2005 CADILLAC STS open hood

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. Just turn it off and get
everyone away from the 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 your 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 5-26for 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. SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 5-26for information on
driving to a safe place in an emergency.If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheat warning, along with a Check Coolant Level
message, can indicate a serious problem.
If you get an engine overheat warning with no Check
Coolant Level message, but see or hear no steam, the
problem may 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.
5-25

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 you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning does not come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you have not stopped, pull
over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you are parked. If you still
have the warning,turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicleuntil it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This operating mode allows your vehicle to be driven to
a safe place in an emergency. Should an overheated
engine condition exist, an overheat protection mode
which alternates ring groups of cylinders helps prevent
engine damage. In this mode, you will notice a loss
in power and engine performance. A low coolant and/or
engine overheat warning will indicate that an overheat
condition exists. 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 and change the oil.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15.
5-26

4. Open the hoods and locate the positive (+) and
negative (−) terminal locations of the other vehicle,
as well as the positive (+) terminal location on
your vehicle’s battery. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for more information on the
location of the battery.Your vehicle has a remote negative (−) ground
location, as shown in the illustration. It is located
between the battery and the underhood fuse block.
You should always use this remote ground
location, instead of the terminal on the battery.
5-39

To adjust the vertical aim do the following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
2. Find the aim dot on the lens of the low-beam
headlamp.
3. Measure the distance from the ground to the aim dot
on the low-beam headlamp. Record the distance.
4. At the wall or other at surface, measure from the
ground upward the recorded distance from Step 2
and mark it.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line the width of the
vehicle at the wall or other at surface where it
was marked it Step 4.Notice:Do not cover a headlamp to improve beam
cut-off when aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up which may cause
damage to the headlamp.
6. Turn on the low-beam headlamps and place a
piece of cardboard or equivalent in front of the
headlamp not being aimed. This should allow only
the beam of light from the headlamp being
aimed to be seen on the at surface.
7. Locate the vertical headlamp aiming screws, which
are under the hood near each headlamp assembly.
The adjustment screw can be turned witha6mmhex
socket.
Passenger’s Side Shown
5-47

(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace blade inserts that appear worn or damaged
or that streak or miss areas of the windshield.
(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced. Also look for any opened or broken airbag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders. Lubricate all
hinges and latches, including those for the hood, rear
compartment, glove box door, and console door.
More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment. Applying silicone
grease on weatherstrips with a clean cloth will make
them last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
(g)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, the lter
may require replacement more often.(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as limousine service.
Uses such as high performance operation.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid and lter do not require change.
(j)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-22 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(k)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(l)Inspect throttle body bore and valve plates for
deposits. Open the throttle valve and inspect all
surfaces. Clean as required.
(m)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
6-8

Engine (cont.)
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-67
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-67
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-33
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-26
Overheating................................................5-24
Starting......................................................2-24
Entry Lighting.................................................3-42
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-8
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-26
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-41
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finish Damage...............................................5-92
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-13
Flat Tire........................................................5-74
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-74
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-83
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-31
Windshield Washer......................................5-32
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-71Fog Lamps....................................................3-39
Forward Collision Alert (FAC) System.................. 3-9
Front Axle......................................................5-45
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-72
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-95
Rear Underseat Fuse Block..........................5-99
Underhood Fuse Block.................................5-96
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-95
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-67
Fuel..........................................................3-72
Speedometer..............................................3-62
Tachometer.................................................3-62
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-41
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-5
5