engine overheat CADILLAC ELDORADO 1996 10.G User Guide

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Overheating
You will find an ENGINE COOLANT HOT-IDLE
ENGINE message or a
STOP ENGINE ENGINE
OVERHEATED message
on the DIC. There is also an
engine temperature warning light on the instrument
panel. See “Engine Temperature Warning Light”
in the
Index.
Overhe 1 Engine Ootection Operating
Mode
Should a low coolant condition exist and the message
STOP ENGINE ENGINE OVERHEATED is displayed,
an overheat protection mode which alternates firing
groups
of four cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
This operating mode allows your vehicle to be driven
to a safe place in
an emergency; you may drive up to
50 miles (80 km). Towing a trailer in the overheat
protection mode should be avoided.
NOTICE:
After driving in the Overheated Engine
Protection Operating
Mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. The engine oil may be
severely degraded. Change the oil and reset the
oil life indicator. See “Engine Oil, When to Change” in the Index.
5-15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before
opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire.
You
or others could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out of the vehicle
until the engine
is cool.
1 NOTICE:
~~~
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. See “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode” in the Index.
5-16

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning 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. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Dial temperature control to the highest heat setting
and open the window, as necessary. If you no longer have me 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, pull over, stop and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam,
you can idle the engine
for
two or three minutes while you’re parked, to see if
the warning stops. But then,
if you still have the
warning,
turn ofthe engine and get everyone out of the
vehicle
until it cools down. Also, see “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode” listed previously
in
this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood
but to get service
help right away.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- OVERDRIVE (a) or THIRD (3).
5-17
1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Engine damage if you keep running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by
your warranty.
See “Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode” in the Index.
If there seem to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine fans are running. If the engine
is overheating, both fans should be running. If they
aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge
Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at the proper level
(2.5 inches (60 mm) below the
base
of the fill neck), add a 50/50 mixture of cleun
water (preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL TM
antifreeze at the coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system, including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap, is cool before
you do it. (See “Engine
Coolant’’ in the Index for more information.)
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn the coolant surge
tank pressure cap
-- even a little -- they can come
out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap,
is hot. Wait for the cooling system
and coolant surge tank pressure cap to
cool if you
ever have to turn the pressure cap.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
~ plain water or the wrong mix, 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 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL TM antifreeze.
5-21

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
When the compact spare is installed, don’t take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with
guide rails. The compact spare can get caught on
the rails.
That can damage the tire and wheel,
and maybe other parts
of your vehicle.
Don’t use your compact spare on other vehicles.
And don’t mix your compact spare tire
or wheel with
other wheels
or tires. They won’t fit. Keep your spare
tire
and its wheel together.
NOTICE:
Tire chains won’t fit your compact spare. Using
them can damage your vehicle and can damage
the chains
too. Don’t use tire chains on your
compact spare.
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice OF
Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help you get out when you’re stuck,
but
you must use caution.
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and
you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine compartment
fire or other damage. When you’re stuck, spin the
wheels
as little as possible. Don’t spin the wheels
above
35 mph (55 kdh) as shown on the
speedometer.
5-36

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in your
vehicle for
5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Cadillac 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:
When adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL (orange-colored, silicate-free)
coolant meeting
GM Specification 6277M.
If silicated coolant 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.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze that meets GM Specification
6277M, which won’t damage aluminum parts. Use
GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) (GM Part
No. 3634621) with any complete coolant change. If you
use this mixture, you don’t need to add anything else.
A special procedure is required for adding sealer; see the
Cadillac service manual.
(To order a service manual, see
“Service and Owner Publications” in the Index.)
6-19

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set
for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, 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 mix of clean
water
and DEX-COOL (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mix 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.
6-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
surge tank, but only when the engine is cool.
I
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 it is tight.
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
1 NOTICE:
The surge tank cap is a 15 psi (105 kPaj
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows
on the cap
line up.
If the surge tank pressure cap needs to be replaced, a
General Motors cap
is recommended.
6-22

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine We don’t make tires. Your new Cadillac comes with
high-quality tires made by a leading tire manufacturer.
If you ever have questions about your tire warranty and
where to obtain service,
see your Cadillac Warranty
booklet
for details.
A CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are
dangerous.
0 Overloading your tires can cause
overheating
as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air-out and a serious
accident. See “Loading Your Vehicle”
in
the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
0
0
Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check
all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
Overinflated tires
are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by
a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents.
If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
See “Inflation
-- Tire Pressure” in this section
for inflation pressure adjustment for higher
speed driving.