overheating CADILLAC SRX 2007 1.G Owners Manual

Cigarette Lighter
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it
is heating does not let the lighter back
away from the heating element when it is hot.
Damage from overheating can occur to the
lighter or heating element, or a fuse could be
blown. Do not hold a cigarette lighter in while it
is heating.
The cigarette lighter is located next to the ashtray.
The vehicle does not have any cigarette lighters
for the rear seat passengers.
To activate the cigarette lighter, push it into the
heating element and let go. When the lighter
is ready it will pop back out by itself.
Analog Clock
The analog clock is located on the instrument
panel above the radio. The clock is not connected
with any other vehicle system and runs by
itself. To adjust the clock, do the following:
1. Locate the adjustment button directly below
the clock face.
2. Push and hold the adjustment button to
advance the clock hands. Holding the
button down will cause the clock to advance
faster. Release the buttonbeforeyou get
to the desired time.
3. Push and release the button to increase the
time by one minute increments until the
desired time is reached.
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You should stop the vehicle and turn off the
engine as soon as possible to avoid damage to
the engine. A warning chime will sound when this
light is on, also.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 372.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the
engine coolant
temperature.
It can be used to see when your engine has
warmed up and to make sure your cooling system
is operating properly. If the gage pointer moves into
the shaded area, the engine coolant is too hot and
the engine coolant temperature warning light will
come on. SeeEngine Overheating on page 372for
more information.
Tire Pressure Light
If your vehicle has this
light, it will come on
briey when you turn the
ignition on.
This light will also come on when one or more of
your tires are signicantly underinated.
A CHECK TIRE PRESSURE DIC message will
accompany the light, seeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 220
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to
do so. If underinated, inate to the proper
pressure. SeeTires on page 398for more
information.
207

SeeTires on page 398,Loading Your Vehicle on
page 322, andInation - Tire Pressure on
page 407. The DIC display also shows the tire
pressure values for the front and rear tires
by pressing the vehicle information button. See
DIC Controls and Displays on page 215. If the tire
pressure is low, the low tire pressure warning
light comes on. SeeTire Pressure Light on
page 207.
CRUISE SET TO XXX MPH (km/h)
This message displays whenever the cruise control
is set. SeeCruise Control on page 174for more
information.
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message displays when the driver’s door is
not closed completely. Make sure that the
driver’s door is closed completely.
ENGINE HOT – A/C
(Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating
temperature. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gage on page 207. To avoid added strain on a hot
engine, the air conditioning compressor
automatically turns off. When the coolant
temperature returns to normal, the air conditioning
compressor turns back on. You can continue to
drive your vehicle.
If this message continues to appear, have the
system repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible to avoid damage to the engine.
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. Do not increase
the engine speed above normal idling speed.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 372for more
information.
222

There are several conditions that can cause this
message to appear.
One condition is overheating, which could
occur if StabiliTrak®activates continuously
for an extended period of time.
The message also displays if the brake
system warning light is on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 204.
The message could display if the stability
system takes longer than usual to complete its
diagnostic checks due to driving conditions.
The message displays if an engine or vehicle
related problem has been detected and the
vehicle needs service. See your dealer.
The message turns off as soon as the conditions
that caused the message to be displayed are
no longer present.
STARTING DISABLED SERVICE
THROTTLE
This message displays when your vehicle’s throttle
system is not functioning properly. Have your
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
THEFT ATTEMPTED
This symbol appears
with this message.
This message displays if the theft-deterrent
system has detected a break-in attempt while you
were away from your vehicle. SeeTheft-Deterrent
System on page 112for more information.
229

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.
340

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

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs
rst, 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, seeEngine
Overheating on page 372.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant 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.
Allow the warning lights and gages to work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core, or
radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing sooner, at the
rst maintenance service after each
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
368

Engine Overheating
There are two engine hot messages that could be
displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC).
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 220
for more information.
If the engine is overheating, then you will nd a
coolant temperature gage and a coolant warning
light on the instrument panel. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Gage on page 207and
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light on
page 206for more information.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
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. Turn
it off and get everyone away from the
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant
before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when the vehicles
engine is overheated, the liquids in it can
catch re. You or others could be badly
burned. Stop your engine if it overheats,
and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 374for
information on driving to a safe place
in an emergency.
Notice:If your engine catches re 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
on page 374for information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
372

If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheat warning, can indicate a serious
problem.
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or
hear no steam, the problem might 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. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in
NEUTRAL (N) while stopped. If it is safe to
do so, pull off the road, shift to PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N) and let the engine idle.
2. Set the climate controls to the highest heat
setting and fan speed and open the windows,
as necessary.If the coolant warning light is not on or the coolant
temperature gage does not indicate the engine
is overheating, you can drive. Just to be safe, drive
slower for about 10 minutes. If the warnings do
not come back on, drive normally.
If the warnings continue and you have not stopped,
pull over, stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while parked. If the warnings are
still indicated, turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicle until it cools down. Also, see
“Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode”
later in this section.
You might decide not to lift the hood but to get
service help right away.
373