Page 386 of 528

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
What to Add
DOT 3 brake fluid is recommended. DOT 4 brake fluid
is also compatible with the vehicle's brake system parts.
However, if DOT 4 fluid is used, it is recommended that
the brake hydraulic system be flushed and refilled with
new DOT 4 fluid at a regular maintenance service every
two years. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 7‑3.
Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7‑9.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This helps keep dirt
from entering the reservoir.
{WARNING:
With the wrong kind of fluid in the brake hydraulic
system, the brakes might not work well. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake fluid. Notice:
.Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake hydraulic system parts. For example,
just a few drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in the brake hydraulic system
can damage brake hydraulic system parts so
badly that they will have to be replaced. Do
not let someone put in the wrong kind of
fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the vehicle's
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on the vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See
Washing Your Vehicle
on
page 6‑109
.
Brake Wear
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.
6-36
Page 396 of 528
Black plate (46,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
How to Check Lubricant
A. Drain Plug
B. Filler Plug
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 front axle, you may need to add some
lubricant.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 7‑9.
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset at the factory and
should need no further adjustment.
However, if your vehicle is damaged in a crash, the
headlamp aim may be affected. Aim adjustment to the
low-beam headlamps may be necessary if oncoming
drivers flash their high-beam headlamps at you (for
vertical aim).
If the headlamps need to be re-aimed, it is
recommended that you take the vehicle to your dealer
for service.
6-46
Page 479 of 528
Black plate (1,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
Owner Checks and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Maintenance Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11
Engine Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Maintenance Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13
7-1
Page 480 of 528

Black plate (2,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections,
recommended fluids, and lubricants are necessary
to keep this vehicle in good working condition.
Damage caused by failure to follow scheduled
maintenance might not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
As the vehicle owner, you are responsible for the
scheduled maintenance in this section. We recommend
having your dealer perform these services. Proper
vehicle maintenance helps to keep the vehicle in good
working condition, improves fuel economy, and reduces
vehicle emissions for better air quality.
Because of all the different ways people use vehicles,
maintenance needs vary. The vehicle might need
more frequent checks and services. Please read the
information under Scheduled Maintenance. To keep
the vehicle in good condition, see your dealer. The maintenance schedule is for vehicles that:
.carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits on the Tire and Loading Information label.
See
Loading the Vehicle on page 5‑23.
.are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
.use the recommended fuel. See Gasoline Octaneon page 6‑7.
{WARNING:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can be
dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can be
seriously injured. Do your own maintenance work
only if you have the required know-how and the
proper tools and equipment for the job. If you
have any doubt, see your dealer to have a
qualified technician do the work. See Doing Your
Own Service Work on page 6‑5.
7-2
Page 481 of 528

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
Page 491 of 528
Black plate (13,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading, who performed the service, and the
type of services performed in the boxes provided. Retain all maintenance receipts.
Maintenance Record
DateOdometer
Reading Serviced By Maintenance Stamp Services Performed
7-13
Page 499 of 528

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Online Owner Center
Cadillac Owner Center (U.S.)—
www.cadillacownercenter.com
Information and services customized for your specific
vehicle —all in one convenient place.
.Digital owner manual, warranty information,
and more
.Store online service and maintenance records
.Cadillac dealer locator for service nationwide
.Exclusive privileges and offers
.Recall notices for your specific vehicle
.OnStar and GM Cardmember Services Earnings
summaries
Other Helpful Links:
Cadillac —www.cadillac.com
Cadillac Merchandise —www.cadillaccollection.com
Help Center —www.cadillac.com/pages/mds/
helpcenter/faq.do
.FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
.Contact Us
My GM Canada (Canada) —www.gm.ca
My GM Canada is a password-protected section of
www.gm.ca where you can save information on GM
vehicles, get personalized offers, and use handy tools
and forms with greater ease.
Here are a few of the valuable tools and services you
will have access to:
.My Showroom: Find and save information on
vehicles and current offers in your area.
.My Dealers: Save details such as address and
phone number for each of your preferred GM
dealers.
.My Driveway: Access quick links to parts and
service estimates, check trade-in values,
or schedule a service appointment by adding the
vehicles you own to your driveway profile.
.My Preferences: Manage your profile and use tools
and forms with greater ease.
To sign up, visit the My GM.ca section within
www.gm.ca.
8-5
Page 505 of 528

Black plate (11,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Services Specific to
Canadian‐Purchased Vehicles
.Fuel delivery:Reimbursement is approximately
$5 Canadian. Diesel fuel delivery may be
restricted. Propane and other fuels are not
provided through this service.
.Lock-Out Service: Vehicle registration is
required.
.Trip Routing Service: Limit of six requests
per year.
.Trip Interruption Benefits and Service:
Pre-authorization, original detailed receipts, and
a copy of the repair orders are required. Once
authorization has been received, the Roadside
Service advisor will help you make arrangements
and explain how to receive payment.
.Alternative Service: If assistance cannot be
provided right away, the Roadside Service advisor
may give you permission to get local emergency
road service. You will receive payment, up to $100,
after sending the original receipt to Roadside
Service. Mechanical failures may be covered,
however any cost for parts and labor for repairs
not covered by the warranty are the owner
responsibility.
Scheduling Service Appointments
When your vehicle requires warranty service, contact
your dealer and request an appointment. By scheduling
a service appointment and advising your service
consultant of your transportation needs, your dealer can
help minimize your inconvenience.
If your vehicle cannot be scheduled into the service
department immediately, keep driving it until it can be
scheduled for service, unless, of course, the problem is
safety related. If it is, please call your dealership, let
them know this, and ask for instructions.
If the dealer requests you to bring the vehicle for
service, you are urged to do so as early in the work
day as possible to allow for the same day repair.
8-11