CADILLAC ESCALADE 2010 3.G Owners Manual

If you do decide to lift the hood , make sure the vehicleis parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine cooling fans arerunning. If the engine is overheating, both fans shouldbe running. If they are not, do not continue to run theengine and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from running your enginewithout coolant is not covered by your warranty.SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Modeon page 7!37for information on driving to a safeplace in an emergency.
Notice:If the engine catches fire while driving withno coolant, the vehicle can be badly damaged. Thecostly repairs would not be covered by the vehiclewarranty. SeeOverheated Engine ProtectionOperating Modeon page 7!37for information ondriving to a safe place in an emergency.
If Steam Is Coming From The Engine
Compartment
{WARNING:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Turn it off and get everyone away from the
vehicle until it cools down. Wait until there is no
sign of steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the vehicles engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop the engine if it
overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Modeon page 7!37for information on driving to
a safe place in an emergency.
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If No Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
The ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE or theENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE message, alongwith a low coolant condition, can indicate a seriousproblem.
If you get an engine overheat warning, but see or hearno steam, the problem may not be too serious.Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
.Climb a long hill on a hot day.
.Stop after high-speed driving.
.Idle for long periods in traffic.
.Tow a trailer. SeeTowing a Trailer on page 6!42.
If you get the ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINEor the ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE messagewith no sign of steam, try this for a minute or so:
If the overheat warning is displayed with no sign ofsteam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature andto the highest fan speed. Open the windows asnecessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral)while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off theroad, shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and let theengine idle.
If the temperature overheat gage is no longer in theoverheat zone or an overheat warning no longerdisplays, the vehicle can be driven. Continue to drivethe vehicle slow for about 10 minutes. Keep a safevehicle distance from the car in front of you. If thewarning does not come back on, continue to drivenormally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park thevehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine forfive minutes while parked. If the warning is stilldisplayed, turn off the engine until it cools down. Also,see“Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode”later in this section.
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Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and theENGINE POWER IS REDUCED message is displayed,an overheat protection mode which alternates firinggroups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. Inthis mode, you will notice a loss in power and engineperformance. This operating mode allows the vehicle tobe driven to a safe place in an emergency. Drivingextended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in theoverheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engineprotection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,allow the engine to cool before attempting anyrepair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil andreset the oil life system. SeeEngine Oilonpage 7!17.
Engine Fan Noise
The vehicle has electric cooling fans. You might hearthe fans spinning at low speed during most everydaydriving. The fans can turn off if no cooling is required.Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing, and/or highoutside temperatures, or if you are operating the airconditioning system, the fans can change to high speedand you might hear an increase in fan noise. This isnormal and indicates that the cooling system isfunctioning properly. The fans change to low speedwhen additional cooling is no longer required.
7-37

Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine CompartmentOverviewon page 7!16for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steeringfluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system oryou hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this systemcould indicate a problem. Have the system inspectedand repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering fluid:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartmentcool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with aclean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the fluid levelon the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark.If necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level upto the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, seeRecommended Fluids and Lubricantson page 8!10.Always use the proper fluid.
Notice:Use of the incorrect fluid may damage thevehicle and the damages may not be covered by thevehicle's warranty. Always use the correct fluidlisted inRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsonpage 8!10.
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Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid needs to be added, besure to read the manufacturer's instructions before use.Use a fluid that has sufficient protection against freezingin an area where the temperature may fall belowfreezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
The vehicle has a low washer fluid message in the DICthat comes on when the washer fluid is low. Themessage is displayed for 15 seconds at the start ofeach ignition cycle. When the WASHER FLUID LOWADD FLUID message displays, you will need to addwasher fluid to the windshield washer fluid reservoir.
Open the cap with thewasher symbol on it. Addwasher fluid until the tankis full. SeeEngineCompartment Overviewon page 7!16forreservoir location.
Notice:
.When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
adding water.
.Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage the washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system. Also, water does
not clean as well as washer fluid.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only three-quarters
full when it is very cold. This allows for fluid
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
.Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can damage the
vehicle's windshield washer system and
paint.
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinderreservoir is filled with DOT3 brake fluid. SeeEngineCompartment Overviewon page 7!16for thelocation of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level inthe reservoir might go down:
.The brake fluid level goes down because ofnormal brake lining wear. When new linings areinstalled, the fluid level goes back up.
.A fluid leak in the brake hydraulic system can alsocause a low fluid level. Have the brake hydraulicsystem fixed, since a leak means that sooner orlater the brakes will not work well.
Do not top off the brake fluid. Adding fluid does notcorrect a leak. If fluid is added when the linings areworn, there will be too much fluid when new brakelinings are installed. Add or remove brake fluid, asnecessary, only when work is done on the brakehydraulic system.
{WARNING:
If too much brake fluid is added, it can spill on the
engine and burn, if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and the vehicle could
be damaged. Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system. See
“Checking Brake Fluid”in this section.
When the brake fluid falls to a low level, the brakewarning light comes on. SeeBrake System WarningLight on page 4!33.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine whento check the brake fluid. SeeScheduled Maintenanceo n p a g e 8!3.
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Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the brake fluid reservoir.SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 7!16.
The fluid level should beabove MIN. If it is not,have the brake hydraulicsystem checked to see ifthere is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, makesure the level is above the MIN but not over theMAX mark.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid from a sealedcontainer. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsonpage 8!10.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the areaaround the cap before removing it. This helps keep dirtfrom entering the reservoir.
{WARNING:
With the wrong kind of fluid in the brake hydraulic
system, the brakes might not work well. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
Notice:
.Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake hydraulic system parts. For example,
just a few drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in the brake hydraulic system
can damage brake hydraulic system parts so
badly that they will have to be replaced. Do
not let someone put in the wrong kind of
fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the vehicle's
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on the vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. SeeWashing Your Vehicleon
page 7!102.
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Brake Wear
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads havebuilt-in wear indicators that make a high-pitchedwarning sound when the brake pads are worn and newpads are needed. The sound can come and go or beheard all the time the vehicle is moving, except whenapplying the brake pedal firmly.
{WARNING:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
the brakes will not work well. That could lead to
an accident. When the brake wear warning sound
is heard, have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brakepads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brakesqueal when the brakes are first applied or lightlyapplied. This does not mean something is wrong withthe brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to helpprevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspectbrake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts inthe proper sequence to torque specifications inCapacities and Specifications on page 7!115.
Brake linings should always be replaced as completeaxle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does notreturn to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase inpedal travel. This could be a sign that brake servicemight be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every brake stop, the disc brakes adjust for wear.
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Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its manyparts have to be of top quality and work well together ifthe vehicle is to have really good braking. The vehiclewas designed and tested with top-quality brake parts.When parts of the braking system are replaced—forexample, when the brake linings wear down and newones are installed—be sure to get new approvedreplacement parts. If this is not done, the brakes mightnot work properly. For example, if someone puts inbrake linings that are wrong for the vehicle, the balancebetween the front and rear brakes can change—for theworse. The braking performance expected can changein many other ways if the wrong replacement brakeparts are installed.
Battery
If the vehicle is a Two!mode Hybrid, see the Two!modeHybrid manual for more information.
Refer to the replacement number on the original batterylabel when a new battery is needed. SeeEngineCompartment Overviewon page 7!16for batterylocation.
{DANGER:
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer
and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
7-43

Vehicle Storage
{WARNING:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. SeeJump Startingon page 7!44for
tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the black, negative (!) cablefrom the battery to keep the battery from running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the black, negative (!)cable from the battery or use a battery trickle charger.
Jump Starting
If the vehicle is a Two-mode Hybrid, see the Two-modeHybrid manual for more information.
If the vehicle's battery (or batteries) has run down, youmay want to use another vehicle and some jumpercables to start your vehicle. Be sure to use the followingsteps to do it safely.
{WARNING:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
.They contain acid that can burn you.
.They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
.They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly, some or
all of these things can hurt you.
7-44