2023 CADILLAC XT4 engine coolant

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16412876) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Driving and Operating 317
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
Overheating0342.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.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, 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 the
desired 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 0425. It is especially
important to check the
automatic transmission fluid,
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16412876) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
332 Vehicle Care
1. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter0337.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0332.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0332.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0338.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0345.
6. Battery - North America 0346.
7. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0338.
8. Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover).
See Jump Starting - North
America 0404.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer
Fluid 0343.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse Block 0354. 11. Remote Negative (-)
Battery Terminal. See
Jump Starting - North
America 0404.
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 0335.
.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
Overview0331 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

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16412876) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
338 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
equivalent part. Use of a
replacement part without
the same fit, form, and
function may result in
personal injury or damage to
the vehicle.
4. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
5. Reverse Steps 1–3 to reinstall the filter cover
housing.
6. If equipped, reset the engine air filter life system
after replacing the engine
air filter. See Engine Air
Filter Life System 0336.
{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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
1. Electric Engine CoolingFan (Out of View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{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.

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16412876) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Vehicle Care 339
{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 engine cooling system in
the vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant
mixture. This coolant needs to
be checked and changed at
appropriate levels. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0429 and
Maintenance Schedule 0425.
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 0342.
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
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 pouring 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.

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16412876) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
340 Vehicle Care
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the
coolant level.
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 mark is
not at or above the indicated
mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant. Be surethe cooling system is cool
before this is done. See
Engine Overheating
0342.
The coolant surge tank is in
the engine compartment on
the driver side of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment
Overview 0331.
How to Add Coolant to the
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.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids
from a hot cooling system
are under pressure. Turning
the pressure cap, even a
little, can cause them to
come out at high speed and
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific
coolant fill procedure could
cause the engine to
overheat and could cause
system damage. If coolant is
not visible in the surge tank,
contact your dealer.
The coolant surge tank
pressure cap can be removed
when the cooling system,
including the surge tank
pressure cap and upper
radiator hose, is no longer hot.

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16412876) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Vehicle Care 341
1. Turn the pressure capslowly counterclockwise.
If a hiss is heard, wait for
that to stop. A hiss means
there is still some
pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.
3. If topping off the level inthe coolant surge tank, add
the proper mixture until
the level reaches the mark
on the front of the tank
and replace the cap.
Operate the vehicle.
Repeat steps 1–3, as
necessary.
If filling the system (such
as after servicing), follow
the Automatic Coolant
Service Fill Instructions.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss
and engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is
properly and tightly secured.
Automatic Coolant
Service Fill Instructions
This feature assists in filling
and removing air from the
cooling system after service of
components or when coolant
is added after being too low. To activate the fill and air
removal process:
1. With a cold system, add coolant to the indicated
mark on the surge tank.
2. Replace the cap on the surge tank.
3. Connect the vehicle to a battery charger.
4. Turn the ignition to Service Mode. See Ignition
Positions 0247.
5. Turn off the air conditioning.
6. Set the parking brake.
7. At the same time, press the accelerator and the
brake for automatic
transmission vehicles for
two seconds, then release.
At the end of the cycle, check
the coolant level in the surge
tank and add coolant if it is
low. Turn off the vehicle, allow
the Electronic Control Module
(ECM) to go to sleep, about
2 minutes, and repeat
Steps 3-7.

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16412876) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
342 Vehicle Care
Listen for pump activation and
movement of the control
valves while watching the level
of the coolant in the surge
tank. If the tank empties, turn
the ignition off, carefully
remove the surge tank cap,
refill to the indicated mark, and
repeat Steps 3-6. The fill and
air removal process will run for
approximately 10 minutes.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several
indicators to warn of the
engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the
instrument cluster. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge
0123. The vehicle may also
display a message on the
Driver Information
Center (DIC).
If the decision is made not to
lift the hood when this
warning appears, get service
help right away. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0439. If the decision is made to lift
the hood, make sure the
vehicle is parked on a level
surface. Then check to see if
the engine cooling fan is
running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, do not
continue to run the engine.
Have the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Do not run the engine if
there is a leak in the engine
cooling system. This can
cause a loss of all coolant
and can damage the system
and vehicle. Have any leaks
fixed right away.
If Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids
from a hot cooling system
are under pressure. Turning
the pressure cap, even a
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
little, can cause them to
come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
If No Steam Is Coming
from the Engine
Compartment
If an engine overheat warning
is displayed but no steam can
be seen or heard, the problem
may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get
a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a
hot day.
.Stops after high-speed
driving.
.Idles for long periods in
traffic.

Cadillac XT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16412876) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
Vehicle Care 343
If the overheat warning is
displayed with no sign of
steam:1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and
to the highest fan speed.
Open the windows as
necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to
P (Park) or N (Neutral), and
let the engine idle.
If the engine coolant
temperature gauge is no
longer in the overheated area
or the engine coolant
temperature warning light no
longer displays, the vehicle
can be driven. Continue to
drive the vehicle slowly for
about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not
come back on, continue to
drive normally and have the
cooling system checked for
proper fill and function. If the warning continues, pull
over, stop, and park the
vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam,
idle the engine for
three minutes while parked.
If the warning is still displayed,
turn off the engine until it
cools down.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid
is needed, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions
before use. If operating the
vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below
freezing, use a fluid that has
sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
The appropriate message will
appear in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) when
the fluid level is low.
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid
until the tank is full. See
Engine Compartment
Overview
0331 for reservoir
location.
Caution
.Do not use washer fluid
that contains any type of
water repellent coating.
This can cause the wiper
blades to chatter or skip.
.Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield
washer system and paint.
.Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the
solution to freeze and
(Continued)