Page 332 of 470

Black plate (22,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle as follows:1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the
shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes. Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these
steps:
1. Locate the transmission fluid cap which is located next to the radiator hose and below the engine air
cleaner/filter assembly on the driver side of the
vehicle. The cap is marked TRANS FLUID. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 6‑14for
more information on location.
2. After removing the engine air cleaner/filter assembly to reach the transmission fluid cap, turn
the cap counterclockwise to remove. Pull out the
dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
3. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds, and then pull it back out again.
6-22
Page 333 of 470

Black plate (23,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lowerlevel. The fluid level must be in the
cross-hatched area.
5. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way and turn the handle
clockwise.
6. Reinstall the engine air cleaner/filter assembly.
How to Add Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission fluid to use. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 7‑9. If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much fluid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L). Do not overfill.
Notice: Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
fluid may damage the vehicle, and the damages may
not be covered by the vehicle's warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7‑9.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as described under “How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the dipstick back in all the way and turn the handle
clockwise.
6-23
Page 338 of 470

Black plate (28,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
{WARNING:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn the surge tank
pressure cap—even a little —they can come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap.
If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant as
follows:
1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure
cap when the cooling
system, including the
coolant surge tank
pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is
no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss
means there is still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the cap and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture to the FULL
COLD mark on the
side of the coolant
surge tank.
6-28
Page 342 of 470

Black plate (32,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid
reservoir is located next to
the underhood fuse block
on the passenger side of
the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 6‑14for more
information on location.
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 at the FULL COLD mark.
If necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level
up to the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricantson page 7‑9.
Always use the proper fluid.
Notice: Use of the incorrect fluid may damage the
vehicle and the damages may not be covered by the
vehicle's warranty. Always use the correct fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on
page 7‑9.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When the vehicle needs windshield washer fluid, be
sure to read the manufacturer's instructions before use.
If the vehicle will be operating in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has
sufficient protection against freezing.
6-32
Page 346 of 470

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. The vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality brake parts.
When parts of the braking system are replaced—for
example, when the brake linings wear down and new
ones are installed —be sure to get new approved
replacement parts. If this is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for the vehicle, the balance
between the front and rear brakes can change —for the
worse. The braking performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong replacement brake
parts are installed.
Battery
Refer to the replacement number on the original battery
label when a new battery is needed.
{DANGER:
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer
and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
The battery is under the rear seat cushion. To access
the battery, see Rear Underseat Fuse Block
on
page 6‑107. Access to the battery is not necessary to
jump start the vehicle. See Jump Starting on page 6‑38.
{WARNING:
A battery that is not properly vented can let
sulfuric acid fumes into the area under the rear
seat cushion. These fumes can damage the rear
seat safety belt systems. You might not be able to
see this damage and the safety belts might not
(Continued)
6-36
Page 349 of 470

Black plate (39,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Notice:If you leave the radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by
the warranty. Always turn off the radio and other
accessories when jump starting the vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug unnecessary accessories plugged into the
cigarette lighter or the accessory power outlets.
Turn off the radio and all lamps that are not
needed. This will avoid sparks and help save
both batteries. And it could save the radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the positive (+) and negative (−) terminal locations on the other vehicle.
Your vehicle has a remote positive (+) jump starting
terminal and a remote negative (−) jump starting
terminal.
4.6L LD8 Engine shown,4.6L L37 Engine similar
The remote positive (+) terminal is located in the
engine compartment on the passenger's side of
the vehicle. Lift the red plastic cap to access the
terminal. See Engine Compartment Overview
on
page 6‑14for more information on the location of
the remote positive (+) terminal.
A second remote positive (+) terminal is located on
the rear underseat fuse block.
6-39
Page 355 of 470
Black plate (45,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
7. Locate the vertical headlamp aiming screws. Theyare located under the hood near each headlamp
assembly. First lift the flap to access either of
them. Each one is the top outboard screw by
the “V” on the cover panel next to the aiming flap.
The adjustment screw can be turned with a 6 mm
hex wrench. 8. Turn the vertical aiming screw until the headlamp
beam is aimed to the horizontal tape line. Turn it
clockwise or counterclockwise to raise or lower the
angle of the beam.
The top edge of the cut-off should be positioned at
the bottom edge of the horizontal tape line.
9. Make sure that the light from the headlamp ispositioned at the bottom edge of the horizontal
tape line. The lamp on the left (A) shows the
correct headlamp aim. The lamp on the right (B)
shows the incorrect headlamp aim.
10. Repeat Steps 7 through 9 for the opposite headlamp.
6-45
Page 374 of 470

Black plate (64,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
The TPMS sensor matching process is outlined below:1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition switch to ON/RUN with the engine off.
3. Press the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter's lock and unlock buttons at the same
time for approximately five seconds. The horn
sounds twice to signal the receiver is in relearn
mode and TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message
displays on the DIC screen.
4. Start with the driver side front tire.
5. Remove the valve cap from the valve cap stem. Activate the TPMS sensor by increasing or
decreasing the tire's air pressure for five seconds,
or until a horn chirp sounds. The horn chirp, which
may take up to 30 seconds to sound, confirms that
the sensor identification code has been matched to
this tire and wheel position. 6. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and
repeat the procedure in Step 5.
7. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 5.
8. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 5. The horn sounds two times to
indicate the sensor identification code has been
matched to the driver side rear tire, and the TPMS
sensor matching process is no longer active. The
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message on the DIC
display screen goes off.
9. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK/OFF.
10. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure level as indicated on the Tire and Loading
Information label.
11. Put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
6-64