GM Bulletin No.: 15717
Date: October 2015

Service Bulletin
SERVICE UPDATE
SUBJECT:

Service Update for Inventory and Customer Vehicles
Emitting White Smoke
Expires with Base Warranty

MODELS:

2016 Cadillac ATS-V
Equipped with Manual Transmission (MG9)

This service update includes vehicles in dealer inventory and customer vehicles that return to the
dealership for the first scheduled oil change. This bulletin will expire at the end of the involved
vehicle's New Vehicle Limited Warranty period.
PURPOSE
This bulletin provides a service procedure to remove the silicone contaminated transmission fluid
on certain 2016 model year Cadillac ATS-V vehicles equipped manual transmission (RPO MG9).
These vehicles, may have a condition in which the transmission fluid foams and spills out onto the
exhaust pipe causing white smoke to be emitted from the underside of the vehicle when traveling
at a very high rate of speed.
This service procedure should be completed as soon as the odometer reads at least 5,000
miles (8,000 km) on involved vehicles currently in dealer inventory and customer vehicles
that return to the dealer for the first scheduled oil change during the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty coverage period.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
All involved vehicles are identified by VIN in the Global Warranty Management System –
Investigate Vehicle History Application. Dealership technicians should always check this site to
confirm vehicle involvement prior to beginning any required inspections and/or repairs. It is
important to routinely use this tool to verify eligibility because not all similar vehicles may be
involved regardless of description or option content.
Additionally, a list of involved vehicles currently in dealer inventory can be found in GlobalConnect,
under Departments, Service, Field Action Inventory Reports (US) or attached to the
GlobalConnect message (Canada) used to release this bulletin. Customer vehicles that return for
service, the first scheduled oil change but after the odometer reads 5,000 miles, and are still
covered under the vehicle's base warranty should also be checked for vehicle eligibility.

Copyright 2015 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

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October 2015

Bulletin No.: 15717

PART INFORMATION
Parts required to complete this service update are to be obtained from General Motors Customer
Care and Aftersales (GMCCA). Please refer to your “involved vehicles listing” before ordering
parts. This part will be on Order Writing control initially and all DRO’s (Daily Replenishment
Orders) will cancel. Dealers can place orders CSO (Customer Special Order). In emergency
situations a dealer should place a SPAC case and the orders will be processed in the order
received.
Part Number

Description

Quantity/Vehicle

88861800
88861801

GM Manual Transmission Fluid (US)
GM Manual Transmission Fluid (Canada)

6
6

SERVICE PROCEDURE
Note: This procedure should be performed at the first oil change, however the vehicle must have
been driven a minimum of 5000 miles (8000 km). If the vehicle has less than 5000 miles (8000
km), this procedure should not be performed at this time.
Note: GM Manual Transmission Fluid (88861800 US/88861801 Canada) is the required fluid for
this vehicle, only Dexron VI is acceptable to be used to flush the cooler lines and must be
purged out with air after flushing.
1.

Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in SI.

2.

Place a drain pan under the transmission.

3.

Support the transmission.

4.

Remove the Transmission Rear Mount. Refer to Transmission Rear Mount Replacement in
SI.

Note: DO NOT drain the transmission through the temperature sensor.
5.

Remove the transmission drain plug.

6.

Fully drain the transmission.

7.

DO NOT install the drain plug and leave the drain pan in place.

8.

Verify the DT-45096 Transmission Oil Cooling System Flush and Flow Test Tool is in the off
position and place the function switch to IDLE.

9.

Connect DT-45096 flow test tool to the vehicle 12-volt DC power source by connecting the
red battery clip to the positive (+) battery post on the vehicle and connect the negative (−)
lead to a known good chassis ground.

10. Turn the main power switch to the ON position.
Caution: DO NOT overfill the supply vessel. Damage to the unit may result. To verify the fluid
level, view the LCD screen display while filling the unit, to ensure the fluid level does not exceed
30 L (32 qt). Use Dexron VI.
11. Fill the supply tank with the appropriate GM automatic transmission fluid through the fill port.
12. Install and tighten the fill cap.

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October 2015

Bulletin No.: 15717

13. Connect a shop air supply hose to the quick-disconnect on the rear panel marked SUPPLY
AIR.
14. Disconnect the transmission cooler feed line which is attached to the clutch housing.
Passenger side of car. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Hose/Pipe Quick-Connect Fitting
Disconnection and Connection in SI.
15. Remove the transmission fluid cooler inlet and outlet pipe clip bolt from engine oil pan in
order to relocate the fitting to allow a connection to the cooler line. Refer to Transmission
Fluid Cooler Inlet and Outlet Pipe Replacement in SI.

4282132

16. Connect the DT-45096 flow test tool adapters (3) and J-35944-200 / J-35944-200A
adapter (2) to the vehicle transmission oil cooler feed line. Do not disconnect the supply line
to the transmission, i.e. connector on the driver side of the vehicle which goes into the main
housing.

