service CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2009 Workshop Manual

Problems with Route Guidance Inappropriate route guidance may occur under one or
more of the following conditions:
You have not turned onto the road indicated.
Route guidance may not be available when using
automatic rerouting for the next right or left turn.
The route may not be changed when using
automatic rerouting.
There is no route guidance when turning at an
intersection.
Plural names of places may be announced
occasionally.
It may take a long time to operate automatic
rerouting during high-speed driving.
Automatic rerouting may display a route returning to
the set stopover if you are heading for a destination
without passing through a set stopover.
The route prohibits the entry of a vehicle due to a
regulation by time or season or any other regulation
which may be given. Some routes may not be searched.
The route to the destination may not be shown
if there are new roads, if roads have recently
changed, or if certain roads are not listed on the
map DVD. See Ordering Map DVDs on page 4-61 .
To recalibrate the vehicle’s position on the map, see
your dealer/retailer.
If the System Needs Service If your system needs service and you have followed the
steps listed here and still are experiencing problems,
see your dealer/retailer for assistance.
Ordering Map DVDs The map DVD in your vehicle is the most up-to-date
information available when your vehicle was produced.
The map DVD is updated periodically, provided that
the map information has changed.
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Radio Data System (RDS) The audio system has a Radio Data System (RDS).
RDS features are available for use only on FM stations
that broadcast RDS information. With RDS, the radio
can do the following:
Receive announcements concerning local and
national emergencies
Display messages from radio stations
This system relies on receiving specic information from
these stations and only works when the information is
available. In rare cases, a radio station may broadcast
incorrect information that causes the radio features
to work improperly. If this happens, contact the radio
station.
The RDS system is always on. When information is
broadcast from the FM station that is playing, the station
name or call letters displays on the audio screen. XM™ Satellite Radio Service XM™ is a satellite radio service that is based in the
48 contiguous United States and 10 Canadian provinces.
XM Satellite Radio has a wide variety of programming
and commercial-free music, coast-to-coast, and in
digital-quality sound. During your trial or when you
subscribe, you will get unlimited access to XM Radio
Online while not in the vehicle. A service fee is required
to receive the XM service. For more information, contact
XM at xmradio.com or call 1-800-929-2100 in the U.S.
and xmradio.ca or call 1-877-438-9677 in Canada.
When XM™ is active, the channel name and number,
song title, and artist displays on the screen.
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XM™ Radio Messages XL (Explicit Language Channels): XL on the radio
display, after the channel name, indicates content
with explicit language. These channels, or any others,
can be blocked at a customer’s request by calling
1-800-852-XMXM (9696).
XM Updating: The encryption code in the receiver is
being updated and no action is required.
No XM signal: The vehicle is in a location that is
blocking the XM™ signal. When the vehicle is moved
into an open area, the signal should return.
Loading XM: The audio system is processing audio
and text data received. No action is needed.
Channel Off Air: This channel is not currently in
service.
Channel Unauth: This channel is blocked or cannot be
received with your XM Subscription package.
Channel Unavail: This previously assigned channel is
no longer assigned.
No Artist Info: No artist information is available.
The system is working properly. No Title Info: No song title information is available.
The system is working properly.
No CAT Info: No category information is available.
The system is working properly.
CAT Not Found: There are no channels available for
the selected category. The system is working properly.
No Information: No text or informational messages
are available. The system is working properly.
XM Theftlocked: The XM™ receiver may have
previously been in another vehicle. For security
purposes, XM™ receivers cannot be swapped between
vehicles. If this message is received after having your
vehicle serviced, check with your dealer/retailer.
XM Radio ID: If tuned to channel 0, this message
will alternate with the XM™ Radio eight digit radio ID
label. This label is needed to activate the service.
Unknown: If this message is received when tuned
to channel 0, there may be a receiver fault. Consult
with your dealer/retailer.
Check XM Receiver: If this message does not clear
within a short period of time, the receiver may have
a fault. Consult with your dealer/retailer.
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Antilock Brake System (ABS) This vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an
advanced electronic braking system that helps prevent a
braking skid.
When the engine is started and the vehicle begins to
drive away, ABS checks itself. A momentary motor or
clicking noise might be heard while this test is going on.
This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light
stays on. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on
page 3-40 .
Along with ABS, the vehicle has a Dynamic Rear
Proportioning (DRP) system. If there is a DRP problem,
both the brake and ABS warning lights 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/retailer
for service. Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that the 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.
ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, as
required, faster than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time needed to get
a foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping
distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to apply the brakes if that
vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let antilock work. The brakes might
vibrate or some noise might be heard, but this is normal.
5-5

If the system fails to turn on or activate, the StabiliTrak
light along with one of the following messages will be
displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC):
TRACTION CONTROL OFF, SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL, STABILITRAK OFF, SERVICE
STABILITRAK. If these DIC messages appear, make
sure the StabiliTrak system has not been turned off
using the StabiliTrak on/off button. Then turn the steering
wheel clockwise from the nine o’clock position to the
three o’clock position. If this clears the message(s), the
vehicle does not need servicing. If this does not clear the
message(s), then turn the vehicle off, wait 15 seconds,
and then turn it back on again to reset the system. If any
of these messages still appear on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), the vehicle should be taken in for service.
For more information on the DIC messages, see Driver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-47 .
The StabiliTrak light will
ash on the instrument
panel cluster when the
system is both on and
activated.
The system may be heard or felt while it is working; this
is normal. The traction control disable
button is located on the
instrument panel below the
climate controls.
The traction control part of StabiliTrak can be turned off
by pressing and releasing the StabiliTrak button if both
systems (traction control and StabiliTrak) were previously
on. To disable both traction control and StabiliTrak, press
and hold the button for ve seconds.
Traction control and StabiliTrak can be turned on by
pressing and releasing the StabiliTrak button if not
automatically shut off for any other reason.
When the TCS or StabiliTrak system is turned off,
the StabiliTrak light and the appropriate TCS off or
StabiliTrak off message will be displayed on the DIC to
warn the driver. The vehicle will still have brake-traction
control when traction control is off, but will not be able
to use the engine speed management system. See
“Traction Control Operation” next for more information.
When the traction control system has been turned off,
system noises may still be heard as a result of the
brake-traction control coming on.
5-7

