Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9087644) -
2016 - crc - 9/17/15
244 Vehicle Care
Obtaining an accurate oil level
reading is essential: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.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
2. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean 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 0331.
Caution
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
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
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
0 242 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 0327.
Specification
Ask for and use engine oils that
meet the dexos1™ specification.
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Vehicle Care 245
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil.
Cold Temperature Operation: In an
area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below −29 °C
(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used. An oil of this viscosity grade
will provide easier cold starting for the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting an oil
of the appropriate viscosity grade, it
is recommended to select an oil of
the correct specification. See
“Specification”
earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos1 specification are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
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246 Vehicle Care
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to
two years. The engine oil and filter
must be changed at least once
every two years and, at this time,
the system must be reset. Your
dealer has trained service people
who will perform this work and reset
the system. It is also important to
check the oil regularly over the
course of an oil drain interval and
keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:1. Display RESET OIL LIFE on the DIC menu. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0132.
2. Press and hold SEL for several seconds while the Oil Life
display is active to reset the Oil
Life system.
100% OIL LIFE will be
displayed when OIL LIFE is
successfully reset.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not reset. Repeat the
procedure.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 242 for the location of the engine
air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
For intervals on changing and
inspecting the engine air cleaner/
filter, see Maintenance
Schedule 0318.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Do not start the engine or have the
engine running with the engine air
cleaner/filter housing open. Before
removing the engine air cleaner/
filter, make sure that the engine air
cleaner/filter housing and nearby
components are free of dirt and
debris. Remove the engine air
cleaner/filter. Lightly tap and shake
the engine air cleaner/filter (away
from the vehicle), to release loose
dust and dirt. Inspect the engine air
cleaner/filter for damage, and
replace if damaged. Do not clean
the engine air cleaner/filter or
components with water or
compressed air.
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Vehicle Care 247
1. Retaining Clips
2. Air Duct Clamp
3. Electrical Connector
To inspect or replace the air filter:1. Open the hood. See Hood 0240.
2. Locate the engine air cleaner/ filter assembly on the
passenger side of the engine
compartment. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0242.
3. Disconnect the air duct by loosening the air duct
clamp (2).
4. Disconnect the electrical connector (3). 5. Lift the retaining clips (1) from
the engine air cleaner/filter
assembly.
6. Turn and tilt the air cleaner/ filter cover slightly upward and
slide it out. Remove the air
cleaner/filter.
How to Reinstall the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
1. Install the air filter into theengine air cleaner/filter
assembly. The outer air filter
seal must be fitted properly in
the engine air cleaner/filter
assembly.
2. Replace the air cleaner/filter cover by lowering it to meet the
bottom of the engine air
cleaner/filter assembly. Place
the retaining clips (1) on the
engine air cleaner/filter
assembly and secure. The rear
tabs must be secured into the
lower portion of the air cleaner/
filter.
3. Reconnect the air duct and tighten the air duct clamp (2). 4. Reconnect the electrical
connector (3).
{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.
Caution
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.
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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
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Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9087644) -
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Vehicle Care 249
deionized water. If using this
mixture, nothing else needs to be
added.
The coolant needs to be replaced at
the appropriate interval. See
Maintenance Schedule0318.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
The high voltage battery coolant
reservoir is in the engine
compartment. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0242.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the high voltage battery coolant
reservoir. If coolant is visible but the
coolant level is below the cold fill
line, there could be a leak in the
cooling system.
The high voltage battery coolant
should only be serviced by a
qualified technician.
Cooling System (Power
Electronics and Charger
Modules)
The power electronics and charger
modules are cooled using the same
coolant loop.
These modules are kept below a
maximum temperature. If the
temperature rises above this
temperature, the electric cooling
fans will turn on to cool the coolant.
What to Use
The coolant reservoir for these
modules is filled with a 50/
50 mixture of DEX-COOL engine
coolant and deionized water. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0327. If using this
mixture, nothing else needs to be
added.
The coolant needs to be replaced at
the appropriate interval. See
Maintenance Schedule 0318.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
The reservoir is in the engine
compartment. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0242.
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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)
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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.
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