fluid CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2008 Owners Manual

A. Air Outlets. See Outlet Adjustment on page 3-31 .
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. See Turn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7 .
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. See Instrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-34 .
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. See Hazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6 .
E. Shift Lever and Range Selection Mode. See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-30 .
F. Tow/Haul Selector Button. See Tow/Haul Mode
on page 2-34 .
G. Driver Information Center Controls. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-48 .
H. Analog Clock. See Analog Clock on page 3-25 .
I. Audio System. See Audio System(s) on page 3-70 .
J. StabiliTrak ®
Button. See StabiliTrak ®
System on
page 4-6 . Rear Park Aid Disable Button. See
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on
page 2-48 .
K. Tilt Wheel Lever. See Tilt Wheel on page 3-6 . L. Exterior Lamps Control. See Exterior Lamps on
page 3-16 .
M. Dome Lamp Override Button. See Dome Lamp
Override on page 3-22 . Instrument Panel Brightness
Control. See Instrument Panel Brightness on
page 3-21 . Fog Lamp Button. See Fog Lamps on
page 3-21 .
N. Cruise Control Buttons. See Cruise Control on
page 3-13 .
O. Horn. See Horn on page 3-6 .
P. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. See Audio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-106 .
Q. Dual Automatic Climate Controls. See Dual
Automatic Climate Control System on page 3-26 .
R. Pedal Adjust Button. See Adjustable Throttle
and Brake Pedal on page 2-28 . Heated Windshield
Washer Fluid Button. See Windshield Washer
on page 3-11 . Power Running Boards Disable Button
(If Equipped). See Power Running Boards on
page 2-17 .
S. Glove Box. See Glove Box on page 2-60 .
3-5

Windshield Washer
{ CAUTION: In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
L (Washer Fluid): There is a paddle marked with the
windshield washer symbol at the top of the multifunction
lever. To spray washer uid on the windshield, push
the paddle. The wipers will clear the window and then
either stop or return to your preset speed. Heated Windshield Washer The heated windshield washer uid system may be
used to help clear ice, snow, tree sap, or bugs from your
windshield.
The button is located in
the switchbank under the
climate controls.
Push the heated washer uid button while the ignition is
turned on to activate the heated windshield washer
uid system. The indicator light will ash. This activation
will initiate four heated wash/wipe cycles. The rst
heated wash/wipe cycle may take up to 40 seconds to
occur, depending on outside temperature. After the
rst wash/wipe cycle, it may take up to 20 seconds for
each of the remaining cycles to begin. Press the
button again to turn off the heated windshield washer
uid system or it will automatically turn off after four
wash/wipe cycles have been completed.
When the heated windshield washer uid system is
activated under certain outside temperature conditions,
steam may ow out of the washer nozzles for a short
period of time before washer uid is sprayed. This is a
normal condition.
3-11

WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID This message displays when the windshield washer
uid is low. Fill the windshield washer uid reservoir as
soon as possible. See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12 for the location of the windshield
washer uid reservoir. Also, see Windshield Washer
Fluid on page 5-35 for more information.
DIC Vehicle Customization Your vehicle may have customization capabilities that
allow you to program certain features to one preferred
setting. Customization features can only be programmed
to one setting on the vehicle and cannot be programmed
to a preferred setting for two different drivers.
All of the customization options may not be available on
your vehicle. Only the options available will be
displayed on the DIC.
The default settings for the customization features were
set when your vehicle left the factory, but may have
been changed from their default state since then.
The customization preferences are automatically
recalled.
To change customization preferences, use the following
procedure. Entering the Feature Settings Menu 1. Turn the ignition on and place the vehicle in
PARK (P).
To avoid excessive drain on the battery, it is
recommended that the headlamps are turned off.
2. Press the customization button to scroll through the
available customizable options.
Feature Settings Menu Items The following are customization features that allow you
to program settings to the vehicle:
DISPLAY IN ENGLISH This feature will only display if a language other than
English has been set. This feature allows you to change
the language in which the DIC messages appear to
English.
Press the customization button until the PRESS
V TO
DISPLAY IN ENGLISH screen appears on the DIC
display. Press the set/reset button once to display all
DIC messages in English.
3-61

