
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 251
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. The combination of
the vehicle and trailer will not
accelerate as quickly and is much
longer than the vehicle alone. It is
necessary to go much farther beyond
the passed vehicle before returning to
the lane. Pass on level roadways.
Avoid passing on hills if possible.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. To move the trailer to
the left, move that hand to the left. To
move the trailer to the right, move
that hand to the right. Always back up
slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making TurnsCaution
Turn more slowly and make wider
arcs when towing a trailer to
prevent damage to your vehicle. (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
Making very sharp turns could
cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when
towing, so trailer will not go over soft
shoulders, over curbs, or strike road
signs, trees, or other objects. Always
signal turns well in advance. Do not
steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes may
overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes,
engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at lower altitudes.
If the engine is turned off immediately after towing at high altitude on steep
uphill grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating. To
avoid this, let the engine run,
preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine off.
If the overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating
0279.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer
on a level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your
trailer 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.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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252 DRIVING AND OPERATING
3. When the wheel chocks are inplace, gradually release the brake
pedal to allow the chocks to
absorb the load of the trailer.
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. .Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more often
when used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule 0345. It is
especially important to check the automatic transmission fluid, engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before and
during each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See
Engine Overheating
0 279.
Trailer Towing (V6 Engine,
Non Twin Turbo)
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To tow a trailer
correctly, follow the directions in
this section and see your dealer for
important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle. Trailering is different than just driving
the vehicle by itself. Trailering means
changes in handling, acceleration,
braking, durability, and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used
properly.
The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips
and safety rules. Many of these are
important for your safety and that of
your passengers. Read this section
carefully before pulling a trailer.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity
for your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring the
weight, speed, altitude, road grades,
outside temperature, dimensions of
the front of the trailer, and how
frequently the vehicle is used to tow a
trailer.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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VEHICLE CARE 271
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 servicepeople 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) 0138.
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

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276 VEHICLE CARE
6.2L V8 Engine (LT4)
1. Engine Coolant Surge Tankand 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 0345 and
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0 354.
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 0279.
What to Use
{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.
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.

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VEHICLE CARE 277
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. It is normal to see coolant moving in
the upper coolant hose return line
when the engine is running. It is also
normal to see bubbles entering the
surge tank through the small hose.
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.If coolant is visible but the coolant
level is 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 is cool
before this is done.
It is normal for the coolant level in
the bottom chamber to rise and fall
with operating temperature and
ambient conditions. Coolant will
evaporate from the bottom chamber
in normal operation. This will happen
faster when the vehicle is driven for
long periods in hot, dry conditions.
If no coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{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.

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TECHNICAL DATA 359
Vehicle Data
Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in metric and English conversions. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
0 354 for more information.
Application Capacities
Metric English
Air Conditioning Refrigerant For the air conditioning system refrigerant type and charge amount, see the refrigerant label under thehood. See your dealer for more information.
Cooling System –Engine
2.0L L4 Engine 8.8 L 9.3 qt
3.6L V6 Engine (LF3) 13.0 L 13.8 qt
3.6L V6 Engine (LF3) Low Temperature Radiator 1.6 L 1.7 qt
3.6L V6 Engine (LGX) 10.0 L 10.6 qt
3.6L V6 Engine (LGX) with KC4 Oil Cooler 10.6 L 11.2 qt
6.2L V8 Engine (V-Series) 10.4 L 12.9 qt
6.2L V8 Engine (V-Series) Low Temperature Radiator 2.0 L 2.2 qt
Engine Oil with Filter
2.0L L4 Engine RWD 4.7 L 5.0 qt

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392 INDEX
Driving (cont'd)Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 186
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Track Events and Competitive . . . 181
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . 131
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . 255
Electrical SystemEngine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . 291
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . 295
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 Engine (cont'd)
Check Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . 261
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . 125
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Engine Oil
Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . .254, 255
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . 156
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . 161
F
Features Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . . . . . 158
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . 272
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Forward Automatic Braking . . . . . . . . 237
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Front Seats Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246

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INDEX 393
Fuel (cont'd)Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 135
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Fuses Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . 291
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . 295
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Gauges Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Engine Coolant Temperature . . . . 125
Engine Oil Temperature . . . . . . . . . . 125
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Gauges (cont'd)
Warning Lights and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . 343
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . 158
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Head-up Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
HeadlampsAdaptive ForwardLighting (AFL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Headlamps (cont'd)
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . 156
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Heated
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Heater
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168, 173
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . 186
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . 69
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168, 173
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Indicator Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90