engine CADILLAC ELDORADO 2002 10.G Owners Manual

6-21
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.

6-22
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The transaxle fluid cap is located next to the radiator
hose and below the engine air cleaner/filter assembly
in the engine compartment on the driver's side of
the vehicle. For more information on location,
see ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index.1. Remove the engine air cleaner/filter assembly
by lifting it out, after unhooking the latches
securing it. Find the transaxle fluid cap and
turn it counterclockwise to remove it. Pull out the
dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
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 and turn
the handle clockwise. Reinstall the engine air
cleaner/filter assembly.

6-23 How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to use. See ªRecommended
Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
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 overfill.
NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON
-III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON

-III
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level
as described under ªHow to Check.º
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained,
push the dipstick back in all the way and turn
the handle clockwise.
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 system at the same time
until the TRANS FLUID RESET message appears
on the DIC.

6-24
Engine Coolant
The cooling system 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 ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL
coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

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.

6-25 What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one
-half DEX-COOL
coolant which won't
damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture,
you don't need to add anything else.
CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle's coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
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 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX
-COOL
coolant.
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.

6-26 Checking Coolant
The surge tank is located next to the engine block on
the passenger's side of the vehicle. For more information
on location, see ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in
the Index.
If the CHECK COOLANT LEVEL message appears
on the Driver Information Center (DIC), you will need
to add coolant.
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 Message,
Coolant Levelº in the Index.

6-27
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 the arrow
lines up with the tube.
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
The surge tank pressure cap is located on the surge tank
in the engine compartment on the passenger's side of
the vehicle. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the
Index for more information on location.
NOTICE:
The surge tank cap is a 18 psi (124 kPa)
pressure
-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure to the arrow on the
cap lines up with the overflow hose.

6-28
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid
reservoir and dipstick
are located next to the
coolant surge tank on
the passenger's side of
the vehicle.
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. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the
Index for reservoir location.
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 Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.

6-29
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. See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index for reservoir location.
Adding Washer Fluid
The CHECK WASHER FLUID message will be
displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when the fluid is low.
The windshield washer
fluid reservoir is located
next to the engine air
cleaner/filter on the
driver's side of the vehicle.
Open the cap with the washer symbol on it.
Add washer fluid until the tank is full.
NOTICE:

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 engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.

6-30
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is on the driver's side
of the engine compartment. It is filled with DOT
-3 brake
fluid. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index.
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, youshould 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 ªtop offº 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.
CAUTION:
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.
If the ignition is in RUN and the brake fluid is low,
the CHECK BRAKE FLUID LEVEL message will be
displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC).
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See ªBrake System Warning
Lightº in the Index.