2008 CADILLAC SRX engine overheat

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 the coolant warning light is not on or the coolant
temperature gage does not indicate the engine
is overheating, you can drive. Just to be safe, drive
slower for about 10 minutes. If the warnings do not
come back on, drive normally.
If the warnings continue and you have not stopped,
pull over, stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while parked. If the warnings are
still indicated, turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicle until it cools down. Also, see
“Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode” later
in this section.
You might 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 a hot engine
condition exist, an overheat protection mode which
alternates ring groups of cylinders helps prevent engine
damage. In this mode, there is a loss in power and
engine performance. 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 5-16.
5-28

When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
or slightly above the FULL COLD/FROID line on the
side of the coolant surge tank. 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.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, both fans should be
running. If they are not, your vehicle needs service.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.
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 FULL COLD/FROID
line on the side of the coolant surge tank, add a
50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable waterand 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.
5-30

{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 — even a little — 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.
{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
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
{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.
5-31

Electrical System (cont.)
Rear Underseat Fuse Block...............5-105, 5-108
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-101
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-100
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-21
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-42
Coolant......................................................5-23
Coolant Heater............................................2-28
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-40
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-40
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-15
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-39
Oil .............................................................5-16
Oil Life System...........................................5-19
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-28
Overheating................................................5-26
Running While Parked..................................2-40
Speed Limiter.............................................3-33
Starting......................................................2-26
Entry Lighting.................................................3-19
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-19
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-32
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-19F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-21
Finish Damage...............................................5-97
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-75
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-76
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-87
Fluid.............................................................5-23
Power Steering...........................................5-33
Windshield Washer......................................5-34
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-18
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-45
Front Axle......................................................5-46
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-47
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
5

N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-20
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual.................................3-90
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-24
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-14
O
Odometer......................................................3-33
Off-Road Driving.............................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-10
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-16
Pressure Light.............................................3-44
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-19
Older Children, Restraints................................1-32
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-5
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-20
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-47
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-50
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-29
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-21Outside
Automatic Dimming Mirror.............................2-44
Convex Mirror.............................................2-44
Power Heated Mirrors..................................2-43
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode.....5-28
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-9
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-97
Panic Brake Assist............................................ 4-8
Parade Dimming.............................................3-19
Park Aid........................................................2-45
Park Brake....................................................2-34
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-36
Shifting Out of............................................2-38
Park Tilt Mirrors..............................................2-44
Parking
Assist........................................................2-45
Over Things That Burn.................................2-38
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-35
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-30
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-65
Passing.........................................................4-10
9