2009 CADILLAC STS engine overheat

You may decide not to lift the hood when this warning
appears, but instead get service help right away.
SeeRoadside Service 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 your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty. See
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode on
page 5-36for information on driving to a safe place
in an emergency.
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 5-36for information on
driving to a safe place in an emergency.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 5-36for information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
5-35

If No Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
An overheat warning, can indicate a serious problem.
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 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.
If the engine coolant temperature 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
This operating mode allows your vehicle to be driven
to a safe place in an emergency. Should an overheated
engine condition exist, 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. An engine overheat
warning will indicate that an overheat condition exists.
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 5-18.
5-36

Electrical System (cont.)
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-113
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-23
Check and Service Engine Soon Lamp...........3-66
Coolant......................................................5-27
Coolant Heater............................................2-29
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-65
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-64
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-16
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-36
Oil .............................................................5-18
Oil Life System...........................................5-21
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-36
Overheating................................................5-34
Starting......................................................2-27
Enhanced StabiliTrak
®....................................... 4-6
Entry Lighting.................................................3-41
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-27
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-40
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-23
Finish Damage.............................................5-111
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-13
Flat Tire........................................................5-84
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-94
Flat Tire, Storing...........................................5-102
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-25
Power Steering...........................................5-37
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-38
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-70
Forward Collision Alert (FAC) System.................. 3-9
Front Axle......................................................5-49
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 .........................................................3-71
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-113
Rear Underseat Fuse Block.........................5-118
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-114
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-113
5

O
Odometer......................................................3-57
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-15
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-18
Pressure Light.............................................3-69
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-21
Older Children, Restraints................................1-28
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-5
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-18
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-50
Operation, Universal Home Remote
System......................................................2-54
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-52
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-46
Outside
Automatic Dimming Mirror.............................2-40
Convex Mirror.............................................2-41
Heated Mirrors............................................2-41
Power Mirrors.............................................2-40
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-36
Owner Checks and Services.............................6-10
Owners, Canadian.............................................. iii
P
Paint, Damage..............................................5-111
Parade Dimming.............................................3-41
Park
Shifting Into................................................2-34
Shifting Out of............................................2-35
Park Aid........................................................2-42
Park Brake....................................................2-33
Park Tilt Mirrors..............................................2-41
Parking
Assist........................................................2-42
Over Things That Burn.................................2-35
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-59
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-54
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-59
Passing.........................................................4-15
Perchlorate Materials Requirements,
California..................................................... 5-4
Phone
Bluetooth
®................................................3-116
Power
Door Locks.................................................2-13
Electrical System.......................................5-113
Inadvertent Battery Saver.............................3-42
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-2
9