Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460273) - 2019 - CRC - 5/16/18
182 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Axle Fluid
Axles must have 805 km (500 mi)
before being used in track driving.
The front, if equipped with AWD, and
rear axle fluid temperatures may be
higher than when driving in severe
conditions. Drain and refill with new
fluid after the first racing or
competitive driving event, and then
after every 24 hours of racing or
competitive driving. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0354.
Caution
During a first time track or racing
event, high axle temperatures can
occur. Damage could be caused to
the axle and would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
drive as long or as fast the first
time the vehicle is driven on the
track or raced.
Engine Oil
Caution
If the vehicle is used for track
events and competitive driving, the
engine may use more oil than it
would with normal use. Low oil
levels can damage the engine.
Check the oil level often and
maintain the proper level. See
Engine Oil 0268.
2.0L (LTG) Engine
This is not available with a track
package option and is not
recommended for track use.
3.6L Non-Turbo (LGX) Engine
. With Oil Cooler: Confirm the oil
level is at the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range
on the engine oil dipstick.
. Without Oil Cooler: Do not use for
track events and competitive
driving. 3.6L Twin Turbo (LF3) Engine
The LF3 3.6L twin turbo engine comes
standard with a 7 qt sump, integrated
oil cooler, and other powertrain and
powertrain cooling components in
preparation for track use.
6.2L Supercharged (LT4) Engine
Keep the oil level at or near the upper
mark on the engine oil dipstick, which
shows the proper operating range.
Use 15W-50 full synthetic engine oil
for track use. After track use, change
the oil back to 0W-40 dexos2 for
street use. If 0W-40 dexos2 oil is not
available, 5W-30 dexos1 full synthetic
engine oil may be used for street use.
If 5W-30 dexos1 is used, it must be
changed to 15W-50 full synthetic
engine oil for track use. See
Capacities
and Specifications 0359.
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.
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460273) - 2019 - CRC - 5/16/18
262 VEHICLE CARE
1. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 280.
2. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0329.
3. Engine Compartment Fuse Block
0292. 4. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap. See Cooling System
0 274.
5. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0329.
6. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil
0 268. 7. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of
View). See Cooling System 0274.
8. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil 0268.
9. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0272.
10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake
Fluid 0282.
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460273) - 2019 - CRC - 5/16/18
264 VEHICLE CARE
1. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 280.
2. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0329.
3. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0329. 4. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap. See Cooling System
0 274.
5. Engine Compartment Fuse Block
0292.
6. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System 0274. 7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See
Engine Oil
0 268.
8. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil 0268.
9. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake
Fluid 0282.
10. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0272.
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460273) - 2019 - CRC - 5/16/18
266 VEHICLE CARE
1. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 280.
2. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0329.
3. Engine Compartment Fuse Block
0292. 4. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap. See Cooling System
0 274.
5. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0329.
6. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System 0274. 7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See
Engine Oil
0 268.
8. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil 0268.
9. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0272.
10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake
Fluid 0282.
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460273) - 2019 - CRC - 5/16/18
268 VEHICLE CARE
1. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 280.
2. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0329.
3. Engine Compartment Fuse Block
0292.
4. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System
0 274.
5. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0329.
6. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil 0268.
7. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System 0274.
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap (Out of View). See Engine Oil 0268.
9. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0272.
10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake
Fluid 0282.Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine performance
and long life, careful attention must
be paid to engine oil. Following these
simple, but important steps will help
protect your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil” in
this section.
. Check the engine oil level regularly
and maintain the proper oil level.
See “Checking Engine Oil” and
“When to Add Engine Oil” in this
section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0271.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially prior
to a long trip. The engine oil dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine
Compartment Overview 0261 for the
location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle may
be hot; it could burn you. Use a
towel or glove to touch the dipstick
handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the oil
level.
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.
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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VEHICLE CARE 269
.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 (LTG)
3.6L V6 Twin Turbo (LF3)
3.6L V6 (LGX) Shown, 6.2L V8 (LT4)
Similar
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 0359.
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
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
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
0 261 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.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
(Except 6.2L (LT4) V8 Engine)
Selecting the right engine oil depends
on both the proper oil specification
and viscosity grade. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0354.
Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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272 VEHICLE CARE
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) 0138.
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 (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
transmission fluid. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0354.
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed in Maintenance
Schedule 0345, and be sure to use the
fluid listed in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0354.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0261.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
For intervals on changing and
inspecting the engine air cleaner/filter,
see Maintenance Schedule 0345.