check engine light CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT 2007 3.G Owners Manual

PASS-Key®III+ Operation
Your vehicle has PASS-Key®III+ (Personalized
Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent
system. PASS-Key
®III+ is a passive
theft-deterrent system. This means you do not
have to do anything special to arm or disarm the
system. It works when you transition the key
to RUN, ACCESSORY or START from the OFF
position.
When the PASS-Key
®III+ system senses that
someone is using the wrong key, it prevents the
vehicle from starting. Anyone using a
trial-and-error method to start the vehicle will be
discouraged because of the high number of
electrical key codes.
If the engine does not start and the security light
on the instrument panel comes on when trying
to start the vehicle, the key may have a damaged
transponder. Turn the ignition off and try again.If the engine still does not start, and the key
appears to be undamaged, try another ignition
key. At this time, you may also want to check the
fuse, seeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 509. If the engine still does not start with the
other key, your vehicle needs service. If your
vehicle does start, the rst key may be faulty. See
your dealer who can service the PASS-Key
®III+
to have a new key made. In an emergency,
contact Roadside Assistance.
It is possible for the PASS-Key
®III+ decoder to
learn the transponder value of a new or
replacement key. Up to nine additional keys may
be programmed for the vehicle. The following
procedure is for programming additional keys only.
If all the currently programmed keys are lost or
do not operate, you must see your dealer or
a locksmith who can service PASS-Key
®III+ to
have keys made and programmed to the system.
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Keep the air path under the front seats clear
of objects. This helps air to circulate
throughout your vehicle.
Adding outside equipment to the front of your
vehicle, such as hood-air deectors, etc.,
may affect the performance of the heating and
air conditioning system. Check with your
dealer before adding equipment to the outside
of your vehicle.
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages
on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that
something is wrong before it becomes serious
enough to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to your warning
lights and gages could also save you or others
from injury.Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As
you will see in the details on the next few
pages, some warning lights come on briey when
you start the engine just to let you know they
are working. If you are familiar with this section,
you should not be alarmed when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is
a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Often gages and warning lights work together
to let you know when there is a problem with
your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and
stays on when you are driving, or when one of
the gages shows there may be a problem, check
the section that tells you what to do about it.
Please follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to do
repairs can be costly – and even dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights and
gages. They are a big help.
Your vehicle also has a Driver Information Center
(DIC) that works along with the warning lights
and gages. SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 243.
225

Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on briey
when you turn the
ignition to the START
position, as a check to
show you it is working.
The light should go out once the engine is running.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the charging system. It
could indicate that you have problems with the
generator, the generator drive belt, or another
electrical problem. Have it checked right away.
Driving while this light is on could drain your battery.When this light comes on, the Driver Information
Center (DIC) will also display the SERVICE
BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM message. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 248
for more information.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such
as the radio and air conditioner, to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Brake System Warning Light
With the ignition on, the brake system warning
light will come on when you set the parking brake.
If you try to drive with the parking brake engaged,
a chime will sound when the vehicle speed is
greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the
other part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
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Tire Pressure Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
the ignition to RUN.
This light will also come on when one or more of
your tires are signicantly underinated.
A CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message in the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will accompany
the light, seeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 248.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do
so. If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 454for more information.This light will ash for approximately 60 seconds
and then turn on solid if a problem is detected with
the Tire Pressure Monitor system.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 462
for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which
monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition,
and emission control
systems.
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This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable
levels for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce
a cleaner environment. The check engine light
comes on to indicate that there is a problem and
service is required. Malfunctions often will be
indicated by the system before any problem is
apparent. This may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle. This system is also designed to
assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, your emission
controls may not work as well, your fuel
economy may not be as good, and your engine
may not run as smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that may not be covered by
your warranty.Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of your vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those of the same
Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect
your vehicle’s emission controls and may
cause this light to come on. Modications to
these systems could lead to costly repairs
not covered by your warranty. This may also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 397.
This light should come on, as a check to show
you it is working, when the ignition is on and the
engine is not running. If the light does not
come on, have it repaired. This light will also
come on during a malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has
been detected. A misre increases vehicle
emissions and may damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis
and service may be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
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Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 399. Poor fuel
quality will cause your engine not to run as
efficiently as designed. You may notice this as
stalling after start-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration.
(These conditions may go away once the engine
is warmed up.) This will be detected by the
system and cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the
light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light
turn off, your dealer can check the vehicle.
Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or may begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if
the OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed by the system.
The vehicle would be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if you have recently
replaced your battery or if your battery has
run down. The diagnostic system is designed
to evaluate critical emission control systems during
normal driving. This may take several days of
routine driving. If you have done this and
your vehicle still does not pass the inspection for
lack of OBD system readiness, your GM dealer
can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
239

