2013 CADILLAC ATS engine

Black plate (19,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
Vehicle Care 10-19
WARNING (Continued)
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down
to −37°C (−34°F), outside
temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to
129°C (265°F), engine
temperature.
.Protects against rust and
corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature. Notice:
If improper coolant
mixture, inhibitors, or additives
are used in the vehicle cooling
system, the engine could
overheat and be damaged. Too
much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack engine cooling
parts. The repairs would not be
covered by the warranty. Use only
the proper mixture of engine
coolant for the cooling system.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
It is normal to see coolant moving in
the upper coolant hose return line
when the engine is running. It is
also normal to see bubbles entering
the surge tank through the
small hose.
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 COLD
FILL line, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant.
Be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.

Black plate (20,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
10-20 Vehicle Care
If no coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
Notice:This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
If no problem is found, check to see
if coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank. If coolant is visible but
the coolant level is not at the bottom
of the fill neck, add a 50/50 mixture
of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant at the coolant
surge tank, but be sure the cooling
system, including the coolant surge
tank pressure cap, is cool before
you do it.
{WARNING
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. 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.
{WARNING
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.
Notice: In cold weather, water
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core and other
parts. Use the recommended
coolant and the proper coolant
mixture.
{WARNING
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.

Black plate (21,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
Vehicle Care 10-21
1. Remove the coolant surge tankpressure cap from the top
chamber 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. This
will allow any pressure still
left to be vented out the
discharge hose. 2. Keep turning the pressure cap
slowly and remove it. Open the
surge tank service port cap to
the lower chamber
3. Fill the surge tank top chamber with the proper DEX-COOL
coolant mixture to the bottom of
the fill neck. The top chamber
needs to be completely full. Fill
the surge tank bottom chamber
through the service port to
approximately half.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off and the surge
tank service port cap open, start
the engine and let it run until you
can feel the upper radiator hose
getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank top
chamber may be lower. If the
level is lower, add more of the proper DEX-COOL coolant
mixture to the surge tank top
chamber until the level reaches
the bottom of the fill neck.
5. Replace the surge tank pressure cap tightly and close the surge
tank service port cap.
Notice: If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Check the level in the surge tank
top and bottom chambers when the
cooling system has cooled down.
If the coolant is not at the proper
levels, repeat Steps 1–3 and
reinstall the pressure cap and close
the service port. If the coolant still is
not at the proper levels when the
system cools down again, see your
dealer.

Black plate (22,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
10-22 Vehicle Care
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to warn
of the engine overheating.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Service (Mexico) on
page 13‑7orRoadside Service
(U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑10.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fan is running. If the engine
is overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, do not continue
to run the engine. Have the vehicle
serviced.
Notice: Running the engine
without coolant may cause
damage or a fire. Vehicle damage
would not be covered by the
warranty.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{WARNING
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop the
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral) for an
automatic transmission or
Neutral for a manual
transmission while stopped.

Black plate (23,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
Vehicle Care 10-23
If it is safe to do so, pull off
the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) for an automatic
transmission or Neutral for a
manual transmission, and let the
engine idle.
If the overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slowly
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down.Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid is
needed, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. If operating the vehicle in an
area where the temperature may
fall below freezing, use a fluid that
has sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid
until the tank is full. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6 for reservoir location. Notice
.When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
.Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for
fluid expansion if freezing
occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is
completely full.
.Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the windshield
washer. It can damage the
windshield washer system
and paint.

Black plate (25,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
Vehicle Care 10-25
Brake Fluid
The brake/clutch master cylinder
reservoir is filled with DOT 3 brake
fluid as indicated on the reservoir
cap. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑6 for the
location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir
might go down:
.The brake fluid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the fluid level goes
back up.
.A fluid leak in the brake/clutch
hydraulic system can also
cause a low fluid level. Have the
brake/clutch hydraulic system fixed, since a leak means that
sooner or later the brakes will
not work well.
Do not top off the brake/clutch fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake/clutch hydraulic
system.
{WARNING
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake/clutch
hydraulic system.
Checking Brake Fluid
The brake/clutch fluid can be
checked without taking off the cap
by looking at the brake/clutch fluid
reservoir.
The fluid level should be above
MIN. If it is not, have the brake/
clutch hydraulic system checked to
see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake/
clutch hydraulic system, make sure
the level is above MIN but not over
the MAX mark.
When the brake/clutch fluid falls to a
low level, the brake warning light
comes on. See Brake System
Warning Light on page 5‑18.
What to Add
Use only new GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid from a sealed container.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13.

Black plate (26,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
10-26 Vehicle Care
Always clean the brake/clutch 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/clutch hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake/clutch fluid.
Notice
.Using the wrong fluid can
badly damage brake/clutch
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.
Battery
The battery is in the trunk, beneath
the trim panel, on the driver
side of the vehicle. Refer to the
replacement number shown on the
original battery label when a new
battery is needed.
{WARNING
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. After a power loss, such as
disconnecting the battery or
removing the maxi fuses in the
power distribution fuse block, the
following steps must be performed
to calibrate the electronic throttle
control. If this is not done, the
engine will not run properly.
1. Turn the ignition on but do not
start the engine.
2. Leave the ignition on for at least three minutes so that the
electronic throttle control will
cycle and relearn its home
position.
3. Turn the ignition off.
4. Start and run the engine for at least 30 seconds.

Black plate (28,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
10-28 Vehicle Care
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level
surface.
If the level is below the bottom of
the fill plug hole, on the transfer
case, some lubricant will need to be
added. Add enough lubricant to
raise the level to the bottom of the
fill plug hole. Use care not to
overtighten the fill plug.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine what kind of lubricant
to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑13.Starter Switch Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
See Parking Brake (Electric) on
page 9‑30 orParking Brake
(Manual) on page 9‑33.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts. 3. For automatic transmission
vehicles, try to start the engine
in each gear. The vehicle
should start only in P (Park) or
N (Neutral). If the vehicle starts
in any other position, contact
your dealer for service.
For manual transmission
vehicles, put the shift lever in
Neutral, push the clutch pedal
down halfway, and try to start
the engine. The vehicle should
start only when the clutch pedal
is pushed down all the way to
the floor. If the vehicle starts
when the clutch pedal is not
pushed all the way down,
contact your dealer for service.