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2011 Cadillac DTS

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 DTS.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2011 Cadillac DTS is a full‑size passenger car built on the long‑standing GM platform and powered by a V‑engine that requires 7.5 qt of 5W‑30 oil and is mated to an automatic four‑speed transmission, delivering EPA ratings of 15 mpg city, 23 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined. Its fuel‑economy figures and modest oil capacity reflect the model’s conventional engineering focus rather than performance extremes, while the vehicle’s electrical system emerged as the most frequent source of owner dissatisfaction, accounting for the bulk of the 15 total complaints recorded for the year. With only two recalls issued for the 2011 model and the lowest complaint count across the 2006‑2011 production span, this year represents the most reliable point in the DTS’s early‑generation history, suggesting a comparatively stable platform for researchers examining long‑term durability.

Model year2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy15/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 720 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731179. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 720 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731179
Engine air filter	22676970
Spark plug	12571535
Battery	88865934
Front wiper blades	15931976 alt 19388171
Serpentine belt	12588412 alt 12646194
Thermostat	12559807 alt 12574478
Cabin air filter	25906375

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	207.5 in
Overall width	74.8 in
Overall height	57.5 in
Wheelbase	115.4 in
Curb weight	4008 lb
Track (front / rear)	63 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	15 / 23 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	113 cu ft
Cargo volume	19 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the DTS of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.0–7.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.00 sec — 2006 Performance Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2006	Performance Sedan 4.6L V8	7.00 sec	15.40 sec	291 hp	FWD
2006	Performance Sedan 4.6L V8	7.10 sec	15.40 sec	291 hp	FWD
2006	Luxury III Sedan 4.6L V8	7.70 sec	16.00 sec	275 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.5 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 15.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-7-3-4-5-6-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.4
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Engine Coolant	DEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil	5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	7.5 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	15.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	15.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order

1-2-7-3-4-5-6-8

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.43 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	4.70 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	720 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	55-62
Injector Primary Resistance	11-14 @ 50-90 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	140

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH RPO J55 / WITH FN3
Torque Caliper to Bracket	46 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	120 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 in
Brake Application	WITH RPO J55 / WITH FN3
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.787 in / 1.496 in / 1.181 in / 0.472 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

37 ft. lbs., step 2: 150

37 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse 11mm bolts. Ensure new bolts are the same thread pitch as the original bolts. Using different thread pitch bolts will cause damage or engine failure. · Bolts 1-10

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	70 degrees	70 degrees
3	60 degrees	60 degrees
4	45 degrees; Bolts 11-13	45 degrees
1	8.8 ft. lbs	8.8 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Bolts 1-10

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	70 degrees	70 degrees
3	60 degrees	60 degrees
4	45 degrees; Bolts 11-13	45 degrees
1	8.8 ft. lbs.	8.8 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 25,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 Cadillac DTS sits at the end of a clear downward trend in owner complaints across this generation, falling from 254 in 2006 to just 15 in 2011. Recalls also declined from a high of 4 in 2006 to 2 in 2011, and federal investigations ceased entirely after 2008, suggesting early issues were resolved. While Technical Service Bulletins rose to 1,153—the highest in the dataset—this is typical for a final model year as accumulated service knowledge is documented, not necessarily a sign of new problems. The top complaint areas for 2011 are sparse, with only 4 electrical and 3 engine reports, and the year records zero fire complaints. This model year represents the most refined point in the DTS lifecycle, making it a prudent choice for a used purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1153

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

3 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10’11

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 15 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System4

Engine3

Air Bags2

Steering2

Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Fuel/Propulsion System1

Electrical System,Latches/Locks/Linkages1

Structure,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V355000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 23/06/2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on…

10V553000Electrical System:12V/24V/48V Battery:CablesReported 05/11/2010

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DTS AND BUICK LUCERNE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS IN CONTACT WITH THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE. IF EITHER THE STARTER… Remedy: DEALERS WILL SECURE AND IF NECESSARY REROUTE THE LINES TO PREVENT CONTACT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1153 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G	2025-11-20	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific DTS. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 94R battery Vehicles taking 7.5 qt Engine oil filter 12731179 Engine air filter 22676970 Spark plug 12571535 Battery 88865934

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 DTS take?

7.5 qt of 5W-30 MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 DTS have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the DTS get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.