CADILLAC DEVILLE 1997 7.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level
is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83
000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
0 Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
Use such as limousine service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the
Maintenance Schedule booklet.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Cadillac dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow
all the instructions
here,
or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle.
Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system parts, starting a
fire. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
e While pulling a trailer.
6-18

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 1
80 OF to 200 OF
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles
(24
km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), you may
have to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK
(P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
0 Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes. Then,
without shutting off the engine, follow
these steps:
1. The black transaxle fluid cap is located next to the
radiator hose and below the air cleaner assembly on the driver's side of the engine. Remove the air
cleaner assembly
so you can reach the transaxle fluid
cap. The assembly is attached to the vehicle by two
fasteners. Simply lift up on the air cleaner assembly
to remove
it. Find the transaxle fluid cap and turn it
counterclockwise to remove. Pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out ‘again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The fluid level must be in the
cross-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push
the dipstick back in
all the way. Replace the air
cleaner assembly.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transaxle fluid to use. See
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in
the Maintenance Schedule booklet.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole to bring it
to the proper level.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than
one pint
(0.5 L). Don’t oveflll.
NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that label .is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON-In
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
described under “How to Check.”
dipstick
back in all the way.
6-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Reset Transaxle Fluid
Change Indicator
Your vehicle is equipped with a transaxle fluid change
indicator.
A CHANGE TRANS FLUID message will
display
on the Driver Information Center (DIC) when
the powertrain computer determines
that the transaxle
fluid needs to be changed or at each
100,000 miles
(160 000 km) interval, whichever occurs first. When
this message appears, change the transaxle fluid and
reset
the transaxle fluid life indicator as follows:
1. Turn the ignition on but do not start the engine.
2. Press and hold the OFF and rear defog buttons on the
climate control at the same time until the
TRANS
FLUID RESET message appears on the DIC.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain
in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL’ extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
J
A 50/50 mixture of 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.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE: ~ ~~ ~ -
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the use
of coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL@ coolant which
won’t damage aluminum
parts. If you use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant
mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
I NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
I NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
6-22

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Coolant
The surge tank is located next to the engine block on the
passenger’s side of the engine.
The cooling system
is under a lot of pressure when it is
hot.
If the CHECK COOLANT LEVEL message
appears on the DIC, you will need to add coolant.
”urning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
Never turn the surge tank pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the FULL COLD mark, which is
2.5 inches (6.4 cm)
below the base
of the fill neck. Use a flashlight as
necessary to see into the tank.
..... ......................... ................. ................... . ... ............ ............. ..I.. ... .................. ..................................... *....I. ...... . .”... ... ”.. ...... ...... .......... ....... ..... ................... ”
If this message comes on, it means you’re low on
engine coolant.
6-23

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture at the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool.
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it
will burn if'the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on
a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it
is tight.
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
1 NOTICE:
The surge tank cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up.
If the surge tank pressure cap needs to be replaced, a
General Motors cap
is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
If your thermostat needs to be replaced, a General
Motors thermostat
is recommended.
6-24

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid
reservoir is located next to the coolant surge tank
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, wipe the cap and
the top of the reservoir clean, then unscrew the cap and
wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again and
look
at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the
FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up
to the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the
Maintenance Schedule booklet. Always use the proper
fluid. Failure to use the proper fluid can cause leaks and
damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
6-25

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding Washer Fluid
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located next to
the air cleaner on the driver’s side of the engine.
Open
the cap labeled WASHER FLUID OKY. Add
washer fluid until the tank is full.
NOTICE:
0
0
0
0
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts
of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean as well
as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it’s very
cold. This
allows for expansion
if freezing occurs,
which could damage the
tank if it is
completely
full.
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your
windshield washer.
It can damage your
washer system and paint.
6-26

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There
are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake fluid goes down to
an acceptable level during normal brake
lining wear. When new linings
are put in, the fluid level
goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking
out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake system
fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid
when your linings
are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done
on the brake hydraulic system.
CAU-ION:
-
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine
is hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work
is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See “Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.