Coolant Flush How-to: 2006 Cadillac CTS 3.6L V6

Cadillac CTS Model Years - 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

1. Getting Started - Prepare for the repair

2. Overview - How to determine cooling system type

3. Open the Hood - How to pop the hood and prop it open

4. Find Reservoir - Locate the coolant / antifreeze reservoir and clean it

5. Drain Reservoir - Remove coolant / antifreeze from the reservoir

6. Drain Point - Locate the drain point on the radiator

Car Displayed: 2007 Cadillac SRX 4.6L V8 info

7. Drain Coolant - Drain the coolant from the system

8. Circulate Water - Run engine with distilled water and flush

9. Fill Coolant - Dilute coolant / antifreeze with distilled water and fill

10. Locate Hoses - Locate the coolant / antifreeze hoses and connection points

11. Burp System - Remove excess air in the cooling system

12. Replace Cap - Put the reservoir cap back on

13. Replace Cover - Put the cover back on underneath

Car Displayed: 2007 Cadillac SRX 4.6L V8 info

14. Clean Up Tips - Secrets to dealing with spilled coolant

15. More Info. - Additional information on coolant flushes

Author

Hans Angermeier is an ASE certified Maintenance and Light Repair Technician and has produced over 100,000 videos showing drivers how to fix things on their cars. He has broad expertise on basic repair procedures covering the majority of cars on the road. Over the past 10 years, Hans has been focused on building CarCareKiosk, which is visited by millions of drivers each month.

Share on   Share on Twitter   Share on Facebook
Parts & Tools
We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate
Video Description

Learn how to flush the coolant (antifreeze) in your 2006 Cadillac CTS. Coolant / antifreeze circulates through CTS radiator and engine to maintain the proper temperature. Coolant / antifreeze also passes through the heater core under your cowl to provide heat to the cabin of your CTS. In addition to preventing your car from overheating, coolant / antifreeze also helps lubricate the seals in the water pump and hoses. Start your coolant flush by draining the coolant / antifreeze that is in your reservoir, then drain the coolant that is in your radiator by opening the petcock or removing the lower radiator hose. This video shows where the radiator drain plug (petcock) is located on a 2006 Cadillac CTS. Fill up the radiator with distilled water and run the engine. Turn off the engine and drain the water, fill up the radiator with antifreeze until you have a 50/50 coolant / distilled water mixture and burp the system.

Like the oil in your CTS, coolant gets dirty over time and loses its ability to cool down your 3.6 liter engine. When you flush your coolant, which is antifreeze, on your 2006, you are draining out all of the old dirty coolant and preventing costly radiator and cooling system repair down the road. The video above shows you where the petcock on your radiator is located, how to flush the coolant / antifreeze and how to burp the system to get the air out of your CTS.

Coolant is toxic and animals are attracted to the sweet taste of coolant (antifreeze). If you spill coolant when you flush your CTS, be sure to put down cat litter to soak it up to discard it. Flushing the coolant on a regular basis removes gunk and mineral deposits from your engine, while prolonging the life of your heater core, thermostat, hoses and water pump.

  • Advance Auto coupon for
    20% off entire order: KIOSK20
2006 Cadillac CTS 3.6L V6 Air Filter (Engine) Replace

Replacing a dirty air filter can improve gas mileage by up to 4%. Isn't efficiency great?

2006 Cadillac CTS 3.6L V6 Lights Headlight (replace bulb)

Avoid tickets and accidents with both working headlights! New bulbs are much brighter too

2004 Cadillac CTS 3.6L V6 Air Conditioner Recharge Freon

If your car blows hot air when your air conditioner is turned on, try recharging the freon first

2011 Cadillac STS 3.6L V6 Lights Center Brake Light (replace bulb)

Don't be the guy with your third brake light burnt out