CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT 2009 3.G Owners Manual

Front Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check front axle uid
unless you suspect there is a leak or you hear an
unusual noise. A uid loss could indicate a problem.
Have it inspected and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
A:Fill Plug
B:Drain Plug
When the differential is cold, add enough lubricant
to raise the level from 0 (0 mm) to 1/8 inch
(3.2 mm) below the ller plug hole.
When the differential is at operating temperature
(warm), add enough lubricant to raise the level
to the bottom of the ller plug hole.
6-47

What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 7-13.
Headlamp Aiming
The vehicle has a visual optical headlamp aiming
system. The aim of the headlamps have been preset at
the factory and should need no further adjustment.
However, if the vehicle is damaged in a crash, the aim
of the headlamps may be affected and adjustment
may be necessary.
If oncoming vehicles ash their high beams at you, this
may mean the vertical aim of your headlamps needs
to be adjusted.
It is recommended that the vehicle is taken to your
dealer/retailer for service if the headlamps need to be
adjusted. It is possible however, to re-aim the
headlamps as described.The vehicle should:
Be placed so the headlamps are 25 ft. (7.6 m) from
a light colored wall or other at surface.
Have all four tires on a level surface which is level
all the way to the wall or other at surface.
Be placed so it is perpendicular to the wall or other
at surface.
Not have any snow, ice, or mud on it.
Be fully assembled and all other work stopped while
headlamp aiming is being performed.
Be normally loaded with a full tank of fuel and one
person or 160 lbs (75 kg) sitting on the driver seat.
Have the tires properly inated.
Have the spare tire is in its proper location in the
vehicle.
6-48

Headlamp aiming is done with the vehicle’s low-beam
headlamps. The high-beam headlamps will be correctly
aimed if the low-beam headlamps are aimed properly.
To adjust the vertical aim:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 6-13
for more information.
2. Locate the center of
the projector lens of
the low-beam
headlamp.
3. Record the distance from the ground to the center
of the projector lens of the low-beam headlamp.4. At a wall, measure from the ground upward (A) to
the recorded distance from Step 3 and mark it.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line (B) on the wall the
width of the vehicle at the height of the mark in
Step 4.
Notice:Do not cover a headlamp to improve beam
cut-off when aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up which may cause
damage to the headlamp.
6. Turn on the low-beam headlamps and place a
piece of cardboard or equivalent in front of the
headlamp not being adjusted. This allows only the
beam of light from the headlamp being adjusted
to be seen on the at surface.
6-49

7. Locate the vertical headlamp aiming screws, which
are under the hood near each headlamp assembly.
The adjustment screw can be turned with a
E8 Torx
®socket.
8. Turn the vertical aiming screw until the headlamp
beam is aimed to the horizontal tape line. Turn it
clockwise or counterclockwise to raise or lower the
angle of the beam.9. Make sure that the light from the headlamp is
positioned at the bottom edge of the horizontal tape
line. The lamp on the left (A) shows the correct
headlamp aim. The lamp on the right (B) shows the
incorrect headlamp aim.
10. Repeat Steps 7 through 9 for the opposite
headlamp.
6-50

Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulbs, see
Replacement Bulbs on page 6-53.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer/retailer.
High Intensity Discharge (HID)
Lighting
{CAUTION:
The low beam high intensity discharge lighting
system operates at a very high voltage. If you try
to service any of the system components, you
could be seriously injured. Have your dealer/
retailer or a qualied technician service them.
The vehicle may have HID headlamps. After an HID
headlamp bulb has been replaced, you may notice that
the beam is a slightly different shade than it was
originally. This is normal.
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps
To replace one of these bulbs:
A. Stoplamp/Turn
Signal/Taillamp
B. Stoplamp/Turn
Signal/Taillamp
C. Back-up Lamp
D. Sidemarker Lamp
1. Open the tailgate. SeeTailgate on page 2-21for
more information.
6-51

