check engine light CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT 2003 2.G User Guide

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts Ð heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking
Ð rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a
mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between
hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if
you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the
traffic and allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you're driving, brake
normally but don't pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.Anti-lock Brake System
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. ABS is an advanced
electronic braking system that will help prevent a
braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You may
hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on. This is normal.
If there's a problem with
the anti-lock brake system,
this warning light will
stay on. See
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-39
.
Along with ABS, your vehicle has a Dynamic Rear
Proportioning (DRP) system. If there's a DRP problem,
both the brake and ABS warning lights will come on
accompanied by a 10-second chime. The lights and
chime will come on each time the ignition is turned on
until the problem is repaired. See your dealer for service.
4-7

{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You can't see it or
smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the base
of your vehicle, especially any that is blocking
your exhaust pipe. And check around again
from time to time to be sure snow doesn't
collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that's away from the wind. This will help
keep CO out.Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get
and it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost all
the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again and
repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable from
the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the fuel
as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get out
of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
4-45

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Speci®cations....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-14
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-21
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-27
Engine Overheating.......................................5-27
Cooling System............................................5-30
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-36Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-37
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-43
Jump Starting...............................................5-44
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-50
Rear Axle.......................................................5-51
Front Axle......................................................5-52
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-53
Headlamp Horizontal Aiming...........................5-54
Headlamp Vertical Aiming..............................5-55
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-57
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting............5-57
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-57
Headlamps..................................................5-58
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Daytime Running Lamps.............................5-62
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-63
Taillamps.....................................................5-63
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-64
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-65
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

CAUTION: (Continued)
·
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. ªEnglishº and ªmetricº
fasteners can be easily confused. If you
use the wrong fasteners, parts can later
break or fall off. You could be hurt.
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle
can affect the air¯ow around it. This may cause
wind noise and affect windshield washer performance.
Check with your dealer before adding equipment to
the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the
proper maintenance of your vehicle.
Gasoline Octane
Use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane of
91 or higher for best performance. You may also use
middle grade or regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher, but your vehicle's acceleration may
be slightly reduced. If the octane is less than 87, you
may get a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher
as soon as possible. Otherwise, you might damage
your engine.
5-4

{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been blinded. Use a
¯ashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You don't
need to add water to the ACDelco
žbattery
installed in your new vehicle. But if a battery
has ®ller caps, be sure the right amount of ¯uid
is there. If it is low, add water to take care of
that ®rst. If you don't, explosive gas could be
present.
Battery ¯uid contains acid that can burn you.
Don't get it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, ¯ush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.5. Check that the jumper cables don't have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a
shock. The vehicles could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some
basic things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) or to a remote positive terminal (+) if
the vehicle has one. Negative (-) will go to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (-) terminal, if the vehicle has one.
Don't connect positive (+) to negative (-) or you'll
get a short that would damage the battery and
maybe other parts too.
{CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure
you badly. Keep your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5-46

C
Cadillac Owner PrivilegesŸ............................... 7-6
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada ± Customer Assistance.......................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Speci®cations..........................5-110
Carbon Monoxide...........4-42, 4-52, 2-12, 2-22, 2-39
Care of.........................................................5-95
Safety Belts................................................5-95
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-99
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-101
Your CD Changer......................................3-101
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-101
Cargo Area, All-Weather..................................2-65
Cargo Area Floor Drains..................................2-70
Cargo Cover Panels........................................2-55
Cargo Lamps.................................................3-17
Cargo Panel Storage System............................2-57
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-65
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-78
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-11
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-78
CD Changer...................................................3-95
CD Functions.................................................3-97
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-53
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-63Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block................5-104
Chains, Tires..................................................5-74
CHANGE ENGINE OIL....................................3-59
Charging System Light....................................3-36
Check Engine Light.........................................3-42
CHECK OIL LEVEL.........................................3-59
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE...............................3-65
CHECK WASHER FLUID.................................3-61
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-40
Checking Coolant............................................5-26
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-14
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-65
Check...........................................................3-42
Engine Light...............................................3-42
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-98
Child Restraints..............................................1-35
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-35
Infants and Young Children...........................1-31
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-42
Older Children.............................................1-28
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-44
3

