coolant cap CADILLAC XLR V 2006 1.G Owners Manual

BUCKLE SEAT BELT:This message reminds you to
buckle the driver’s seat belt.
This message will display and a chime will sound when
the ignition is on, the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled,
and the vehicle is in motion. You should buckle
your seat belt.
If the driver remains unbuckled when the ignition is on
and the vehicle is in motion, the reminder will be
repeated. If the driver’s seat belt is already buckled,
this message and chime will not come on.
This message is an additional reminder to the Safety
Belt Reminder Light in the instrument panel cluster.
SeeSafety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-50for more
information.
CHANGE OIL NOW:This means that the life of the
engine oil has expired. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 7-4. After an oil change, the Oil Life Indicator
must be reset. SeeOil Life Indicator on page 3-82and
Engine Oil Life System on page 6-18.
CHARGE SYSTEM FAULT:This message will display
when a problem with the charging system has been
detected. Have your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer.CHECK GAS CAP:This message will appear if the gas
cap has not been fully tightened. You should recheck
your gas cap to ensure that it is on properly.
CLEAN RADAR CRUISE:If your vehicle has this
feature, this message indicates the Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) system is disabled because the radar is
blocked and cannot detect vehicles in your path.
It may also activate during heavy rain or due to road
spray. To clean the system, seeAdaptive Cruise Control
on page 3-15.
CLOSE CARGO DIVIDER:This message indicates that
the cargo divider is not in place. Open the trunk and
make sure the cargo divider is secure and no objects are
on the divider. SeeRear Storage Area on page 2-46
for more information.
COOLANT OVER TEMP (Temperature):This message
will appear when the engine coolant temperature is
too hot. Stop and allow your vehicle to idle in PARK (P)
until it cools down and the message is removed. Do
not increase engine speed above a normal idle. If it does
not cool down, turn off the engine and have it serviced
by your GM dealer before driving it again. Severe
engine damage can result from an overheated engine.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 6-25.
3-68

Service............................................................6-3
Accessories and Modications..........................6-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................6-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................6-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................6-4
Fuel................................................................6-4
Gasoline Octane............................................6-5
Gasoline Specications....................................6-5
California Fuel...............................................6-5
Additives.......................................................6-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................6-6
Filling the Tank..............................................6-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................6-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................6-10
Hood Release..............................................6-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................6-12
Engine Oil...................................................6-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................6-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................6-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................6-21
Engine Coolant.............................................6-22
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................6-25
Engine Overheating.......................................6-25
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................6-27Cooling System............................................6-28
Power Steering Fluid.....................................6-33
Windshield Washer Fluid................................6-34
Brakes........................................................6-35
Battery........................................................6-38
Jump Starting...............................................6-39
Rear Axle.......................................................6-44
Headlamp Aiming...........................................6-45
Headlamp Vertical Aiming..............................6-46
Bulb Replacement..........................................6-48
Windshield Replacement.................................6-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............6-49
Tires..............................................................6-50
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................6-52
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................6-54
Run-Flat Tires..............................................6-56
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................6-58
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................6-59
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................6-62
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................6-63
Buying New Tires.........................................6-64
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................6-65
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................6-66
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................6-67
Wheel Replacement......................................6-67
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-1

A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 6-38.
B. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-47.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 6-89.
D. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering Fluid
on page 6-33.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6-20.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15.G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 6-35.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on
page 6-25.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-34.
6-13

A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 6-38Battery.
B. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-47Passenger
Compartment Air Filter.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 6-89Underhood Fuse Block.
D. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 6-33Power Steering Fluid.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6-20Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15Engine Oil.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15Engine Oil.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 6-35Brakes.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 6-25
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-34Windshield Washer Fluid.Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL LEVEL or LOW OIL PRESSURE
message on the Driver Information Center appears
(DIC), it means you need to check your engine oil level
right away. For more information, see LOW OIL LEVEL
and LOW OIL PRESSURE underDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-67.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
6-15

Checking Coolant
The engine coolant surge tank is located toward the
rear of the engine compartment on the driver’s side
of the vehicle. For more information on location,
seeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. Never turn the surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the
FULL COLD mark, located on the side of the surge
tank that faces the front.
If the LOW COOLANT message on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) comes on and stays on,
it means you are low on engine coolant. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-67for
more information.
6-24

Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture at the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, press down and turn it
clockwise until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure the
cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant surge tank. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 6-12for more
information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a COOLANT OVER TEMP message or
an ENGINE HOT, STOP ENGINE message displayed
in the Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-67. You will also
hear a chime.
There is also an engine coolant temperature gage
on the instrument panel cluster. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-57.
6-25

Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fan
B. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure Cap{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood
can start up even when the engine is not
running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
do not do anything else until it cools down. The
vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
A low coolant level should be indicated by a
LOW COOLANT message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). If it is, you may have a leak at the
pressure cap or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump, or somewhere else in the
cooling system.
6-28

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see if
coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not at the FULL COLD mark
on the front of the coolant surge tank, add a 50/50
mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
coolant at the coolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling
system, including the coolant surge tank pressure
cap, is cool before you do it. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 6-22for more information.
If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant
as follows:
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly.
They are under pressure, and if you turn the
coolant surge tank pressure cap — even a
little — they can come out at high speed.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Never turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the coolant surge tank pressure cap,
is hot. Wait for the cooling system and coolant
surge tank pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
6-30

Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
1. You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure
cap when the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap
slowly counterclockwise.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss
means there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the cap and remove it.
6-31

3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture
until the level inside the surge tank stabilizes at the
FULL COLD mark on the front of the surge tank.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. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
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 stabilizes at the FULL COLD mark
on the coolant surge tank.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the cap is
hand-tight and fully seated.
6-32