engine overheat CADILLAC STS V 2007 1.G Owners Manual

If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator pedal all
the way to the oor while cranking for up to
15 seconds maximum. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the accelerator. If the vehicle
starts briey but then stops again, do the same
thing. This clears the extra gasoline from
the engine.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods
of time, by pressing the START button
immediately after cranking has ended, can
overheat and damage the cranking motor, and
drain the battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to allow the cranking motor
to cool down.
Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the
engine and protects components. Once cranking
has been initiated, the engine continues cranking
for a few seconds or until the vehicle starts.If the engine does not start, cranking automatically
stops after 15 seconds to prevent cranking
motor damage. To prevent gear damage, this
system also prevents cranking if the engine
is already running.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with
the electronics in your vehicle. If you add
electrical parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine operates. Before
adding electrical equipment, check with your
dealer. If you do not, your engine might not
perform properly. Any resulting damage would
not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
Stopping Your Engine
Move the shift lever to PARK (P) and press the Acc.
button located on the instrument panel. If the shifter
is not in PARK (P), the engine shuts off and the
vehicle goes into the Accessory Mode. The DIC
displays “SHIFT TO PARK”. Once the shifter is
moved to PARK (P), the vehicle turns off.
If the keyless access transmitter is not detected
inside the vehicle when it is turned to off, the DIC
displays NO FOB OFF OR RUN?.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 264for
more information.
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4. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt
AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded
outlet could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a re. You
could be seriously injured. Plug the cord
into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will not
reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
5. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine parts. If you do
not, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater
plugged in? The answer depends on the outside
temperature, the kind of oil you have, and
some other things. Instead of trying to listeverything here, we ask that you contact your
dealer in the area where you will be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best
advice for that particular area.Automatic Transmission Operation
The shift lever is located on the center console
between the front seats.
There are several
different positions for
the shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks the rear wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start
the engine because your vehicle cannot move
easily.
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Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle
could move suddenly if the shift lever is
not fully in PARK (P) with the parking
brake rmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch re. You or
others could be injured. Do not leave your
vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P)
and your parking brake is rmly set before you
leave it. After you have moved the shift lever into
PARK (P), hold the regular brake pedal down.Then, see if you can move the shift lever away
from PARK (P) without rst pushing the button on
the shift lever. If you can, it means that the
shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift
your transmission into PARK (P) properly,
the weight of the vehicle may put too much force
on the parking pawl in the transmission. You
may nd it difficult to pull the shift lever out
of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver’s seat. To nd out how, see “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” listed previously.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to
take some of the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transmission, so you can pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P).
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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, seeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 395. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 393andDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 264for more information.
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 393for more information.
251

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 393
for 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 251.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode on page 395for 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 251. 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 as soon as
possible to avoid damage to the engine.
269

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 393for 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 393andOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on page 395. A chime
also sounds when this message is displayed.
ENGINE POWER REDUCED
This message displays to inform you that 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, the vehicle should be taken to your
dealer 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.
270

You will need a well-charged battery to restart the
vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window
almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as
little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as
you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of
the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck,
you need to spin the wheels, but you do not
want to spin the wheels too fast. The method
known as rocking can help you get out when you
are stuck, but you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or
others could be injured. And, the
transmission or other parts of the vehicle
can overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment re or other damage. When
you are stuck, spin the wheels as little as
possible. Do not spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer.
Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy
parts of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you
spin the wheels too fast while shifting the
transmission back and forth, you can destroy
the transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 447.
348

Service........................................................ 362
Accessories and Modications................... 363
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 363
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 364
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle................................................... 365
Fuel............................................................. 365
Gasoline Octane........................................ 365
Gasoline Specications.............................. 366
California Fuel........................................... 366
Additives................................................... 367
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 368
Filling the Tank......................................... 368
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 371
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 372
Hood Release........................................... 372
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 373
Engine Oil................................................. 380
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 383
Supercharger Oil....................................... 385
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 386
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 388Engine Coolant.......................................... 389
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 393
Engine Overheating................................... 393
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 395
Cooling System......................................... 396
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 403
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 404
Brakes...................................................... 405
Battery...................................................... 408
Jump Starting............................................ 408
All-Wheel Drive........................................... 414
Rear Axle.................................................... 416
Front Axle................................................... 417
Bulb Replacement....................................... 417
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting..... 418
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 418
Back-Up Lamps......................................... 418
Replacement Bulbs................................... 419
Windshield Replacement............................ 419
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 419
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
359

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 393.
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.
389

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not 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 would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re 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 would not 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 once or
twice a year, have your dealer check your cooling
system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system, you
could damage your vehicle. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine coolant listed in
this manual for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 516for more information.
390