Black plate (22,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
10-22 Vehicle Care
2. Then keep turning the pressurecap slowly and remove it.3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper mixture, to slightly
above the FROID/FULL COLD
line on the side of the coolant
surge tank.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you
can feel the upper radiator hose
getting hot. The upper radiator
hose is the top hose coming out
of the radiator, on the passenger
side of the vehicle. Watch out for
the engine cooling fans. By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches the
FROID/FULL COLD line on the
side of the coolant surge tank.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure cap is
hand-tight and fully seated.
Notice: If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Recheck the coolant level in the
bottle next time you use your
vehicle to ensure the system is full
when cold.
Black plate (23,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-23
Checking Coolant in the
Intercooler System (CTS-V)
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
The super charged engine
intercooler coolant fill neck is
located in the engine compartment
on the passenger side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑6.
On the coolant fill neck, there is a
cold fill region between the two
horizontal lines shown.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant fill neck. If the coolant is
not visible or below the cold fill
region in the fill neck, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at
the coolant fill bottle, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before this
is done.
Adding Coolant to the
Intercooler System
Coolant (CTS-V)
1. Remove the intercooler system
pressure cap when the
intercooler system hoses are no
longer hot. Turn the pressure
cap slowly counterclockwise
about one-quarter of a turn.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This allows any pressure
still left to be vented. 2. Then keep turning the pressure
cap slowly and remove it.
3. Add the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture to the fill neck
until the coolant is within the
cold fill region.
With the intercooler system
pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run for a couple
of minutes. Then turn the engine
off. By this time, the coolant
level inside the fill neck may be
lower. If the level drops where
coolant is no longer within the
cold fill region of the fill neck
with the engine off, add more of
the DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
to the fill neck until the level is
again visible in the cold fill
region.
Black plate (24,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
10-24 Vehicle Care
4. Then replace the pressure cap.Be sure the pressure cap is
hand-tight and fully seated.
Notice: If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
If the coolant is not at the proper
level when the system cools down
again, see your dealer.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating.
There are two engine hot messages
that may be displayed in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Engine Cooling System Messages
on page 5‑35for more information.
You may decide not to lift the hood
when one of these warnings appear,
but get service help right away. See
Roadside Service on page 13‑7. If you do decide to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked on
a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, the fan(s)
should be running. If they are not,
do not continue to run the engine
and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:
Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
Notice: If the engine catches fire
because of being driven with no
coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{WARNING
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when your
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
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 (32,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
10-32 Vehicle Care
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level
surface.
If the level is below the bottom of
the filler plug hole, located on the
rear axle, you'll need to add some
lubricant. Add enough lubricant to
raise the level to the bottom of the
filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine what kind of lubricant
to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑7.
Starter Switch Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
See Parking Brake (Manual)
on
page 9‑33or Parking Brake
(Electric) on page 9‑34. Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. For automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the engine
in each gear. The vehicle should
start only in P (Park) or
N (Neutral). If the vehicle starts
in any other position, contact
your dealer for service.
For manual transmission
vehicles, put the shift lever in
Neutral, push the clutch pedal
down halfway, and try to start
the engine. The vehicle should
start only when the clutch pedal
is pushed down all the way to
the floor. If the vehicle starts
when the clutch pedal is not
pushed all the way down,
contact your dealer for service.
Black plate (33,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-33
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See Parking Brake (Manual)
on
page 9‑33or Parking Brake
(Electric) on page 9‑34.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON/RUN, but do not
start the engine. Without applying the regular brake, try to
move the shift lever out of
P (Park) with normal effort. If the
shift lever moves out of P (Park),
contact your dealer for service.
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF in each shift lever
position.
.The ignition should turn to
LOCK/OFF only when the shift
lever is in P (Park).
.With the key access ignition
system, the ignition key should
come out only in LOCK/OFF.
See
Ignition Positions (Key
Access)
on page 9‑16or
Ignition Positions (Keyless
Access) on page 9‑18.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
.To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
Black plate (34,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
10-34 Vehicle Care
.To check the P (Park)
mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking. See
Scheduled Maintenance
on
page 11‑3.
It is a good idea to clean or replace
the wiper blade assembly on a
regular basis or when worn. For
proper windshield wiper blade
length and type, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts on page 11‑9. To replace the wiper blade
assembly:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with
the engine off.
2. Turn on the windshield wipers and turn them off again when
the wipers are in the out-wipe
position. The driver side blade
will be straight up and down on
the windshield.
3. Pull the windshield wiper assembly away from the
windshield.
4. Lift up the wiper bladeassembly cap.
5. Pull the wiper blade assembly down far enough to release it
from the J-hooked end of the
wiper arm. Slide the assembly
away from the arm.
Allowing the wiper blade arm to
touch the windshield when no
wiper blade is installed could
damage the windshield. Any
damage that occurs would not
be covered by your warranty. Do
not allow the wiper blade arm to
touch the windshield.
Black plate (42,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
10-42 Vehicle Care
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are
protected from short circuits by a
combination of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the
chance of damage caused by
electrical problems.
To check a fuse, look at the
silver-colored band inside the fuse.
If the band is broken or melted,
replace the fuse. Be sure to replace
a bad fuse with a new one of the
identical size and rating.
Fuses of the same amperage can
be temporarily borrowed from
another fuse location, if a fuse goes
out. Replace the fuse as soon as
you can.To identify and check fuses, circuit
breakers, and relays, see
Engine
Compartment Fuse Block (CTS
Coupe and Sedan)on page 10‑42or
Engine 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 10‑54and Rear Compartment
Fuse Block (CTS Coupe and
Sedan)
on page 10‑58or Rear
Compartment Fuse Block (CTS-V
Coupe and Sedan)
on page 10‑60or
Rear Compartment Fuse Block
(CTS Wagon)
on page 10‑62or
Rear Compartment Fuse Block
(CTS-V Wagon) on page 10‑64.
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block (CTS Coupe
and Sedan)
The underhood fuse block is located
on the passenger side of the engine
compartment.
Lift the fuse block cover to access
the fuses.
Notice: Spilling liquid on any
electrical components on the
vehicle may damage it. Always
keep the covers on any electrical
component.