check engine CADILLAC ELDORADO 2000 10.G Owner's Guide

6-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
CAUTION:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:

Dispense gasoline only into
approved containers.

Do not fill 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 fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

Don't smoke while pumping gasoline.
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 fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, 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.

6-11 Underhood Lamp
Turn the parking lamps on to operate the underhood
lamp. The underhood lamp will come on when the hood
is opened.
Engine Oil
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message appears on the
instrument panel, it means you need to check your
engine oil level right away. For more information, see
CHECK OIL LEVEL message in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
A CHECK OIL LEVEL message will appear when the
engine oil is approximately 1 quart (1L) low. If the
message is displayed, check the dipstick level and add
oil as needed.
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your 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 is
located behind the radiator
on the driver's side of the
engine. The yellow handle
says ENGINE OIL on it.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
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.

6-15
How to Reset the Oil Life Indicator
After the oil has been changed, display the OIL LIFE
LEFT message by pressing the SKIP INFO button. Then
press and hold the NO INFO RESET button until the
display shows 100% ENGINE OIL LIFE. This resets the
oil life index. The message will remain off until the next
oil change is needed. The percentage of oil life
remaining may be checked at any time by pressing the
SKIP INFO button several times until the OIL LIFE
LEFT message appears. For more information on the Oil
Life feature, see ªOil Life Indicatorº in the Index.What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don't let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil.
(See the manufacturer's warnings about the use and
disposal of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free
-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don't ever dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.

6-19
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:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require change
until the message CHANGE TRANS FLUID appears on
the Driver Information Center.
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the
Maintenance Schedule booklet.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the 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.

6-20
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:

When outside temperatures are above 90F (32C).

At high speed for quite a while.

In heavy traffic
-- especially in hot weather.

While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180F to 200F
(82C to 93C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles (24 km)
when outside temperatures are above 50F (10C). If it's
colder than 50F (10C), you may have to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:

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).

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
to the left to remove. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it
with a clean rag or paper towel.

6-24
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture 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.
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.
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 Driver Information Center (DIC), you
will need to add coolant.

6-25
CAUTION:
Turning 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.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. 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.
If the CHECK COOLANT LEVEL message comes on
and stays on, it means you're low on engine coolant.For more information, see ªCheck Coolant Level
Messageº in the Index.
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.
CAUTION:
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 hand
-tight.

6-26
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
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
GM cap is recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid
reservoir is located next
to the coolant surge tank
on the passenger's side
of the engine.
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.

6-27 How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
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
ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº 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.
Adding Washer Fluid
The CHECK WASHER FLUID message will be
displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when the fluid is low.

6-68 Wheel Nut Torque
100 lb-ft (140 N´m)
Capacities
Transaxle (4T80-E) 15.0 quarts (14.2 L). . . . . . . . . .
Crankcase (Engine Oil with
Filter Change) 7.5 quarts (7.1 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Cooling System 12.5 quarts (11.8 L). . . . . . . .
Fuel Tank 19.0 gallons( 71.9 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to
fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck fluid level after filling.
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Air Filter Element AC Type A1096C. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Filter Element AC Type GF
-650 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil Filter AC Type PF
-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PCV Valve AC Type CV
-774C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark Plugs PT16EPR
-C13 (GM part 12561466) . . .
Gap: 0.050 inches (1.3 mm)
Thermostat AC Type 131
-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Wiper Blade
(Pin Type) 22 inches (56.5 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle Dimensions
Wheel Base 108.0 inches (274.3 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Length 200.6 inches (509.5 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Height 53.6 inches (136.1 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Width 75.5 inches (191.8 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Tread 60.9 inches (154.6 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Tread 60.9 inches (154.6 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .