2008 BUICK ENCLAVE engine overheat

Notice:If an improper coolant mixture is used,
the engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or additives are used
in the vehicle’s cooling system, the vehicle could be
damaged. Use only the proper mixture of the engine
coolant listed in this manual for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12for more information.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark when the engine is cold. The coolant level
should be above the FULL COLD mark under normal
operating conditions. If it is not, you may have a leak
in the cooling system.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant recovery
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down. If
coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at or abovethe FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL coolant at the coolant
recovery tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done. See Engine Coolant for more
information.
How to Add Coolant to the
Recovery Tank
{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.
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause the engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
If coolant is needed, add the proper DEX-COOL coolant
mixture at the coolant recovery tank.
5-33

If the coolant in the recovery tank is constantly low, you
should have a dealer/retailer service department inspect
the vehicle for leaks.
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may occur.
Be sure the cap is properly and tightly secured.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:The radiator cap on your vehicle is a
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap line
up with the overow tube on the radiator ller neck.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
more information on location.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may occur.
Be sure the cap is properly and tightly secured.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
more information on location.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators to warn of engine
overheating.
You will nd a warning light about a hot engine as well
as an engine coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel cluster.
You may decide not to lift the hood when this warning
appears, but instead get service help right away.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.
If you do decide to lift the hood, make sure the vehicle
is parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, both fans should be running.
If they are not, do not continue to run the engine and
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from running the engine
without coolant is not covered by the warranty.
Notice:If the engine catches re while driving with
no coolant, the vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on page 5-37for
information on driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
5-35

If Steam Is Coming From The Engine
Compartment
{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. 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 the vehicles engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop the engine if it
overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 5-37for information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is displayed but no steam
can be seen or heard, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot
when the vehicle:
Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
Stops after high-speed driving.
Idles for long periods in traffic.
Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed with no sign of
steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and
to the highest fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and let
the engine idle.
5-36

If the temperature overheat gage is no longer in the
overheat zone or an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven. Continue to drive
the vehicle slow for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the car in front of you. If the
warning does not come back on, continue to drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park the
vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it cools down. Also,
see “Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode”
later in this section.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
ring 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. 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. SeeEngine Oil
on page 5-17.
5-37

Electronic Immobilizer Operation
PASS-Key®III+...........................................2-19
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-22
Check and Service Engine Soon Lamp...........3-43
Coolant..............................................5-28, 5-32
Coolant Heater............................................2-24
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-42
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-42
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-32
Oil .............................................................5-17
Oil Life System...........................................5-20
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-37
Overheating................................................5-35
Starting......................................................2-22
Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-34
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-15
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-17
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-22
Finish Damage...............................................5-99
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-81
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-82
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-89
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-23
Power Steering...........................................5-38
Windshield Washer......................................5-39
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-17
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-47
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-18
Front Storage Area.........................................2-57
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Driving for Better Economy............................. 4-2
E85 (85% Ethanol)........................................ 5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-12
Filling the Tank...........................................5-10
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-9
Gage .........................................................3-48
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-6
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-101
Rear Underseat Fuse Block.........................5-104
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-101
5

N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-18
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual.................................3-93
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-20
O
Odometer......................................................3-34
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-34
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-10
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-17
Pressure Light.............................................3-46
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-20
Older Children, Restraints................................1-35
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-5
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-18
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-46
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-50
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-30
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-20
Outside
Automatic Dimming Mirror.............................2-36
Convex Mirror.............................................2-37
Heated Mirrors............................................2-37
Power Mirrors.............................................2-36Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode....5-37
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-99
Park
Shifting Into................................................2-28
Shifting Out of............................................2-31
Park Aid........................................................2-38
Park Brake....................................................2-27
Park Tilt Mirrors..............................................2-37
Parking
Assist........................................................2-38
Over Things That Burn.................................2-31
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-37
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-30
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-67
Passing.........................................................4-10
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer...............2-18
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation...................................................2-19
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-4
Perimeter Lighting...........................................3-18
Phone
Bluetooth
®..................................................3-93
9