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October 2015

Bulletin No.: 15717

4282825

4282826

17. Connect the black supply hose (1) to the feed line. This will be the connector that is coming
out of the clutch housing, i.e. connector on the passenger side of the vehicle. Do not
connect the clear waste hose to the supply line of the transmission. Fluid is going to be
flushed back into the transmission and then exit out of the drain plug. This is the forward
flow direction.
Note: If the flow rate is less than 0.5 gpm, the LCD displays an error message. Refer to the
Troubleshooting section of the operation manual.
Caution: Fluid will be coming out of the transmission drain plug during the flush.
18. Turn the main function switch to the FLOW position and allow the oil to flow. Monitor the
screen for the amount of fluid in the tank, ensuring that a minimum of 3 quarts of fluid has
flown through the lines. (The level on the screen should decrement by 3 quarts.)
19. Turn the main function switch to the IDLE position and allow the supply vessel pressure to
dissipate.
20. Wait until the flushed fluid fully drains from the transmission.
21. Disconnect the DT-45096 flow test tool adapters from the cooler feed line.
22. Affix regulated shop air (30 psi) to the cooler line and gently purge the lines of any fluid.
23. Wait until the flushed fluid fully drains from the transmission.

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October 2015

Bulletin No.: 15717

24. Reconnect the transmission fluid cooler inlet and outlet pipe clip bolt to engine oil pan and
torque to 22 Nm (16 lb ft).
25. Reconnect the cooler line to the transmission. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Hose/Pipe
Quick-Connect Fitting Disconnection and Connection in SI.
26. Reinstall the transmission drain plug and torque to 27 Nm (20ft-lbs) and apply Loctite #516.
27. Install the Transmission Rear Mount. Refer to Transmission Rear Mount Replacement in SI.

4282174

28. Disconnect the clip retaining the cooler pipe to the transmission bracket.
29. Reposition the cooler pipe to allow access to the fill plug.
30. Remove the transmission fluid fill plug.
31. Fill the transmission until the fluid is level with the bottom of the fill plug using GM Manual
Transmission Fluid (88861800 US/88861801 Canada).
32. Install the transmission fill plug and torque to 27 Nm (20 lb ft).
Note: Inspect the clip for proper retention on the cooler line to the bracket. Replace the
clip as necessary.
33. Reconnect the clip retaining the cooler pipe to the transmission bracket.
34. Run the engine in Neutral, ensuring the clutch pedal is not depressed, for two minutes to
allow the fluid to recirculate. Fluid level will drop in the transmission as the cooler lines fill.

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October 2015

Bulletin No.: 15717

4282174

35. Disconnect the clip (1) retaining the cooler pipe to the transmission bracket.
36. Reposition the cooler pipe to allow access to the fill plug.
37. Remove the transmission fill plug.
Note: Transmission fluid level setting must be followed exactly as written or the
transmission may be overfilled or under filled.
Note: Approximately 1.5 quarts of fluid should be added at this step. If significantly less
fluid is added before the transmission is full the internal transmission pump was not
properly primed during step 34 and lines did not fill correctly. Take the vehicle on a short
test drive in order to ensure the pump in the transmission is primed and the fluid has
filled the lines correctly. Avoid performance driving since the transmission is under filled.

4282172

38. Transmission fluid level MUST be 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) below (1) the fill plug. This can be done
by one of the following two methods:

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October 2015

Bulletin No.: 15717



Bend mechanics wire to 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) to check fluid level. Add or remove fluid as
necessary.
 Fill transmission until level with the bottom of the fill plug hole, then remove 240 ml
(8 ounces) of fluid.
39. Install the transmission fill plug and torque to 27 Nm (20 lb ft).

4282174

40. Connect the clip (1) retaining the cooler pipe to the transmission bracket.
41. Lower the vehicle.
42. Road test the vehicle for 2-3 miles performing right hand and left hand turns of medium
speed and allow the engine to reach 4000 RPMs at times.
43. Raise the vehicle and check the transmission fluid level and add if necessary.
44. Lower the vehicle.
WARRANTY TRANSACTION INFORMATION
Submit a transaction using the table below. All transactions should be submitted as a ZFAT
transaction type, unless noted otherwise.
Labor
Code
9101818

Description
Drain, Flush and Fill Manual Transmission Fluid

Labor
Time
1.0

Net
Item
N/A

DEALER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
Whenever a vehicle subject to this service update enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your facility
for service in the future, and the vehicle is still covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty,
you must take the steps necessary to be sure the service update correction has been made before
selling or releasing the vehicle.
GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that
may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the tools,
equipment, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to
your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

We Support
Voluntary Technician
Certification

Alert Details

Page 1 of 1

15717 – Service Update Bulletin - Emitting White Smoke
Updated Date: Oct 06, 2015 13:20 ET

GM CUSTOMER CARE AND AFTERSALES
DCS3795
URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY
Date:

October 06, 2015

Subject:

15717 – Service Update Bulletin
Emitting White Smoke

Models:

2016 Cadillac ATS-V
Equipped with manual transmission (RPO MG9)

To:

All Cadillac Dealers

Attention:

General Manager, Service Advisor, Service Manager, Parts and
Service Director, Parts Manager, New Vehicle Sales Manager,
and Warranty Administrator

General Motors is releasing Service Update Bulletin 15717 today. The total number of U.S. vehicles involved is 87. Please see the attached bulletin for details.
Global Warranty Management (GWM)
The "Investigate Vehicle History" (IVH) screen will be updated October 8, 2015. A list of involved vehicles in dealer inventory is attached to this message.
15717 Bulletin.pdf

About this Alert
Reference Number: GCUS-3-307
Published to: Home Page
Version: 1.0
Alert Type: Service Update
Original Published Date: Oct 06, 2015 13:20 ET
Expires: Dec 05, 2015 0:00 ET
Contact : [email protected]

https://dealer.autopartners.net/portal/uscontent/alerts/Pages/GCUS-3-307.aspx

10/6/2015