engine CADILLAC ESCALADE 2010 3.G Owners Manual
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When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tipof the dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of therecommended oil. This section explains what kindof oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, seeCapacities and Specifications on page 7!115.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the enginehas so much oil that the oil level gets abovethe cross-hatched area that shows the properoperating range, the engine could be damaged.
SeeEngine CompartmentOverviewon page 7!16for the location of theengine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the properoperating range. Push the dipstick all the way back inwhen through.
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What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for three things:
.GM4718M
This vehicle's engine requires a special oil meetingGM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting thisstandard may be identified as synthetic. However,not all synthetic oils will meet this GM standard.Use only an oil that meets GM StandardGM4718M.
Notice:Using oils that do not have the GM4718MStandard designation can cause engine damage notcovered by the vehicle warranty.
.SAE 5W-30
SAE 5W-30 is best for the vehicle. These numberson an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness.Do not use other viscosity oils such asSAE 20W-50.
.American Petroleum Institute (API) starburstsymbol
Oils meeting theserequirements should havethe starburst symbol onthe container. This symbolindicates that the oil hasbeen certified by theAmerican PetroleumInstitute (API).
This vehicle's engine was filled at the factory with aMobil 1®synthetic oil meeting all requirements for thisvehicle.
Substitute Engine Oil: When adding oil to maintainengine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718Mmight not be available. You can add substitute oildesignated SAE 5W-30 with the starburst symbol at alltemperatures. Substitute oil not meeting GM StandardGM4718M should not be used for an oil change.
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Engine Oil Additives / Engine Oil
Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oilswith the starburst symbol that meet GM standards areall that is needed for good performance and engineprotection.
Engine oil system flushes are not recommended andcould cause engine damage not covered by the vehiclewarranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that indicates whento change the engine oil and filter. This is based onengine revolutions and engine temperature, and not onmileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage atwhich an oil change is indicated can vary considerably.For the oil life system to work properly, the system mustbe reset every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has beendiminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary.A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes on.SeeDIC Warnings and Messageson page 4!48.Change the oil as soon as possible within the next600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if driving underthe best conditions, the oil life system might not indicatethat an oil change is necessary for over a year.However, the engine oil and filter must be changed atleast once a year and at this time the system must bereset. Your dealer/retailer has trained service peoplewho will perform this work using genuine parts andreset the system. It is also important to check the oilregularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must bechanged at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last oilchange. Remember to reset the oil life systemwhenever the oil is changed.
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How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to changethe engine oil and filter based on vehicle use.Whenever the oil is changed, reset the system so it cancalculate when the next oil change is required. If asituation occurs where the oil is changed prior to aCHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message being turnedon, reset the system.
Always reset the engine oil life to 100% after every oilchange. It will not reset itself. To reset the Engine OilLife System:
1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC.
2. Press and hold the SET/RESET button on the DICfor more than five seconds. The oil life will changeto 100%.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comesback on when the vehicle is started, the Engine Oil LifeSystem has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can beunhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Cleanyour skin and nails with soap and water, or a good handcleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or ragscontaining used engine oil. See the manufacturer'swarnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If youchange your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from thefilter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it inthe trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or intostreams or bodies of water. Recycle it by taking it to aplace that collects used oil.
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Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overviewon page 7!16forthe location of the engine air cleaner/filter.
Inspect the air cleaner/filter every other oil change andreplace it at the first oil change after each 50,000 mile(80 000 km) interval. SeeScheduled Maintenanceonp a g e 8!3for more information. If driving on dusty/dirtyconditions, inspect the filter at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/
Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/filter, remove the engine aircleaner/filter from the vehicle by following Steps 1through 6. When the engine air cleaner/filter isremoved, lightly shake it to release loose dust and dirt.If the engine air cleaner/filter remains caked with dirt, anew filter is required. Never use compressed air toclean the filter.
Replacing the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
1. Locate the air cleaner/filter assembly . SeeEngine CompartmentOverviewonpage 7!16.
2. Loosen the four screws on the cover of thehousing and lift up the cover.
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3. Remove the engine air cleaner/filter from thehousing. Care should be taken to dislodge as littledirt as possible.
