2009 CADILLAC SRX hood open

Engine Coolant Heater
The engine coolant heater can provide easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up in cold
weather conditions at or below 0°F (−18°C). Vehicles
with an engine coolant heater should be plugged
in at least four hours before starting. An internal
thermostat in the plug-end of the cord may exist
which will prevent engine coolant heater operation
at temperatures above 0°F (−18°C).
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
For the 3.6L V6 engines, the cord is located in
the engine compartment on the passenger side
of the vehicle in front of the fuse block. For the
4.6L V8 engine, the cord is on the front center
of the vehicle above the radiator.
You must remove the plastic cap to access
the plug.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could
cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of
extension cord could overheat and cause a re.
You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into
a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC
outlet. If the cord will not reach, use a heavy-duty
three-prong extension cord rated for at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts to prevent damage.
The length of time the heater should remain plugged in
depends on several factors. Ask a dealer/retailer in the
area you will be parking the vehicle for the best advice
on this.
2-26

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
<(Rear Defogger):Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. The rear window defogger stays on
for about 20 minutes, before turning off. At higher
vehicle speeds, the rear defogger can stay on
continuously. Each additional press runs the defogger
for about 10 minutes.
When the rear window defogger is pressed, the heated
outside mirrors come on. They help to clear fog or
frost from the surface of the mirror. SeeOutside Heated
Mirrors on page 2-40.
Notice:Do not use a razor blade or sharp object
to clear the inside rear window. Do not adhere
anything to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass.
These actions may damage the rear defogger.
Repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the knobs located in the center of each outlet to
change the direction of the airow. Use the thumbwheels
to open or close the outlets.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that could
block the ow of air into the vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of the vehicle more
effectively.
If the airow seems low when the fan speed is at
the highest setting, the passenger compartment
air lter might need to be replaced. For more
information, seePassenger Compartment Air Filter
on page 3-28.
Set the climate control system to AUTO fan and
mode and then adjust the temperature setting
up or down a few degrees for best comfort.
3-26

Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment air lter helps remove dust
and pollen from the air entering the vehicle. Like the
vehicle’s engine air cleaner/lter, it needs to be changed
periodically. For how often to change the passenger
compartment air lter, seeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4.
The passenger compartment air lter is located
underneath the hood below the windshield wiper arm
on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on location.Use the procedure listed below to replace the passenger
compartment air lter:
1. Open the hood to access the engine compartment.
SeeHood Release on page 5-11for more
information. Locate the passenger compartment air
lter access panel door.
2. Push the two tabs on the access panel door
towards the windshield.
3-28

ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
is overheating, severe engine damage may occur.
If an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as
possible. Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-29for more information.
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle
to idle until it cools down. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light on page 3-38.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode on
page 5-31for information on driving to a safe place
in an emergency.
ENGINE POWER REDUCED
This message displays when the engine power is
being reduced to protect the engine from damage.
There could be several malfunctions that might cause
this message. Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no reduction in performance, proceed to
your destination. The performance may be reduced thenext time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be
driven at a reduced speed while this message is on, but
acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime this
message stays on, the vehicle should be taken to
your dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This symbol appears with
this message.
This message displays when your vehicle is low on fuel.
Rell the fuel tank as soon as possible. A single
chime sounds when this message is displayed.
SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-8.
HOOD OPEN
This message displays when the hood is not closed
completely. Make sure that the hood is closed
completely.
3-53

If the vehicle has the 4.6L V8 engine (VIN Code A), use
premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating
of 91 or higher. You can also use regular unleaded
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but the vehicle’s
acceleration could be slightly reduced, and you might
notice a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred
to as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87, you might
notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. Otherwise, you could damage the
engine. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs
service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specication
D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511
in Canada. Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-7
for additional information.
California Fuel
If the vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specications. See the underhood emission
control label. If this fuel is not available in states adopting
California emissions standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specications, but
emission control system performance might be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle might fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-39. If this occurs, return to your
authorized dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined
that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
5-6

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it is in the
vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel vapor. You can be
badly burned and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:
Dispense fuel only into approved containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than the ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the inside
of the ll opening before operating the nozzle.
Contact should be maintained until the lling
is complete.
Do not smoke while pumping fuel.
Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping fuel.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a re. These include liquids like fuel, oil,
coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and other
uids, and plastic or rubber. You or others could
be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill things
that will burn onto a hot engine.
5-10

Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the hood release
lever with this symbol
on it. It is located inside
the vehicle on the lower
left side of the
instrument panel.
2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and nd the
secondary hood release lever. The lever is located
under the front edge of the grille near the center.
Move the release lever to the side and raise
the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the ller caps are
on properly. Then pull the hood down and close it rmly.
5-11

Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 3.6L V6 engine, you will see the following:
5-12