coolant temperature CADILLAC CTS 2003 1.G Owners Manual

2-28
Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in neutral and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor and
start the engine. Your vehicle won't start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down
-- that's a safety feature.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. Then, just let go of the key;
the engine starts automatically. The idle speed will
go down as your engine gets warm.
2. If your engine won't start (or starts but then stops),
it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you turn the key to
START. If the vehicle starts briefly but then stops
again, do the same thing.
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 don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0
F (-18
C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm
-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures
above 32
F (0
C), use of the coolant heater is
not required.

2-29
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The
cord is located on the driver's side of the engine
compartment near the engine oil dipstick. See
ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.
You must remove the plastic cap to access the plug.
3. 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 fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three
-prong
11 0
-volt AC outlet. If the cord won't reach, use a
heavy
-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
4. 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 don't, 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 list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.

2-91
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light tells you that your
engine has overheated.
This light will come on when you first 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 dealer
for assistance in changing the bulb.
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.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On
-Board
Diagnostics
-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The CHECK ENGINE light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.

2-111
Engine Coolant Hot -- Idle Engine
This symbol appears
with the Engine Coolant
Hot
-- Idle Engine message.
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 the Engine Coolant Hot -- Idle Engine message
appears on the DIC display, stop the vehicle as
soon as possible. Do not increase the engine speed
above normal idling speed. Severe engine damage
can result from driving a vehicle with an
overheated engine. See ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index for more information.
Engine Coolant Hot -- AC (Air Conditioning) Off
This symbol appears
with the Engine Hot
-- AC
Off message.
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 as soon as possible to avoid compressor
damage.

3-4
(Passenger's Temperature Switch): This switch is
used to increase or decrease the temperature of the air
for the passengers independent of the driver's setting.
To turn the system on, press the PWR button located
on the passenger's side of the climate control panel.
To adjust the temperature, press the up or down arrow
on the PWR button. The temperature will increase or
decrease with each press of an arrow.
If the passenger's temperature switch is off, the driver's
temperature switch controls the temperature for the
entire vehicle.
The passenger's side temperature is only displayed
when the passenger's side temperature switch is on.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic Climate Control): This button is
used to select the automatic operation of the climate
control system. When the automatic operation is active,
AUTO will appear next to the fan and mode settings on
the display.There are three sensors in the climate control system.
One monitors the sun's solar radiation, another monitors
temperature of the air inside the vehicle, and a third
monitors the temperature outside the vehicle. The
climate control system will vary the fan speed, air
delivery mode and use of the air conditioning
compressor to maintain the set temperature based on the
information received from these sensors. See ªDriver's
Temperature Switchº and ªPassenger's Temperature
Switchº listed previously for more information on
setting a temperature.
To find your comfort zone, start with the 75
F (24
C)
setting and allow approximately 10 to 30 minutes for the
system to regulate. Adjust the temperature if necessary.
If you choose either the lowest temperature setting,
60
F (16
C), or the highest temperature setting,
90
F (32
C), the system will not cool or heat any
faster, but the system will stay at that setting without
regulating fan speed.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the system
will start at lower fan speeds until warm air is available.
The length of reduction depends on the outside air
temperature, engine coolant temperature or the time
since the engine was last started. As the engine coolant
warms up, the fan speed will gradually increase.

5-11 If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
An overheat warning, along with a low coolant message,
can indicate a serious problem. See ªLow Coolant
Messageº in the Index.
If you get an engine overheat warning with no low
coolant message, but see or hear no steam, the problem
may not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a
little too hot when you:

Climb a long hill on a hot day.

Stop after high
-speed driving.

Idle for long periods in traffic.

Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in neutral while
stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift
to park or neutral and let the engine idle.
2. Set the temperature control to the highest heat setting
and open the windows, as necessary.If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn't come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you have not stopped,
pull over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there's still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you're parked. If you still have
the warning, turn off the engine and get everyone out of
the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.

6-25
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.

6-30
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 appear on the
DIC when the fluid level is low. See ªCheck Message,
Washer Fluidº in the Index.
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.

Scheduled Maintenance
7-15
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)

Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.

Replace timing belt (or every 96 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote #.)

Replace fuel filter.
An Emission Control Service.

Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
± In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches
90
F (32
C) or higher.
± In hilly or mountainous terrain.
± When doing frequent trailer towing.
± Uses such as high performance operation.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and
filter do not require changing.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last
service, whichever occurs first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what
to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
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