I bought this car in the fall, and it came with detailed service records ... but not always the exact fluids used, etc. Here are some issues on which I would appreciate your comment/advice. The car has a 4.5L engine, 120k miles.

1) What type of coolant to use? Any special concerns?
2) What other fluids to use? avoid?
3) What type of gas (grade) to use?
4) What type of oil to use? I live in Louisiana and drive th car for recreational purposes mainly -- not driven that often.

Thanks for your help! I'm learning!

for coolant, a simple drain and re-fill with 50/50 mix of Prestone and
distilled water with the supplement will do wonders ...
no chemical flushing ..

then i would chage the fuel filter ASAP.

take a look in the FAQ area ...

for the other fluids, i'll let others go at it ...

whatever you do, dont agree to flush transmission .. EVER !

What supplement? Thanks

i would do what stealth said also your oil is up to you, you can use synthetic or high milage oil it is all really the same also the weight of oil is probaly your biggest factor iwould recommend 10w-30 or 10w-40 dont use anything higher such as 20w-50 etc. also gas for the car says to use premium unleaded, you can use super or regular but i would use super over regularbut while using super unleaded gas will work it may cause detonation which is because of it being a lower octane gas. but if possible try to use premium gas although it is more $$ at the pump.but other than that its all basics change fluid regularly and the car will run for ever. just like my previous post about one of my co-workers that has an 87 deville with alittle over 300,000 miles and he still drives it to work and everything.

Thanks for all the great advice and information

Still need clarification on the coolant issue. So, what do I need to ask for at the local Autozone or Wal-Mart? And what is the supplement Stealth talks about?

If I take the car to a GM dealer for service, will they know what to do for an 88, or will I need to specify what has to be done ... as in DON'T flush the tranny, use only a certain coolant, etc.? Thanks

Asfor the coolant you can buy the pre mixed coolant which is already half water and half coolant. also it doesnt mater what type of coolant from what i have seen any more the coolant is safe for ALL makes and models inoticed this cuz i had just replaced my radiator and wanted to be possitive to get the right kind and they all said about the same thing "Safe for all makes and models".As for the supplement it should keep the coolant passages clean and keep from corossion.
If you take it to the GM dealer they will know what to do without you telling them. Also they can flush the tranny but what ussually happens is they dont put enough tranny fluid in causing it not to shift properly. i would recommed changing out the filter on the tranny if the tranny isnt shifting well. but only work on the tranny if you have problems.

What is a supplement? I don't know what is meant by supplementing the coolant. Thanks

ORIGINAL: theatreman

What is a supplement? I don't know what is meant by supplementing the coolant. Thanks



you will find it in the FAQ forum along with other important items ..
this is a direct link ..

http://www.cadillacforum.com/fb.asp?m=7388

Thanks so much for your help.

On another note, if a cornering light won't work on my Caddy, and it's not the bulb, what could the problem be?

Thanks again!

my bet would be the wires, check to see if the conectors are clean or if the wires are cut somewhere.