2019 CADILLAC ATS check transmission fluid

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460272) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
134 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Metric
English
Performance View : This displays
digital speed, indicators from speed
view along with rpm reading,
transmission positions, Shift Timing
Light Position (ATS-V only), and gear
shift indicator (if equipped).
The shift timing lights at the top of
the display will appear with increases
in engine rpm. The rows of lights get
closer together as the shift point gets
closer. Shift the transmission before
the lights come together in the
display. Shift immediately if the lights
are flashing. See Manual Mode0196.
Care of the HUD
Clean the inside of the windshield to
remove any dirt or film that could
reduce the sharpness or clarity of the
HUD image.
Clean the HUD lens with a soft cloth
sprayed with glass cleaner. Wipe the
lens gently, then dry it.
HUD Troubleshooting
If you cannot see the HUD image
when the ignition is on, check that:
.
Nothing is covering the HUD lens.
. The HUD brightness setting is not
too dim or too bright.
. The HUD is adjusted to the proper
height.
. Polarized sunglasses are not worn.
. The windshield and HUD lens are
clean.
If the HUD image is not correct,
contact your dealer.
The windshield is part of the HUD
system. If windshield replacement is
required, see Windshield Replacement
0 270.
Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the DIC
indicate the status of the vehicle or
some action that may be needed to
correct a condition. Multiple messages
may appear one after another.
The messages that do not require
immediate action can be
acknowledged and cleared by pressing
V. The messages that require
immediate action cannot be cleared
until that action is performed.
All messages should be taken
seriously; clearing the message does
not correct the problem.
If a SERVICE message appears, see
your dealer.
Follow the instructions given in the
messages. The system displays
messages regarding the following
topics:
. Service Messages
. Fluid Levels
. Vehicle Security
. Brakes

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460272) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
174 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Caution
Low oil levels can damage the
engine. If using the vehicle for
competitive driving, the engine may
use more oil than it would with
normal use. Check the oil level
often during competitive driving.
Competitive Driving Mode can be
selected. See Driver Mode Control
0 205.
2.0L L4 Turbo Engine (LTG) Only:
. Use a 600 W fan in addition to the
production option V03.
3.6L V6 Non-Turbo (LGX)
Engine Only:
. 3.6L V6 Non-Turbo Engine (LGX)
with Oil Cooler: Confirm the oil
level is at the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range
on the engine oil dipstick.
. 3.6L V6 Non-Turbo Engine (LGX)
without Oil Cooler: Do not use for
track events and competitive
driving. 3.6L V6 Twin Turbo Engine
(LF4) Only:
.
The 3.6L V6 twin turbo engine
(LF4) comes standard with a 7 qt
sump, integrated oil cooler, and
other powertrain and powertrain
cooling components in preparation
for track use.
Fuel
Use premium unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 93 at a track
event. Unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 91 may be
used, but performance will be
degraded.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Have the transmission fluid set to the
track specific oil level prior to track
usage. Transmission fluid should be
changed after every 15 hours of track
usage. Any transmission level set or
change should be performed at your
dealer.
Manual Transmission Fluid
Manual transmission fluid should be
changed after every 15 hours of track
usage.
Brake Fluid
.Before racing, replace existing
brake fluid with a qualified racing
brake fluid from a sealed
container. Brake fluid with a dry
boiling point >279 °C (534 °F) is
qualified. If racing brake fluid is
used, replace it with GM approved
brake fluid before driving on
public roads. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0337.
. Do not use silicone-based fluids.
If racing brake fluid is in the vehicle
and the age of the brake fluid is over a
month old or unknown, replace the
brake fluid between racing/closed
track driving.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460272) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
DRIVING AND OPERATING 179
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper tread
depth. See Tires0282.
. 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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
. Be alert on top of hills; something
could be in your lane (e.g., stalled
car, crash). .
Pay attention to special road signs
(e.g., falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and the
road creates less traction or grip, so
drive carefully. Wet ice can occur at
about 0 °C (32 °F) when freezing rain
begins to fall. Avoid driving on wet ice
or in freezing rain until roads can be
treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0204.
. Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves vehicle stability during
hard stops, but the brakes should

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460272) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
242 VEHICLE CARE
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . . . 255
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . 256
Cooling System (Engine) . . . . . . . . . 257
Cooling System (Intercooler) . . . . 262
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . 266
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . 269
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . 270
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . 273
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . 274
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . 277 Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Run-Flat Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . 291
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 299
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460272) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
VEHICLE CARE 255
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
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.
The vehicle is not equipped with a
transmission fluid level dipstick.
There is a special procedure for
checking and changing the
transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, this should be
done at the dealer. Contact your dealer
for additional information.
Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage the
vehicle, and the damage may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use the correct automatic(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
transmission fluid. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0337.
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed in Maintenance
Schedule 0327, and be sure to use the
fluid listed in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0337.
Manual Transmission Fluid
How to Check Manual
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
manual transmission fluid level.
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.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0337 for the proper fluid
to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
For vehicles with a manual
transmission, it is not necessary to
regularly check brake/clutch fluid
unless there is a leak suspected.
Adding fluid will not correct a leak.
A fluid loss in this system could
indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
The brake/hydraulic clutch fluid
reservoir cap has either a symbol or
text specifying the type of brake fluid.
The common brake/clutch fluid
reservoir is filled with GM approved
DOT 3 brake fluid as indicated on the
reservoir cap. See Engine Compartment
Overview 0246 for reservoir location.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460272) - 2019 - crc - 5/8/18
VEHICLE CARE 263
If No Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen or
heard, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can get
a little too hot when the vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
. Stops after high-speed driving.
. Idles for long periods in traffic.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) for an automatic
transmission or Neutral for a
manual transmission, and let the
engine idle.
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is no longer in the overheated
area or the engine coolant temperature warning light no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slowly
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
distance from the vehicle in front.
If the warning does not come back on,
continue to drive normally and have
the cooling system checked for proper
fill and function.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while parked.
If the warning is still displayed, turn
off the engine until it cools down.
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
Open the cap with the washer symbol
on it. Add washer fluid until the tank
is full. See
Engine Compartment
Overview 0246 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.
(Continued)

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
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.