2023 CADILLAC XT5 cooling

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
352 Vehicle Care
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
2.0L L4 Engine
1. Electric Engine CoolingFan (Out of View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Electric Engine Cooling
Fan (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.
{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
Lubricants 0433 and
Maintenance Schedule 0429.
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 0356.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
Vehicle Care 353
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.
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 sure

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
354 Vehicle Care
the cooling system is cool
before this is done. See
Engine Overheating0356.
The coolant surge tank is in
the engine compartment on
the driver side of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment
Overview 0342.
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.
Coolant Fill Instructions
(3.6L Engine Only)
1. Turn the pressure cap slowly 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.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
Vehicle Care 355
3. Fill the coolant surge tankwith the proper mixture to
the mark pointed to on the
front of the coolant
surge tank.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off,
start the engine and let it
run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose
getting hot. Watch out for
the engine cooling fans. By
this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge
tank may be lower. If the
level is lower, add more of
the proper mixture to the coolant surge tank until
the level reaches the mark
pointed to on the front of
the coolant surge tank.
5. Replace the pressure cap tightly.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and
the coolant is cold.
If necessary, repeat
coolant fill procedure
Step 1–6.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
(2.0L Engine Only)
If equipped, 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,
disconnect the vent line
from the port near the cap
on the surge tank. Add
coolant to the indicated
mark on the surge tank.
2. Reconnect the vent line to the surge tank and replace
the cap on the surge tank.
3. Connect the vehicle to a battery charger.
4. Put the vehicle in Service Mode. See Ignition
Positions 0252.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
356 Vehicle Care
5. Turn off the airconditioning.
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 Engine Control Module
(ECM) to go to sleep, about
two minutes, and repeat
steps 3-7.
Listen for pump activation and
movement of the control
valves while watching the level
of the 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
0 126. 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 0446.
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
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.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
Vehicle Care 357
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.
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

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
400 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
When replacing wheels, use
a new GM original
equipment wheel.
Caution
The wrong wheel can also
cause problems with bearing
life, brake cooling,
speedometer or odometer
calibration, headlamp aim,
bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, and tire or
tire chain clearance to the
body and chassis.
Tire Chains
{Warning
If the vehicle has 235/
55R20h size tires, do not
use tire chains. There is not
enough clearance. Tire
chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
of clearance can cause
damage to the brakes,
suspension, or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by
the tire chains could cause
loss of control and a crash.
Use another type of traction
device only if its
manufacturer recommends
it for the vehicle's tire size
combination and road
conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions.
To avoid vehicle damage,
drive slow and readjust or
remove the traction device if
it contacts the vehicle. Do
not spin the wheels. If
traction devices are used,
install them on the front
tires.
Caution
If the vehicle is equipped
with a tire size other than
235/55R20, use tire chains
only where legal and only
when necessary. Use low
profile chains that add no
more than 12 mm thickness
to the tire tread and inner
sidewall. Use chains that are
the proper size for the tires.
Install them on the tires of
the front axle. Do not use
chains on the tires of the
rear axle. Tighten them as
tightly as possible with the
ends securely fastened.
Drive slowly and follow the
chain manufacturer's
instructions. If the chains
contact the vehicle, stop and
retighten them. If the
contact continues, slow
down until it stops. Driving
too fast or spinning the
wheels with chains on will
damage the vehicle.

Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/25/22
430 Service and Maintenance
filter replacement may also
be needed if there is
reduced airflow, window
fogging, or odors. Your GM
dealer can help determine
when to replace the filter.
Every 96 000 km (60,000 mi)
.Replace spark plugs. (2.0L
L4 Engine Only.) Inspect
spark plug wires and/or
boots.
Every 156 000 km
(97,500 mi)
.Replace spark plugs. (3.6L
V6 Engine Only.) Inspect
spark plug wires and/or
boots.
Every 161 000 km
(100,000 mi)
.Replace hood and/or body
lift support gas struts. Or
every 10 years, whichever
comes first. See Gas Strut(s)
0 363. Every 240 000 km
(150,000 mi)
.Change rear axle fluid,
if equipped with AWD. Do
not directly power wash the
transfer case and/or front/
rear axle output seals. High
pressure water can
overcome the seals and
contaminate the transfer
case fluid. Contaminated
fluid will decrease the life of
the transfer case and/or
axles and should be
replaced.
.Drain and fill engine cooling
system. Or every six years,
whichever comes first. See
Cooling System
0352.
Severe Conditions
Requiring More Frequent
Maintenance*
.Public service, military,
or commercial use vehicles
to include the following:
‐ Ambulances, police cars,
and emergency rescue
vehicles. ‐
Civilian vehicles such as
light duty pick-up trucks,
SUVs, and passenger cars
that are used in military
applications.
‐ Recovery vehicles such as
tow trucks and flatbed
single vehicle carriers or
any vehicle that is
consistently used in towing
trailers or other loads.
‐ High use commercial
vehicles such as courier
delivery vehicles, private
security patrol vehicles,
or any vehicles that
operate on a 24–hour
basis.
‐ Any vehicle consistently
operated in a high sand or
dust environment such as
those used on oil pipelines
and similar applications..Vehicles that are regularly
used for short trips of 6 km
(4 mi) or less.
The oil life indicator will show
you when to change the oil
and filter. Under severe