One of the easiest ways to keep your Cadillac’s engine running smoothly is to regularly change your oil—this can quickly become expensive, however, if you pay someone else to do it. Fortunately, changing your own engine oil is one of the simpler aspects of car maintenance and can help you save several hundred dollars annually on costs associated with your vehicle.

Of course, before changing the oil, you will need to know how much oil is required to fill the reservoir—that’s why

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2008 Cadillac CTS engine oil capacity

Before

changing the oil

in your CTS, you should be aware of your Cadillac's oil capacity in order to avoid overfilling or underfilling the oil reservoir. The 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 engine has a total oil capacity of 6 quarts or roughly 5.7 liters.

As you can see, this number and the engine's displacement—or the 3.6L volume that the engine's cylinders occupy—are not the same thing. Adding only three liters of oil can seriously harm your engine!

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What kind of oil does the 2008 Cadillac CTS need?

A 2008 Cadillac CTS requires full-synthetic motor oil with a 5W-30 rating—a rating that provides valuable information about the oil's viscosity under various temperature conditions.

The oil's winter rating, or how it responds to extremely low temperatures, is indicated by the first number (in this case "5") —the lower the number, the lower the viscosity.

On the flip side, the "30" designates how the oil responds when subjected to extremely high temperatures of at least 212°F, or the typical operating temperature of an engine. Even at these extremely high temperatures, any oil with a "30" rating will still be quite thin.

Consider trying one of the choices listed below if you need assistance choosing a brand of oil rated as 5W-30:

What’s recommended: Dexos-certified motor oil SAE 5W-30

Second-best: Castrol - EDGE® 5W-30 Full Synthetic Motor Oil

For higher mileage vehicles: Mobil 1 Extended Performance Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30

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How to test an oil pump

How often to change the oil on a 2008 Cadillac CTS

Cadillac suggests changing your motor oil as part of your

basic car maintenance schedule

every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, or roughly twice a year, to keep your engine running smoothly.

This recommendation is based on typical driving circumstances, so you may need to change your oil more frequently if you drive more than the average person, frequently take brief trips, or frequently use dirt roads.

Additionally, you ought to be checking your oil once or twice a month before you reach the advised intervals to reduce the possibility of unintentionally harming your engine.

There are some signs to look out for that indicate your oil may need a change early, including:

Your Cadillac’s performance noticeably worsens

The engine produces a smoky, oily, or burning smell

Your oil is grainy or becomes gritty in texture

Your oil is no longer amber, but a dark brown or black

The engine starts to make unusual noises

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How to change your oil and oil filter

You will require an oil drain pan, a socket wrench, and a filter wrench if you choose to change your oil and oil filter at home—it goes without saying that you'll also require six quarts of full-synthetic 5W-30 motor oil and a new filter.

When you have everything you need, turn the key in the ignition to start your car, then wait a few minutes while it runs until the engine reaches normal operating temperatures. Under normal circumstances, this shouldn't take more than four to five minutes.

When the engine is at the right temperature, turn it off, open the hood, and perform the following:

Find the oil reservoir and unscrew the oil cap.

Aim to position your drain pan directly below the oil reservoir drain hole. The socket wrench can be used to remove the drain bolt and washer. Allow the old oil to drain into the pan.

As you wait for the oil to drain completely, remove the old oil filter with your filter wrench.

Install a new oil filter.

After the oil has been completely drained, swap out the bolt and install a new washer. Consult your owner's manual to find out what the recommended tightness is.

Add clean oil to the reservoir and replace the cap.

Use a dipstick to verify that you added enough oil to the reservoir. If the level is good, start your car and let it run for a while. Once the engine has warmed up, look for leaks. As long as you carefully follow all of these instructions, the oil pressure/warning light on your Cadillac’s dashboard ought to shut off.

Lastly, be sure to dispose of the used engine oil properly—never dump used oil in the trash or on the ground. Instead, place it in a container with a lid and transport it to a recycling facility or participating auto parts store.

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