Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/4/22
Vehicle Care 371
If doing some of your own
service work, use the proper
service manual. It tells you
much more about how to
service the vehicle than this
manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see
Publication Ordering
Information0494.
This vehicle has an airbag
system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 070.
If equipped with remote
vehicle start, open the hood
before performing any service
work to prevent remote
starting the vehicle
accidentally. See Remote
Vehicle Start 016.
Keep a record with all parts
receipts and list the mileage
and the date of any service
work performed. See
Maintenance Records 0477.Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause
damage to vehicle systems.
Do not allow contaminants
to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
{Warning
For vehicles with auto
engine stop/start, turn the
vehicle off before opening
the hood. If the vehicle is on,
the engine will start when
the hood is opened. You or
others could be injured.
{Warning
Components under the hood
can get hot from running the
engine. To help avoid the
risk of burning unprotected
skin, never touch these
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
components until they have
cooled, and always use a
glove or towel to avoid
direct skin contact.
Clear any snow from the hood
before opening.
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release lever with the
isymbol. It is
on the lower left side of
the instrument panel.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/4/22
382 Vehicle Care
confirmation message
displays, select YES. The
oil life will change to 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)
(Base Level) 0129 or
Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Uplevel) 0132.
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
0474.
Change the fluid and filter at
the intervals listed in
Maintenance Schedule 0469,
and be sure to use the fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0474.
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
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/4/22
384 Vehicle Care
2. Display the Air Filter Lifeon the DIC. See Driver
Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) 0129 or
Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Uplevel) 0132.
3. Press
Ton the steering
wheel, or press the trip
odometer reset stem if the
vehicle does not have DIC
controls, to move to the
Reset/Disable display area.
Select Reset, then press
the thumbwheel or press
the reset stem for several
seconds.
4. Press the thumbwheel or the reset stem to confirm
the reset.
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is
in the engine compartment on
the passenger side of the
vehicle for the 2.0L L4 and
2.7L L4 engines, and in the
center of the engine compartment for the 3.6L
V6 engine. See Engine
Compartment Overview
0373.
When to Inspect the
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
.For intervals on changing
and inspecting the engine air
filter, see Maintenance
Schedule 0469.
.If equipped with Engine Air
Filter Life System, see
Engine Air Filter Life System
0383.
.If driving in very dusty areas,
follow the engine air filter
inspecting and changing
intervals, see Maintenance
Schedule 0469.
How to Inspect/Replace
the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Do not start the engine or
have the engine running with
the engine air cleaner/filter
housing open. Before
removing the engine air
cleaner/filter, make sure that
the engine air cleaner/filter housing and nearby
components are free of dirt
and debris.
Do not clean the engine air
cleaner/filter or components
with water or compressed air.
{Warning
Operating the engine with
the air cleaner/filter off can
cause you or others to be
burned. Use caution when
working on the engine. Do
not start the engine or drive
the vehicle with the air
cleaner/filter off, as flames
may be present if the engine
backfires.
Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off,
dirt can easily get into the
engine, which could damage
it. Always have the air
cleaner/filter in place when
driving.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/4/22
Vehicle Care 387
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Engine Coolant SurgeTank and 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
0469 and
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0474.
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 0391.
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.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/4/22
394 Vehicle Care
{Warning
The brake wear warning
sound means that soon the
brakes will not work well.
That could lead to a crash.
When the brake wear
warning sound is heard,
have the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake linings could
result in costly brake repairs.
Properly torqued wheel nuts
are necessary to help prevent
brake pulsation. When tires
are rotated, inspect brake
linings for wear and evenly
tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications. See Capacities
and Specifications 0480.
Brake linings should be
replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Squeal and
Brake Dust
Some driving conditions or
climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are
first applied, clearing up
following several applies. This
does not mean something is
wrong with the brakes.
Vehicles equipped with high
performance brake systems
provide superior fade
resistance, but will produce
increased brake squeal and
brake dust on the wheels and
calipers as compared to
standard brake linings. This is
normal.
To help reduce squeal, high
performance brake pads are
treated with an anti-squeal
paste that may need to be
reapplied periodically as part
of normal vehicle maintenance.
The anti-squeal paste will
dissipate over time. Also, the
use of wheel cleaners or
power washers directly on the
brake calipers may remove the anti-squeal paste from the
brake pads. It may be
necessary to reapply the
anti-squeal paste if it is
removed during cleaning.
If brake squeal is excessive,
the anti-squeal paste should
be reapplied. The anti-squeal
paste should always be
reapplied whenever the brake
pads are removed or replaced.
See your dealer for service.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake
pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a
rapid increase in pedal travel.
This could be a sign that brake
service may be required.
Replacing Brake System
Parts
Always replace brake system
parts with new, approved
replacement parts. If this is
not done, the brakes may not
work properly. The braking
performance can change in
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/4/22
398 Vehicle Care
Brake Fluid
The brake/clutch master
cylinder reservoir is filled with
GM approved DOT 4 brake
fluid as indicated on the
reservoir cap. See Engine
Compartment Overview0373
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
0 120.
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
0 469.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/4/22
Vehicle Care 399
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 4
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants0474.
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated
brake fluid could result in
damage to the brake
system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to
a possible injury. Always use
the proper GM approved
brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces,
the paint finish can be
damaged. Immediately wash
off any painted surface.
Battery - North
America
The original equipment battery
is maintenance free. Do not
remove the cap and do not
add fluid.
Refer to the replacement
number shown on the original
battery label when a new
battery is needed.
The vehicle has an Absorbed
Glass Mat (AGM) 12-volt
battery. Installation of a
standard 12-volt battery will
result in reduced 12-volt
battery life.
When using a 12-volt battery
charger on the 12-volt AGM
battery, some chargers have
an AGM battery setting on the
charger. If available, use the
AGM setting on the charger,
to limit charge voltage to
14.8 volts. Follow the charger
manufacturer's instructions. Stop/Start System
This vehicle has a Stop/Start
system to shut off the engine
to help conserve fuel. See
Stop/Start System
0264.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals and related
accessories can expose you
to chemicals including lead
and lead compounds, which
are known to the State of
California to cause cancer
and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Wash
hands after handling. For
more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
See the warning on the back
cover.
Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
2023 - CRC - 5/4/22
400 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can
burn you and gas that can
explode. You can be badly
hurt if you are not careful.
See Jump Starting - North
America0447 for tips on
working around a battery
without getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from
the battery to keep the
battery from running down.
Extended Storage: Remove
the black, negative (−) cable
from the battery or use a
battery trickle charger.
All-Wheel Drive
If the vehicle is equipped with
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD), this is
an additional system that
needs lubrication.
Transfer Case
Under normal driving
conditions, transfer case fluid
does not require maintenance
unless there is a fluid leak or
unusual noise. If required, have
the transfer case serviced by
your dealer.
Park Brake and
P (Park) Mechanism
Check
{Warning
When you are doing this
check, the vehicle could
begin to move. You or
others could be injured and
property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in
front of the vehicle in case it
begins to roll. Be ready to
apply the regular brake at
once should the vehicle
begin to move. Park on a fairly steep hill, with
the vehicle facing downhill.
Keeping your foot on the
regular brake, set the parking
brake.
.To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the
engine running and the
transmission in N (Neutral),
slowly remove foot pressure
from the regular brake pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking
brake only.
.Automatic transmission
vehicles only: To check the
P (Park) mechanism's holding
ability: With the engine
running, shift to P (Park).
Then release the parking
brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service
is required.