the clearcoat
gives more depth and gloss to the
colored basecoat. Always use
waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a
basecoat/clearcoat paint finish. Notice:
Machine compounding or
aggressive polishing on a
basecoat/clearcoat paint finish
may damage it. Use only
non-abrasive waxes and polishes
that are made for a basecoat/
clearcoat paint finish on the
vehicle.
Foreign materials such as calcium
chloride and other salts, ice melting
agents, road oil and tar, tree sap,
bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage the vehicle's finish if they
remain on painted surfaces. Wash
the vehicle as soon as possible.
If necessary, use non-abrasive
cleaners that are marked safe for
painted surfaces to remove foreign
matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are
subject to aging, weather, and
chemical fallout that can take their
toll over a period of years. To keep
the paint finish looking new, keep
the vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible. Protecting Exterior Bright Metal
Parts
Bright metal parts should be
cleaned regularly to keep their
luster. Wash with water or use
chrome polish on chrome or
stainless steel trim, if necessary.
Use special care with aluminum
trim. To avoid damaging protective
trim, never use auto or chrome
polish, steam, or caustic soap to
clean aluminum. A coating of
wax, rubbed to high polish, is
recommended for all bright metal
parts.

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-3
Scheduled
Maintenance
When the Change Engine Oil
Soon Message Displays
Change engine oil and filter. See
Engine Oilon page 10‑11.An
Emission Control Service.
When the “Change Engine Oil
Soon” message displays, service is
required for the vehicle as soon as
possible, within the next 1 000 km/
600 miles. If driving under the best
conditions, the engine oil life system
might not indicate the need for
vehicle service for more than a year.
The engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and
the oil life system must be reset.
Your dealer has trained service
technicians who will perform this
work and reset the system. If the
engine oil life system is reset
accidentally, service the vehicle
within 5 000 km/3,000 miles since
the last service. Reset the oil life system whenever the oil is changed.
See
Engine Oil Life System
on
page 10‑14.
Every Engine Oil Change
.Change engine oil and filter.
Reset oil life system. See
Engine Oil
on page 10‑11and
Engine Oil Life Systemon
page 10‑14. An Emission Control
Service.
.Engine coolant level check. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑19.
.Engine cooling system
inspection. Visual inspection of
hoses, pipes, fittings, and
clamps and replacement,
if needed.
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. See Washer Fluidon
page 10‑26.
.Windshield wiper blade
inspection for wear, cracking,
or contamination and windshield
and wiper blade cleaning,
if contaminated. See Exterior
Care
on page 10‑120. Worn or
damaged wiper blade
replacement. See Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 10‑34.
.Tire inflation pressures check.
See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑74.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑80.
.If tire rotation is recommended
for the vehicle, rotate tires if
necessary. See Tire Rotation
on
page 10‑81.
.Fluids visual leak check
(or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). A leak in any
system must be repaired and the
fluid level checked.

Black plate (4,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
11-4 Service and Maintenance
.Engine air cleaner filter
inspection. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑16.
.Brake system inspection (or
every 12 months, whichever
occurs first).
.Steering and suspension
inspection. Visual inspection for
damaged, loose, or missing
parts or signs of wear.
.Body hinges and latches, key
lock cylinders, folding seat
hardware, and sunroof
(if equipped) lubrication. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
on page 11‑7. More
frequent lubrication may be
required when the vehicle is
exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone
grease on weatherstrips with a
clean cloth makes them last
longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
.Restraint system component
check. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑28.
.Fuel system inspection for
damage or leaks.
.Exhaust system and nearby heat
shields inspection for loose or
damaged components.
Additional Required Services
Every 12 000 km/7,500 Miles
.Rotate tires. Tires should be
rotated every 12 000 km/
7,500 miles. See Tire Rotation
on page 10‑81.
At Each Fuel Stop
.Engine oil level check. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑11.
.Engine coolant level check. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑19.
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. See Washer Fluidon
page 10‑26. Once a Month
.Tire inflation check. See
Tire
Pressure on page 10‑74.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑80.
.Sunroof track and seal
inspection, if equipped. See
Sunroof (Sedan and Wagon)
on
page 2‑32or Sunroof (Coupe)on page 2‑34.
Once a Year
.See Starter Switch Checkon
page 10‑32.
.See Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control Function
Check on page 10‑33.
.See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check on page 10‑33.
.See Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Checkon
page 10‑33.
.Accelerator pedal check for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.