steering CADILLAC SRX 2007 1.G Service Manual

The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) improves your
vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop
on a slippery road. Even though you have ABS,
you will want to begin stopping sooner than
you would on dry pavement. SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) on page 279.
Allow greater following distance on any
slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road might be
ne until you hit a spot that is covered with
ice. On an otherwise clear road, ice patches
may appear in shaded areas where the
sun cannot reach, such as around clumps of
trees, behind buildings, or under bridges.
Sometimes the surface of a curve or an
overpass may remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. If you see a
patch of ice ahead of you, brake before you
are on it. Try not to brake while you are
actually on the ice, and avoid sudden steering
maneuvers.
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in
a serious situation. You should probably stay
with your vehicle unless you know for sure that you
are near help and you can hike through the
snow. Here are some things to do to summon
help and keep yourself and your passengers safe:
Turn on your hazard ashers.
Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police
that you have been stopped by the snow.
Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around
you. If you do not have blankets or extra
clothing, make body insulators from
newspapers, burlap bags, rags, oor
mats — anything you can wrap around yourself
or tuck under your clothing to keep warm.
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Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right.
That will clear the area around the front wheels.
Turn the StabiliTrak
®System off. SeeStabiliTrak®
System on page 283. 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. By slowly spinning the
wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you
will cause a rocking motion that may free your
vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle out after
a few tries, it may need to be towed out. Or,
you can use the recovery hook if your vehicle has
one. If your vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 328.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and includes the weight of
all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight it may properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and the Certication/Tire
label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
322

If you have a Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) vehicle, it
can be towed using a dolly. If you have an
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) vehicle, it can only be
towed on a at-bed trailer. To tow your RWD
vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the rear wheels on the dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and then remove
the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for
towing.
5. Release the parking brake.
Level Control
This feature keeps the rear of your vehicle level
as the load changes. It’s automatic — you
don’t need to adjust anything.
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Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead
as you would when driving your vehicle without
a trailer. This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a
good deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before you can
return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one
hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left,
just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer
to the right, move your hand to the right. Always
back up slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to come in
contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns while
trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal. Do this so your trailer
won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs,
trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal asher and/or extra wiring.
Check with your dealer. The arrows on your
instrument panel will ash whenever you signal a
turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the
trailer lamps will also ash, telling other drivers
you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs
on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your signal when
they are not. It’s important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
339

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

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

4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off,
start the engine and let it run until you can
feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. The
upper radiator hose is the largest of the
hoses which comes out of the radiator, on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle. Watch out
for the engine cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be lower. If the level
is lower, add more of the proper mixture
to the coolant surge tank until the level
reaches the FULL COLD/FROID line on the
side of the coolant surge tank.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
Recheck the coolant level in the bottle next time
you use your vehicle to insure the system is
full when cold. SeeEngine Coolant on page 368.Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 356for
reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power
steering uid unless you suspect there is a leak in
the system or you hear an unusual noise. A
uid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
379

How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering uid, do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine
compartment cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a
clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the
uid level on the dipstick.
The level should be within the HOT mark. If
necessary, add only enough uid to bring the level
within the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 480.
Always use the proper uid. Failure to use the
proper uid can cause leaks and damage hoses
and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer uid, 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 uid
that has sufficient protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
The WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID message
will appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when the uid level is low. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 220for more information.
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer uid
until the tank is full. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 356
for reservoir location.
380

(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates
the tire section width in millimeters from sidewall
to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that
indicates the tire height-to-width measurements.
For example, if the tire size aspect ratio is
60, as shown in item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire’s sidewall is 60 percent as
high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply construction;
the letter D means diagonal or bias ply
construction; and the letter B means belted-bias
ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in
inches.
(F) Service Description:These characters
represent the load range and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents the load carry
capacity a tire is certied to carry. The load index
can range from 1 to 279. The speed rating is
the maximum speed a tire is certied to carry a
load. Speed ratings range from A to Z.Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire
pressing outward on each square inch of the
tire. Air pressure is expressed in pounds
per square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined
weight of optional accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are, automatic
transmission/transaxle, power steering, power
brakes, power windows, power seats, and
air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height
to its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is
located between the plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies
are laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees
to the centerline of the tread.
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