Page 304 of 496

Black plate (54,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
9-54 Driving and Operating
If the fuel cap is not installed
properly, the TIGHTEN GAS CAP
message will appear on the Driver
Information Center display. SeeFuel
System Messages on page 5‑36.
When reinstalling the cap, turn it
clockwise until it clicks once,
otherwise the Malfunction Indicator
Lamp could turn on. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5‑19.
{WARNING
Fuel can spray out on you if you
open the fuel cap too quickly.
If you spill fuel and then
something ignites it, you could be
badly burned. This spray can
happen if the tank is nearly full,
and is more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly and wait
for any hiss noise to stop. Then
unscrew the cap all the way. Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not
top off or overfill the tank and wait a
few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the
nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care on page 10‑110.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it
clockwise until it clicks once. Make
sure the cap is fully installed. The
diagnostic system can determine if
the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑19.
{WARNING
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately.
Notice: If a new fuel cap is
needed, be sure to get the right
type of cap from your dealer. The
wrong type of fuel cap might not
fit properly, might cause the
malfunction indicator lamp to
light, and could damage the fuel
tank and emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5‑19.
Page 305 of 496

Black plate (55,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-55
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{WARNING
Never fill a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle. Static
electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel
vapor. You can be badly burned
and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you
and others:
.Dispense fuel only into
approved containers.
.Do not fill a container while it
is inside a vehicle, in a
vehicle's trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than
the ground.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Bring the fill nozzle in contact
with the inside of the fill
opening before operating the
nozzle. Contact should be
maintained until the filling is
complete.
.Do not smoke while
pumping fuel.
.Do not use a cellular phone
while pumping fuel.
Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer.
See the following trailer towing
information in this section:
.For information on driving while
towing a trailer, see “Driving
Characteristics and
Towing Tips.”
.For maximum vehicle and trailer
weights, see “Trailer Towing.”
.For information on equipment to
tow a trailer, see “Towing
Equipment.”
For information on towing a disabled
vehicle, see Towing the Vehicle on
page 10‑108. For information on
towing the vehicle behind another
Page 306 of 496

Black plate (56,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
9-56 Driving and Operating
vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing on
page 10‑108.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
{WARNING
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly. For
example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work
well—or even at all. The driver
and passengers could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may
also be damaged; the resulting
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer
only if all the steps in this section
have been followed. Ask your
dealer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with the
vehicle. The vehicle can tow a trailer if it is
equipped with the proper trailer
towing equipment. To identify the
trailering capacity of the vehicle, see
Trailer Towing (CTS-V and Coupe)
on page 9‑59
orTrailer Towing
(Except CTS-V and Coupe) on
page 9‑59. Trailering changes
handling, acceleration, braking,
durability, and fuel economy. With
the added weight, the engine,
transmission, wheel assemblies,
and tires are forced to work harder
and under greater loads. The trailer
also adds wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.
For safe trailering, correctly use the
proper trailering equipment.
The following information has
important trailering tips and rules for
your safety and that of your
passengers. Read this section
carefully before pulling a trailer.
Pulling a Trailer
Here are some important points:
.There are many laws, including
speed limit restrictions that apply
to trailering. Check for legal
requirements with state or
provincial police.
.Do not tow a trailer at all during
the first 1 600 km (1,000 mi) the
new vehicle is driven. The
engine or other parts could be
damaged.
.During the first 800 km (500 mi)
that a trailer is towed, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
This reduces wear on the
vehicle.
.Vehicles with automatic
transmissions can tow in
D (Drive) but M (Manual Mode)
is recommended. See Manual
Mode on page 9‑29 for more
information. Use a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often.
Page 323 of 496

Black plate (11,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-11
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 vehicle
must be on level ground. The
engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow
loop. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑6 for 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 the 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
1 L (1 qt) of the recommended oil
and then recheck the level. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil” in
this section for an explanation of
what kind of oil to use. For engine
oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2.
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 driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for 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.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13.
Specification
Use and ask for licensed engine oils
with the dexos1™ approved
certification mark. Engine oils
meeting the requirements for the
vehicle should have the dexos1
approved certification mark. This
certification mark indicates that the
oil has been approved to the dexos1
specification.
Page 347 of 496

