2018 CADILLAC ATS service

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032610) -
2019 - crc - 8/22/18
VEHICLE CARE 237
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Tire Sealant andCompressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Storing the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 310
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit your
dealer. You will receive genuine GM
parts and GM-trained and supported
service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of these
marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
{Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this
one, as well as many of its service
parts and fluids, contain and/or
emit chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive
harm. Engine exhaust, many parts
and systems, many fluids, and
some component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these
chemicals. For more information go
to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See Battery - North America 0258 and
Jump Starting - North America 0306
and the back cover.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032610) -
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238 VEHICLE CARE
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag initiators,
seat belt pretensioners, and lithium
batteries contained in Remote Keyless
Entry transmitters, may contain
perchlorate materials. Special
handling may be necessary. For
additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.Damage to suspension components
caused by modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM certified
parts, including control module or
software modifications, is not covered
under the terms of the vehicle
warranty and may affect remaining
warranty coverage for affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle using
genuine GM Accessories installed by a
dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 087.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have the
proper knowledge, service manual,
tools, or parts. Always follow
owner’s manual procedures and
consult the service manual for your
vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service manual.
It tells you much more about how to
service the vehicle than this manual
can. To order the proper service
manual, see Publication Ordering
Information 0348.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 087.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032610) -
2019 - crc - 8/22/18
VEHICLE CARE 239
If equipped with remote vehicle start,
open the hood before performing any
service work to prevent remote
starting the vehicle accidentally. See
Remote Vehicle Start034.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records 0335.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage to
vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release lever with
this symbol on it. It is inside the
vehicle on the lower side of the
instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle tofind the secondary hood release
handle. The handle is under the
front edge of the hood near the
center. Push the handle to the
right and at the same time raise
the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all
the filler caps are on properly. Then
bring the hood from full open to
within 15 cm (6 in) from the closed
position, pause, then push the front
center of the hood with a swift, firm
motion to fully close the hood.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032610) -
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.If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is warm,
or at least 30 minutes if the
engine is not warm. Pull out the
dipstick, 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
3.6L V6 Engine
3.6L V6 Twin Turbo Engine
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and the
engine has been off for at least
15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for an
explanation of what kind of oil to use.
For engine oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications 0337.
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 the oil level is above the
operating range (i.e., the engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
above the cross-hatched area that
shows the proper operating range),
the engine could be damaged. Drain
the excess oil or limit driving of the
vehicle, and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 240 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 0332.
Specification
Use full synthetic engine oils that
meet the dexos1 specification. Engine
oils that have been approved by GM

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VEHICLE CARE 247
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 a year. The engine oil and filter
must be changed at least once a year
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. Using the DIC buttons, display REMAINING OIL LIFE on the
DIC. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) 0139.
2. Press and hold SEL to clear the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message and reset the oil life
at 100%.
Be careful not to reset the oil life
display accidentally at any time
other than after the oil is
changed. It cannot be reset
accurately until the next oil
change.
The oil life system can also be reset as
follows:
1. Display REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) 0139. 2. Fully press and release the
accelerator pedal three times
within five seconds.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message is not on, the
system is reset.
The system is reset when the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
is off.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat the
procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak occurs,
take the vehicle to your dealer and
have it repaired as soon as possible.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032610) -
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What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain
water or the wrong mixture, the
engine could get too hot but there
would not be an 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. 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
Do not use anything other than a
mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard GMW3420 and
clean, drinkable water. Anything
else can cause damage to the
engine cooling system and the
vehicle, which would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or pouring 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 surge tank and
CAC bottle are in the engine
compartment on the driver side of the
vehicle. See
Engine Compartment
Overview 0240.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the
surge tank and CAC bottle. 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
mark pointed to on the surge tank or
at the CAC bottle cold fill mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.
Be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
If no coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank or CAC bottle, add coolant
as follows:

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Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and engine
damage may occur. Be sure the cap
is properly and tightly secured.
How to Add Coolant to the CAC
Bottle
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine parts
can burn you. Coolant contains
ethylene glycol and it will burn if
the engine parts are hot enough.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific
coolant fill procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and could
cause system damage. If coolant is
not visible in the surge tank,
contact your dealer.The CAC bottle pressure cap can be
removed when the Charged Air
Coolant cooling system, including the
CAC bottle pressure cap, is no
longer hot.
1. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise and remove it.
2. Fill the CAC bottle with the proper mixture to the cold fill
mark pointed to on the front of
the CAC bottle.
3. Replace the pressure cap tightly.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and engine
damage may occur. Be sure the cap
is properly and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an engine coolant
temperature gauge and an engine
temperature light to warn of engine
overheating.
There are also engine hot messages
that may display in the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when one of these warnings
appears, but get service help right
away. See Roadside Service 0343.
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 fans are running. If the engine
is overheating, the fans should be
running. If they are not, do not
continue to run the engine. Have the
vehicle serviced.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032610) -
2019 - crc - 8/22/18
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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
The appropriate message will appear
in the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when the fluid level is low.
Open the cap with the washer symbol
on it. Add washer fluid until the tank
is full. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview 0240 for reservoir location.
Caution
.
Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
. Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the windshield
washer. It can damage the
windshield washer system
and paint.
. 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.
. When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
. Fill the washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for
fluid expansion if freezing
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
occurs, which could damage
the tank if it is
completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or can be
heard all the time when the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will not
work well. That could lead to a
crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.