engine overheat CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2007 2.G Owners Manual

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle has a Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) feature which will allow certain features on
your vehicle to continue to work up to 10 minutes
after the ignition key is turned to LOCK.
The radio, power windows, and if the vehicle has
a sunroof and the OnStar
®System, will work
when the ignition key is in RUN or ACCESSORY.
Once the key is turned from RUN to LOCK,
these features will continue to work for up to
10 minutes or until a door is opened.
Starting the Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N). Your engine will not start in
any other position — that is a safety feature.
To restart when you are already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could
damage the transmission. Shift to PARK (P)
only when your vehicle is stopped.1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn
the ignition key to START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go
down as your engine gets warm.
Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled
Cranking System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects the electrical
system. If the ignition key is turned to the
START, and then released when the engine
begins cranking, the engine will continue
cranking until the vehicle starts or until
it exceeds the maximum cranking time allowed,
approximately 15 seconds to prevent cranking
motor damage. To prevent gear damage,
this system also prevents cranking if the
engine is already running. The engine cranking
can be stopped by turning the ignition switch
to the ACCESSORY or LOCK.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods
of time, by returning the key to the START
position immediately after cranking has ended,
can overheat and damage the cranking
motor and drain the battery. Waiting about
15 seconds between each try, to allow
the cranking motor to cool down, will prevent
damage due to overheating.
141

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 power steering uid reservoir.
3. Plug the cord 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.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 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 list
everything 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
Your vehicle has a Hydra-Matic®6L80 automatic
transmission, and has an electronic shift
position indicator within the instrument panel
cluster. The electronic shift position indicator
displays when the shift lever is moved out of
PARK (P). SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers
on page 507.
144

Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
Your vehicle can roll. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 379.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot
and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P)
position by pulling the shift lever toward
you and moving it up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
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 the parking brake is rmly set before
you leave it. After you move 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 pulling it toward you.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was
not fully locked into PARK (P).
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If the StabiliTrak®system warning light comes
on and stays on for an extended period of
time when the system is turned on, your vehicle
needs service. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 330for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the
engine coolant
temperature.
If the gage pointer moves towards the shaded in
thermostat, it means that your engine coolant
has overheated. If you have been operating your
vehicle under normal driving conditions, you
should pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 422.
Tire Pressure Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
the ignition to RUN.
This light will also come on when one or more of
your tires are signicantly underinated.
If equipped, a CHECK TIRE PRESSURE DIC
message will accompany the light.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do
so. If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 454for more information.
This light will ash for 60 seconds and then turn
on solid if a problem is detected with the Tire
Pressure Monitor system.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 462
for more information.
238

ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL
If your vehicle has an oil level sensor and the oil
level in the vehicle is low, this message will
display. Check the oil level and correct it as
necessary. You may need to let the vehicle cool
or warm up and cycle the ignition to be sure
this message will clear.
This message will clear itself after 10 seconds,
until the next ignition cycle. SeeEngine Oil
on page 407for additional information.
ENGINE OVERHEATED 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.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 422for more
information.
This message will display when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the
vehicle to idle until it cools down. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Gage on page 238.SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode on page 424for information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
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 422for more
information.
If the engine cooling system reaches unsafe
temperatures for operation, this message will
display and a chime will sound. Stop and turn off
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so to avoid
severe damage. This message will clear when the
engine has cooled to a safe operating temperature.
252

ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message will display and a chime will sound
when the cooling system temperature gets too
hot and the engine further enters the engine
coolant protection mode. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 422for further information.
This message will also display when the vehicle’s
engine power is reduced. 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.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
If the fuel level is low, this message will display
and a chime will sound. Refuel as soon as
possible. SeeFuel Gage on page 244and
Fuel on page 398for more information.
HOOD OPEN
If the hood is not fully closed, this message will
display and a chime will sound. Stop and turn
off the vehicle, check the hood for obstructions,
and close the hood again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC.
LEFT REAR DOOR OPEN
If the driver’s side rear door is not fully closed and
the vehicle is in a drive gear, this message will
display and a chime will sound. Stop and turn
off the vehicle, check the door for obstructions,
and close the door again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC.
MANUAL SHIFT X
If your vehicle has the Range Selection Mode
and the shift lever is in the MANUAL MODE (M)
position, the DIC will display this message
along with the current gear. If shifting is prevented
for any reason, the currently selected gear
will ash multiple times, indicating that the
transmission has not shifted gears. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 144for more
information.
253

