Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9087644) -
2016 - crc - 9/17/15
248 Vehicle Care
Cooling System (Engine)
1. Engine Coolant Surge Tankand Pressure Cap
2. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View)
{Warning
The electric fans 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. If the coolant inside the coolant
surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a
level surface.
The coolant level should be up to
the cold fill line. If it is not, there
might be a leak at the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump, or somewhere else in the
cooling system.
{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 vehicle 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.
If there seems to be no leak, with
the engine on, check to see if the
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, the fans should be running. If it is not, the
vehicle needs service. Turn off the
vehicle.
Cooling System (High
Voltage Battery)
During vehicle operation and also
during charging, the high voltage
battery cells in the vehicle are kept
within a normal operating
temperature range. If the
temperature rises above this
temperature, the battery cooling
system turns on the air conditioning
compressor and cools the coolant
until the correct temperature is
reached. If the temperature falls
below this temperature, a high
voltage heater, located in the
battery, heats the coolant until the
correct temperature is reached.
What to Use
The high voltage battery coolant
reservoir in the vehicle is required to
be filled with a 50/50 mixture of
DEX-COOL
®engine coolant and
ProCarManuals.com
Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9087644) -
2016 - crc - 9/17/15
250 Vehicle Care
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the reservoir. If coolant is visible but
the coolant level is below the cold
fill line, there could be a leak in the
cooling system.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Reservoir
If no problem is found, add the
proper DEX-COOL coolant mixture
at the coolant reservoir.
The coolant reservoir pressure cap
can be removed when the cooling
system, including the pressure cap,
is no longer hot.1. Turn the pressure cap counterclockwise and
remove it.
2. Fill the coolant reservoir with the proper mixture to the cold
fill line on the side of the
reservoir.
3. Reinstall the pressure cap tightly.
Check the level in the coolant
reservoir when the cooling system
has cooled down. If the coolant is
not at the proper level, repeat
Steps 1 and 2, then reinstall the
pressure cap. If the coolant still is
not at the proper level when the
system cools down again, see your
dealer.
Engine Coolant
The engine cooling system in the
vehicle is filled with DEX-COOL
engine coolant. The coolant needs
to be replaced every 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 0253.
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
(Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9087644) -
2016 - crc - 9/17/15
Vehicle Care 251
Warning (Continued)
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/
50 mixture of deionized water and
DEX-COOL coolant.
Use a 50/50 mixture of deionized
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.
Caution
If improper coolant mixture,
inhibitors, or additives are used in
the vehicle cooling system, the
engine could overheat and be
damaged. Too much deionized
water or clean drinkable water
can freeze and crack engine
cooling parts. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Use only the proper
mixture of engine coolant for the
cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0327.
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.
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 mark, add a 50/
50 mixture of deionized water and
DEX-COOL coolant at the coolant
surge tank, but be sure the cooling
system is cool before this is done.
See Engine Overheating 0253
The coolant reservoir is located on
the passenger side of the engine
compartment. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0242.
The coolant level should be at or
above the cold fill line on the
coolant surge tank. If it is not, there
could be a leak in the cooling
system.
ProCarManuals.com
Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9087644) -
2016 - crc - 9/17/15
Service and Maintenance 317
Service and
Maintenance
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 317
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 318
Special Application Services
Special ApplicationServices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Additional Maintenance
and Care
Additional Maintenanceand Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Maintenance Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Maintenance Records
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 329
General Information
Your vehicle is an important
investment. This section describes
the required maintenance for the
vehicle. Follow this schedule to help
protect against major repair
expenses resulting from neglect or
inadequate maintenance. It may
also help to maintain the value of
the vehicle if it is sold. It is the
responsibility of the owner to have
all required maintenance performed.
Your dealer has trained technicians
who can perform required
maintenance using genuine
replacement parts. They have
up-to-date tools and equipment for
fast and accurate diagnostics. Many
dealers have extended evening and
Saturday hours, courtesy
transportation, and online
scheduling to assist with service
needs.
Your dealer recognizes the
importance of providing
competitively priced maintenance
and repair services. With trained
technicians, the dealer is the place
for routine maintenance such as oil changes and tire rotations and
additional maintenance items like
tires, brakes, batteries, and wiper
blades.
Caution
Damage caused by improper
maintenance can lead to costly
repairs and may not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Maintenance intervals, checks,
inspections, recommended fluids,
and lubricants are important to
keep the vehicle in good working
condition.
The Tire Rotation and Required
Services are the responsibility of the
vehicle owner. It is recommended to
have your dealer perform these
services every 12 000 km/7,500 mi.
