Black plate (8,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
9-8 Driving and Operating
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under your vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper
tread depth. SeeTireson
page 10‑66.
.Turn off cruise control.
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to
your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, find a
safe place to park your vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep interior temperature cool.
.Keep your eyes moving —scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
.Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{WARNING
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
Black plate (1,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-14
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15 Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-16
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-24
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-26
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-32
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-33
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
High Intensity Discharge(HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
License Plate Lamp (Coupe
and Sedan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
License Plate Lamp (Wagon) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block (CTS Coupe and
Sedan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Engine Compartment Fuse Block (CTS V Coupe and
Sedan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Engine Compartment Fuse Block (CTS Wagon) . . . . . . . 10-50
Engine Compartment Fuse Block (CTS V Wagon) . . . . . 10-54
Black plate (7,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-7
A. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. See Washer Fluidon
page 10‑26.
B. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block (CTS Coupe and Sedan)
on page 10‑42orEngine
Compartment Fuse Block (CTS
V Coupe and Sedan)
on
page 10‑46or Engine
Compartment Fuse Block (CTS
Wagon)
on page 10‑50or
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block (CTS V Wagon)
on
page 10‑54.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting
on
page 10‑112. D. Remote Negative (−) Terminal.
See Jump Starting
on
page 10‑112.
E. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See Passenger
Compartment Air Filter
on
page 8‑6.
F. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
on
page 10‑19.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Under Engine Cover). See
Power Steering Fluid
on
page 10‑26.
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑11. I. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of
View). See Engine Oil
on
page 10‑11.
J. Hydraulic Clutch Reservoir (If Equipped) (Not Shown). See
Hydraulic Clutch on page 10‑15.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir (Out of View). See
Brakes on page 10‑27.
L. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10‑19.
M. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
on
page 10‑16.
Black plate (9,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-9
A. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. See Washer Fluidon
page 10‑26.
B. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block (CTS Coupe and Sedan)
on page 10‑42orEngine
Compartment Fuse Block (CTS
V Coupe and Sedan)
on
page 10‑46or Engine
Compartment Fuse Block (CTS
Wagon)
on page 10‑50or
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block (CTS V Wagon)
on
page 10‑54.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting
on
page 10‑112. D. Remote Negative (−) Terminal.
See Jump Starting
on
page 10‑112.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap (Out of View). See Engine Oil
on
page 10‑11.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑11.
G. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See Passenger
Compartment Air Filter
on
page 8‑6.
H. Intercooler System Pressure Cap. See Cooling System
on
page 10‑19.
I. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System
on
page 10‑19. J. Hydraulic Clutch Reservoir
(If Equipped) (Not Shown). See
Hydraulic Clutch on page 10‑15.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Brakes
on
page 10‑27.
L. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10‑19.
M. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Under Engine Cover). See
Power Steering Fluid
on
page 10‑26.
N. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
on
page 10‑16.
Black plate (26,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
10-26 Vehicle Care
Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine Compartment Overviewon page 10‑6for the location of the
power steering fluid reservoir.
When to Check Power Steering
Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the
system or you hear an unusual
noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
To check the power steering fluid:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be between the
HOT and COLD marks. If necessary,
add only enough fluid to bring the
level between the marks.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to
use, see Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
on page 11‑7. Always
use the proper fluid.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When adding windshield washer
fluid to the vehicle, be sure to read
the manufacturer's instructions
before use. If you will be operating
your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing,
use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
The WASHER FLUID LOW ADD
FLUID message will appear on the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
when the fluid level is low. See
Washer Fluid Messages
on
page 5‑45for more information.
Black plate (27,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-27
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on
page 10‑6for reservoir location.
Notice:
.When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer's instructions
for adding water.
.Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as
well as washer fluid.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for
fluid expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage
the tank if it is
completely full.
.Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the windshield
washer. It can damage the
vehicle's windshield washer
system and paint.
Brakes
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc
brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{WARNING
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could result
in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications in Capacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2.
Black plate (121,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-121
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
keep it clean by washing it often.
Do not wash the vehicle in direct
sunlight and use a car
washing soap.
Notice:Certain cleaners contain
chemicals that can damage the
emblems or nameplates on the
vehicle. Check the cleaning
product label. If it states that it
should not be used on plastic
parts, do not use it on the vehicle
or damage may occur and it
would not be covered by the
warranty.
Do not use cleaning agents that are
petroleum based or that contain
acid or abrasives, as they can
damage the paint, metal, or plastic
on the vehicle. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from your
dealer. Follow all manufacturer
directions regarding correct product
usage, necessary safety precautions, and appropriate
disposal of any vehicle care
product.
Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after, to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water
spotting.
High pressure car washes could
cause water to enter the vehicle.
Avoid using high pressure washes
closer than 30 cm (12 in) to the
surface of the vehicle. Use of power
washers exceeding 8,274 kPa
(1,200 psi) can result in damage or
removal of paint and decals.
Notice:
Conveyor systems on
some automatic car washes could
damage the vehicle. There may
not be enough clearance for the
undercarriage. Check with the car
wash manager before using the
automatic car wash.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will
make them last longer, seal better,
and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth.
During very cold, damp weather
frequent application may be
required. See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑7.
Black plate (122,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
10-122 Vehicle Care
Wheels and Trim—Aluminum
or Chrome
The vehicle may have either
aluminum or chrome-plated wheels.
Keep the wheels clean using a soft,
clean cloth with mild soap and
water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft,
clean towel. A wax may then be
applied.
Notice: Chrome wheels and other
chrome trim may be damaged if
the vehicle is not washed after
driving on roads that have been
sprayed with magnesium, calcium
or sodium chloride. These
chlorides are used on roads for
conditions such as ice and dust.
Always wash the vehicle's
chrome with soap and water after
exposure.
Notice: Using strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
cleaners, brushes, or cleaners
that contain acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels, could
damage the surface of the wheel(s). The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Use only approved
cleaners on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.
The surface of these wheels is
similar to the painted surface of the
vehicle. Do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
abrasive cleaners, cleaners with
acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes
on them because the surface could
be damaged. Do not use chrome
polish on aluminum wheels.
Notice:
Using chrome polish on
aluminum wheels could damage
the wheels. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Use chrome polish on
chrome wheels only.
Use chrome polish only on
chrome-plated wheels, but avoid
any painted surface of the wheel,
and buff off immediately after
application. Notice:
Driving the vehicle
through an automatic car wash
that has silicone carbide tire
cleaning brushes, could damage
the aluminum or chrome-plated
wheels. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Never drive a vehicle that has
aluminum or chrome-plated
wheels through an automatic car
wash that uses silicone carbide
tire cleaning brushes.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield
with glass cleaner.
Clean the rubber blades using a
lint‐free cloth or paper towel soaked
with windshield washer fluid or a
mild detergent. Wash the windshield
thoroughly when cleaning the
blades. Bugs, road grime, sap, and
a buildup of vehicle wash/wax
treatments may cause wiper
streaking. Replace the wiper blades
if they are worn or damaged.