check engine light CADILLAC ESCALADE 2003 2.G User Guide

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 3-42
.
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.Let's say the road is wet and you're driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here's what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each front wheel
and at both rear wheels.
4-7

Supplemental Brake Assist System
If your vehicle has vacuum assist power brakes, it is also
equipped with a supplemental brake assist system
that supplies additional vacuum to the vacuum brake
booster if engine vacuum is reduced. Under certain
conditions, the supplemental brake assist system may
run brie¯y after starting your vehicle or when you
apply and release the brake pedal and it may continue
to run even after you have removed your foot from
the brake pedal. When the supplemental brake assist
system is operating, you may hear a motor running
or feel a slight vibration in the steering wheel or brake
pedal. This indicates that the supplemental brake
assist system is working to supply additional vacuum for
your vacuum assist power brakes. This is a normal
operation of your brake system and does not require that
the brake system be serviced.
Each time you start your vehicle and accelerate to 10
mph, the supplemental brake assist system will perform
a self-diagnostic check of the system and you may
hear or feel the supplemental brake assist motor run
brie¯y. While you are driving your vehicle, the
supplemental brake assist system monitors itself to
ensure that it is operating properly. If there is a problem
with the supplemental brake assist system, the
SERVICE BRAKE BOOSTER message will be displayed
on the Driver Information Center. See
DIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-62.If your supplemental brake assist system runs every
time you apply and release the brake pedal or you notice
that the brake pedal has suddenly become much
harder to push and the vehicle takes longer to stop, you
should have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
Road Sensing Suspension
The Road Sensing Suspension (RSS) feature provides
superior vehicle ride and handling under a variety of
passenger and loading conditions.
The system is fully automatic and uses a computer
controller to continuously monitor vehicle speed, wheel
to body position, lift/dive and steering position of the
vehicle. The controller then sends signals to each shock
absorber to independently adjust the damping level to
provide the optimum vehicle ride.
RSS also interacts with the tow/haul mode that, when
engaged, will provide additional control of the shock
absorbers. This additional control results in better ride
and handling characteristics when the vehicle is
loaded or towing a trailer. See ªTow/Haul Modeº under
Towing a Trailer on page 4-54.
4-9

{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.
4-47

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.......................................5-28
Cooling System............................................5-30Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-36
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36
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
The 8th digit of your vehicle identi®cation number (VIN)
shows the code letter or number that identi®es your
engine. You will ®nd the VIN at the top left of the
instrument panel. See
Vehicle Identi®cation
Number (VIN) on page 5-102.
Gasoline Octane
If your vehicle has the 5.3L engine (VIN Code T), use
regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane of 87 or
higher. 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. A little pinging
noise when you accelerate or drive uphill is considered
normal. This does not indicate a problem exists or that a
higher-octane fuel is necessary. If you are using 87
octane or higher-octane fuel and you hear heavy
knocking, your engine needs service.
If your vehicle has the 6.0L HO engine (VIN Code N), 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

The remote negative (-)
terminal is located on the
engine accessory drive
bracket and is
marked GND.
See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more information on location.
{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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Be sure the battery has enough water. You
don't need to add water to the ACDelcož
battery 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.
5-46

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-23
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-38
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Equipment..........................................4-52
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-22
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)..............3-75
After Off-Road Driving.....................................4-32
Air Bag System, Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS).............................................1-76
Air Bag .........................................................3-38
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-38
Readiness Light..........................................3-37
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-19
Air Conditioning..............................................3-29
All-Wheel Drive...............................................5-50
AM .............................................................3-103
Analog Clock..................................................3-24
Antenna, Diversity Antenna System..................3-105
Antenna, XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-105
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-42
Anti-lock Brake System..................................... 4-7
Appearance Care............................................5-94
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-96
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-100
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-94Appearance Care (cont.)
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-97
Finish Damage..........................................5-100
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-99
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-100
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-100
Weatherstrips..............................................5-96
Approaching a Hill..........................................4-24
Ashtrays........................................................3-23
Audio Output..................................................3-92
Audio System(s).............................................3-70
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-102
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-103
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-104
Care of Your CD Changer...........................3-104
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.......................3-104
CD Changer...............................................3-99
Diversity Antenna System............................3-105
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-96
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-71
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-97
Setting the Time..........................................3-70
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-101
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-103
XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-105
Automatic Climate Control System.....................3-24
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-16
Automatic Level Control...................................4-53
Automatic Transmission Check..........................6-12
1

Care of (cont.)
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-104
Your CD Changer......................................3-104
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-104
Cargo Area Door Lock Switch...........................2-10
Cargo Cover..................................................2-47
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-48
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-81
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-11
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-82
CD Changer...................................................3-99
CD Functions...............................................3-100
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-45
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-63
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block................5-106
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-42
Chains, Tires..................................................5-74
CHANGE ENGINE OIL....................................3-62
Charging System Light....................................3-39
Check Engine Light.........................................3-44
CHECK OIL LEVEL.........................................3-62
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE...............................3-69
CHECK WASHER FLUID.................................3-65
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......................1-90Check...........................................................3-44
Engine Light...............................................3-44
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-100
Child Restraints..............................................1-57
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-57
Infants and Young Children...........................1-53
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-65
Older Children.............................................1-51
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-67
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-70
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position...........................................1-67
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-72
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-63
Top Strap...................................................1-61
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-60
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-23
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.....5-99
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-97
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-94
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-96
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-95
Cleaning Leather............................................5-95
Cleaning the Mirror.........................................2-35
3

Engine Oil and Chassis Lubrication Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-5
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-11
ENGINE OVERHEATED..................................3-63
Engine..........................................................5-19
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-19
Battery.......................................................5-43
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-44
Compartment Overview................................5-12
Coolant Heater............................................2-23
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-43
Coolant......................................................5-24
Cooling System Inspection............................6-17
Exhaust.....................................................2-31
Fan Noise..................................................5-36
Oil .............................................................5-14
Overheating................................................5-28
Starting......................................................2-21
Entering or Exiting the Third Row Seats.............. 1-8
Entertainment System....................................3-105
Cleaning the Video Screen..........................3-105
DVD Distortion..........................................3-102
Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Environmental Concerns..................................4-21
Erasing HomeLink
žButtons..............................2-43
Exit Lighting...................................................3-19
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-50
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-15
F
Filter.............................................................5-19
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-19
Finding a PTY Station (RDS and XMŸ).............3-75
Finding a Station............................................3-73
Finish Care....................................................5-97
Finish Damage.............................................5-100
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-76
Flat Tire........................................................5-75
Fluid.............................................................5-21
Automatic Transmission................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-36
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
FM Stereo....................................................3-103
Fog Lamps....................................................3-17
Folding the Seatback.......................................1-20
Folding the Seatbacks (60/40 Split Bench Seat).....1-10
Folding the Seatbacks.............................1-13, 1-25
Following Distance..........................................4-61
Footnotes........................................................ 6-5
Front Axle......................................................5-52
Fuel Information Button....................................3-54
FUEL LEVEL LOW.........................................3-65
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
6

Hitches..........................................................4-59
HomeLink Transmitter, Programming..................2-41
HomeLink
žTransmitter....................................2-40
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, 5-67
How to Inspect...............................................5-19
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-33
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.....................................3-45
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-46
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-48If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-55
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-45
Ignition Positions.............................................2-20
Ignition Transmission Lock Check......................6-14
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors.........................2-17
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-53
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-67
Inspection......................................................6-17
Brake System.............................................6-17
Engine Cooling System................................6-17
Exhaust System..........................................6-16
Fuel System...............................................6-16
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-16
Steering and Suspension..............................6-16
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive)......................................6-17
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-18
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................5-103
Instrument Panel.............................................3-34
Cluster.......................................................3-34
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Interior Lamps................................................3-18
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-44
8