Proper vehicle maintenance helps to
keep the vehicle in good working
condition, improves fuel economy,
and reduces vehicle emissions.
Because of the way people use
vehicles, maintenance needs vary.
There may need to be more
ProCarManuals.com
Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9087644) -
2016 - crc - 9/17/15
318 Service and Maintenance
frequent checks and services. The
Additional Required Services -
Normal are for vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. See Vehicle Load
Limits 0179.
. Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits.
. Use the recommended fuel. See
Fuel 0230.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Normal chart.
The Additional Required Services -
Severe are for vehicles that are:
. Mainly driven in heavy city traffic
in hot weather.
. Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
. Used for high speed or
competitive driving.
. Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service. Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Severe chart.
{Warning
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous and can cause
serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools,
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. See
Doing Your Own
Service Work 0239.
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.
Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil 0243.
Once a Month
. Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire
Pressure 0278.
. Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection 0283.
. Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer
Fluid 0253.
. Engine, power electronics, and
high voltage battery pack
coolant level checks. See
Cooling System (High Voltage
Battery) 0248 orCooling
System (Power Electronics and
Charger Modules) 0249 or
Cooling System (Engine) 0248.
ProCarManuals.com
Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9087644) -
2016 - crc - 9/17/15
Service and Maintenance 319
Engine Oil Change
Every 24 months or when the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message displays, change the
engine oil and filter as soon as
possible, within the next 1 000 km/
600 mi. The engine oil and filter
must be changed at least once
every 24 months. After each oil and
filter change, the oil life system must
be reset. SeeEngine Oil Life
System 0245. More frequent
changes may be required when the
vehicle is exposed to a corrosive
environment, such as areas of high
humidity, along an ocean coast,
and/or areas that apply road salt
during winter.
Your trained dealer technician can
perform this work. If the engine oil
life system is reset accidentally,
service the vehicle within 5 000 km/
3,000 mi since the last service.
Reset the oil life system when the
oil is changed.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. See Tire
Rotation 0284.
. Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil 0243 andEngine Oil Life
System 0245.
. Check engine coolant level. See
Engine Coolant 0250.
. Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid 0253.
. Visually inspect windshield wiper
blades for wear, cracking,
or contamination. See Exterior
Care 0308. Replace worn or
damaged wiper blades. See
Wiper Blade
Replacement 0259. .
Check tire inflation pressures.
See Tire Pressure 0278.
. Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection 0283.
. Visually check for fluid leaks.
. Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/
Filter 0246.
. Inspect brake system. See
Exterior Care 0308.
. Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of
wear. See Exterior Care 0308.
. Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check 063.
. Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
. Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts.
ProCarManuals.com
Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9087644) -
2016 - crc - 9/17/15
Service and Maintenance 321
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required
Services - Normal12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi
60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi
84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi
120 000 km/75,000 mi
132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi
156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi 180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi
204 000 km/127,500 mi
216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires and perform Required Services.
Check engine oil level and oil life percentage.
Change engine oil and filter, if needed.@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace passenger compartment air filter. (1)@ @@@@@
Inspect evaporative control system. (2)@ @@
Replace engine air cleaner filter. (3)@@@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires.@
Replace Manual Service Disconnect (MSD).@@
Drain and fill engine, power electronics, and high
voltage battery cooling systems. (4)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (5)@
Replace brake fluid. (6)
ProCarManuals.com
Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9087644) -
2016 - crc - 9/17/15
322 Service and Maintenance
Footnotes—Maintenance
Schedule Additional Required
Services - Normal
(1) Or every two years, whichever
comes first. More frequent
passenger compartment air filter
replacement may be needed if
driving in areas with heavy traffic,
poor air quality, high dust levels,
or environmental allergens.
Passenger compartment air filter
replacement may also be needed if
there is reduced airflow, window
fogging, or odors. Your GM dealer
can help determine when to replace
the filter.
(2) Check all fuel and vapor lines
and hoses for proper hook-up,
routing, and condition.
(3) Or every four years, whichever
comes first. If driving in dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
oil change or more often as needed.
(4) Or every five years, whichever
comes first. See Cooling System
(High Voltage Battery) 0248 or
Cooling System (Power Electronics
and Charger Modules) 0249 or
Cooling System (Engine) 0248. (5)
Or every 10 years, whichever
comes first. Inspect for fraying,
excessive cracking, or damage;
replace, if needed.
(6) Replace brake fluid every five
years. See Brake Fluid 0255.
ProCarManuals.com