2002 CADILLAC ELDORADO overheating

2-27
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 turn, 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.
Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal
is located to the left of
the regular brake pedal,
near the driver's door.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot and push down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the BRAKE indicator light
should come on. If it doesn't, you need to have
your vehicle serviced.

2-72 Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
This light tells you that
the engine coolant has
overheated. A warning
chime will sound if this
light comes on.
As a check, the light should come on for a few seconds
when you start your vehicle.
If the light comes on and the chime sounds while
you are driving, you should stop your vehicle and
turn the engine off as soon as possible. See ªEngine
Overheatingº in the Index for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into
the shaded area, the engine
is too hot.
When the pointer is in the shaded area, that means
the same thing as when the engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on and the chime sounds.
See ªEngine Coolant Temperature Warning Lightº
previously in this section and ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index for more information.

2-82
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.

2-83
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.
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 Twilight Sentinel 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 NO INFO
RESET button. It lets you know that no other messages
are stored or are currently active.

4-39 Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer. The arrows on your instrument panel
will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash,
telling other drivers you're about to turn, change lanes
or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash 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.
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) or less to reduce
the possibility of engine and transaxle 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 do not shift
into PARK (P).
2. Have someone place chocks behind the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into
PARK (P) firmly and apply your parking brake.
5. Release the regular brakes.

4-40 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

make sure the parking brake has released.
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. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don't overfill),
engine oil, drive belt, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find 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. See ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.

5-
5-1
Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5
-2 Hazard Warning Flashers
5
-4 Other Warning Devices
5
-4 Jump Starting
5
-11 Towing Your Vehicle
5
-11 Engine Overheating5
-14 Cooling System
5
-20 If a Tire Goes Flat
5
-21 Changing a Flat Tire
5
-31 Compact Spare Tire
5
-32 If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow

5-11
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service
if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed.
See ªRoadside Assistanceº in the Index. If you
want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle for
recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see ªRecreational Vehicle Towingº in the Index.
Engine Overheating
You will find an ENGINE COOLANT HOT, IDLE
ENGINE message or an ENGINE OVERHEATED,
STOP ENGINE message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). You will also hear a chime. There is also
an engine temperature warning light and/or gage on the
instrument panel. See ªEngine Coolant Temperature
Warning Lightº or ªEngine Coolant Temperature Gageº
in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and the message
ENGINE OVERHEATED, STOP ENGINE is displayed,
an overheat protection mode which alternates firing
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode, you will notice a loss in power and engine
performance. This operating mode allows your vehicle
to be driven to a safe place in an emergency; you may
drive up to 50 miles (80 km). Driving extended miles
(km) and/or towing a trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
NOTICE:
After driving in the overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine damage, allow
the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair
the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and reset
the oil life system. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.