Before Leaving on a Long Trip To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having
it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: All levels checked?
Lamps: Do they all work and are lenses clean?
Tires: Are treads good? Are tires inated to
recommended pressure?
Weather and Maps: Safe to travel? Have
up-to-date maps? Highway Hypnosis Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, nd a
safe place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and vehicle
instruments often.
4-28

Service ........................................................... .5-3
Accessories and Modications ......................... .5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning .................... .5-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements .... .5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work ........................ .5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle ..................................................... .5-4
Fuel ............................................................... .5-5
Gasoline Octane ........................................... .5-5
Gasoline Specications ................................... .5-5
California Fuel .............................................. .5-5
Additives ...................................................... .5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries .............................. .5-6
Filling the Tank ............................................. .5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container .................... .5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood ................... .5-10
Hood Release ............................................. .5-11
Engine Compartment Overview ...................... .5-12
Engine Oil .................................................. .5-14
Engine Oil Life System ................................. .5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter ............................... .5-17
Automatic Transmission Fluid ........................ .5-20
Engine Coolant ............................................ .5-24
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap ................. .5-26
Engine Overheating ...................................... .5-26 Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode ....................................... .5-28
Cooling System ........................................... .5-29
Engine Fan Noise ........................................ .5-33
Power Steering Fluid .................................... .5-34
Windshield Washer Fluid ............................... .5-35
Brakes ....................................................... .5-36
Battery ....................................................... .5-39
Jump Starting .............................................. .5-40
All-Wheel Drive ............................................. .5-45
Rear Axle ...................................................... .5-46
Front
Axle ..................................................... .5-47
Headlamp Aiming .......................................... .5-48
Bulb Replacement ......................................... .5-51
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting ........... .5-51
Back-Up Lamps ........................................... .5-51
License Plate Lamp ..................................... .5-53
Replacement Bulbs ...................................... .5-53
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ............. .5-54
Tires ............................................................. .5-56
Tire Sidewall Labeling .................................. .5-57
Tire Terminology and Denitions .................... .5-59
Ination - Tire Pressure ................................ .5-62
High-Speed Operation .................................. .5-63
Tire Pressure Monitor System ........................ .5-64Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17 .
B. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17 .
C. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System on page 5-29 and Coolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap on page 5-26 .
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting
on page 5-40 .
E. Battery. See Battery on page 5-39 .
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
under Engine Oil on page 5-14 .
G. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” under Automatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-20 . H. Remote Negative ( − ) Terminal (GND) (Out of View).
See Jump Starting on page 5-40 .
I. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” under Engine Oil on page 5-14 .
J. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling
System on page 5-29 .
K. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View).
See Power Steering Fluid on page 5-34 .
L. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
under Brakes on page 5-36 .
M. Underhood Fuse Block. See Underhood Fuse Block
on page 5-111 .
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” under Windshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-35 .
5-13

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).
5-20

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

Power Steering Fluid See Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid It is not necessary to regularly check power steering uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired. How to Check Power Steering Fluid To check the power steering uid, do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment
cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a
clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the uid level
on the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark.
If necessary, add only enough uid to bring the
level up to the mark.
What to Use To determine what kind of uid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13 .
Always use the proper uid.
Notice: Use of the incorrect uid may damage your
vehicle and the damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the correct uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13 .
5-34

Windshield Washer Fluid What to Use When windshield washer uid needs to be added, be
sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions before use.
Use a uid that has sufficient protection against
freezing in an area where the temperature may fall
below freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid Your vehicle has a low washer uid message in the
DIC that comes on when the washer uid is low.
The message is displayed for 15 seconds at the start of
each ignition cycle. When the WASHER FLUID LOW
ADD FLUID message displays, you will need to
add washer uid to the windshield washer uid reservoir.
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer uid until the
tank is full. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12 for reservoir
location. Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid, follow
the manufacturer’s instructions for adding
water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer uid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water does not
clean as well as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only three-quarters full
when it is very cold. This allows for uid
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage the vehicle’s
windshield washer system and paint.
5-35