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186 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change the
way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. See
Add-On Electrical Equipment0235.
Starting Procedure 1. With the Keyless Access system, the RKE transmitter must be in
the vehicle. Press the ENGINE
START/STOP button with the
brake pedal applied. When the
engine begins cranking, let go of
the button.
The idle speed will go down as
the engine gets warm. Do not
race the engine immediately
after starting it.
If the RKE transmitter is not in
the vehicle, if there is
interference, or if the RKE
transmitter battery is low, the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
will display a message.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by pressing
ENGINE START/STOP immediately
after cranking has ended, can
overheat and damage the cranking
motor, and drain the battery. Wait
at least 15 seconds between each
try, to let the cranking motor
cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds, especially in
very cold weather (below −18 °C
or 0 °F), it could be flooded with
too much gasoline. Try pushing
the accelerator pedal all the way
to the floor and holding it there
as you press ENGINE START/
STOP, for up to a maximum of
15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to
allow the cranking motor to cool
down. When the engine starts,
let go of the button and the
accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing. This clears the
extra gasoline from the engine.
Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Engine Heater
{Warning
Do not plug in the engine block
heater while the vehicle is parked in
a garage or under a carport.
Property damage or personal injury
may result. Always park the vehicle
in a clear open area away from
buildings or structures.
The engine heater, if available, can
help in cold weather conditions at or
below −18 °C (0 °F) for easier starting
and better fuel economy during
engine warm-up. Plug in the engine
heater at least four hours before
starting the vehicle. An internal
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 227
and fuel economy. If the octane is less
than 91, the engine could be damaged
and the repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. If heavy
knocking is heard when using gasoline
rated at 93 octane, the engine needs
service.
Prohibited Fuels
Caution
Do not use fuels with any of the
following conditions; doing so may
damage the vehicle and void its
warranty:. For vehicles that are not
FlexFuel, fuel labeled greater
than 15% ethanol by volume,
such as mid-level ethanol
blends (16–50% ethanol), E85,
or FlexFuel.
. Fuel with any amount of
methanol, methylal, ferrocene,
and aniline. These fuels can
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
corrode metal fuel system
parts or damage plastic and
rubber parts.
. Fuel containing metals such
as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT), which can damage
the emissions control system
and spark plugs.
. Fuel with a posted octane
rating of less than the
recommended fuel. Using this
fuel will lower fuel economy
and performance, and may
decrease the life of the
emissions catalyst.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico post
fuel octane ratings in anti-knock index
(AKI). For fuel not to use in a foreign
country, see Prohibited Fuels 0227.
Fuel Additives
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is highly
recommended for use with your
vehicle. If your country does not have
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline, add
ACDelco Fuel System Treatment Plus
−Gasoline to the vehicle’s gasoline fuel
tank at every oil change or 15,000 km
(9,000 mi), whichever occurs first. TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline and ACDelco
Fuel System Treatment Plus−Gasoline
will help keep your vehicle’s engine
fuel deposit free and performing
optimally.
Filling the Tank
{Warning
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn
violently and can cause injury or
death.
(Continued)
Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032610) -
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230 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle. Contact
your dealer or trailering dealer for
assistance with preparing the vehicle
for towing a trailer. Read the entire
section before towing a trailer.
For towing a disabled vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle0309. For towing
the vehicle behind another vehicle
such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0310.
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips
Driving with a Trailer
When towing a trailer:
.
Become familiar with the state
and local laws that apply to trailer
towing. These requirements vary
from state to state. .
Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi) to prevent
damage to the engine, axle,
or other parts.
. It is recommended to perform the
first oil change before heavy
towing.
. Then during the first 800 km
(500 mi) of trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
. Vehicles 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.
. Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control when towing.
. The Forward Automatic Braking
System should be set to Off when
towing. See Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) 0219.
. Turn off Parking Assist when
towing.
{Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of the
vehicle and enter if the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most window
is open.
When towing a trailer:
. Do not drive with the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Also adjust the climate
control system to a setting
that brings in only outside air.
See “Climate Control Systems ”
in the Index.
