2023 CADILLAC CT5 maintenance

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
Vehicle Care 375
traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even
cause malfunction or damage
not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Damage to suspension
components caused by
modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Damage to vehicle
components resulting from
modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including
control module or software
modifications, is not covered
under the terms of the vehicle
warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage
for affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed
to complement and function
with other systems on the
vehicle. See your dealer to
accessorize the vehicle usinggenuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer
technician.
Also, see Adding Equipment to
the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0
77.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work
on your vehicle if you do not
have the proper knowledge,
service manual, tools,
or parts. Always follow
owner’s manual procedures
and consult the service
manual for your vehicle
before doing any
service work. 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
Information
0496.
This vehicle has an airbag
system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 077.
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 0479.

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
388 Vehicle Care
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(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
the damage may not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use the
correct automatic
transmission fluid. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0476.
Change the fluid and filter at
the intervals listed in
Maintenance Schedule 0471,
and be sure to use the fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0476.
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
possible. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0476
for the proper fluid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
For vehicles with a manual
transmission, it is not
necessary to regularly check
brake/clutch fluid unless there
is a leak suspected. Adding
fluid will not correct a leak.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have
the system inspected and
repaired.
When to Check and What
to Use
The brake/hydraulic clutch
fluid reservoir cap has this
symbol on it. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0378
for reservoir location. The
common hydraulic clutch and
brake master cylinder fluid
reservoir is filled with brake

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
390 Vehicle Care
compartment for the 3.0L
V6 engine. See Engine
Compartment Overview0378.
When to Inspect the
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
.For intervals on changing
and inspecting the engine air
filter, see Maintenance
Schedule 0471.
.If equipped with Engine Air
Filter Life System, see
Engine Air Filter Life System
0389.
.If driving in very dusty areas,
follow the engine air filter
inspecting and changing
intervals, see Maintenance
Schedule 0471.
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.
To inspect or replace the air
cleaner/filter:
2.0L L4 Engine
1. Remove the five screws on top of the air cleaner/filter
cover.
2. Lift the air/cleaner/filter cover away from the air
cleaner/filter housing.
3. Pull out the air cleaner/ filter.

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
394 Vehicle Care
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the
vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant.
See Maintenance Schedule
0471 and
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0476.
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 0398.
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.
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
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
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.

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
Vehicle Care 401
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 arapid 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
many ways if the wrong brake
parts are installed or if parts
are improperly installed.
The Brake Fade Warning
Assist system is designed for
use with the factory-installed
brake pads or GM approved
replacement pads. If the brake
pads on the vehicle need to be
replaced, use GM-approved
brake pads. If this is not done,
the brake fade warning
system may not function
properly.
High Performance Brake
Lining Car Wash and
Extended Parking Care
If equipped with high
performance brake
components, binding or
clunking may be noticeable
after extended parking or in
cold weather when the brakes
have been wet, such as when
driving in the rain or after a
car wash. The clunking is
normal for brakes with high
performance brake linings and
does not affect the operation
of the brakes. When driving,
normal braking will allow for
the brakes to feel smooth and
the clunking to go away. If the
vehicle is washed before
overnight parking or long term
storage, drive it and apply the
brakes several times to
thoroughly dry the brakes.

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
Vehicle Care 405
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
0 127. 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
471.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 4
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0476.
{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

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
406 Vehicle Care
charger. If available, use the
AGM setting on the charger,
to limit charge voltage to
14.8 volts. Follow the charger
manufacturer's instructions.
For replacement of the
battery, see your dealer.
Stop/Start System
This vehicle has a Stop/Start
system to shut off the engine
to help conserve fuel. See
Stop/Start System0270.
{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.
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
America
0452 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.

Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
Vehicle Care 407
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.
Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades
should be inspected for wear
or cracking.
It is a good idea to clean or
replace the wiper blade
assembly on a regular basis or
when worn. For proper
windshield wiper blade length
and type, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts 0477.
Caution
Allowing the wiper arm to
touch the windshield when
no wiper blade is installed
could damage the
windshield. Any damage that
occurs would not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not allow the
wiper arm to touch the
windshield.
To replace the wiper blade
assembly: 1. Pull the windshield wiper
assembly away from the
windshield. The passenger
side wiper arm has limited
travel.
2. Lift up on the latch in themiddle of the wiper blade
where the wiper arm
attaches.
3. With the latch open, pull the wiper blade down
toward the windshield far
enough to release it from
the J-hooked end of the
wiper arm.
4. Remove the wiper blade.