checking oil CADILLAC SRX 2008 1.G Owners Manual

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of Your Vehicle...............................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-16
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-19
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-23
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-26Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . .5-28
Cooling System............................................5-29
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-33
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-34
Brakes........................................................5-35
Battery........................................................5-39
Jump Starting...............................................5-40
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-44
Rear Axle.......................................................5-46
Front Axle......................................................5-46
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-47
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-47
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting............5-48
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-48
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-49
Tires..............................................................5-51
Winter Tires.................................................5-52
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-53
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-56
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-59
High-Speed Operation...................................5-60
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-61
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-62
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-66
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it
is in your vehicle. Static electricity discharge
from the container can ignite the fuel vapor.
You can be badly burned and your vehicle
damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury
to you and others:
Dispense fuel only into approved
containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than the ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ll opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the lling is complete.
Do not smoke while pumping fuel.
Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping fuel.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a re. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and
other uids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
5-10

A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-101.
B. Remote Negative (-) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-40.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-40.
D. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-39.
E. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-30.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-33.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-16.H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-16.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-35.
J. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-26
andCooling System on page 5-29.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-34.
5-13

A. Remote Negative (-) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-40.
B. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-40.
C. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-39.
D. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-30.
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-33.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-16.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-16.H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-35.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-26
andCooling System on page 5-29.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
K. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-101.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-34.
5-15

Engine Oil
Your vehicle could have
an oil pressure light on
the instrument cluster.
There is also an OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE
message on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
If the light and/or message appears, check the
engine oil level right away. For more information, see
“OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE” underDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-53andOil Pressure
Light on page 3-44. You should check the engine oil
level regularly; this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5-16

Automatic Transmission Fluid
How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transmission uid level.
A transmission uid leak is the only reason for uid
loss. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to the
dealer/retailer service department and have it repaired
as soon as possible.
There is a special procedure for checking and changing
the transmission uid. Because this procedure is
difficult, you should have this done at the dealership
service department. Contact your dealer for additional
information or the procedure can be found in the service
manual. To purchase a service manual, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-17.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 6-6, and be sure
to use the uid listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains the cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If the engine overheats,
seeEngine Overheating on page 5-26.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Allow the warning lights and gages to work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at the rst maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or
24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-23

(d)Inspect wiper blades for wear, cracking, or
contamination. Clean the windshield and wiper blades,
if contaminated. Replace wiper blades that are worn
or damaged. See Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 5-49 and Windshield and Wiper Blades on
page 5-95 for more information.
(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and safety
belt assemblies are working properly. Look for any
other loose or damaged safety belt system parts.
If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system
from doing its job, have it repaired. Have any torn
or frayed safety belts replaced. Also see Checking
the Restraint Systems on page 1-72.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders, hood latch
assemblies, secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor,
release pawl, hood hinges, body door hinges, rear
compartment hinges, sunroof tracks, and any folding
seat hardware. More frequent lubrication could be
required when exposed to a corrosive environment.
Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips with a clean
cloth will make them last longer, seal better, and
not stick or squeak. See Weatherstrips on page 5-94.
(g)A fluid loss in any vehicle system could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the fluid level checked. Add fluid if needed.(h)Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This service can
be complex; you should have your dealer/retailer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-23 for what to
use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap, and filler neck. Pressure test the cooling system and
pressure cap.
(j)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, the filter
could require replacement more often.
(k)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the filter at each engine oil change.
(l)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or
obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.
(m)If using DOT-4 brake fluid only: Drain, flush, and
refill brake hydraulic system at a regular maintenance
service every two years. This service can be complex;
you should have your dealer/retailer perform this service.
See Brakes on page 5-35.
6-8