2018 CADILLAC ATS check transmission fluid

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032610) -
2019 - crc - 8/22/18
DRIVING AND OPERATING 177
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They
might not work as well in a quick
stop and could cause pulling to one
side. You could lose control of the
vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle
of water or a car/vehicle wash,
lightly apply the brake pedal until
the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can
build up under the vehicle's tires so
they actually ride on the water. This
can happen if the road is wet enoughand you are going fast enough. When
the vehicle is hydroplaning, it has
little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.
Allow extra following distance.
. Pass with caution.
. Keep windshield wiping equipment
in good shape.
. Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper tread
depth. See Tires0272.
. Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving on
flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape. .
Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the vehicle
on a long downhill slope can cause
brake overheating, can reduce brake
performance, and could result in a
loss of braking. Shift the
transmission to a lower gear to let
the engine assist the brakes on a
steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or
with the ignition off is dangerous.
This can cause overheating of the
brakes and loss of steering assist.
Always have the engine running
and the vehicle in gear.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032610) -
2019 - crc - 8/22/18
232 DRIVING AND OPERATING
with the automatic transmission in
P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the overheat
warning comes on, seeEngine
Overheating 0253.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both the
vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the
wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels. 3. When the wheel chocks are in
place, release the regular brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more often
when pulling a trailer. See
Maintenance Schedule 0322. Things
that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system, and brake system. It is
a good idea to inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch
nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
{Warning
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly. For
example, if the trailer is too heavy
or the trailer brakes are inadequate
for the load, the vehicle may not
stop as expected. The driver and
passengers could be seriously
injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Pull a trailer only if all the
steps in this section have been
followed. Ask your dealer for advice
and information about towing a
trailer with the vehicle.

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032610) -
2019 - crc - 8/22/18
236 VEHICLE CARE
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . 248
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Power Steering Fluid (LF3 and LFX with AWD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Power Steering Fluid (LFX
with FWD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . 258
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . 260
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . 261
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . 264
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . 265
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . 268
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . 281
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 289
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032610) -
2019 - crc - 8/22/18
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) -
2019 - crc - 8/22/18
VEHICLE CARE 259
Warning (Continued)
America0306 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the black,
negative (−) cable from the battery to
keep the battery from running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the black,
negative (−) cable from the battery or
use a battery trickle charger.
All-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case
Under normal driving conditions,
transfer case fluid does not require
maintenance unless there is a fluid
leak or unusual noise. If required,
have the transfer case serviced by
your dealer.
Starter Switch 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.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular brake. See
Electric Parking Brake 0194.
Do not use the accelerator pedal,
and be ready to turn off the
engine immediately if it starts.
3. 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.
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 Electric Parking Brake 0194.
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

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032610) -
2019 - crc - 8/22/18
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE 327
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services -
Severe12 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)@@@
Change automatic transmission fluid.@@@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect ignition coils. (3.6L LFX
V6 engine)@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect ignition coils. (3.6L LF3
twin turbo V6 engine)@ @
Replace rear axle fluid, if equipped with limited-slip
differential.@@@
Replace rear axle fluid, except limited-slip
differential.@ @
Drain and fill engine cooling system. (4)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (5)@
Replace brake fluid. (6)
Replace windshield wiper blades. (7)
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace hood and/or body lift support gas struts.@@

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032610) -
2019 - crc - 8/22/18
INDEX 365
Automatic (cont'd)Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Forward Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Level Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Automatic Transmission Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
B
BatteryExterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Battery - North America . . . . . .258, 306
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . . . . . 260
Boost Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Brake Parking, Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Braking (cont'd)
Automatic Forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . .237, 258, 306, Back Cover
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . 337
Carbon Monoxide
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Cargo Management System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . . . . . 2 Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Charging
Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Check Engine Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . . . . 90
Lower Anchors and Tethers forChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102, 104
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Cleaning
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Climate Control Systems
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305

Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032610) -
2019 - crc - 8/22/18
INDEX 367
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . 133
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . 235
Electrical SystemEngine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . 265
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . 268
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . 240
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . 128
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 Engine (cont'd)
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Overheated Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Engine Oil
Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . 156
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . 161
F
Features Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . . . . . 158
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 Flat Tire (cont'd)
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . 247
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Forward Automatic Braking . . . . . . . . 219
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Front Seats Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 138
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226