2007 CADILLAC SRX brakes

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) to reduce
the possibility of the engine and the transmission
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 don’t shift into
PARK (P).
When parking uphill, turn your wheels away
from the curb. When parking downhill,
turn your wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks behind the trailer
wheels.
3. When the chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
340

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
release the parking brake.
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. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 471for more information.
Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission uid (don’t
overll), engine oil, axle lubricant, drive belt,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these
is covered in this manual, and the Index will
help you nd 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. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 372.
341

Service........................................................ 346
Accessories and Modications................... 347
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 347
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 348
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 348
Fuel............................................................. 349
Gasoline Octane........................................ 349
Gasoline Specications.............................. 350
California Fuel........................................... 350
Additives................................................... 350
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 351
Filling the Tank......................................... 352
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 354
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 354
Hood Release........................................... 355
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 356
Engine Oil................................................. 360
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 363
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 365Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 367
Engine Coolant.......................................... 368
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 371
Engine Overheating................................... 372
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 374
Cooling System......................................... 374
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 379
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 380
Brakes...................................................... 381
Battery...................................................... 385
Jump Starting............................................ 386
All-Wheel Drive........................................... 392
Rear Axle.................................................... 394
Front Axle................................................... 395
Bulb Replacement....................................... 396
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting..... 396
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 396
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 397
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
343

Accessories and Modications
When you add non-GM accessories to your vehicle
they can affect your vehicle’s performance and
safety, including such things as, airbags, braking,
stability, ride and handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and electronic systems
like anti-lock brakes, traction control and
stability control. Some of these accessories may
even cause malfunction or damage not covered by
warranty.
GM Accessories are designed to complement and
function with other systems on your vehicle.
Your GM dealer can accessorize your vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories. When you go to
your GM dealer and ask for GM Accessories,
you will know that GM-trained and supported
service technicians will perform the work using
genuine GM Accessories.
California Proposition 65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine exhaust, many parts and
systems (including some inside the vehicle), many
uids, and some component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these chemicals.
347

A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 455.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 380.
C. Battery. SeeBattery on page 385.
D. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 195.
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 379.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 360.G. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 360.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 381.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on
page 371andCooling System on page 374.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 365.
357

A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 455.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 385.
C. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 195.
D. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 380.
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 379.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 360.G. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 360.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 381.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on
page 371andCooling System on page 374.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 365.
359

Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
uid. Water can cause the solution to
freeze and damage your washer uid tank
and other parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as well
as washer uid.
Fill your washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage the tank if it
is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master
cylinder reservoir is
lled with DOT-3 brake
uid. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 356for the
location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid
level in the reservoir might go down. The rst
is that the brake uid goes down to an acceptable
level during normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are put in, the uid level goes back
up. The other reason is that uid is leaking out of
the brake system. If it is, you should have your
brake system xed, since a leak means that
sooner or later your brakes will not work well, or
will not work at all.
381

What to Add
When you do need brake uid, DOT-3 brake uid is
recommended for use. DOT-4 brake uid is also
compatible with your vehicle’s brake system parts.
However, if you choose to use DOT-4 uid, it is
recommended that you ush your brake hydraulic
system and rell it with new DOT-4 uid at a regular
maintenance service every two years. See
Additional Required Services on page 473. Use
new brake uid from a sealed container only. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 480.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the
area around the cap before removing it. This
will help keep dirt from entering the reservoir.{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the brake
system, the brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper
brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in the brake system can
damage brake system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint nish can
be damaged. Be careful not to spill brake
uid on your vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately. SeeWashing Your Vehicle
on page 447.
383