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.
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.
Black plate (21,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Vehicle Care 10-21
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.
If the coolant is not at the proper
level when the system cools down
again, see your dealer.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating.
There are two engine hot messages
that may be displayed in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Engine Cooling System Messages
on page 5‑34 for more information.
You may decide not to lift the hood
when one of these warnings appear,
but get service help right away. See
Roadside Service (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑7 orRoadside
Service (Mexico) on page 13‑9.
If you do decide to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked on
a level surface. Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, the fan(s)
should be running. If they are not,
do not continue to run the engine
and 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. See Overheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on
page 10‑22 for information on
driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
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
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
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.
Black plate (22,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
10-22 Vehicle Care
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
.Tows a trailer.
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) while stopped.
If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slow
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the car in front
of you. 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. Also, see
“Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode”
next in this section.
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode
This operating mode allows the
vehicle to be driven to a safe place
in an emergency. Should a hot
engine condition exist, an overheat
protection mode which alternates
firing groups of cylinders helps
prevent engine damage. In this
mode, there is a loss in power and
engine performance. Driving
extended distances and/or towing a
trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
Power Steering Fluid
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑5 for the location of the
power steering fluid reservoir.
When to Check Power Steering
Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the
system or you hear an unusual
noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
To check the power steering fluid:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment cool down.
Black plate (28,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
10-28 Vehicle Care
2. Firmly apply both the parkingbrake and the regular brake.
See Parking Brake (Electric) on
page 9‑33 orParking Brake
(Manual) on page 9‑32.
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.Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function 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. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See Parking Brake (Electric) on
page 9‑33 orParking Brake
(Manual) on page 9‑32.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.Ignition Transmission
Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF in each shift lever
position.
.The ignition should turn to
LOCK/OFF only when the shift
lever is in P (Park).
.With the key access ignition
system, the ignition key should
come out only in LOCK/OFF.
See
Ignition Positions (Keyless
Access) on page 9‑15 orIgnition
Positions (Key Access) on
page 9‑17.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Black plate (29,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Vehicle Care 10-29
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
.To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
.To check the P (Park)
mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking. See
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3.
It is a good idea to clean or replace
the wiper blade assembly on a
regular basis or when worn. For
proper windshield wiper blade
length and type, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts on page 11‑15.
To replace the wiper blade
assembly:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off. 2. Turn on the windshield wipers
and turn them off again when
the wipers are in the out-wipe
position. The driver side blade
will be straight up and down on
the windshield.
3. Pull the windshield wiper assembly away from the
windshield.
4. Lift up the wiper bladeassembly cap.
Black plate (35,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Vehicle Care 10-35
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are
protected from short circuits by a
combination of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the
chance of damage caused by
electrical problems.
To check a fuse, look at the
silver-colored band inside the fuse.
If the band is broken or melted,
replace the fuse. Be sure to replace
a bad fuse with a new one of the
identical size and rating.
Fuses of the same amperage can
be temporarily borrowed from
another fuse location, if a fuse goes
out. Replace the fuse as soon as
you can.To identify and check fuses, circuit
breakers, and relays, see
Engine
Compartment Fuse Block (CTS-V
Wagon) on page 10‑46 orEngine
Compartment Fuse Block (CTS
Coupe and Sedan) on page 10‑35
or Engine Compartment Fuse Block
(CTS-V Coupe and Sedan) on
page 10‑39 orEngine Compartment
Fuse Block (CTS Wagon) on
page 10‑42 andRear Compartment
Fuse Block (CTS Wagon) on
page 10‑54 orRear Compartment
Fuse Block (CTS-V Wagon) on
page 10‑56 orRear Compartment
Fuse Block (CTS Coupe and
Sedan) on page 10‑49 orRear
Compartment Fuse Block (CTS-V
Coupe and Sedan) on page 10‑52.
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block (CTS Coupe
and Sedan)
The underhood fuse block is on the
left side of the engine compartment.
Lift the fuse block cover to access
the fuses.
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses and relays
shown.
Notice: Spilling liquid on any
electrical component on the
vehicle may damage it. Always
keep the covers on any electrical
component.
Black plate (101,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Vehicle Care 10-101
the negative cable to your
vehicle's remote negative ground
location, instead of the ECM, ECM
bracket, or any cables attached to
the ECM bracket.
{WARNING
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Using an open flame near a
battery can cause battery gas to
explode. People have been hurt
doing this, and some have been
blinded. Use a flashlight if you
need more light.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You do not need to add
water to the battery installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there. If it is low,
add water to take care of that
first. If you do not, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{WARNING
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running. 5. Check that the jumper cables do
not have loose or missing
insulation. If they do, you could
get a shock. The vehicles could
be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables,
here are some basic things you
should know. Positive (+) will go
to positive (+) or to a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one. Negative (−) will go to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine
part or to a remote negative (−)
terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to
negative (−) or you will get a
short that would damage the
battery and maybe other parts
too. And do not connect the
negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal on the dead
battery because this can cause
sparks.