transmission CADILLAC ESCALADE 2007 3.G Owner's Guide

Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as
you would prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on
a Long Trip on page 360.
Dinghy Towing and Dolly Towing
All-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Notice:Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with
all four wheels on the ground, or even with
only two of its wheels on the ground, will
damage drivetrain components. Do not tow an
all-wheel-drive vehicle if any of its wheels
will be on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be towed with any
of the wheels on the ground. If your vehicle
must be towed, seeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 376.
Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Notice:If you tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground, the
transmission could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Do not
tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed
with all four wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive transmissions have no provisions
for internal lubrication while being towed.
377

Dolly Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles (Rear Wheels
Off the Ground)
Notice:If you tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle
with the rear wheels on the ground, the
transmission could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Never
tow your vehicle with the rear wheels on the
ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed
with the rear wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive transmissions have no provisions
for internal lubrication while being towed.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles can be towed on a dolly
with the front wheels on the ground provided
that the wheels are straight.
Use the following procedure to dolly tow your
vehicle:
1. Drive the vehicle up onto the tow dolly.
2. Shift the transmission to PARK (P).
3. Turn the engine off, but leave the ignition on.
4. Firmly set the parking brake.5. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the
tow dolly.
6. Release the parking brake only after the
vehicle being towed is rmly attached to
the towing vehicle.
Autoride®
The Autoride®feature provides improved 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.
Autoride
®also interacts with the tow/haul mode
that, when activated, 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 “Tow/Haul Mode” underTowing a Trailer
on page 379for more information.
378

If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed
limit restrictions, having to do with trailering.
Make sure your rig will be legal, not only
where you live but also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this information can be
state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. See “Hitches”
later in this section.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst
500 miles (800 km) your new vehicle is driven.
Your engine, axle or other parts could be
damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that
you tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and don’t make starts at full throttle.
This helps your engine and other parts of
your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want
to shift the transmission to THIRD (3) or,
if necessary, a lower gear selection if
the transmission shifts too often (e.g., under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions).
See “Tow/Haul Mode” next.Three important considerations have to do
with weight:
the weight of the trailer
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the weight on your vehicle’s tires
Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/haul is designed to assist while your
vehicle is pulling a large or heavy load or trailer.
Tow/haul is most useful while pulling such a
load in rolling terrain, in stop-and-go traffic, or
when you need improved low-speed control, such
as when parking. The purpose of the tow/haul
mode is to do the following:
Reduce the frequency and improve the
predictability of transmission shifts when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.
Provide the same solid shift feel when pulling
a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load as
when the vehicle is unloaded.
Improve control of vehicle speed while
requiring less throttle pedal activity when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.
380

Tow/haul is designed to be most effective when
the vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least
75 percent of the vehicle’s Gross Combination
Weight Rating (GCWR). See “Weight of the
Trailer” later in this section.
Press this button at the end of the shift lever to
enable/disable the tow/haul mode.A light on the instrument
panel will illuminate
to indicate that
tow/haul mode has
been selected.
The vehicle will automatically turn off tow/haul
every time it is started.
Driving with tow/haul activated without a heavy
load or with no trailer will cause reduced fuel
economy and unpleasant engine and transmission
driving characteristics, but will not cause
damage.
Operating the vehicle in tow/haul when lightly
loaded or with no trailer at all will not cause
damage. However, there is no benet to the
selection of tow/haul when the vehicle is unloaded.
Such a selection when unloaded may result in
unpleasant engine and transmission driving
characteristics and reduced fuel economy.
Tow/haul is recommended only when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.
381

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on your instrument panel will
ash whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
ash, telling other drivers you’re about to
turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs
on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your signal when
they are not. It’s important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbefore
you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you
don’t shift down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift
the transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary,
a lower gear selection if the transmission shifts
too often (e.g., under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions).
You may also want to activate the tow/haul
mode if the transmission shifts too often.
See “Tow/Haul Mode” earlier.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, consider the following: Engine coolant at
or near sea level will boil at a lower temperature
than at higher altitudes. If you turn your engine
off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show
signs similar to engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked (preferably on
level ground) with the automatic transmission
in PARK (P) for at least ve minutes before
turning the engine off. If you do get the overheat
warning, seeEngine Overheating on page 422.
389

Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your
vehicle, with a trailer attached, on a hill.
If something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured,
and both your vehicle and the trailer can
be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill,
here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the
trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release
the regular brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of
the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you’re pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance
Schedule for more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer operation are
automatic transmission uid (don’t overll), engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system and brake
system. Each of these is covered in this manual,
and the Index will help you nd them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
390

Service........................................................ 396
Accessories and Modications................... 396
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 397
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 397
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle................................................... 398
Fuel............................................................. 398
Gasoline Octane........................................ 398
Gasoline Specications.............................. 398
California Fuel........................................... 399
Additives................................................... 399
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 400
Filling the Tank......................................... 401
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 403
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 404
Hood Release........................................... 405
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 406
Engine Oil................................................. 407
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 410
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 412
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 415
Engine Coolant.......................................... 419Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 422
Engine Overheating................................... 422
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 424
Cooling System......................................... 425
Engine Fan Noise..................................... 430
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 430
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 431
Brakes...................................................... 433
Battery...................................................... 436
Jump Starting............................................ 437
All-Wheel Drive........................................... 443
Rear Axle.................................................... 444
Front Axle................................................... 445
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 446
Bulb Replacement....................................... 449
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting..... 449
Back-Up Lamps......................................... 449
License Plate Lamp................................... 451
Replacement Bulbs................................... 451
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
393

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 412.
B. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 412.
C. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCooling System on page 425andCoolant
Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 422.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 437.
E. Battery. SeeBattery on page 436.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 407.
G. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 415.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND) (Out of
View). SeeJump Starting on page 437.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 407.
J. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). SeeCooling
System on page 425.
K. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 430.L. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 433.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 511.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 431.
Engine Oil
If the ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL message
appears on the Driver Information Center (DIC), it
means you need to check your engine oil level
right away. For more information, see ENGINE OIL
LOW ADD OIL underDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 250.
You should check your engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every
time you get fuel. In order to get an accurate
reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle must
be on level ground.
407

Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is usually not necessary to check the
transmission uid level. A transmission uid leak is
the only reason for uid loss. 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 dealership 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 inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 531.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
the Maintenance Schedule. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 521. Be sure to use the
transmission uid listed inRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 531.
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).
415

4. Allow the engine to idle (500 – 800 rpm) for at
least one minute. Slowly release the brake
pedal.
5. Keep the engine running and press the
Trip/Fuel button until TRANS TEMP
(Transmission Temperature) displays on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
6. Using the TRANS TEMP reading, determine
and perform the appropriate check procedure.
If the TRANS TEMP reading is not within
the required temperature ranges, allow
the vehicle to cool, or operate the vehicle until
the appropriate transmission uid temperature
is reached.
Cold Check Procedure
Use this procedure only as a reference to
determine if the transmission has enough uid to
be operated safely until a hot check procedure
can be made. The hot check procedure is the most
accurate method to check the uid level. Perform
the hot check procedure at the rst opportunity.Use this cold check procedure to check uid level
when the transmission temperature is between
80°F and 90°F (27°C and 32°C).
1. Locate the transmission dipstick at the rear of
the engine compartment, on the passenger’s
side of the vehicle.
The dipstick handle has
this graphic. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 406for
more information.
2. Flip the handle up, and then pull out the
dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
3. Install the dipstick by pushing it back in all the
way, wait three seconds, and then pull it back
out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. Repeat the check procedure to
verify the reading.
416