It is recommended to leave the system on for normal
driving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn the
system off if the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice or
snow, and you want to “rock” the vehicle to attempt to
free it. It may also be necessary to turn off the system
when driving in extreme off-road conditions where high
wheel spin is required. See If Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 5-31 .
Traction Control Operation The traction control system is part of the StabiliTrak
system. Traction control limits wheel spin by reducing
engine power to the wheels (engine speed management)
and by applying brakes to each individual wheel
(brake-traction control) as necessary.
The traction control system is enabled automatically
when the vehicle is started. It will activate and the
StabiliTrak light will ash if it senses that any of the
wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction
while driving. If traction control is turned off, only the
brake-traction control portion of traction control will work.
The engine speed management will be disabled. In this
mode, engine power is not reduced automatically and the
driven wheels can spin more freely. This can cause the
brake-traction control to activate constantly. Notice: If the wheel(s) of one axle is allowed
to spin excessively while the StabiliTrak, ABS and
brake warning lights and any relevant DIC messages
are displayed, the transfer case could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Reduce engine power and do not spin
the wheel(s) excessively while these lights and
messages are displayed.
The traction control system may activate on dry or
rough roads or under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or abrupt upshifts/downshifts
of the transmission. When this happens, a reduction in
acceleration may be noticed, or a noise or vibration may
be heard. This is normal.
If cruise control is being used when the system activates,
the StabiliTrak light will ash and cruise control will
automatically disengage. Cruise control may be
reengaged when road conditions allow. See Cruise
Control on page 3-13 .
StabiliTrak may also turn off automatically if it determines
that a problem exists with the system. If the problem does
not clear itself after restarting the vehicle, see your
dealer/retailer for service.
5-8

Before You Go Off-Roading Have all necessary maintenance and service
work done.
Make sure there is enough fuel, that uid levels are
where they should be, and that the spare tire, if the
vehicle has one, is fully inated.
Be sure to read all the information about
all-wheel-drive vehicles in this manual.
Make sure all underbody shields, if the vehicle has
them, are properly attached.
Know the local laws that apply to off-roading where
you will be driving or check with law enforcement
people in the area.
Be sure to get the necessary permission if you will
be on private land. If you think you will need some more ground clearance at
the front of your vehicle, you can remove the front fascia
lower air dam. The air dam is held in place by two bolts
and 10 snaps accessible from underneath the front
fascia.
To remove the air dam:
1. Remove the two outboard air dam bolts.
2. With a at-blade tool, disengage the snaps.
3. After the bolts are removed and the snaps are
disengaged, push forward on the air dam until it
is free.
Notice: Operating your vehicle for extended
periods without the front fascia lower air dam
installed can cause improper air ow to the engine.
Always be sure to replace the front fascia air
dam when you are nished off-road driving.
After off-roading, be sure to reinstall the air dam:
1. Line up the snaps and push the air dam rearward
to engage the snaps.
2. Install the two outboard bolts.
5-14

If the water is not too deep, drive slowly through it. At
faster speeds, water splashes on the ignition system and
the vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur if you get the
tailpipe under water. If the tailpipe is under water, you will
never be able to start the engine. When going through
water, remember that when the brakes get wet, it might
take longer to stop. See Driving in Rain and on Wet
Roads on page 5-26 .
After Off-Road Driving Remove any brush or debris that has collected
on the underbody, chassis, or under the hood.
These accumulations can be a re hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake linings
cleaned and checked. These substances can cause
glazing and uneven braking. Check the body structure,
steering, suspension, wheels, tires, and exhaust system
for damage and check the fuel lines and cooling system
for any leakage.
The vehicle requires more frequent service due to
off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule for
additional information. Driving at Night Night driving is more dangerous than day driving because
some drivers are likely to be impaired — by alcohol or
drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because headlamps can only light up
so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But, as we get older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
5-25

Before Leaving on a Long Trip To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having
it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: All levels checked?
Lamps: Do they all work and are lenses clean?
Tires: Are treads good? Are tires inated to
recommended pressure?
Weather and Maps: Safe to travel? Have
up-to-date maps? Highway Hypnosis Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, nd a
safe place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments
often.
5-27

Hill and Mountain Roads Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different
than driving on at or rolling terrain. Tips for driving
in these conditions include:
Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shape.
Check all uid levels and brakes, tires, cooling
system, and transmission.
Going down steep or long hills, shift to a
lower gear.
{ CAUTION: If you do not shift down, the brakes could get so
hot that they would not work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep downhill slope. { CAUTION: Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with the ignition
off is dangerous. The brakes will have to do all the
work of slowing down and they could get so hot
that they would not work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have the engine running
and the vehicle in gear when going downhill.
Stay in your own lane. Do not swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds
that let you stay in your own lane.
Top of hills: Be alert — something could be in your
lane (stalled car, accident).
Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks
area, winding roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take appropriate action.
See Off-Road Driving on page 5-13 for information
about driving off-road.
5-28