2009 CADILLAC XLR coolant level

HOT ENGINE–A/C OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
You can continue to drive the vehicle. If this message
continues to display, have the system repaired by
your dealer/retailer as soon as possible to avoid
compressor damage.
ICE POSSIBLE
This message displays when the outside air temperature
is cold enough to create icy road conditions. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
LEFT DOOR AJAR
This message displays anytime the engine is running,
the transmission is not in P (Park), and the driver door
is open or ajar. A chime sounds when the vehicle’s
speed is greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
LOW BRAKE FLUID
This message displays if the engine is running to inform
the driver that the brake uid level is low. Have the
brake system serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon
as possible. See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes on
page 6-32.
LOW COOLANT
This message displays when there is a low level of
engine coolant. Have the cooling system serviced by
your dealer/retailer as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 6-23.
LOW FUEL
This message displays when the fuel supply is less
than 5 gallons (18.9 L) and the display is turned off.
A single chime also sounds when this message is
displayed.
LOW OIL LEVEL
For correct operation of the low oil sensing system,
the vehicle should be on a level surface. A false LOW
OIL LEVEL message may display if the vehicle is parked
on a grade. The oil level sensing system does not
check for actual oil level if the engine has been off for a
short period of time, and the oil level is never checked
while the engine is running. If the LOW OIL LEVEL
message displays, and the vehicle has been parked on
level ground with the engine off for at least 30 minutes,
the oil level should be checked by observing the oil
dipstick. Prior to checking the oil level, make sure the
engine has been off for a few minutes and the vehicle is
on a level surface. Then check the dipstick and add
oil if necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 6-15.
3-63

A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 6-35.
B. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-41.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 6-87.
D. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 6-30.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6-20.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 6-32.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCooling System on page 6-22.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-31.Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL LEVEL or LOW OIL PRESSURE
message on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
appears, check the engine oil level right away.
For more information, see LOW OIL LEVEL and
LOW OIL PRESSURE underDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-60. Check the engine oil level
regularly; this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 6-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
6-15

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
The engine coolant surge tank is located toward the
rear of the engine compartment on the driver side of the
vehicle. For more information on location, seeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 6-12.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling, do
not do anything else until it cools down. 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 is cool before this is done.When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at or
above the FULL COLD mark on the side of the coolant
surge tank that faces the front. When the engine is hot,
the level could be higher than the FULL COLD mark.
If the coolant is below the FULL COLD mark when the
engine is hot, there could be a leak in the cooling system.
If the LOW COOLANT message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) comes on and stays on, it means the
vehicle is low on engine coolant. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-60. A low coolant level should be
indicated by a LOW COOLANT message on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). If it is, there could be a leak in
the cooling system.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge 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.
6-24

3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture
until the level inside the coolant surge tank stabilizes
at the FULL COLD mark on the front of the coolant
surge tank.4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mixture to the coolant surge tank
until the level stabilizes at the FULL COLD mark
on the coolant surge tank.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the cap is
hand-tight and fully seated.
6-26

If the LOW COOLANT message does not appear on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) after two minutes, the
coolant is at the proper ll level. If a LOW COOLANT
message does appear, repeat Steps 1 through 3 then
reinstall the pressure cap, or see your dealer/retailer.
If coolant is needed, add the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture at the coolant surge tank.
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.
The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant surge tank. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 6-12for more
information on location.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators to warn of engine
overheating.
There is a COOLANT OVER TEMP message or an
ENGINE HOT, STOP ENGINE message displayed in the
Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-60. You will also hear a chime.There is also an engine coolant temperature gage on
the instrument panel cluster. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-49.
You may decide not to lift the hood when this warning
appears, but instead get service help right away.
SeeRoadside Service on page 8-7.
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 6-29for information on
driving to a safe place in an emergency.
6-27

When the CHANGE OIL NOW message appears, the
following services, checks, and inspections are required:
❑Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on
page 6-15. Reset oil life system. SeeEngine Oil Life
System on page 6-18.An Emission Control Service.
❑Visually check for any leaks or damage.
See footnote (a).
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace
lter. SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-20.
See footnote (h).
❑Check tires for ination pressures and wear. SeeTires
on page 6-46. If tire rotation is recommended for the
vehicle, rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 6-60.
❑Inspect brake system.See footnote (l).❑Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid
levels. If the vehicle has the 4.4L V8 supercharged
engine, check intercooler uid level. Add uid as
needed.
❑Perform any needed additional services. See
“Additional Required Services” in this section.
❑Inspect suspension and steering components.
See footnote (n).
❑Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (m).
❑Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (b).
❑Inspect restraint system components.
See footnote (c).
❑Lubricate body components.See footnote (d).
7-5

Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure vehicle safety,
dependability, and emission control performance. Your
dealer/retailer can assist with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to the
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7-11.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Notice:It is important to check the engine oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level. Failure to
keep the engine oil at the proper level can cause
damage to the engine not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 6-15.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 6-23.
Intercooler Coolant Level Check
(4.4L Supercharged Engine)
Check the coolant level and add DEX-COOL®coolant
mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant on page 6-23.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level
Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer uid reservoir and add the proper uid if
necessary. SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 6-31.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inspection and Ination Check
Inspect the vehicle’s tires for wear and make sure they
are inated to the correct pressures. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 6-54.
7-9