2011 CADILLAC STS oil level

Black plate (17,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of
the dipstick, add one liter/quart of the recommended oil
and then recheck the level. 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 6‑128. 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 range, 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 Overviewon page 6‑13for
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.
6-17

Black plate (18,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
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.
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.
6-18

Black plate (20,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good hand
cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer's
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from
the filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting
it in the trash or pouring it on the ground, into sewers,
or into streams or bodies of water. Recycle it by taking it
to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that indicates when
to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change is indicated can vary considerably.
For the oil life system to work properly, the system must
be reset every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary.
A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message in the DIC
comes on. See
DIC Warnings and Messages
on
page 4‑76. Change the oil as soon as possible within
the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that,
if driving under the best conditions, the oil life system
might indicate that an oil change is not necessary for up
to a year. The engine oil and filter must be changed at
least once a year and, at this time, the system must be
reset. Your dealer has trained service people who will
perform this work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly over the course of
an oil drain interval and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
6-20

Black plate (27,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
The coolant surge tank and pressure cap are located on
the driver's side of the vehicle, toward the rear of the
engine compartment. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview
on page 6‑13for more information on
location. Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant surge
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at or
above the FULL COLD/FROID line, add a 50/50 mixture
of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at
the coolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling system
is cool before this is done.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
or above the FULL COLD/FROID line on the side of the
coolant surge tank. Follow the arrow from the top of the
tank down the side to the horizontal mark. If it is not,
there could be a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant is low, add the coolant or take the vehicle
to a dealer for service
6-27

Black plate (117,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
The underhood fuse block is located in the front of the
engine compartment on the passenger side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on
page 6‑13for more information on location and
removal procedure for the front compartment underhood
sights shields.
To access the fuses, push in the tabs located on each
side of the fuse block cover, then lift the cover off.
Notice: Spilling liquid on any electrical component
on the vehicle may damage it. Always keep the
covers on any electrical component.
Fuses JCase Usage
ABS MTR ABS Module- ABS Module-Stabilitrak AFS Active Front Steering
BLWR Blower Motor
FAN 1 Cooling Fan-Low Speed
FAN 2 Cooling Fan-High Speed
LPDB 1 Driver Side Rear Fuse Block
LPDB 2 Driver Side Rear Fuse Block
RPDB 1 Passenger Side Rear Fuse Block
RPDB 2 Passenger Side Rear Fuse Block
Fuses JCase Usage
SPARE Spare
SPARE Spare
STRTR Starter
Fuses MiniUsage
A/C CLTCH Air Conditioning Compressor Clutch
ABS ABS Module-Stabilitrak
ABS IGN Antilock Brake Controller
AUX OUTLET Rear Accessory Power Outlet BRK
VAC PUMP Brake Vacuum Pump
CCP Climate Control Panel
CCP/RLY COILS Climate Control Panel, Headlamp
Level Control, Active Cruise Control,
Relay Coils, Starter, Front Blower
ECM 1 Engine Control Module (ECM)
ECM/TCM BATT ECM, Transmission Control
Module (TCM)
ECM/TCM IGN ECM, TCM, Instrument Panel Cluster
6-117

Black plate (128,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in metric and English conversions. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricantson page 7‑9for more information.
Application Capacities
Metric English
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant label located under the hood. See your dealer for more information.
Brake Fluid Capacities 1.0 L1.1 qt
Cooling System 10.8 L11.4 qt
Engine Oil with Filter 5.7 L6.0 qt
Fuel Tank 66.2 L17.5 gal
Transmission Fluid 6-Speed Automatic (Pan Removal and Filter
Replacement) 6.3 L
6.7 qt
Wheel Nut Torque 140Y 100 lb ft
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the approximate level as recommended in this manual.
Recheck the fluid level after filling.
Engine Specifications
Engine VIN CodeTransmission Spark Plug Gap
3.6L SIDI V6 Engine DAutomatic 1.11 mm (0.044 in)
6-128

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
At your dealer, you can be certain that you will receive
the highest level of service available. Your dealer has
specially trained service technicians, uses genuine
replacement parts, as well as, up‐to‐date tools and
equipment to ensure fast and accurate diagnostics.
The proper replacement parts, fluids, and lubricants to
use are listed inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 7‑9andMaintenance Replacement Partson
page 7‑11. We recommend the use of genuine parts
from your dealer.
Rotation of New Tires
Tire rotation is not recommended if the vehicle has
different size tires on the front and rear wheels. If tire
rotation is recommended for the vehicle, to maintain
ride, handling, and performance of the vehicle, it is
important that the first rotation service for new tires
be performed. Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km/7,500 miles. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑65.
Scheduled Maintenance
When the Change Engine Oil Soon
Message Displays
Change engine oil and filter. See Engine Oilon
page 6‑16. 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 6‑20.
When the Change Engine Oil Soon message displays,
certain services, checks, and inspections are required.
7-3

Black plate (4,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Every Engine Oil Change
.Change engine oil and filter. Reset oil life system.
SeeEngine Oilon page 6‑16andEngine Oil Life
Systemon page 6‑20. An Emission Control
Service.
.Engine coolant level check. See Engine Coolanton page 6‑25.
.Engine cooling system inspection. Visual
inspection of hoses, pipes, fittings, and clamps and
replacement, if needed.
.Windshield washer fluid level check. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 6‑34.
.Windshield wiper blade inspection for wear,
cracking, or contamination and windshield and
wiper blade cleaning, if contaminated. See
Windshield and Wiper Blades
on page 6‑111. Worn
or damaged wiper blade replacement. See
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
on
page 6‑49.
.Tire inflation pressures check. See Inflation - Tire
Pressure on page 6‑58.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑65.
.If tire rotation is recommended for the vehicle,
rotate tires if necessary. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑65.
.Fluids visual leak check (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first). A leak in any system must
be repaired and the fluid level checked.
.Engine air cleaner filter inspection. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑21.
.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,
rear compartment hinges, console door hinges,
and glove box door hinges lubrication. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on
page 7‑9. 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 Checking
the Restraint Systems on page 2‑72.
.Fuel system inspection for damage or leaks.
.Exhaust system and nearby heat shields
inspection for loose or damaged components.
7-4