2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE engine overheat

Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED message 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 5-14.
Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
C. Engine Cooling Fan
{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.
5-28

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. Check the coolant
level after the system cools down. Some amount of
coolant may be lost due to overheating.
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL COLD
mark. If it is not, 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.
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.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 5-28for information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant could
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by the warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in the vehicle.
5-29

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 or above the FULL COLD
mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX-COOL
®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.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-23for 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 radiator
pressure cap — even a little — they can come
out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure cap to cool if you ever have
to turn the pressure cap.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. The vehicle’s
coolant warning system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too hot but you
would not get the overheat warning. The engine
could catch re and you or others could be
burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
5-30

Electrical System (cont.)
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-106
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-109
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-106
Electronic Immobilizer
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-22
Electronic Immobilizer Operation
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-23
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-17
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-43
Coolant......................................................5-23
Coolant Heater............................................2-28
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-42
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-16
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-38
Fan Noise..................................................5-32
Oil .............................................................5-14
Oil Life System...........................................5-16
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-28
Overheating................................................5-26
Starting......................................................2-26
Entry Lighting.................................................3-22
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-17
Exit Lighting...................................................3-22
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-48
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-16
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-17
Finish Damage.............................................5-103
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flat Tire........................................................5-76
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-77
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-91
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-20
Power Steering...........................................5-33
Windshield Washer......................................5-34
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-21
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-46
Front Axle......................................................5-46
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage .........................................................3-47
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Running Out of...........................................2-39
5

O
Odometer......................................................3-35
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-35
Off-Road Driving.............................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-11
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-14
Pressure Light.............................................3-45
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-16
Older Children, Restraints................................1-49
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-18
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-51
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-54
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-31
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-24
Outside
Power Foldaway Mirrors...............................2-45
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-28
Owner Checks and Services.............................6-10
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage..............................................5-103
Park
Shifting Into................................................2-36
Shifting Out of............................................2-37
Park Aid........................................................2-48
Park Brake....................................................2-35
Parking
Assist........................................................2-48
Over Things That Burn.................................2-38
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-37
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-83
Passing.........................................................4-11
PASS-KEY
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer...............2-22
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation...................................................2-23
Perchlorate Materials Requirements,
California..................................................... 5-4
Power
Door Locks.................................................2-10
Electrical System.......................................5-106
Liftgate......................................................2-14
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-3
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-7
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-26
9