brakes CADILLAC SRX 2007 1.G Owner's Manual

Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different
from driving in at or rolling terrain.If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you are
planning to visit there, here are some tips that
can make your trips safer and more enjoyable. See
Off-Road Driving on page 291for information
about driving off-road.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all
uid levels and also the brakes, tires,
cooling system, and transmission. These parts
can work hard on mountain roads.
{CAUTION:
If you do not shift down, the brakes
could get so hot that they would not work
well. You would then have poor braking or
even none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine assist
the brakes on a steep downhill slope.
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{CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. The brakes
will have to do all the work of slowing
down. They could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would then have
poor braking or even none going down a
hill. You could crash. Always have the
engine running and your vehicle in gear
when you go downhill.
Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of
the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when
you go down a steep or long hill.
Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift
down to a lower gear. The lower gears help
cool your engine and transmission, and you can
climb the hill better.
Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Do not swing wide
or cut across the center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your own lane.
As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There
could be something in your lane, like a stalled
car or an accident.
You may see highway signs on mountains that
warn of special problems. Examples are long
grades, passing or no-passing zones, a falling
rocks area, or winding roads. Be alert to these
and take appropriate action.
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Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment
and drive properly, you can lose control
when you pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not
work well — or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously injured.
You may also damage your vehicle; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Pull a trailer only if you
have followed all the steps in this section.
Ask your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with
the proper trailer towing equipment. To identify
the trailering capacity of your vehicle, you should
read the information in “Weight of the Trailer”
that appears later in this section. But trailering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.Trailering means changes in handling, acceleration,
braking, durability and fuel economy. Successful,
safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to
be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety
rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers. So please read
this section carefully before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transmission, rear axle, wheel assemblies and tires
are forced to work harder against the drag of
the added weight. The engine is required
to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more,
the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.
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Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your
vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety
chains under the tongue of the trailer so that the
tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes
separated from the hitch. Instructions about safety
chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer
or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching
safety chains and do not attach them to the
bumper. Always leave just enough slack so you
can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety
chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If you tow more than 1,000 lbs (450 kg), use trailer
brakes. Because your vehicle has anti-lock
brakes, don’t try to tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic
brake system. If you do, both brake systems
won’t work well, or at all.
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the
trailer brakes so you’ll be able to install, adjust
and maintain them properly.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of
experience. Before setting out for the open road,
you’ll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint
yourself with the feel of handling and braking with
the added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is
now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer
moving and then apply the trailer brake controller
by hand to be sure the brakes are working.
This lets you check your electrical connection at
the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure
that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.
338

Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you
start down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t
shift down, you might have to use your brakes so
much that they would get hot and no longer
work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce
your speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of the engine and the transmission
overheating.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured, and
both your vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged.But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill,
here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P).
When parking uphill, turn your wheels away
from the curb. When parking downhill,
turn your wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks behind the trailer
wheels.
3. When the chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
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When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the
chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you’re pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 471for more information.
Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission uid (don’t
overll), engine oil, axle lubricant, drive belt,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these
is covered in this manual, and the Index will
help you nd them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s
a good idea to review this information before
you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat
during severe operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 372.
341

Service........................................................ 346
Accessories and Modications................... 347
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 347
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 348
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 348
Fuel............................................................. 349
Gasoline Octane........................................ 349
Gasoline Specications.............................. 350
California Fuel........................................... 350
Additives................................................... 350
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 351
Filling the Tank......................................... 352
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 354
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 354
Hood Release........................................... 355
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 356
Engine Oil................................................. 360
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 363
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 365Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 367
Engine Coolant.......................................... 368
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 371
Engine Overheating................................... 372
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 374
Cooling System......................................... 374
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 379
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 380
Brakes...................................................... 381
Battery...................................................... 385
Jump Starting............................................ 386
All-Wheel Drive........................................... 392
Rear Axle.................................................... 394
Front Axle................................................... 395
Bulb Replacement....................................... 396
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting..... 396
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 396
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 397
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
343

Accessories and Modications
When you add non-GM accessories to your vehicle
they can affect your vehicle’s performance and
safety, including such things as, airbags, braking,
stability, ride and handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and electronic systems
like anti-lock brakes, traction control and
stability control. Some of these accessories may
even cause malfunction or damage not covered by
warranty.
GM Accessories are designed to complement and
function with other systems on your vehicle.
Your GM dealer can accessorize your vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories. When you go to
your GM dealer and ask for GM Accessories,
you will know that GM-trained and supported
service technicians will perform the work using
genuine GM Accessories.
California Proposition 65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine exhaust, many parts and
systems (including some inside the vehicle), many
uids, and some component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these chemicals.
347

A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 455.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 380.
C. Battery. SeeBattery on page 385.
D. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 195.
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 379.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 360.G. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 360.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 381.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on
page 371andCooling System on page 374.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 365.
357

A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 455.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 385.
C. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 195.
D. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 380.
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 379.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 360.G. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 360.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 381.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on
page 371andCooling System on page 374.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 365.
359