Oil Pressure Light
This light will come on
briey when you start
your engine.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is
low. If you do, your engine can become so
hot that it catches re. You or others
could be burned. Check your oil as soon
as possible and have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.That is a check to be sure the light works. If it
does not come on, be sure to have it xed so it will
be there to warn you if something goes wrong.
When the light comes on and stays on, it means
that oil is not owing through your engine
properly. You could be low on oil and you might
have some other system problem.
Security Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
the key toward START.
The light will stay on
until the engine starts.
SeePASS-Key
®III+ Operation on page 121for
more information.
240

CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message will display when the engine oil
needs to be changed. When you change the
engine oil, be sure to reset the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message. SeeEngine Oil Life
System on page 410for information on how to
reset the message. This message will clear itself
after 10 seconds until the next ignition cycle
or until the message is reset. SeeEngine Oil on
page 407andScheduled Maintenance on
page 523for more information.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system, this message will display when the
pressure in one or more of the vehicle’s tires need
to be checked. This message will also display
LEFT FRONT, RIGHT FRONT, LEFT REAR, or
RIGHT REAR to indicate which tire needs to
be checked. You can receive more than one tire
pressure message at a time. To read the other
messages that may have been sent at the same
time, press the set/reset button. If a tire pressuremessage appears on the DIC, stop as soon as
you can. Have the tire pressures checked and set
to those shown on your Tire Loading Information
Label. SeeTires on page 454,Loading Your
Vehicle on page 372, andInation - Tire Pressure
on page 460. The DIC display also shows the
tire pressure values for the front and rear tires by
pressing the vehicle information button. See
DIC Operation and Displays on page 243.Ifthe
tire pressure is low, the low tire pressure warning
light will come on. SeeTire Pressure Light on
page 236.
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
If the driver’s door is not fully closed and the
vehicle is in a drive gear, this message will display
and a chime will sound. Stop and turn off the
vehicle, check the door for obstructions, and close
the door again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
249

The message could be displayed if the
stability system takes longer than usual
to complete
its diagnostic checks due to driving conditions.
If an engine or vehicle related problem
has been detected and the vehicle needs
service, the message will appear. See your
dealer.
The message will also appear if the vehicle is
shifted into 4LO.
The message will turn off as soon as the
conditions that caused the message to be
displayed are no longer present.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
If the vehicle’s fuel cap is not tightened properly,
this message may display along with the check
engine light on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 236.
Reinstall the fuel cap fully. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 402. The diagnostic system can determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly installed should turn this
light and message off.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system, this message will display when the
system is re-learning the tire positions on your
vehicle. SeeDIC Operation and Displays on
page 243for more information. The tire positions
must be re-learned after rotating the tires or
after replacing a tire or sensor. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 467,Tire Pressure Monitor
System on page 462, andInation - Tire
Pressure on page 460for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message
will display when the traction control system
is turned off. Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 330for
more information.
256

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by
heavy braking — rather than keeping pace with
traffic. This is a mistake. The brakes may not have
time to cool between hard stops. The 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 vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the 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.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 397.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that
will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You may hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on. This is normal.
If there is a problem
with ABS, this warning
light will stay on.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning
Light on page 234.
Along with ABS, your vehicle has a Dynamic Rear
Proportioning (DRP) system. If there is 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.
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