engine CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2008 Manual Online

Always reset the engine oil life to 100% after every oil
change. It will not reset itself. To reset the Engine
Oil Life System:
1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC.
2. Press and hold the SET/RESET button on the DIC
for more than ve seconds. The oil life will change
to 100%.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes
back on when you start your vehicle, the Engine Oil
Life System has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil Used engine oil contains certain elements that can be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of used oil, ask your
dealer/retailer, a service station, or a local recycling
center for help. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter See Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12 for
the location of the engine
air cleaner/lter and
the air lter restriction
indicator, if the vehicle
has one.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter If your vehicle has an air lter restriction indicator, it lets
you know when the engine air cleaner/lter needs to
be replaced. On vehicles with a restriction indicator,
you should inspect the air lter restriction indicator
at every oil change and replace the engine air
cleaner/lter when the indicator tells you to.
On vehicles without an air lter restriction indicator,
inspect the air cleaner/lter at the Maintenance II
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change after
each 50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. See Scheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4 for more information.
If you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the
lter at each engine oil change.
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How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter Vehicles With an Air Filter Restriction
Indicator Locate the air lter restriction indicator on the engine air
cleaner/lter cover. When the indicator turns black or
is in the red/orange “change” zone, replace the lter and
reset the indicator. See the steps following to replace
the engine air cleaner/lter and to reset the air lter
restriction indicator.
Vehicles Without an Air Filter Restriction
Indicator To inspect the air cleaner/lter, remove the engine air
cleaner/lter from the vehicle by following Steps 1
through 6. When you have the engine air cleaner/lter
removed, lightly shake it to release loose dust and dirt.
If the engine air cleaner/lter remains caked with dirt,
a new lter is required. Replacing the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
and Resetting the Air Filter Restriction
Indicator 1. Locate the air
cleaner/lter assembly.
See Engine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12 .
2. Loosen the four screws on the cover of the housing
and lift up the cover.
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3. Remove the engine air cleaner/lter from the
housing. Care should be taken to dislodge as
little dirt as possible.
4. Clean the engine air cleaner/lter sealing surfaces
and the housing.
5. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter. 6. Reinstall the cover and tighten the screws.
7. Reset the air lter restriction indicator, if the vehicle
has one, by pressing the top button on the indicator.
{ CAUTION: Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps
to stop ames if the engine backres. If it is
not there and the engine backres, you could
be burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.
5-19

Automatic Transmission Fluid When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid It is usually not necessary to check the transmission
uid level. The only reason for uid loss is a
transmission leak or overheating the transmission. If you
suspect a small leak, then use the following checking
procedures to check the uid level. However, if there
is a large leak, then it may be necessary to have
the vehicle towed to a dealer/retailer service department
and have it repaired before driving the vehicle further.
Notice: Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13 .
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
the Maintenance Schedule. See Scheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4 . Be sure to use the transmission uid
listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-13 . How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid Notice: Too much or too little uid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the uid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a re.
Too little uid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission uid.
Before checking the uid level, prepare your vehicle
as follows:
1. Start the engine and park your vehicle on a level
surface. Keep the engine running.
2. Apply the parking brake and place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, move the
shift lever back to PARK (P).
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4. Allow the engine to idle (500 – 800 rpm) for at least
one minute. Slowly release the brake pedal.
5. Keep the engine running and press the Trip/Fuel
button or trip odometer reset stem until TRANS
TEMP (Transmission Temperature) displays on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
6. Using the TRANS TEMP reading, determine and
perform the appropriate check procedure. If the
TRANS TEMP reading is not within the required
temperature ranges, allow the vehicle to cool,
or operate the vehicle until the appropriate
transmission uid temperature is reached.
Cold Check Procedure Use this procedure only as a reference to determine
if the transmission has enough uid to be operated
safely until a hot check procedure can be made. The hot check procedure is the most accurate method
to check the uid level. Perform the hot check procedure
at the rst opportunity. Use this cold check procedure
to check uid level when the transmission temperature
is between 80°F and 90°F (27°C and 32°C).
1. Locate the transmission dipstick at the rear of the
engine compartment, on the passenger side of
the vehicle.
The dipstick handle has
this graphic. See Engine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12 for more
information.
2. Flip the handle up, and then pull out the dipstick
and 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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4. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. Repeat the check procedure to verify the
reading.
5. If the uid level is below the COLD check band,
add only enough uid as necessary to bring the
level into the COLD band. It does not take
much uid, generally less than one pint (0.5L).
Do not overll.
6. Perform a hot check at the rst opportunity after
the transmission reaches a normal operating
temperature between 160°F to 200°F (71°C to 93°C).
7. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way, then ip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place. Hot Check Procedure Use this procedure to check the transmission uid level
when the transmission uid temperature is between
160°F and 200°F (71°C and 93°C).
The hot check is the most accurate method to check
the uid level. The hot check should be performed at
the rst opportunity in order to verify the cold check.
The uid level rises as uid temperature increases, so
it is important to ensure the transmission temperature is
within range.
1. Locate the transmission dipstick at the rear of the
engine compartment, on the passenger side of the
vehicle.
The dipstick handle has
this graphic. See Engine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12 for more
information.
2. Flip the handle up, and then pull out the dipstick
and 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.
5-22

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, see Engine Overheating
on page 5-26 .
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. 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.
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If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer/retailer 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 6-13 for more information.
Checking Coolant The coolant surge tank is
located in the engine
compartment on the
passenger’s side of the
vehicle. See Engine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12 for 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.
5-25

Adding Coolant If more coolant is needed, 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.
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. See Engine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12 for more
information on location. Engine Overheating You will nd a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-42 .
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. See DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-53 .
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. 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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
5-26

CAUTION: (Continued) 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
your engine if it overheats, and get out of the
vehicle until the engine is cool.
See Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode on page 5-28 for information on driving
to a safe place in an emergency.
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 5-28 for
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. See Towing a Trailer on page 4-44 .
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.
5-27