2. Remove the two
screws from the
taillamp assembly.
3. Pull the taillamp assembly straight back to remove.
4. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove
it from the taillamp assembly.
5. Pull the bulb straight out from the socket.
6. Press a new bulb into the socket, insert it into the
taillamp assembly and turn the bulb socket
clockwise until it clicks.
7. Reinstall the taillamp assembly and tighten the
screws.License Plate Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Reach under the rear bumper for the bulb socket.
2. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull the
bulb socket out of the connector.
3. Pull the old bulb from the bulb socket, keeping the
bulb straight as you pull it out.
4. Install the new bulb.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the bulb
socket.
6-52

Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb Number
Back-up Lamp 7441
License Plate Lamp 168
Sidemarker Lamp 194
Stoplamp/Taillamp/Turn
Signal Lamp3057
For replacement bulbs not listed here, contact your
dealer/retailer.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected for wear
or cracking. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 7-4.
Replacement blades come in different types and
are removed in different ways. To replace the wiper
blade assembly, do the following:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm connector away from
the windshield.2. Squeeze the grooved areas on each side of the
blade, and rotate the blade assembly away from
the arm connector.
6-53

3. Install the new blade onto the arm connector and
make sure the grooved areas are fully set in the
locked position.
For the proper type and size, seeMaintenance
Replacement Parts on page 7-15.
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires
made by a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever
have questions about your tire warranty and where
to obtain service, see your vehicle Warranty
booklet for details. For additional information refer
to the tire manufacturer.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used
tires are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
exing. You could have an air-out and a
serious accident. SeeLoading the
Vehicle on page 5-31.
Underinated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting
accident could cause serious injury.
CAUTION: (Continued)
6-54

CAUTION: (Continued)
Check all tires frequently to maintain the
recommended pressure. Tire pressure
should be checked when your tires are
cold. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on
page 6-60.
Overinated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured, or broken by a sudden
impact — such as when you hit a
pothole. Keep tires at the recommended
pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If
your tread is badly worn, or if your tires
have been damaged, replace them.
SeeHigh-Speed Operation on page 6-61for
ination pressure adjustment for high speed
driving.
22-Inch Tires
If your vehicle has the optional 22-inch
P285/45R22 size tires, they are classied as
touring tires and are designed for on-road use. The
low-prole, wide tread design is not recommended
for off-road driving. SeeOff-Road Driving on
page 5-12, for additional information.
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is molded into the
sidewall. The following illustration is an example
of a typical P-Metric tire sidewall.
(A) Tire Size
:The tire size code is a combination
of letters and numbers used to dene a particular
tire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction
type, and service description. See the “Tire Size”
illustration later in this section for more detail.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
6-55

(B) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Specication):Original equipment tires designed
to GM’s specic tire performance criteria have
a TPC specication code molded onto the sidewall.
GM’s TPC specications meet or exceed all
federal safety guidelines.
(C) DOT (Department of Transportation)
:The
Department of Transportation (DOT) code
indicates that the tire is in compliance with the
U.S. Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards.
(D) Tire Identication Number (TIN)
:The letters
and numbers following DOT code are the Tire
Identication Number (TIN). The TIN shows
the manufacturer and plant code, tire size, and
date the tire was manufactured. The TIN is molded
onto both sides of the tire, although only one
side may have the date of manufacture.
(E) Tire Ply Material
:The type of cord and
number of plies in the sidewall and under the
tread.
(F) Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
:Tire
manufacturers are required to grade tires
based on three performance factors: treadwear,
traction, and temperature resistance. For more
information, seeUniform Tire Quality Grading on
page 6-72.(G) Maximum Cold Ination Load Limit
:Maximum load that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed to support that load.
For information on recommended tire pressure see
Ination - Tire Pressure on page 6-60and
Loading the Vehicle on page 5-31.
Tire Size
The following examples show the different parts of
a tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter
P as the rst character in the tire size means
a passenger vehicle tire engineered to standards
set by the U.S. Tire and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width
:The three-digit number indicates
the tire section width in millimeters from sidewall
to sidewall.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
6-56