engine coolant CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2007 2.G User Guide

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on your instrument panel will
ash whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
ash, telling other drivers you’re about to
turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs
on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your signal when
they are not. It’s important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbefore
you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you
don’t shift down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift
the transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary,
a lower gear selection if the transmission shifts
too often (e.g., under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions).
You may also want to activate the tow/haul
mode if the transmission shifts too often.
See “Tow/Haul Mode” earlier.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, consider the following: Engine coolant at
or near sea level will boil at a lower temperature
than at higher altitudes. If you turn your engine
off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show
signs similar to engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked (preferably on
level ground) with the automatic transmission
in PARK (P) for at least ve minutes before
turning the engine off. If you do get the overheat
warning, seeEngine Overheating on page 422.
389

Service........................................................ 396
Accessories and Modications................... 396
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 397
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 397
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle................................................... 398
Fuel............................................................. 398
Gasoline Octane........................................ 398
Gasoline Specications.............................. 398
California Fuel........................................... 399
Additives................................................... 399
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 400
Filling the Tank......................................... 401
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 403
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 404
Hood Release........................................... 405
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 406
Engine Oil................................................. 407
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 410
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 412
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 415
Engine Coolant.......................................... 419Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 422
Engine Overheating................................... 422
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 424
Cooling System......................................... 425
Engine Fan Noise..................................... 430
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 430
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 431
Brakes...................................................... 433
Battery...................................................... 436
Jump Starting............................................ 437
All-Wheel Drive........................................... 443
Rear Axle.................................................... 444
Front Axle................................................... 445
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 446
Bulb Replacement....................................... 449
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting..... 449
Back-Up Lamps......................................... 449
License Plate Lamp................................... 451
Replacement Bulbs................................... 451
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
393

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.
404

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 412.
B. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 412.
C. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCooling System on page 425andCoolant
Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 422.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 437.
E. Battery. SeeBattery on page 436.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 407.
G. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 415.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND) (Out of
View). SeeJump Starting on page 437.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 407.
J. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). SeeCooling
System on page 425.
K. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 430.L. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 433.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 511.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 431.
Engine Oil
If the ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL message
appears on the Driver Information Center (DIC), it
means you need to check your engine oil level
right away. For more information, see ENGINE OIL
LOW ADD OIL underDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 250.
You should check your engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your 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.
407

Consistency of Readings
Always check the uid level at least twice using
the procedures described. Consistency (repeatable
readings) is important to maintaining proper uid
level. If uid is added, it may take 15 minutes
or longer to obtain an accurate reading because of
residual uid draining down the dipstick tube.
If inconsistent readings persist, check the
transmission breather to be sure it is clean and
not clogged. If readings are still inconsistent,
contact your dealer.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs
rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended
life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 422.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to
−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing sooner, at
the rst maintenance service after each
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
419

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:If you use an improper coolant
mixture, your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost would not be
covered by your warranty. Too much water
in the mixture can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a
year, have your dealer check your cooling
system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system, you
could damage your vehicle. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine coolant listed in
this manual for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 531for more information.
420

Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 406for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when
the engine and radiator are hot can allow
steam and scalding liquids to blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn the surge
tank pressure cap — even a little — when
the engine and radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When
your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the FULL COLD mark.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture at the surge tank,
but only when the engine is cool.
{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.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight and fully seated.
421

Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
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 406for more
information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 238.
In addition, the messages ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE, ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE, or ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED could
appear in the Driver Information Center (DIC) on
the instrument panel. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 250.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{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. Just
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 your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re.
You or others could be badly burned.
Stop your engine if it overheats, and get
out of the vehicle until the engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 424for
information on driving to a safe place in
an emergency.
422

Notice:If your engine catches re because
you keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle
can be badly damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. See
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 424for information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
The ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE or
the ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message, along with a low coolant condition, can
indicate a serious problem.
If you get an engine overheat warning, but see or
hear no steam, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too
hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer. SeeTowing a Trailer on
page 379.If you get the ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP
ENGINE or the ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE message with no sign of steam, try this
for a minute or so:
1. If you have an air conditioner and it is on, turn
it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest
fan speed and open the windows as
necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in
NEUTRAL (N) while stopped. If it is safe to do
so, pull off the road, shift to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) and let the engine idle.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you
can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for
about 10 minutes. If the warning does not come
back on, you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park
your vehicle right away.
423

If there is still no sign of steam and your vehicle
has an engine-driven cooling fan, push down
the accelerator until the engine speed is about
twice as fast as normal idle speed for at least
ve minutes while you are parked.
If there is still no sign of steam and your vehicle
has an electric cooling fan, idle the engine for
at least ve minutes while you are parked.
If you still have the warning, turn off the engine
and get everyone out of the vehicle until it
cools down. Also, see “Overheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode” later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get
service help right away.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is
displayed, 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. This
operating mode allows your vehicle to be driven to
a safe place in an emergency. 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, change the oil and reset the oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil on page 407.
424