Page 313 of 478

Black plate (13,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Vehicle Care 10-13
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to the
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
The vehicle is not equipped with a
transmission fluid level dipstick.
There is a special procedure for
checking and changing the
transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, it should be
done at the dealer. Contact your
dealer for additional information or
refer to the procedure in the service
manual. To purchase a service
manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 13‑16. Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed in
Maintenance
Schedule on page 11‑3, and be sure
to use the fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13.
Manual Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
manual transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to a dealer
for service. Have it repaired as soon
as possible. You may also have the
fluid level checked by your dealer
when the oil is changed. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13 for the
proper fluid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
It is not necessary to regularly
check clutch fluid unless you
suspect there is a leak in the
system. Adding fluid will not correct a leak. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What
to Use
The hydraulic clutch fluid reservoir
cap has this symbol on it. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10‑5
for reservoir location.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
for the proper fluid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13. The fluid
requires changing every two years.
See Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3.
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Black plate (14,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
10-14 Vehicle Care
How to Check and Add Fluid
Visually check the clutch fluid
reservoir to make sure the fluid level
is at the MIN (minimum) line on the
side of the reservoir. The hydraulic
clutch fluid system should be closed
and sealed.
Do not remove the cap to check the
fluid level or to top‐off the fluid level.
Remove the cap only when
necessary to add the proper fluid
until the level reaches the MIN line.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle, near the front.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑5.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals
and replace it at the first oil change
after each 80 000 km (50,000 mile)
interval. See Maintenance Schedule
on page 11‑3. If you are driving in
dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the
filter at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/filter,
remove the filter from the vehicle
and lightly shake the filter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the filter
remains covered with dirt, a new
filter is required.
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Turn the ignition off.
2. Remove the side cover by pulling up on the front of the
cover.
Page 315 of 478
Black plate (15,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Vehicle Care 10-15
3. Disconnect the electricalconnector from the air box.
4. Loosen the screw on the clamp holding the air outlet duct in
place. Do not remove the clamp.
Move the duct aside.
5. Remove the hose from the air cleaner housing mounting arm.
Move the hose aside.
6. Remove the three air cleanerhousing cover screws.
7. Move the air cleaner housingcover and remove the cover
from the air cleaner housing.8. Remove the air cleaner filterfrom the air cleaner housing.
How to Reinstall Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
1. Install the air cleaner into the aircleaner housing. The outer air
cleaner filter seal must be fitted
properly in the air cleaner
housing.
2. Align the air cleaner housing cover tabs to the air cleaner
housing.
3. Install the air cleaner housing cover.
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Black plate (16,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
10-16 Vehicle Care
4. Install the air cleaner housingcover screws.
5. Install the hose to the air cleaner housing mounting arm. The hose
must be routed correctly.
6. Install the air cleaner outlet duct to the air cleaner housing.
7. Tighten the air cleaner outlet duct screw clamp.
8. Attach the electrical connector to the air box.
9. Reinstall the side cover.
{WARNING
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it
helps to stop flames if the engine
backfires. Use caution when
working on the engine and do not
drive with the air cleaner/filter off. Notice:
If the air cleaner/filter is
off, dirt can easily get into the
engine, which could damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter
in place when you are driving.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
3.6L V6 Shown, 3.0L V6 Engine
and 6.2L V8 Engine Similar
1. Engine Cooling Fan(s) (Out of View) 2. Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap
{WARNING
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
Page 317 of 478

Black plate (17,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Vehicle Care 10-17
Notice:Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing
sooner, at 50 000 km (30,000 mi)
or 24 months, whichever occurs
first. Any repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use DEX-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant in the
vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle
for all engines and the intercooler is
filled with DEX-COOL
®. This coolant
is designed to remain in the vehicle
for 5 years or 240 000 km
(150,000 mi), whichever occurs first.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating on
page 10‑21.
What to Use
{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
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. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
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
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Black plate (18,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
10-18 Vehicle Care
coolant for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended 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.
The engine coolant reservoir is in
the engine compartment on the
driver side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10‑5.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the surge tank. If the coolant inside
the 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 mark, 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.
If the engine is warm or hot, the
coolant level should be at or above
the FROID/FULL COLD line on the
side of the coolant surge tank. If the
engine is cold, the coolant level
should be near the FROID/FULL
COLD line on the side of the coolant
surge tank. If it is not, there could
be a leak in the cooling system.
How to Add Coolant to the
Surge Tank
{WARNING
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Notice: This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
{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.
Page 319 of 478

Black plate (19,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Vehicle Care 10-19
If coolant is needed, add the proper
DEX-COOL coolant mixture at the
coolant surge tank.
If no coolant is visible in the surge
tank, add coolant as follows:
1. Remove the coolant surge tankpressure 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 about
one-quarter turn and then stop.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. A hiss means there is still
some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure capslowly and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper mixture, to slightly
above the FROID/FULL COLD
line on the side of the coolant
surge tank.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you
can feel the upper radiator hose
getting hot. The upper radiator
hose is the top hose coming out
of the radiator, on the passenger
side of the vehicle. Watch out for
the engine cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches the
FROID/FULL COLD line on the
side of the coolant surge tank.
5. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure cap is
hand-tight and fully seated.
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Black plate (20,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
10-20 Vehicle Care
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.
Recheck the coolant level in the
bottle next time you use your
vehicle to ensure the system is full
when cold.
Checking Coolant in the
Intercooler System (CTS-V)
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
The super charged engine
intercooler coolant fill neck is in the
engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10‑5.
On the coolant fill neck, there is a
cold fill region between the two
horizontal lines shown.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant fill neck. If the coolant is
not visible or below the cold fill region in the fill neck, add a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant fill bottle, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before this
is done.
Adding Coolant to the
Intercooler System
Coolant (CTS-V)
1. Remove the intercooler system
pressure cap when the
intercooler system hoses are no
longer hot. Turn the pressure
cap slowly counterclockwise about one-quarter of a turn.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This allows any pressure
still left to be vented.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.
3. Add the proper DEX-COOL coolant mixture to the fill neck
until the coolant is within the
cold fill region.
With the intercooler system
pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run for a couple
of minutes. Then turn the engine
off. By this time, the coolant
level inside the fill neck may be
lower. If the level drops where
coolant is no longer within the
cold fill region of the fill neck
with the engine off, add more of
the DEX-COOL coolant mixture
to the fill neck until the level is
again visible in the cold fill
region.
4. Replace the pressure cap tightly.