2004 CADILLAC XLR coolant level

ENGINE PROTECTION REDUCE ENGINE RPM:If this
message appears, the control system has determined
that continued operation at the existing engine
speed may lead to engine overheating. Therefore, you
should lower the engine speed by upshifting the
transmission or drive at a lower speed.
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED:If it is dark enough
outside and the headlamps and Twilight Sentinel
ž
controls are off, this message will display on the DIC.
This message informs the driver that turning on the
exterior lamps is recommended even though the DRL
are still illuminated. It has become dark enough outside
to require the headlamps and/or other exterior lamps.
This message will also appear if the optional
RainsenseŸ wiping feature is on and the Twilight
Sentinel
žis off.
HIGH TRANS TEMP:This message indicates that the
transaxle ¯uid in your vehicle is too hot. Stop and
allow your vehicle to idle until it cools down or until this
message is removed.
HIGH VOLTAGE:This message shows that the
electrical charging system is overcharging. To avoid
being stranded, have the electrical system checked by
your dealership. You can reduce the charging
overload by using the accessories. Turn on the lamps
and radio, set the climate control on AUTO and the
fan speed on HI, and turn the rear window defogger on.You can monitor battery voltage on the DIC by pressing
the INFO button. The normal range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts
when the engine is running.
HOT ENGINE±A/C OFF: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. When the coolant temperature returns to
normal, the A/C operation will automatically resume. You
can continue to drive your vehicle. If this message
continues to appear, have the system repaired as soon
as possible to avoid compressor damage.
ICE POSSIBLE:This message appears when the
outside air temperature is cold enough to create icy road
conditions.
LEFT DOOR AJAR:This message will display anytime
the vehicle engine is running, the transmission is not
in PARK (P) and the driver's door is open or ajar.
A chime will sound when the vehicle's speed is greater
than 3 mph (4.8 km/h).
LOW BRAKE FLUID:This message will display if the
vehicle is running to inform the driver that the brake
¯uid level is low. Have the brake system serviced by a
technician as soon as possible. See ªBrake Fluidº
under
Brakes on page 5-35.
3-59

LOW COOLANT:This message will appear when there
is a low level of engine coolant. Have the cooling
system serviced by a technician as soon as possible.
See
Engine Coolant on page 5-20.
LOW FUEL:This message will appear when the fuel
supply is less than 5 gallons (18.9 L) and the display is
turned off. A single chime will also sound when this
message is displayed.
LOW OIL LEVEL:For correct operation of the low oil
sensing system, your vehicle should be on a level
surface. A false LOW OIL LEVEL message may appear
if the vehicle is parked on a grade. 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 checked while the engine is
running. If the LOW 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 a few minutes and your vehicle is on a level
surface. Then check the dipstick and add oil if
necessary. See
Engine Oil on page 5-13.LOW OIL PRESSURE: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 sound when this message is displayed.
LOW VOLTAGE:This message will appear when the
electrical system is charging less than 10 volts or if
the battery has been drained. If this message appears
immediately after starting, it is possible that the
generator can still recharge the battery. The battery
should recharge while driving but may take a few hours
to do so. Consider using an auxiliary charger (be
sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions) to boost
the battery after returning home or to a ®nal destination.
If this message appears while driving or after starting
your vehicle and stays on, have it checked immediately
to determine the cause of this problem. To help the
generator recharge the battery quickly, you can reduce
the load on the electrical system by turning off the
accessories. You can monitor battery voltage on the DIC
by pressing the INFO button. The normal range is
11.5 to 15.5 volts.
LOW WASHER FLUID:This message means that your
vehicle is low on windshield washer ¯uid. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-33.
3-60

A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-38.
B. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See
Passenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-38.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-85.
D. Power Steering Fluid. See
Power Steering Fluid on
page 5-32.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See
Engine Oil on page 5-13.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-13.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See
Brakes
on page 5-35.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-23.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-33.
Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL LEVEL or LOW OIL PRESSURE
message on the Driver Information Center appears, it
means you need to check your engine oil level right
away. For more information, see ªLOW OIL LEVELº and
ªLOW OIL PRESSUREº under
DIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-57.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. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil
dipstick might not show the actual level.
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.
5-13

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, see
Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12
.
{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 Ð even a little Ð 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.
For more information see
DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-57.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOLž
coolant mixtureat 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 (right) until you hear a clicking sound.
Make sure you fully install the cap.
5-22

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.
5-26

A low coolant level should be indicated by a LOW
COOLANT message on the Driver Information Center. 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.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them. If
you do, you can be burned.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine ®re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak ®xed before you drive the
vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fan is running. If
the engine is overheating, the fan should be running. If
it is not, your vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty. See
ªOverheated Engine Protection Operating Modeº
in the Index for information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOLžmay
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 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
ž(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-27

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 proper level, add
a 50/50 of
clean, drinkable waterand DEX-COOLž
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. See
Engine Coolant on
page 5-20for 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 Ð even a little Ð they
can come out at high speed. 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.
5-28

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface. 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 (left).
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.
5-30