overheating CADILLAC STS 2008 1.G Owners Manual

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. Do not use
equipment exceeding maximum amperage
rating of 15 amperes.
The cigarette lighter is located next to the ashtray.
The vehicle does not have any cigarette lighters for
the rear seat passengers.
To activate the cigarette lighter, push it into the heating
element and let go. When the lighter is ready it will
pop back out by itself.
Climate Controls
Dual Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation can be controlled
for the vehicle with this system.
Automatic Operation
Vehicles With Heated and Ventilated Seats Shown,
Vehicles Without Similar
3-48

Lane Departure Warning Light
Your vehicle may have
the lane departure
warning system.
This light will come on green, briey, when the vehicle
is started to show that it is working. This light will
also come on green if the system detects a left or
right lane marking. This light will change to amber
and ash and three beeps will sound if you cross a
detected lane marking without using your turn signal.
For more information, see the Index in the Navigation
Manual.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
The engine coolant
temperature warning
light will come on
when the engine
is very hot.
This light will also come on briey when the vehicle
is started.
If the light does not go out or comes on and stays
on while driving, there may be a problem with the
cooling system. Driving with engine coolant temperature
light on could cause your vehicle to overheat, see
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode on
page 5-31. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-29
andDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-80for
more information.
3-66

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the
engine coolant
temperature.
It can be used to see when your engine has warmed up
and to make sure your cooling system is operating
properly. If the gage pointer moves into the shaded area,
the engine coolant is too hot and the engine coolant
temperature warning light will come on. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-29for more information.
Tire Pressure Light
This light comes on briey
when the engine is started.
This light will also come on when one or more of your
tires are signicantly underinated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information Center
(DIC), may accompany the light. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-80for more information.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to
do so. If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 5-57for more information.
If a problem is detected with the Tire Pressure Monitor
System, this light will ash for approximately 60 seconds
and then stay on solid for the remainder of the ignition
cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-68
for more information.
3-67

ENGINE COOLANT HOT IDLE ENGINE
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 5-29for more information.
This symbol appears
with this message.
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle
to idle until it cools down. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light on page 3-66.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 5-31for information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
ENGINE HOT – AC
(Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 3-67.
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 turns back on.
You can continue to drive your vehicle.
If this message continues to appear, have the system
repaired by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible
to avoid damage to the engine.
ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE
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. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-29
for more information.
This message displays when the engine has overheated.
Immediately look for a safe place to pull your vehicle
over and turn the engine off right away to avoid severe
engine damage. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-29
andOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 5-31. A chime also sounds when this message
is displayed.
3-85

ENGINE POWER REDUCED
This message displays when the engine power is
being reduced to protect the engine from damage.
There could be several malfunctions that might cause
this message. Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no reduction in performance, proceed to
your destination. The performance may be reduced
the next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may
be driven at a reduced speed while this message
is on, but acceleration and speed may be reduced.
Anytime this message stays on, take the vehicle to
your dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.
ENGINE PROTECTION REDUCED
RPM’S (Revolutions Per Minute)
This message displays when your vehicle is in an
overheated engine operating mode. If this message
appears, the vehicle has determined that continued
operation at the existing engine speed may lead
to engine overheating. The vehicle automatically
limits engine RPMs to prevent engine overheating.You may notice the vehicle upshifting early or reduced
speeds while this message is displayed. When the
engine oil returns to a safe operating temperature, this
message clears from the DIC and the vehicle returns
to normal operation. Your vehicle does not require
service when this message is displayed.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This symbol appears
with this message.
This message displays and a chime sounds if the fuel
level is low. Refuel as soon as possible. SeeFuel Gage
on page 3-73andFuel on page 5-5for more information.
3-86

STARTING DISABLED THROTTLE
PROBLEM
This message displays when your vehicle’s throttle
system is not functioning properly. Have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer.
THEFT ATTEMPTED
This symbol appears
with this message.
This message displays if the theft-deterrent system
has detected a break-in attempt while you were away
from your vehicle.
TRACTION ACTIVE
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is actively limiting wheel spin. Slippery
road conditions may exist if this message is displayed,
so adjust your driving accordingly. The message
stays on for a few seconds after the TCS stops limiting
wheel spin. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-6for more information.
TRANS (Transmission) HOT IDLE
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
transmission uid is overheating and the
transmission temperature warning is displayed
on the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, you
can damage the transmission. This could lead
to costly repairs that would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not drive your vehicle with
overheated transmission uid or while the
transmission temperature warning is displayed.
This message displays when the transmission uid
in your vehicle is too hot. Stop the vehicle and allow
it to idle until the transmission cools down or until
this message is removed.
3-96

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/retailer. 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 are 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
is important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Your vehicle has bulb warning lights. When you plug a
trailer lighting system into your vehicle’s lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not let you know if
one of your lamps goes out. So, when you have a trailer
lighting system plugged in, be sure to check your
vehicle and trailer lamps from time to time to be sure
they are all working. Once you disconnect the trailer
lamps, the bulb warning lights again can tell you if one
of your vehicle lamps is out.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you do not 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 to THIRD (3) and
reduce your speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of engine and 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 is how
to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
4-39

3. When the wheel 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 then shift to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
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.
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. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission uid (don’t overll),
engine oil, 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 5-29.
Towing a Trailer (Vehicles Without
Heavy Duty Cooling)
Vehicles without heavy duty cooling are neither designed
nor intended to tow a trailer.
4-40

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-11
Engine Oil...................................................5-18
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-21
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-23
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-25
Engine Coolant.............................................5-25
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-29
Engine Overheating.......................................5-29
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . .5-31Cooling System............................................5-32
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-39
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-40
Brakes........................................................5-41
Battery........................................................5-44
Jump Starting...............................................5-45
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-50
Rear Axle.......................................................5-51
Front Axle......................................................5-52
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-53
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-54
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting............5-54
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-54
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-54
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-55
Windshield Replacement.................................5-55
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-55
Tires..............................................................5-57
Winter Tires.................................................5-58
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-59
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-62
Run-Flat Tires (STS-V)..................................5-65
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-66
High-Speed Operation...................................5-68
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

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 7-15.
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 6-13.
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 6-13.
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 5-29.
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.
Let the warning lights and gages 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.
5-25