4. Clean the engine air cleaner/filter sealing surfacesand the housing.
5. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
6. Reinstall the cover and tighten the screws.
{WARNING:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter off
can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to stop
flames if the engine backfires. Use caution when
working on the engine and do not drive with the
air cleaner/filter off.
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Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is usually not necessary to check the transmissionfluid level. The only reason for fluid loss is atransmission leak or overheating the transmission.If you suspect a small leak, then use the followingchecking procedures to check the fluid level. However,if there is a large leak, then it may be necessary to havethe vehicle towed to a dealer/retailer service departmentand have it repaired before driving the vehicle further.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmissionfluid may damage the vehicle, and the damages maynot be covered by the vehicle's warranty. Alwaysuse the automatic transmission fluid listed inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 8!10.
Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed in theMaintenance Schedule. SeeScheduled Maintenanceo n p a g e 8!3. Be sure to use the transmission fluidlisted inRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsonpage 8!10.
How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Notice:Too much or too little fluid can damage yourtransmission. Too much can mean that some of thefluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts orexhaust system parts, starting a fire. Too little fluidcould cause the transmission to overheat. Be sureto get an accurate reading if you check yourtransmission fluid.
Before checking the fluid level, prepare the vehicle asfollows:
1. Start the engine and park the vehicle on a levelsurface. Keep the engine running.
2. Apply the parking brake and place the shiftlever in P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shiftlever through each gear range, pausing for aboutthree seconds in each range. Then, move the shiftlever back to P (Park).
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4. Allow the engine to idle (500–800 rpm) for at leastone minute. Slowly release the brake pedal.
5. Keep the engine running and press the Trip/Fuelbutton or trip odometer reset stem until TRANSTEMP (Transmission Temperature) displays on theDriver Information Center (DIC).
6. Using the TRANS TEMP reading, determine andperform the appropriate check procedure. If theTRANS TEMP reading is not within the requiredtemperature ranges, allow the vehicle to cool,or operate the vehicle until the appropriatetransmission fluid temperature is reached.
Cold Check Procedure
Use this procedure only as a reference to determine ifthe transmission has enough fluid to be operated safelyuntil a hot check procedure can be made. The hotcheck procedure is the most accurate method to checkthe fluid level. Perform the hot check procedure at the
first opportunity. Use this cold check procedure to checkfluid level when the transmission temperature isbetween 80°F and 90°F (27°C and 32°C).
1. Locate thetransmission dipstick atthe rear of the enginecompartment, on thepassenger side of thevehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overviewon page 7!16for more information.
2. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstickand wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
3. Install the dipstick by pushing it back in all the way,wait three seconds, and then pull it back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lowerlevel. Repeat the check procedure to verify thereading.
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5. If the fluid level is below the COLD check band,add only enough fluid as necessary to bring thelevel into the COLD band. It does not take muchfluid, generally less than one pint (0.5L). Do notoverfill.
6. Perform a hot check at the first opportunity afterthe transmission reaches a normal operatingtemperature between 160°F to 200°F (71°Cto 93°C).
7. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, pushthe dipstick back in all the way, then flip the handledown to lock the dipstick in place.
Hot Check Procedure
Use this procedure to check the transmission fluid levelwhen the transmission fluid temperature is between160°F and 200°F (71°C and 93°C).
The hot check is the most accurate method to check thefluid level. The hot check should be performed at thefirst opportunity in order to verify the cold check. Thefluid level rises as fluid temperature increases, so it isimportant to ensure the transmission temperature iswithin range.
1. Locate thetransmission dipstick atthe rear of the enginecompartment, on thepassenger side of thevehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overviewon page 7!16for more information.
2. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstickand wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
3. Install the dipstick by pushing it back in all the way,wait three seconds, and then pull it back out again.
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Cooling System
The cooling system allows the engine to maintain thecorrect working temperature.
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Coolant SurgeTank Pressure Cap
C. Engine Cooling Fan(s)
{WARNING:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
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