For more information about carbon
monoxide, see Engine Exhaust
0 190.
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. The
combination you are driving is longer
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 231
and not as responsive as the vehicle
itself. Get acquainted with the
handling and braking of the rig before
setting out for the open road.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety chains,
electrical connectors, lamps, tires, and
mirrors. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start the combination moving
and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure the
brakes work.
During the trip, check occasionally to
be sure that the load is secure and the
lamps and any trailer brakes
still work.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. The combination will
not accelerate as quickly and is longer,so it is necessary to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before
returning to the lane.
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
your hand to the right. Always back
up slowly and, if possible, have
someone guide you.
Making Turns
Caution
Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to
come in contact with the vehicle.
The vehicle could be damaged.
Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so
the trailer will not strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees,
or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
If the trailer turn signal bulbs burn
out, the arrows on the instrument
cluster will still flash for turns. It is
important to check occasionally to be
sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before
starting down a long or steep
downgrade. If the transmission is not
shifted down, the brakes might get hot
and no longer work well.
Vehicles 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 high altitude on steep
uphill grades, consider the following:
Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes.
If the engine is turned off immediately
after towing at high altitude on steep
uphill grades, the vehicle may show
signs similar to engine overheating. To
avoid this, let the engine run while
parked, preferably on level ground,
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232 DRIVING AND OPERATING
with the automatic transmission in
P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the overheat
warning comes on, seeEngine
Overheating 0253.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both the
vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig 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. 3. When the wheel chocks are in
place, release the regular brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
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.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more often
when pulling a trailer. See
Maintenance Schedule 0322. Things
that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system, and brake system. It is
a good idea to inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch
nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
{Warning
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly. For
example, if the trailer is too heavy
or the trailer brakes are inadequate
for the load, the vehicle may not
stop as expected. The driver and
passengers could be seriously
injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Pull a trailer only if all the
steps in this section have been
followed. Ask your dealer for advice
and information about towing a
trailer with the vehicle.
Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032610) -
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236 VEHICLE CARE
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . 248
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Power Steering Fluid (LF3 and LFX with AWD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Power Steering Fluid (LFX
with FWD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . 258
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . 260
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . 261
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . 264
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . 265
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . 268
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . 281
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 289
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
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VEHICLE CARE 241
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0248.
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Under Engine Cover) (If
Equipped).
See Power Steering Fluid (LF3 and
LFX with AWD) 0255 orPower
Steering Fluid (LFX with FWD)
0 255.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil
0 244.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See Engine Oil0244.
5. Engine Cover 0243.
6. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System 0250.
7. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake
Fluid 0257.
8. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System
0 250.
9. Battery - North America 0258
(Battery Cover not Shown).
10. Remote Positive (+) Terminal (Battery Cover not Shown). See
Jump Starting - North America
0306. 11.
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
0265.
12. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View). See Jump Starting -
North America 0306.
13. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 256.
Cadillac XTS Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032610) -
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VEHICLE CARE 243
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0248.
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Under Engine Cover).
See Power Steering Fluid (LF3 and
LFX with AWD) 0255 orPower
Steering Fluid (LFX with FWD)
0 255.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil
0 244.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil 0244.
5. Engine Cover 0243.
6. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System 0250.
7. Charged Air Coolant Bottle and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System
0 250.
8. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake
Fluid 0257. 9. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap. See Cooling System
0 250.
10. Battery - North America 0258
(Battery Cover not Shown).
11. Remote Positive (+) Terminal (Battery Cover not Shown). See
Jump Starting - North America
0306.
12. Engine Compartment Fuse Block
0265.
13. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 256.
14. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View). See Jump Starting -
North America 0306.Engine Cover
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Engine Oil Fill Cap
2. Engine Cover Bolt
3. Engine Cover
To remove:
1. Remove the oil fill cap (1).
2. Remove the engine cover bolt (2).
3. Raise the engine cover (3) to release it from the retainers.
4. Lift and remove the engine cover.
5. Reverse Steps 1–4 to reinstall the engine cover.