coolant temperature CADILLAC ELDORADO 2002 10.G Owners Manual

2-23
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.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The electrical cord is located on the driver's side of
the engine, behind the transaxle dipstick/fluid fill
location (C) and next to the engine.
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 110-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.

2-72 Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
This light tells you that
the engine coolant has
overheated. A warning
chime will sound if this
light comes on.
As a check, the light should come on for a few seconds
when you start your vehicle.
If the light comes on and the chime sounds while
you are driving, you should stop your vehicle and
turn the engine off as soon as possible. See ªEngine
Overheatingº in the Index for more information.
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.
When the pointer is in the shaded area, that means
the same thing as when the engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on and the chime sounds.
See ªEngine Coolant Temperature Warning Lightº
previously in this section and ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index for more information.

2-82
CHECK OIL LEVEL - 36: For correct operation
of the low oil sensing system, your vehicle should be on
a level surface. A false CHECK OIL LEVEL message
may appear if the vehicle is parked on grades. The oil
level sensing system does not check for actual oil level
if the engine has been off for a short period of time, and
the oil level is never sensed while the engine is running.
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message appears and
your vehicle has been parked on level ground with the
engine off for at least 30 minutes, the oil level should
be checked by observing the oil dipstick. Prior to
checking the oil level, be sure the engine has been off
for five minutes and your vehicle is on a level surface.
Then check the dipstick and add oil if necessary.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
CHECK WASHER FLUID
- 25: This message
will appear for several seconds indicating that you
need windshield washer solvent.
CRUISE ENGAGED
- 43: This message will
appear for a few seconds when you select a speed at
which to cruise.DOOR AJAR
- 141: A door other than the driver's is
open or ajar when this message appears. The vehicle's
engine must be running and the transaxle not in
PARK (P) for this message to display. A chime will
also sound when the vehicle's speed is greater than
5 mph (8 km/h).
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
- 140: This message will
display when the vehicle is being shifted out of
PARK (P) with the engine running to signal that the
driver's door is open or ajar. A chime will also sound
when the vehicle's speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).
ENGINE COOLANT HOT, IDLE ENGINE
- 44:
This message will appear when the engine coolant
temperature is over 248
F (126
C). To avoid added
strain on a hot engine, turn off the climate control
system. Stop and allow your vehicle to idle until it cools
down or the message is removed. If it does not cool
down, turn off the engine and have it serviced before
driving it again. Severe engine damage can result from
an overheated engine. See ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.

2-83
ENGINE HOT - A/C OFF - 16: 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 so that air conditioned air is
not delivered. If the coolant temperature returns to
normal, you must select AC to return to a normal A/C
compressor operation. If this message continues to
appear, have the system repaired as soon as possible to
avoid compressor damage.
ENGINE MISFIRE
-- EASE OFF GAS
PEDAL
- 114: An engine misfire has occurred.
You'll need to ease off the gas pedal.
ENGINE OVERHEATED, STOP ENGINE
- 42:
This message will appear when the engine has overheated.
Stop and turn the engine off immediately to avoid severe
engine damage. See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
A multiple chime will also sound when this message
is displayed.
ENGINE POWER REDUCED
- 41: This message
informs you that your vehicle is reducing engine power
because the transaxle is being placed in gear under
conditions that may cause damage to the vehicle
powertrain or vehicle acceleration.FUEL LEVEL LOW
- 11 : This message serves as
a warning that the fuel level in the tank is critically low.
Stop for fuel soon.
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
- 23: If it's dark enough
outside and Twilight Sentinel is off, a HEADLAMPS
SUGGESTED message will display on the DIC.
This message informs the driver that turning on the
exterior lamps is recommended even though the
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) are still illuminated
(it's become dark enough outside to require the
headlamps and/or other exterior lamps).
ICE POSSIBLE
- 13: This message appears when
the outside air temperature is cold enough to create icy
road conditions.
LOW REFRIG A/C OFF
- 12: This message means
that the air conditioning system detects a refrigerant
level that is low enough to cause damage to the air
conditioning compressor. Have the air conditioning
system serviced if this message appears.
MONITORED SYSTEMS OK
- 1: This message only
appears in the ªrecallº mode by pressing the NO INFO
RESET button. It lets you know that no other messages
are stored or are currently active.