E
Easy Exit Seat...............................................2-73
Electrical System...........................................5-101
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-101
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-101
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-101
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-101
Electrochromic Mirror Operation........................2-42
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs.................................3-44
ENGINE COOLANT HOT.................................3-59
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-11
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-17
Engine Oil and Chassis Lubrication Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-5
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-11
ENGINE OVERHEATED..................................3-60
Engine..........................................................5-19
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-19
Battery.......................................................5-43
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-42
Compartment Overview................................5-12
Coolant Heater............................................2-31
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-40
Coolant......................................................5-24
Cooling System Inspection............................6-16
Exhaust.....................................................2-39Engine (cont.)
Fan Noise..................................................5-36
Oil .............................................................5-14
Overheating................................................5-27
Starting......................................................2-29
Entertainment System....................................3-101
Cleaning the Video Screen..........................3-101
DVD Distortion............................................3-99
Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Environmental Concerns..................................4-20
Erasing HomeLink
žButtons..............................2-51
Exit Lighting...................................................3-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-27
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter.............................................................5-19
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-19
Finding a PTY Station (RDS and XMŸ).............3-71
Finding a Station............................................3-69
Finish Care....................................................5-96
Finish Damage...............................................5-98
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-101
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-76
Flat Tire........................................................5-75
6

Headlamp......................................................5-53
Aiming.......................................................5-53
Horizontal Aiming.........................................5-54
Vertical Aiming............................................5-55
Headlamps....................................................5-58
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-57
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Daytime Running Lamps...........................5-62
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-57
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting...........5-57
Headphones...................................................3-88
Heated Seats................................................... 1-3
Heating.........................................................3-28
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-40
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-40
Hitches..........................................................4-57
HomeLink Transmitter, Programming..................2-49
HomeLink
žTransmitter....................................2-48
Hood............................................................5-10
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-7
How the System Works...................................3-21
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank.................................................5-32
How to Add Fluid............................................5-23
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-51
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-37
How to Check........................................5-21, 5-67How to Inspect...............................................5-19
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-13
Hydroplaning..................................................4-36
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-29
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-28
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-43
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-43
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-46
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-53
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-44
Ignition Positions.............................................2-28
Ignition Transmission Lock Check......................6-14
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors.........................2-25
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-31
In¯ation Ð Tire Pressure.................................5-67
Inspection......................................................6-16
Brake System.............................................6-16
Engine Cooling System................................6-16
Exhaust System..........................................6-15
Fuel System...............................................6-16
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-15
Steering and Suspension..............................6-15
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive)......................................6-16
8

Locks (cont.)
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Loss of Control...............................................4-17
LOW COOLANT LEVEL..................................3-59
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-46
Luggage Carrier..............................................2-53
Lumbar........................................................... 1-3
Power Controls............................................. 1-3
M
Maintenance and Cleaning...............................2-66
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts..........5-111
Maintenance Schedule.....................................6-11
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-11
At Least Once a Month................................6-11
At Least Once a Year..................................6-12
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-12
Brake System Inspection..............................6-16
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-16
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-15
Fuel System Inspection................................6-16
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-11
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections......6-15
Part D - Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...............................................6-17
Part E - Maintenance Record........................6-19
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-5
Steering and Suspension Inspection...............6-15
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive) Inspection.......................6-16
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-60
Making Turns.................................................4-58
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-42
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-6
Memory Seat.................................................2-72
Message.......................................................3-58
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-58
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) ± Customer Assistance........................ 7-5
Midgate Drain Grate Removal and Cleaning.......2-69
Midgate Operation...........................................2-13
Midgate.........................................................2-12
10

TIGHTEN FUEL CAP......................................3-61
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-7
Tire In¯ation Check.........................................6-11
Tires.............................................................5-66
Buying New Tires........................................5-70
Chains.......................................................5-74
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-76
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-75
In¯ation Ð Tire Pressure..............................5-67
Inspection and Rotation................................5-68
Spare Tire..................................................5-92
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-71
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-72
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-73
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-69
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-31
Top Drain Grates ± Removal and Cleaning.........2-67
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-41
Top Strap......................................................1-40
Top-Box Storage.............................................2-70
Torque Lock...................................................2-38
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires..................4-56
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-45
Tow/Haul Mode Selector Button........................2-34
Towing..........................................................4-48
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-48
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-52
Your Vehicle...............................................4-48Towing (cont.)
Traction Control Operation................................4-11
TRACTION SYS LIMITED................................3-63
Traction.........................................................3-39
Off Light.....................................................3-39
Road Sensing Suspension.............................. 4-9
Stabilitrak
žSystem......................................4-10
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-57
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-61
Trailer...........................................................4-51
Recommendations.......................................4-51
TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE.............................3-62
Transfer Case................................................5-50
TRANSMISSION HOT.....................................3-62
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-32
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-10
Transmission..................................................5-21
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-21
Temperature Gage.......................................3-40
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Traveling to Remote Areas...............................4-20
Trip Information Button....................................3-48
Truck-Camper Loading Information....................4-51
Turn and Lane Change Signals.......................... 3-8
TURN SIGNAL ON.........................................3-61
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-58
16