CADILLAC ESCALADE 2011 3.G Owners Manual

Black plate (27,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-27
Notice:
.When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer's instructions
for adding water.
.Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as
well as washer fluid.
.Fill the washer fluid tank
only three-quarters full
when it is very cold. This
allows for fluid expansion
if freezing occurs, which
could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
.Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the windshield
washer. It can damage the
windshield washer system
and paint.
Brakes
This vehicle has disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is
moving, except when applying
the brake pedal firmly.
{WARNING
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could result
in costly brake repair. Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when
the brakes are first applied or
lightly applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque
specifications in
Capacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a
sign that brake service might
be required.

Black plate (28,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-28 Vehicle Care
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied,
with or without the vehicle moving,
the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is
complex. Its many parts have to be
of top quality and work well together
if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. The vehicle was designed
and tested with top-quality brake
parts. When parts of the braking
system are replaced, be sure to get
new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example,
installing disc brake pads that are
wrong for the vehicle, can change
the balance between the front
and rear brakes—for the worse.
The braking performance expected
can change in many other ways if
the wrong replacement brake parts
are installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why
the brake fluid level in the reservoir
might go down:
.The brake fluid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the fluid level goes
back up.
.A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system can also cause
a low fluid level. Have the brake
hydraulic system fixed, since a
leak means that sooner or later
the brakes will not work well. Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings
are worn, there will be too much
fluid when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
{WARNING
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough.
You or others could be burned,
and the vehicle could be
damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system. See
“Checking
Brake Fluid” in this section.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light on page 5‑21.

Black plate (29,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-29
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine when to check the
brake fluid. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2.
Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6.
The fluid level should be above
MIN. If it is not, have the brake
hydraulic system checked to see if
there is a leak. After work is done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the
level is above the MIN but not over
the MAX mark.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake
fluid from a sealed container.
See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑7.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it.
This helps keep dirt from entering
the reservoir.
{WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in
the brake hydraulic system,
the brakes might not work well.
This could cause a crash. Always
use the proper brake fluid. Notice:
.Using the wrong fluid
can badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts.
For example, just a few
drops of mineral-based oil,
such as engine oil, in the
brake hydraulic system can
damage brake hydraulic
system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in
the wrong kind of fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces,
the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not
to spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately.

Black plate (30,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-30 Vehicle Care
Battery
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see
the hybrid supplement for more
information.
Refer to the replacement number
on the original battery label
when a new battery is needed.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for battery location.
{DANGER
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
Vehicle Storage
{WARNING
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. See Jump Starting on
page 10‑89 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery to keep the battery from
running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger.
All-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case
If the vehicle is equipped with
All-Wheel Drive, be sure to perform
the lubricant checks described in
this section.
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to Scheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑2 to determine how often to
check the lubricant.

Black plate (31,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-31
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level
surface.
A. Drain Plug
B. Fill Plug
If the level is below the bottom of
the fill plug hole, located on the
transfer case, some lubricant will
need to be added. Add enough
lubricant to raise the level to the
bottom of the fill plug hole. Use care
not to overtighten the plug.What to Use
Refer to
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑7 to
determine what kind of lubricant
to use.
Front Axle
When to Check and Change
Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly
check front axle fluid unless there
is a leak suspected or an unusual
noise is heard. A fluid loss could
indicate a problem. Have it
inspected and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level
surface.
A. Fill Plug
B. Drain Plug
.When the differential is cold,
add enough lubricant to raise the
level from 0 mm (0 in) to 3.2 mm
(1/8 in) below the fill plug hole.
.When the differential is at
operating temperature (warm),
add enough lubricant to raise
the level to the bottom of the fill
plug hole.

Black plate (32,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-32 Vehicle Care
What to Use
Refer toRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑7 to
determine what kind of lubricant
to use.
Rear Axle
When to Check Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly
check rear axle fluid unless there
is a leak suspected or an unusual
noise is heard. A fluid loss could
indicate a problem. Have it
inspected and repaired.
All axle assemblies are filled by
volume of fluid during production.
They are not filled to reach a certain level. When checking the fluid
level on any axle, variations in the
readings can be caused by factory
fill differences between the minimum
and the maximum fluid volume.
Also, if a vehicle has just been
driven before checking the fluid
level, it may appear lower than
normal because fluid has traveled
out along the axle tubes and has
not drained back to the sump
area. Therefore, a reading taken
five minutes after the vehicle has
been driven will appear to have a
lower fluid level than a vehicle that
has been stationary for an hour or
two. Remember that the rear axle
assembly must be supported to get
a true reading.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level
surface.
.For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles,
the proper level is from 15 mm
to 40 mm (0.6 in to 1.6 in) below
the bottom of the filler plug hole,
located on the rear axle. Add
only enough fluid to reach the
proper level.

Black plate (33,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-33
.For All-Wheel-Drive vehicles, the
proper level is from 1.0 mm to
19.0 mm (0.04 in to 0.75 in)
below the bottom of the filler
plug hole, located on the rear
axle. Add only enough fluid to
reach the proper level.
What to Use
Refer toRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑7 to
determine what kind of lubricant
to use.
Starter Switch Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. 2. Firmly apply both the parking
brake and the regular brake.
See Parking Brake on
page 9‑46.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service.

Black plate (34,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-34 Vehicle Care
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should
be parked on a level surface. 2. Firmly apply the parking
brake. See Parking Brake on
page 9‑46.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever
position.
.The ignition should turn to
LOCK/OFF only when the shift
lever is in P (Park).
.The ignition key should come
out only in LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.

Black plate (35,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-35
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
.To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
.To check the P (Park)
mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift
to P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should
be inspected for wear or cracking.
See Scheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑2.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed
in different ways.
Front Wiper Blade
Replacement
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm connector away from the
windshield.
2. Squeeze the grooved areas on
each side of the blade, and turn
the blade assembly away from
the arm connector.

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-36 Vehicle Care
3. Install the new blade onto thearm connector and make sure
the grooved areas are fully set in
the locked position.
For the proper type and size, see
Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 11‑9.
Rear Wiper Blade Replacement
1. Lift the wiper blade assembly up and out of the park rest position.
2. Pull the wiper blade assemblyaway from the backglass.
The backglass wiper blade will
not lock in a vertical position,
so care should be used when
pulling it away from the vehicle.
3. Turn the wiper blade assembly, and pull it off of the wiper arm.
Hold the wiper arm in position
and push the blade away from
the wiper arm.
4. Replace the wiper blade.
5. Return the wiper blade assemblyto the park rest position.
Glass Replacement
If the windshield or front side
glass must be replaced, see your
dealer to determine the correct
replacement glass.