2019 CADILLAC ATS maintenance

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460272) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
256 VEHICLE CARE
How to Check and Add Fluid
Visually check the brake/clutch fluid
reservoir to make sure the fluid level
is at the MIN (minimum) line on the
side of the reservoir. The brake/
hydraulic clutch fluid system should
be closed and sealed.
Do not remove the cap to check the
fluid level or to top off the fluid level.
Remove the cap only when necessary
to add the proper fluid until the level
reaches the MIN line.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0246 for
location.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
For intervals on changing and
inspecting the engine air cleaner/filter,
see Maintenance Schedule 0327.
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. To inspect or replace the air cleaner/
filter:
2.0L L4 Engine (LTG) Shown, 3.6L
V6 Engine (LGX) Similar
1. Remove the four screws and lift the cover out of the assembly.
2. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
3. Lower the cover and secure with the four screws.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460272) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
258 VEHICLE CARE
3.6L V6 Engine (LGX)
1. Engine Coolant Surge Tankand Pressure Cap
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
3.6L V6 Engine (LF4)
1. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
and Pressure Cap
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
{Warning
An underhood electric fan 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.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts. They
can be very hot and can burn you.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak; all coolant could leak out.
That could cause an engine fire and
can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL engine coolant.
See Maintenance Schedule 0327 and
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0 337.
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 0262.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460272) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
VEHICLE CARE 265
many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are installed
or parts are improperly installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake/clutch master cylinder
reservoir is filled with GM approved
DOT 3 brake fluid as indicated on the
reservoir cap. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview 0246 for the location of the
reservoir.
Checking Brake Fluid
Place the vehicle in P (Park) or
Neutral with the parking brake applied
if equipped with a manual
transmission. On a level surface, the
brake fluid level should be between
the minimum and maximum marks
on the brake fluid reservoir. There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down:
.
Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the fluid
level goes back up.
. A fluid leak in the brake/clutch
hydraulic system. Have the brake/
clutch hydraulic system fixed.
With a leak, the brakes will not
work well.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir
cap and the area around the cap
before removing it.
Do not top off the brake/clutch fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are installed.
Add or remove fluid, as necessary,
only when work is done on the brake/
clutch hydraulic system.
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You or
others could be burned, and the
vehicle could be damaged. Add
brake fluid only when work is done
on the brake/clutch hydraulic
system.
When the brake/clutch fluid falls to a
low level, the brake warning light
comes on. See Brake System Warning
Light 0122.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid at
the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0327.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3 brake
fluid from a clean, sealed container.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0337.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460272) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
266 VEHICLE CARE
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the paint
finish can be damaged. Immediately
wash off any painted surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove the
cap and do not add fluid.
The battery is in the trunk, beneath
the trim panel, on the driver side of
the vehicle. Refer to the replacement
number shown on the original battery
label when a new battery is needed.The vehicle has an Absorbed Glass
Mat (AGM) 12-volt battery.
Installation of a standard 12-volt
battery will result in reduced 12-volt
battery life.
When using a 12-volt battery charger
on the 12-volt AGM battery, some
chargers have an AGM battery setting
on the charger. If available, use the
AGM setting on the charger, to limit
charge voltage to 14.8 volts. Follow
the charger manufacturer's
instructions.
{Warning
WARNING:
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm.
Batteries also contain other
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer. WASH
HANDS AFTER HANDLING. For
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See California Proposition 65 Warning
0 243 and the back cover.
After a power loss, such as
disconnecting the battery or removing
the maxi fuses in the power
distribution fuse block, the following
steps must be performed to calibrate
the electronic throttle control. If this
is not done, the engine will not run
properly. 1. Turn the ignition on but do not start the engine.
2. Leave the ignition on for at least three minutes so that the
electronic throttle control will
cycle and relearn its home
position.
3. Turn the ignition off.
4. Start and run the engine for at least 30 seconds.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460272) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
268 VEHICLE CARE
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle
should be on a level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the
fill plug hole, on the transfer case,
some lubricant will need to be added.
Add enough lubricant to raise the
level to the bottom of the fill plug
hole. Use care not to overtighten the
fill plug.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lubricant to
use. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0337.
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. Apply both the parking brake
and the regular brake.
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. Apply the parking brake. 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.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460272) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
VEHICLE CARE 269
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 and cracking. See
Maintenance Schedule 0327.
Replacement blades come in different
types and are removed in different
ways. For proper type and length, see
Maintenance Replacement Parts 0338.
Caution
Allowing the wiper arm to touch
the windshield when no wiper blade
is installed could damage the
windshield. Any damage that occurs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not allow the wiper
arm to touch the windshield. To replace the windshield wiper blade:
1. Pull the windshield wiper assembly away from the
windshield.
2. Lift up on the latch in the middleof the wiper blade where the
wiper arm attaches.
3. With the latch open, pull the wiper blade down toward the
windshield far enough to release
it from the J-hooked end of the
wiper arm.
4. Remove the wiper blade.
5. Reverse Steps 1–3 for wiper blade replacement.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460272) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
270 VEHICLE CARE
Windshield Replacement
HUD System
The windshield is part of the HUD
system. If the windshield needs to be
replaced, be sure to get one that is
designed for HUD or the HUD image
may look out of focus.
Driver Assistance Systems
If the windshield needs to be replaced
and the vehicle is equipped with a
front camera sensor for the Driver
Assistance Systems, a GM
replacement windshield is
recommended. The replacement
windshield must be installed
according to GM specifications for
proper alignment. If it is not, these
systems may not work properly, they
may display messages, or they may
not work at all. See your dealer for
proper windshield replacement.
Acoustic Windshield
The vehicle is equipped with an
acoustic windshield. If the windshield
needs to be replaced be sure to get anacoustic windshield so you will
continue to have the benefits an
acoustic windshield can provide.
Gas Strut(s)
This vehicle is equipped with gas
strut(s) to provide assistance in lifting
and holding open the hood/trunk/
liftgate system in full open position.
{Warning
If the gas struts that hold open the
hood, trunk, and/or liftgate fail, you
or others could be seriously injured.
Take the vehicle to your dealer for
service immediately. Visually
inspect the gas struts for signs of
wear, cracks, or other damage
periodically. Check to make sure the
hood/trunk/liftgate is held open
with enough force. If struts are
failing to hold the hood/trunk/
liftgate, do not operate. Have the
vehicle serviced.
Caution
Do not apply tape or hang any
objects from gas struts. Also do not
push down or pull on gas struts.
This may cause damage to the
vehicle.
See Maintenance Schedule 0327.
Hood

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460272) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
292 VEHICLE CARE
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver's responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if
under-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped
with a TPMS malfunction indicator to
indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then
remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long
as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be
able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation
of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly.Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function
properly.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
0 292.
See Radio Frequency Statement 0356.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS). The TPMS is
designed to warn the driver when a
low tire pressure condition exists.
TPMS sensors are mounted onto each
tire and wheel assembly, excluding the
spare tire and wheel assembly. The
TPMS sensors monitor the air
pressure in the tires and transmit the
tire pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition is
detected, the TPMS illuminates the
low tire pressure warning light on the
instrument cluster. If the warning
light comes on, stop as soon as
possible and inflate the tires to the
recommended pressure shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label.
See Vehicle Load Limits 0181.
A message to check the pressure in a
specific tire displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The low tire
pressure warning light and the DIC
warning message come on at each
ignition cycle until the tires are
inflated to the correct inflation
pressure. Using the DIC, tire pressure
levels can be viewed. For additional
information and details about the DIC
operation and displays see Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0128.