overheating CADILLAC SRX 2005 1.G Owners Manual

Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have an ashtray and cigarette lighter.
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other ammable
items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them and possibly
damage your vehicle. Never put ammable items in
the ashtray.
Ashtray
The ashtray is located under the climate control panel
on the center console. Press on the door to release the
ashtray.
To empty the ashtray, remove it from the center
console by gripping the edges and pulling straight out.
To reinstall, push the tray back into place.
There may also be ashtrays in the rear doors.
Cigarette Lighter
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating.
The cigarette lighter is located next to the ashtray. The
vehicle does not have any cigarette lighters for the
rear seat passengers.
Press the lighter all the way in and release it. It will pop
back out by itself once the element has heated for use.
3-24

Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
If the TC (traction control)
warning light comes on
and stays on, there may be
a problem with the
traction control system.
The TC (traction control) warning light will come on
briey when you turn the ignition to ON. If it doesn’t
come on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
The light will also come on if you turn the traction
control system off using the TC (traction control) on/off
button located near the shift lever.
If the TC (traction control) warning light stays on or
comes on while you are driving, pull off the road as soon
as possible and stop carefully. Try resetting the
system by turning the ignition off then back on. If the
light still stays on or comes back on again while you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. Have the traction
control system inspected as soon as possible. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9for more
information.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light tells you that
your engine is very hot.
This light will come on when you rst start the vehicle
as a check to let you know that the light is working. It will
go out after a few seconds. If the light does not come
on, the bulb may be burned out. See your GM dealer to
have it corrected.
If the light does not go out or if the light comes on and
stays on while you are driving, your vehicle may
have a problem with the cooling system. You should
stop the vehicle and turn off the engine as soon
as possible to avoid damage to the engine. A warning
chime will sound when this light is on, also.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-26.
3-40

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the
engine coolant
temperature. If the gage
pointer moves into
the shaded area, the
engine is too hot.
That reading means the same thing as the warning
light – the engine coolant is very hot. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-26.
Tire Pressure Light
If your vehicle has the Tire
Pressure Monitor (TPM)
System, this light will come
on if the system detects
low tire pressure.
This light will also come on for a bulb check when the
vehicle is started.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-61for
more information.
For more information on the proper tire pressure, see
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-45. For more
information on your tires, seeTires on page 5-51.
3-41

Engine Coolant Hot – AC
(Air Conditioning) Off
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
To avoid added strain on a hot engine, the air
conditioning compressor is automatically turned off.
When the coolant temperature returns to normal, the air
conditioning compressor will turn back on. You can
continue to drive your vehicle.
If this message continues to appear, have the system
repaired by your GM dealer as soon as possible to avoid
compressor damage.
Engine Coolant Hot – Idle Engine
This message will appear when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to idle
until it cools down.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine is
overheating, severe engine damage may occur. If
an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon
as possible. Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-26for more information.
Engine Overheated – Stop Engine
This message will appear when the engine has
overheated. Stop the vehicle and turn the engine off
immediately to avoid severe engine damage. See
Engine Overheating on page 5-26. A chime will also
sound when this message is displayed.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine is
overheating, severe engine damage may occur. If
an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon
as possible. Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-26for more information.
Engine Power Reduced
This message informs you that the vehicle is reducing
engine power because the transmission is being
placed in gear under conditions that may cause damage
to the vehicle’s engine or transmission. This also can
affect the vehicle’s ability to accelerate.
Fuel Level Low
When this message appears on the display, it means
that your vehicle is low on fuel. You should rell the tank
as soon as possible. A single chime will sound when
this message is displayed.
3-60

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal asher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer. The arrows on your instrument
panel will ash whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
ash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your speed
to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the possibility of
the engine and the transmission overheating.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P).
When parking uphill, turn your wheels away from
the curb. When parking downhill, turn your wheels
into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks behind the trailer
wheels.
3. When the chocks are in place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
4-58

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
uid (don’t overll), engine oil, axle lubricant, drive
belt, cooling system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual, and the Index will help you
nd them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to
review this information before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-26.
4-59

Service............................................................5-3
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....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
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.........................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-26
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-28Cooling System............................................5-29
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-34
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-35
Brakes........................................................5-36
Battery........................................................5-39
Jump Starting...............................................5-40
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-45
Rear Axle.......................................................5-47
Front Axle......................................................5-48
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-49
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting............5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-49
Tires..............................................................5-51
Tire Sidewall Labelling...................................5-52
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-56
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-58
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-61
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-63
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-64
Buying New Tires.........................................5-64
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-66
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-67
Wheel Replacement......................................5-67
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

How to Reset the Change Transmission
Fluid Message and the Transmission
Fluid Indicator
After the transmission uid has been changed, the
Change Trans Fluid message and the transmission uid
life indicator must be reset. To reset the message
and indicator, use one of the following procedures:
Base Audio System
Press the CLR (Clear) button located to the right of the
Driver Information Center (DIC) display to acknowledge
the CHANGE TRANS FLUID message. This will
clear the message from the display and reset it.
To reset the transmission uid life indicator, use the
following steps:
1. Press the up or down arrow on the INFO
(Information) button located to the right of
the DIC display to access the DIC menu.
2. Once the XXX% TRANS FLUID LIFE menu item
is highlighted, press and hold the CLR button.
The percentage will return to 100, and the
transmission uid life indicator will be reset.
3. Repeat the steps if the percentage does not
return to 100.
Navigation System
If your vehicle has a navigation system, see your
navigation system supplement for instructions on how to
reset the transmission uid life indicator.
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 your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-26.
5-23

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. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant surge tank. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on location.
Engine Overheating
There are three engine hot messages that may be
displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC). See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-57for
more information.
5-26

When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
or slightly above the FULL COLD/FROID line on the
side of the coolant surge tank. If it is not, you may have
a leak at the pressure cap or in the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else
in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them. If
you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak xed before you drive the
vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, both fans should be
running. If they are not, your vehicle needs service.Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty. See
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode on
page 5-28for information on driving to a safe place
in an emergency.
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 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.
5-30