3-4
!~(Fan): Press the switch with the fan symbol on it
until AUTO is displayed on the screen. This setting
automatically controls the fan speed. If it is cold outside,
the fan may not run in the maximum speed right away.
The system checks the temperature of the engine coolant
to assure it is warm enough to provide heat. When the
engine coolant is warm, the controller allows the fan to
gradually increase to a higher speed. This prevents cold
air from blowing into the passenger compartment. If you
want the fan at a higher speed, press the up arrow until
you see HI on the display. If you want the fan speed to
be automatic, but you want the fan speed to be higher
than the AUTO setting, press the fan symbol until
HI AUTO is shown on the display. If you want the
fan at a lower speed, press the down arrow until LO is
shown on the display. If you want the fan speed to run
lower than the AUTO setting, press the switch until
LO AUTO is shown on the display.OFF: Press this button to turn the system off.
Fresh air will continue to flow through the vehicle,
and the system will try to maintain the previously set
temperature. The outside temperature will show on the
display when the system is OFF.
AC (Air Conditioning): Press this button to turn the
air conditioning on and off. The system will cool and
dehumidify the air inside the vehicle. In the AUTO
mode, the display will show that AC is active, but the
air conditioning compressor only operates when the
system determines it is needed.
(Recirculation): Press this button to limit the
amount of outside air entering your vehicle. This is
helpful when you are trying to cool the air quickly or
limit odors entering your vehicle. In the AUTO mode,
the system will use recirculation as necessary to cool
the air. Pressing the recirculation button will change the
operation to a manual mode and the air will recirculate
non
-stop. Press this button again to turn off the
recirculation feature.
If you notice the windows fogging, press the
recirculation button to exit the recirculation mode.

3-6
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the system
will delay turning on the fan until warm air is available.
The length of delay depends on the outside air
temperature, engine coolant temperature or the
time since the engine was last started. As the coolant
warms up, the fan speed will gradually increase and
air will flow from the floor outlets, with some airflow
to the windshield to prevent fogging under most
normal conditions.
If you leave your vehicle, the system will remember
the control setting the next time you start your engine,
except for recirculation and defrost. Each ignition cycle
cancels recirculation, whereas, defrost mode will change
to automatic operation when the ignition is shut off and
then turned back on.Electronic Solar Sensor
The sensor monitors the sun's solar radiation and
is located on top of the instrument panel near the
windshield. The electronic climate control panel uses
this information to automatically make the necessary
temperature and airflow adjustments to maintain
your comfort.

5-11
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service
if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed.
See ªRoadside Assistanceº in the Index. If you
want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle for
recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see ªRecreational Vehicle Towingº in the Index.
Engine Overheating
You will find an ENGINE COOLANT HOT, IDLE
ENGINE message or an ENGINE OVERHEATED,
STOP ENGINE message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). You will also hear a chime. There is also
an engine temperature warning light and/or gage on the
instrument panel. See ªEngine Coolant Temperature
Warning Lightº or ªEngine Coolant Temperature Gageº
in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and the message
ENGINE OVERHEATED, STOP ENGINE is displayed,
an overheat protection mode which alternates firing
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode, you will notice a loss in power and engine
performance. 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). Driving extended miles
(km) and/or 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 will be severely degraded. Repair
the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and reset
the oil life system. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.

5-13
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 ªOverheated
Engine Protection Operating Modeº in the Index.
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. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off.
2. Set the temperature control to the highest heat
setting and open the windows, as necessary.
3. If you're in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
)
or THIRD (3).
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, pull over, stop, and park
your vehicle right away.
If there's still no sign of steam, 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. Also, see ªOverheated
Engine Protection Operating Modeº listed previously
in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.

6-24
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.

6-29
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 be
displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when the fluid is low.
The windshield washer
fluid reservoir is located
next to the engine air
cleaner/filter on the
driver's side of the vehicle.
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.