engine oil CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2008 Owner's Manual

Engine Coolant The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL ®
engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL ®
extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see Engine Overheating
on page 5-26 .
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL ®
coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to − 34°F ( − 37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice: Using coolant other than DEX-COOL ®
may
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at the rst maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or
24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL ®
(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle. What to Use Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one-half DEX-COOL ®
coolant which will not damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you do
not need to add anything else.
{ CAUTION: Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL ®
coolant.
Notice: If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
5-24

If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning does not come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam and your vehicle has an
engine-driven cooling fan, push down the accelerator
until the engine speed is about twice as fast as
normal idle speed for at least ve minutes while you
are parked.
If there is still no sign of steam and your vehicle has
an electric cooling fan, idle the engine for at least
ve minutes while you are parked.
If you still have the warning, turn off the engine and get
everyone out of the vehicle until it cools down. Also,
see “Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode”
later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away. Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode If an overheated engine condition exists and the
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED message is displayed,
an overheat protection mode which alternates ring
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode, you will notice a loss in power and engine
performance. This operating mode allows your vehicle
to be driven to a safe place in an emergency. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice: After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil
and reset the oil life system. See Engine Oil
on page 5-14 .
5-28

Cooling System When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
C. Engine Cooling Fan { CAUTION: An electric engine cooling fan under the hood
can start up even when the engine is not
running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
do not do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface. Check the coolant
level after the system cools down. Some amount of
coolant may be lost due to overheating.
5-29

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank If you have not found a problem yet, check to see if
coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not at or above the FULL COLD
mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX-COOL ®
coolant at the coolant surge tank,
but be sure the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is cool before you do it.
See Engine Coolant on page 5-24 for more information.
If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant
as follows:
{ CAUTION: Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly.
They are under pressure, and if you turn the
radiator pressure cap — even a little — they
can come out at high speed. Never turn the
cap when the cooling system, including the
radiator pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the
cooling system and radiator pressure cap to
cool if you ever have to turn the pressure cap. { CAUTION: Adding only plain water to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. The vehicle’s
coolant warning system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too hot but you
would not get the overheat warning. The
engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL ®
coolant.
Notice: In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
5-31

Checking Brake Fluid The brake uid can be checked without taking off the
cap by looking at the brake uid reservoir.
The uid level should be
above MIN. If it is not,
have the brake hydraulic
system checked to
see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is above the MIN but not over the
MAX mark.
What to Add When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3 brake
uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed container
only. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-13 . Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This helps keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
{ CAUTION: With the wrong kind of uid in the brake
hydraulic system, the brakes might not work
well. This could cause a crash. Always use the
proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid 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 uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake uid on your
vehicle. If you do, wash it off immediately.
See Washing Your Vehicle on page 5-102 .
5-37

Fuses Usage
1 Right Trailer Stop/Turn Lamp
2 Electronic Stability Suspension Control,
Automatic Level Control Exhaust
3 Left Trailer Stop/Turn Lamp
4 Engine Controls
5 Engine Control Module, Throttle Control
6 Trailer Brake Controller Fuses Usage
7 Front Washer
8 Oxygen Sensors
9 Antilock Brakes System 2
10 Trailer Back-up Lamps
11 Driver Side Low-Beam Headlamp
12 Engine Control Module (Battery)
13 Fuel Injectors, Ignition Coils
(Right Side)
14 Transmission Control Module (Battery)
15 Vehicle Back-up Lamps
16 Passenger Side Low-Beam Headlamp
17 Air Conditioning Compressor
18 Oxygen Sensors
19 Transmission Controls (Ignition)
20 Fuel Pump
21 Fuel System Control Module
22 Headlamp Washers
23 Rear Windshield Washer
24 Fuel Injectors, Ignition Coils (Left Side)
5-112

Capacities and Specications The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-13 for more information.
Application Capacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant caution label located
under the hood. See your dealer for more information.
Cooling System 17.6 qt 16.7 L
Engine Oil with Filter 6.0 qt† 5.7 L†
Fuel Tank
Regular 26.0 gal 98.4 L
Extended 31.5 gal 119.2 L
Transmission Fluid (Pan Removal and Replacement) 6.0 qt 5.7 L
Transfer Case Fluid 1.5 qt 1.4 L
Wheel Nut Torque 140 lb ft 190 Y
†Oil lter should be changed at every oil change.
After rell, the level must be rechecked. Add enough engine coolant so that the uid is within the proper operating
range.
Engine Specications
Engine VIN Code Transmission Spark Plug Gap
6.2L V8 8 Automatic 0.040 in (1.01 mm)
5-115

Maintenance Schedule Introduction Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your
dealer/retailer for details.
Maintenance Requirements Notice: Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections,
replacement parts, and recommended uids and
lubricants as prescribed in this manual are necessary
to keep your vehicle in good working condition. Any
damage caused by failure to follow scheduled
maintenance might not be covered by warranty. Your Vehicle and the Environment Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance is
important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper uid
levels or the wrong tire ination can increase the level of
emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good condition,
be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
Using the Maintenance Schedule We want to help you keep your vehicle in good working
condition. But we do not know exactly how you will
drive it. You might drive very short distances only a few
times a week. Or you might drive long distances all
the time in very hot, dusty weather. You might use your
vehicle in making deliveries. Or you might drive it to
work, to do errands, or in many other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You might need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read
the following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition,
see your dealer/retailer.
6-2

The proper replacement parts, uids, and lubricants to
use are listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-13 and Maintenance Replacement Parts
on page 6-15 . When your vehicle is serviced, make sure
these are used. All parts should be replaced and all
necessary repairs done before you or anyone else
drives the vehicle. We recommend the use of genuine
parts from your dealer/retailer.
Scheduled Maintenance To maintain the ride, handling, and performance of your
vehicle, it is important that the rst tire rotation service
be performed when the vehicle has 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km). Check tires for ination pressures
and wear. See Tires on page 5-56 . Rotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on page 5-69 and
“Tire Wear Inspection” in At Least Once a Month on
page 6-10 . When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
comes on, it means that service is required for your
vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible
within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible
that, if you are driving under the best conditions, the
engine oil life system may not indicate that vehicle
service is necessary for over a year. However,
the engine oil and lter must be changed at least once
a year and at this time the system must be reset.
Your dealer/retailer has trained service technicians who
will perform this work using genuine parts and reset
the system.
If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-16 for information on
the Engine Oil Life System and resetting the system.
6-4

When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
appears, the following services, checks, and inspections
are required:
❑ Change engine oil and lter. See Engine Oil on
page 5-14 . Reset oil life system. See Engine Oil Life
System on page 5-16 . An Emission Control Service.
❑ Lubricate chassis components. See footnote #.
❑ Visually check for any leaks or damage. See
footnote (j).
❑ Inspect engine air cleaner lter or change indicator (if
equipped). If necessary, replace lter. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17 . See footnote (k).
❑ Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear.
See Tire Inspection and Rotation on page 5-69 and
“Tire Wear Inspection” in At Least Once a Month
on page 6-10 . ❑ Inspect brake system. See footnote (a).
❑ Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid
levels and add uid as needed.
❑ Perform any needed additional services. See
“Additional Required Services” in this section.
❑ Inspect suspension and steering components. See
footnote (b).
❑ Inspect engine cooling system. See footnote (c).
❑ Inspect wiper blades. See footnote (d).
❑ Inspect restraint system components. See
footnote (e).
❑ Lubricate body components. See footnote (f).
❑ Check transmission uid level and add uid
as needed.
6-5