Black plate (35,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-35
The vehicle should:
.Be placed so the headlamps
are 7.6 m (25 ft) from a light
colored wall.
.Have all four tires on a level
surface which is level all the
way to the wall.
.Be placed so it is perpendicular
to the wall.
.Not have any snow, ice, or mud
on it.
.Be fully assembled and have all
other work stopped while
headlamp aiming is being
performed.
.Be loaded with a full tank of fuel
and one person or 75 kg
(160 lbs) sitting on the
driver seat.
.Have all tires properly inflated.
.Have the spare tire (if equipped)
in its original location in the
vehicle.Headlamp aiming is done with the
vehicle's low-beam headlamps. The
high-beam headlamps will be
correctly aimed if the low-beam
headlamps are aimed properly.
To adjust the vertical aim:
1. Open the hood. See
Hood on
page 10‑5 for more information.
Halogen Headlamps
High Intensity Discharge
Headlamps
2. Locate the aim dot on the lens of the low‐beam headlamp.
3. Record the distance from the ground to the aim dot on the
low‐beam headlamp.
Page 367 of 496
Black plate (55,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-55
RelaysUsage
5 Stop Lamps
(Export Only)
6 Door Lock
7 Door Unlock Relays
Usage
8 Fuel Door Unlock
(Export Only)
9 Right Position Lamp
(Export Only)
10 Console/Auxiliary
Power Outlet Relays
Usage
11 Sedan Trunk
Release/Coupe
Rear Fog
(Export Only)
12 Side Marker Lamps
13 Left Position Lamps
Mini‐Fuses Usage 14 Right Position Lamp
15 Left Position Lamp
16 Door Lock
17 Console/Auxiliary
Power Outlet
18 Rear Fog/Export
Body Control
Module
(Export Only)
19 Trunk Release
20 Easy Entry Seats
(Coupe Only)
21 Sunroof
Page 368 of 496

Black plate (56,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
10-56 Vehicle Care
Mini‐Fuses Usage22 Right Position Lamp
(Export Only)
23 Regulated Voltage
Control Sensor
24 Audio System
(Radio)
25 Airbag System
26 Remote Keyless
Entry/PASS‐Key
®
Theft Deterrent
Module
27 Audio Speakers/
Subwoofer
28 OnStar
®System
(If Equipped)
29 Engine Control
Module
30 Canister Vent
31 Fuel Pump
33 Stop Lamps
(Export Only) Mini‐Fuses Usage
34 Theft Deterrent
System/Universal
Garage Door
Opener
35 Memory Seat
Module
36 Passenger Door
Module
38 Side Blind Zone
Alert (Coupe Only)
39 Amplifier
Circuit
Breakers Usage
1 Driver Power Seat
Switch
2 Passenger Power
Seat Switch
3 Power Windows
4 Power Steering
Column Circuit
Breakers Usage
32 Left Rear Window
Switch
37 Right Rear Window
Switch
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block (CTS-V Coupe and
Sedan)
The rear compartment fuse block is
located on top of the battery, on the
right side of the trunk. The battery
access door must be removed to
access the fuse block.
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown.
Page 369 of 496
Black plate (57,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-57
RelaysUsage
5 Stop Lamps
(Export Only)
6 Door Lock
7 Door Unlock Relays
Usage
8 Fuel Door Unlock
(Export Only)
9 Right Position Lamp
(Export Only)
10 Console/Auxiliary
Power Outlet Relays
Usage
11 Sedan Trunk
Release/Coupe
Rear Fog
(Export Only)
12 Side Marker Lamps
13 Left Position Lamps
Mini‐Fuses Usage 14 Right Position Lamp
15 Left Position Lamp
16 Door Lock
17 Console/Auxiliary
Power Outlet
18 Rear Fog/Export
Body Control
Module
(Export Only)
19 Trunk Release
20 Easy Entry Seats
(Coupe Only)
21 Fuel Pump