Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12533370) -
2019 - crc - 1/23/19
300 VEHICLE CARE
Follow these guidelines:
.To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground. Check
the engine oil level after the
engine has been off for at least
two hours. Checking the engine oil
level on steep grades or too soon
after engine shutoff can result in
incorrect readings. Accuracy
improves when checking a cold
engine prior to starting. Remove
the dipstick and check the level.
. 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
2.0L L4 Turbo (LSY) and 4.2L V8 Twin
Turbo (LTA) Engines
3.0L V6 Twin Turbo (LGW) and 3.6L V6 (LGX) Engines
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 0397.
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
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
0 292 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.
Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12533370) -
2019 - crc - 1/23/19
302 VEHICLE CARE
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 dexos
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.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.
Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12533370) -
2019 - crc - 1/23/19
VEHICLE CARE 303
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) 0150.
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. Using the DIC buttons, display REMAINING OIL LIFE on the
DIC. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) 0150. 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
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
transmission fluid. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0
392.
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed in Maintenance
Schedule 0383, and be sure to use the
fluid listed in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0392.
Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12533370) -
2019 - crc - 1/23/19
308 VEHICLE CARE
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Engine Coolant Surge Tankand Pressure Cap (Under
Cover)
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
4.2L V8 Engine
1. Engine Coolant Surge Tankand Pressure Cap (Under
Cover)
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. 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 at the
cold fill mark on the middle of the
tank. If it is not, the vehicle may have
a leak at the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump,
or somewhere else in the cooling
system.
{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.
If there seems to be no leak, with the
engine on, check to see if the electric
cooling fan is running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, the vehicle needs
service. Turn off the engine.
Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12533370) -
2019 - crc - 1/23/19
VEHICLE CARE 309
Engine Coolant
The engine cooling system in the
vehicle is filled with a DEX-COOL
engine coolant mixture. This coolant
needs to be checked and replaced at
appropriate intervals. SeeMaintenance
Schedule 0383.
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 0312.
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. 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
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 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.
3.0L V6 Engine Coolant Surge Tank
Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12533370) -
2019 - crc - 1/23/19
310 VEHICLE CARE
2.0L L4, 3.6L V6, and 4.2L V8 EngineCoolant Surge Tank
The coolant surge tank is in the
engine compartment on the passenger
side of the vehicle. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0292.
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. See Engine Overheating
0 312.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
If no problem is found, check to see if
coolant is visible in the coolant surge
tank. If coolant is visible but not at or
above the indicated mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. Be sure
the cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is
cool before this is done. See Engine
Overheating 0312.
{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.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure cap,
even a little, can cause them to
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
come out at high speed and you
could be burned. Never turn the cap
when the cooling system, including
the pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and pressure
cap to cool.
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.
3.0L V6 and 3.6L V6 Engines
Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12533370) -
2019 - crc - 1/23/19
376 VEHICLE CARE
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect steering, suspension,
and chassis components for damaged,
loose, or missing parts or signs of
wear at least once a year.
Inspect power steering for proper
attachment, connections, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
Visually check constant velocity joint
boots and axle seals for leaks.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders, hood
hinges, liftgate hinges, and the steel
fuel door hinges, unless the
components are plastic. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips with a
clean cloth will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or
squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
At least twice a year, spring and fall,
use plain water to flush any corrosive
materials from the underbody. Takecare to thoroughly clean any areas
where mud and other debris can
collect.
Do not directly power wash the
transfer case and/or front/rear axle
output seals. High pressure water can
overcome the seals and contaminate
the fluid. Contaminated fluid will
decrease the life of the transfer case
and/or axles and should be replaced.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and requires
sheet metal repair or replacement,
make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to
parts repaired or replaced to restore
corrosion protection.
Original manufacturer replacement
parts will provide the corrosion
protection while maintaining the
vehicle warranty.
Finish Damage
Quickly repair minor chips and
scratches with touch-up materials
available from your dealer to avoidcorrosion. Larger areas of finish
damage can be corrected in your
dealer's body and paint shop.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted vehicle surfaces
causing blotchy, ring-shaped
discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint
surface. See
“Finish Care”previously in
this section.
Interior Care
To prevent dirt particle abrasions,
regularly clean the vehicle's interior.
Immediately remove any soils.
Newspapers or dark garments can
transfer color to the vehicle’s interior.
Use a soft bristle brush to remove
dust from knobs and crevices on the
instrument cluster. Using a mild soap
solution, immediately remove hand
lotions, sunscreen, and insect
repellent from all interior surfaces or
permanent damage may result.
Cadillac CT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12533370) -
2019 - crc - 1/23/19
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE 381
Service and
Maintenance
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . 383
Special Application Services
Special Application Services . . . . . 388
Additional Maintenance
and Care
Additional Maintenanceand Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Maintenance Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Maintenance Records
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
General Information
Your vehicle is an important
investment. This section describes the
required maintenance for the vehicle.
Follow this schedule to help protect
against major repair expenses
resulting from neglect or inadequate
maintenance. It may also help to
maintain the value of the vehicle if it
is sold. It is the responsibility of the
owner to have all required
maintenance performed.
Your dealer has trained technicians
who can perform required
maintenance using genuine
replacement parts. They have
up-to-date tools and equipment for
fast and accurate diagnostics. Many
dealers have extended evening and
Saturday hours, courtesy
transportation, and online scheduling
to assist with service needs.
Your dealer recognizes the importance
of providing competitively priced
maintenance and repair services. With
trained technicians, the dealer is the
place for routine maintenance such as
oil changes and tire rotations and additional maintenance items like
tires, brakes, batteries, and wiper
blades.
Caution
Damage caused by improper
maintenance can lead to costly
repairs and may not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Maintenance
intervals, checks, inspections,
recommended fluids, and lubricants
are important to keep the vehicle in
good working condition.
Do not have chemical flushes that
are not approved by GM performed
on the vehicle. The use of flushes,
solvents, cleaners, or lubricants that
are not approved by GM could
damage the vehicle, requiring
expensive repairs that are not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
The Tire Rotation and Required
Services are the responsibility of the
vehicle owner. It is recommended to
have your dealer perform these
services every 12 000 km/7,500 mi.