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.
If the transmission uid in the vehicle gets hot,
this message will display along with a continuous
chime. Driving with the transmission uid
temperature high can cause damage to the
vehicle. Stop the vehicle and let it idle to allow the
transmission to cool. This message will clear
and the chime will stop when the uid temperature
reaches a safe level.
TURN SIGNAL ON
If a turn signal is left on for 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km),
this message will display and a chime will
sound. Move the turn signal/multifunction lever to
the off position.
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID
If the washer uid level is low, this message will
display. Adding washer uid to the windshield
washer reservoir will clear the message. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 431.
This message will clear itself after 10 seconds,
until the next ignition cycle.
DIC Vehicle Customization
Your vehicle may have customization capabilities
that allow you to program certain features to
one preferred setting. Customization features
can only be programmed to one setting on
the vehicle and cannot be programmed to a
preferred setting for two different drivers.
All of the customization options may not be
available on your vehicle. Only the options
available will be displayed on your DIC.
The default settings for the customization features
were set when your vehicle left the factory, but
may have been changed from their default
state since then.
The customization preferences are automatically
recalled.
259

Driving Downhill
When off-roading takes you downhill, you will want
to consider a number of things:
How steep is the downhill? Will I be able to
maintain vehicle control?
What’s the surface like? Smooth? Rough?
Slippery? Hard-packed dirt? Gravel?
Are there hidden surface obstacles? Ruts?
Logs? Boulders?
What is at the bottom of the hill? Is there a
hidden creek bank or even a river bottom
with large rocks?
If you decide you can go down a hill safely, then
try to keep your vehicle headed straight down,
and use a low gear. This way, engine drag
can help the brakes and they will not have to
do all the work. Descend slowly, keeping
your vehicle under control at all times.
{CAUTION:
Heavy braking when going down a hill can
cause your brakes to overheat and fade.
This could cause loss of control and a
serious accident. Apply the brakes lightly
when descending a hill and use a low
gear to keep vehicle speed under control.
348

Q:Are there some things I should not do
when driving down a hill?
A:Yes! These are important because if you
ignore them you could lose control and
have a serious accident.
When driving downhill, avoid turns that take
you across the incline of the hill. A hill that
is not too steep to drive down may be
too steep to drive across. You could roll over
if you do not drive straight down.
Never go downhill with the transmission in
NEUTRAL (N). This is called “free wheeling.”
The brakes will have to do all the work
and could overheat and fade.
Q:Am I likely to stall when going downhill?
A:It is much more likely to happen going
uphill. But if it happens going downhill,
here is what to do.
1. Stop your vehicle by applying the regular
brakes. Apply the parking brake.
2. Shift to PARK (P) and, while still braking,
restart the engine.
3. Shift back to a low gear, release the parking
brake, and drive straight down.
4. If the engine will not start, get out and get help.
349

If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you
will need to spin the wheels, but you do not
want to spin your 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 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 your wheels can destroy
parts of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you
spin the wheels too fast while shifting your
transmission back and forth, you can destroy
your transmission.
For more information about using tire chains on
your vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 475.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That
will clear the area around your front wheels. If your
vehicle has the StabiliTrak
®System, turn the
system off by pressing the StabiliTrak®button so
that the STABILITY SYS DISABLED message
and the traction off light are illuminated on the
instrument panel cluster. Then shift back and
forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible.
Release the accelerator pedal while you shift,
and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
368