Page 155 of 496
Black plate (15,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-15
Engine Speed Limiter
This feature prevents the engine
speed from reaching an unsafe
level. If the level is too high, the
throttle closes or limits the fuel
supply until the engine speed
returns to a safe level. Throttle
operation and fuel supply return to
normal when engine speed is
lowered.
For the CTS-V, the tachometer
tracer lights flash prior to reaching
engine speed limit. The tracer lights
also flash on automatic transmission
vehicles while in the DSC or Tap
Shift modes.
Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge
English
Metric
For vehicles with an engine oil
pressure gauge, it shows the engine
oil pressure in kPa (kilopascals)
or psi (pounds per square inch)
when the engine is running.
Oil pressure may vary with engine
speed, outside temperature, and oil
viscosity, but if readings are outside
the normal operating range, the oil
pressure light will come on. See
Engine Oil Pressure Light
on
page 5‑26for more information.
Page 329 of 496
Black plate (11,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-11
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and of
the proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil.”
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See“Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil.”
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System on page 10‑14.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do With
Used Oil.”
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must
be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a
yellow loop. See Engine
Compartment Overview
on
page 10‑6for the location of the
engine oil dipstick.
1. If the engine has been running
recently, turn off the engine and
allow several minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Checking your oil level too soon
after engine shutoff will not
provide an accurate oil level
reading. 2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it
with a paper towel or cloth, then
push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip
down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick, add at
least one liter/quart of the
recommended oil. See “Selecting
the Right Engine Oil” for an
explanation of what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2.
Page 330 of 496
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.
Page 331 of 496
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.
Page 453 of 496
Black plate (7,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-7
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil The engine requires a special oil meeting the dexos™
specification. Look
for and use only an oil that meets the dexos™ specification. For the proper
viscosity, see Engine Oil on page 10‑11.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL
®Coolant.
See Engine Coolant on page 10‑19.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 88862806, in
Canada 88862807).
Windshield Washer Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Hydraulic Power Steering System GM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 89021184, in
Canada 89021186).
Hydraulic Clutch System DOT 4 Hydraulic Clutch Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 88958860, in
Canada 88901244).
Manual Transmission (CTS) SAE 75W-90 GL5 Gear Oil (GM Part No. U.S. 88862475, in
Canada 88862476).
Manual Transmission (CTS-V) Manual Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 88861800, in
Canada 88861801).
Automatic Transmission DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.