2000 CADILLAC ELDORADO engine overheat

Section
3
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
Section
4
Your Driving and the Road
Section
5
Table of Contents (cont'd)
Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of a Vehicle
BrakingSteering
Driving Tips for Various Road Conditions
Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer Heating and Air Conditioning
Setting the Radio Clock
Radio/Cassette Player/CD PlayerRadio Theft-Deterrent Feature
Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
Hazard Warning Flashers
Jump Starting
Towing Your VehicleEngine Overheating
Changing a Flat Tire
If You're Stuck
Problems on the Road

2-19 To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The electrical cord is located on the driver's side of
the engine, behind the transaxle dipstick/fluid fill
location (C) and next to the engine.
3. Plug it 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 fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three
-prong
11 0
-volt AC outlet. If the cord won't 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 don't, 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'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
There are several different
positions for the shift lever.
PARK (P): This position locks the front wheels. It's the
best position to use when you start the engine because
your vehicle can't move easily.

2-22
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than OVERDRIVE (
).
Here are examples for using THIRD (3) instead of
OVERDRIVE (
):

When driving on hilly, winding roads.

When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.

When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power than
Third (3). You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help
control your speed as you go down steep mountain
roads, but then you would also want to use your brakes
off and on.
NOTICE:
Don't shift into SECOND (2) unless you are
going slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you
can damage your engine.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills,
or in deep snow or mud. (If the shift lever is put in
FIRST (1), the transaxle won't shift into gear until the
vehicle is going slowly enough.)
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can't rotate, don't try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a
solid object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could cause overheating and damage
the transaxle. Use your brakes to hold your
vehicle in position on a hill.

2-26 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 firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved 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 first pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the
transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever
out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into
PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver's seat. To
find out how, see ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
CAUTION:
Before shifting out of PARK (P) you must fully
apply your regular brakes. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing
a Trailerº in the Index.

2-62
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System Warning Light
This warning light should
come on briefly as you start
the engine.
If the warning light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there's a problem. If it stays on, or
comes on when you're driving, there may be a problem with
your traction control system and your vehicle may need
service. When this warning light is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following:

If there's a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the traction control system
will turn off and the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine
-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light tells you that the
engine has overheated. You
should stop your vehicle
and turn the engine off as
soon as possible. A warning
chime should also sound if
this light comes on.
As a check, the light should come on for a few seconds
when you start your engine. See ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.

2-63 Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into
the red area, the engine is
too hot.
That reading means the same thing as the warning
light
-- the engine coolant has overheated.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.This system is called OBD II (On
-Board
Diagnostics
-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The SERVICE ENGINE SOON light
comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service
is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the
system before any problem is apparent. This may
prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.

2-72
CHECK OIL LEVEL - 36: For correct operation of the
low oil sensing system, your vehicle should be on a level
surface. A false CHECK OIL LEVEL message may
appear if the vehicle is parked on grades. The oil level
sensing system does not check for actual oil level if the
engine has been off for a short period of time, and the oil
level is never sensed while the engine is running. If the
CHECK OIL LEVEL message appears and your vehicle
has been parked on level ground with the engine off for
at least 30 minutes, the oil level should be checked by
observing the oil dipstick. Prior to checking the oil level,
be sure the engine has been off for five minutes and your
vehicle is on a level surface. Then check the dipstick and
add oil if necessary. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
CHECK WASHER FLUID
- 25: This message will
appear for several seconds indicating that you need
windshield washer solvent.
CRUISE ENGAGED
- 43: This message will appear
for a few seconds when you select a speed at which
to cruise.
DOOR AJAR
- 141: A door other than the driver's
is open or ajar when this message appears. The vehicle's
engine must be running and the transaxle not in
PARK (P) for this message to display. A chime will
also sound when the vehicle's speed is greater than
5 mph (8 km/h).DRIVER DOOR AJAR
- 140: This message
will display when the vehicle is being shifted out of
PARK (P) with the engine running to signal that the
driver's door is open or ajar. A chime will also sound
when the vehicle's speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).
ENGINE COOLANT HOT, IDLE ENGINE
- 44:
This message will appear when the engine coolant
temperature is over 248
F (126
C). To avoid added
strain on a hot engine, turn off the climate control
system. Stop and allow your vehicle to idle until it cools
down or the message is removed. If it does not cool
down, turn off the engine and have it serviced before
driving it again. Severe engine damage can result from
an overheated engine. See ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.
ENGINE HOT
- A/C OFF - 16: This message displays
when the engine coolant becomes hotter than the normal
operating temperature. To avoid added strain on a hot
engine, the air conditioning compressor is automatically
turned off so that air conditioned air is not delivered.
If the coolant temperature returns to normal, you must
select AC to return to a normal A/C compressor
operation. If this message continues to appear,
have the system repaired as soon as possible to avoid
compressor damage.

2-73
ENGINE MISFIRE -- EASE OFF GAS
PEDAL
- 114: An engine misfire has occurred.
You'll need to ease off the gas pedal.
ENGINE OVERHEATED, STOP ENGINE
- 42:
This message will appear when the engine has
overheated. Stop and turn the engine off immediately
to avoid severe engine damage. See ªEngine
Overheatingº in the Index. A multiple chime will also
sound when this message is displayed.
ENGINE POWER REDUCED
- 41: This message
informs you that your vehicle is reducing engine power
because the transaxle is being placed in gear under
conditions that may cause damage to the vehicle
powertrain or vehicle acceleration.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
- 11 : This message serves as a
warning that the fuel level in the tank is critically low.
Stop for fuel soon.
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
- 23: If it's dark
enough outside and the Twilight Sentinel control is off,
a HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED message will display on
the DIC. This message informs the driver that turning on
the exterior lamps is recommended even though the
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) are still illuminated
(it's become dark enough outside to require the
headlamps and/or other exterior lamps).ICE POSSIBLE
- 13: This message appears when
the outside air temperature is cold enough to create icy
road conditions.
LOW REFRIG A/C OFF
- 12: This message means
that the air conditioning system detects a refrigerant
level that is low enough to cause damage to the air
conditioning compressor. Have the air conditioning
system serviced if this message appears.
MONITORED SYSTEMS OK
- 1: This message only
appears in the ªrecallº mode by pressing the INFO
RESET (NO) button. It lets you know that no other
messages are stored or currently active.
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE
- 35: If this
message appears while the engine is running, stop the
engine and do not operate it until the cause of low oil
pressure is corrected. Severe damage to the engine can
result. A multiple chime will also sound when this
message is displayed.
OPTIONS NOT SET
- 99: This message will display if
a fault has occurred in your vehicle's memory. Have
your vehicle serviced by your dealership.
PROGRAM PASS KEY
- 31: This warning message
displays when the PASS
-Key
II pellet information has
not been programmed into your vehicle. See your
dealership for service.