brakes CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2011 Owner's Guide

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-3
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate. Accessories and
Modifications Adding non ‐ dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride
and handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or
the installation or use of non ‐ GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts. GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. Your GM
dealer can accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories.
When you go to your GM dealer
and ask for GM Accessories, you
will know that GM-trained and
supported service technicians will
perform the work using genuine GM
Accessories.
Also, see Adding Equipment to
the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3 ‑ 49 .

Black plate (24,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-24 Vehicle Care
Washer Fluid What to Use When windshield washer fluid needs
to be added, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. Use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing in an
area where the temperature may fall
below freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid The vehicle has a low washer fluid
message on the DIC that comes
on when the washer fluid is low.
The message is displayed for
15 seconds at the start of each
ignition cycle. When the WASHER
FLUID LOW ADD FLUID message
displays, washer fluid will need to
be added to the windshield washer
fluid reservoir. Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid
until the tank is full. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10 ‑ 6 for reservoir 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
windshield washer system
and paint.
Brakes This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc
brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.

Black plate (25,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-25
{ WARNINGThe brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could result
in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when
the brakes are first applied or
lightly applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes. Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque
specifications in Capacities and
Specifications on page 12 ‑ 2 .
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a
sign that brake service might be
required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied,
with or without the vehicle moving,
the brakes adjust for wear. Replacing Brake System Parts The braking system on a vehicle is
complex. Its many parts have to be
of top quality and work well together
if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. The vehicle was designed
and tested with top-quality brake
parts. When parts of the braking
system are replaced, be sure to get
new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example,
installing disc brake pads that are
wrong for the vehicle, can change
the balance between the front and
rear brakes — for the worse. The
braking performance expected can
change in many other ways if the
wrong replacement brake parts are
installed.

Black plate (26,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-26 Vehicle Care
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10 ‑ 6 for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why
the brake fluid level in the reservoir
might go down: .
The brake fluid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the fluid level goes
back up. .
A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system can also cause
a low fluid level. Have the brake
hydraulic system fixed, since a
leak means that sooner or later
the brakes will not work well. Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings
are worn, there will be too much
fluid when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
{ WARNINGIf 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 brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light on page 5 ‑ 21 . Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine when to check the
brake fluid. See Scheduled
Maintenance on page 11 ‑ 2 .
Checking Brake Fluid Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10 ‑ 6 .
The fluid level should be above
MIN. If it is not, have the brake
hydraulic system checked to see if
there is a leak.

Black plate (27,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-27After 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
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid
from a sealed container. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11 ‑ 7 .
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from 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. Battery If the vehicle is a hybrid, see the
hybrid supplement for more
information.
Refer to the replacement number
on the original battery label when
a new battery is needed. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10 ‑ 6 for battery location.
{ DANGERBattery 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.

Black plate (41,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-41The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown.
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
7 Front Washer
8 Oxygen Sensors
9 Antilock Brakes
System 2 Fuses Usage
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 Fuses Usage
21 Fuel System Control
Module
22 Headlamp Washer
23 Rear Windshield
Washer
24 Fuel Injectors, Ignition
Coils (Left Side)
25 Trailer Park Lamps
26 Driver Side Park
Lamps
27 Passenger Side Park
Lamps
28 Fog Lamps
29 Horn
30 Passenger Side
High-Beam Headlamp
31 Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
(If Equipped)

Black plate (43,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-43J-Case
Fuses Usage
62 Starter
63 Stud 2 (Trailer
Brakes)
64 Left Bussed Electrical
Center 1
65 Electric Running
Boards
66 Heated Windshield
Washer System
67 Transfer Case
68 Stud 1 (Trailer
Connector Battery
Power)
69 Mid-Bussed Electrical
Center 1 J-Case
Fuses Usage
70 Climate Control
Blower
71 Power Liftgate
Module
72 Left Bussed Electrical
Center 2
Relays Usage
FAN HI Cooling Fan High
Speed
FAN LO Cooling Fan Low
Speed
FAN
CNTRL Cooling Fan Control
HDLP
LO/HID Low-Beam Headlamp Relays Usage
FOG
LAMP Front Fog Lamps
A/C
CMPRSR Air Conditioning
Compressor
STRTR Starter
PWR/TRN Powertrain
FUEL
PMP Fuel Pump
PRK
LAMP Parking Lamps
REAR
DEFOG Rear Defogger
RUN/
CRNK Switched Power

Black plate (50,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-50 Vehicle Care Accessory Weight :
The
combined weight of optional
accessories. Some examples
of optional accessories are
automatic transmission, power
steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio :
The relationship
of a tire's height to its width.
Belt :
A rubber coated layer of
cords that is located between
the plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other
reinforcing materials.
Bead :
The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire :
A pneumatic tire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread. Cold Tire Pressure :
The
amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch)
before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See Tire Pressure
on page 10 ‑ 52 .
Curb Weight :
The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard and
optional equipment including
the maximum capacity of fuel,
oil, and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings :
A code
molded into the sidewall of
a tire signifying that the tire
is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation
(DOT) Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also identify the tire manufacturer,
production plant, brand, and
date of production.
GVWR :
Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating. See Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9 ‑ 24 .
GAWR FRT :
Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the front axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits on
page 9 ‑ 24 .
GAWR RR :
Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the rear axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits on
page 9 ‑ 24 .
Intended Outboard Sidewall :
The side of an asymmetrical tire,
that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa) :
The metric
unit for air pressure.
Light Truck (LT ‐ Metric) Tire :
A
tire used on light duty trucks and
some multipurpose passenger
vehicles.

Black plate (62,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-62 Vehicle Care
{ WARNINGMixing tires could cause you to
lose control while driving. If you
mix tires of different sizes,
brands, or types (radial and
bias-belted tires), the vehicle
might not handle properly, and
you could have a crash. Using
tires of different sizes, brands,
or types could also cause
damage to the vehicle. Be sure
to use the same size, brand,
and type of tires on all wheels.
This vehicle may have a different
size spare than the road tires
(those originally installed on the
vehicle). When new, the vehicle
included a spare tire and wheel
assembly with a similar overall
diameter as the vehicle's road
tires and wheels, so it is all right
to drive on it. Because this spare
was developed for use on the
vehicle, it will not affect vehicle
handling. { WARNING
Using bias-ply tires on the
vehicle may cause the wheel
rim flanges to develop cracks
after many miles of driving.
A tire and/or wheel could fail
suddenly and cause a crash.
Use only radial-ply tires with
the wheels on the vehicle.
If you must replace the vehicle's
tires with those that do not have
a TPC Spec number, make sure
they are the same size, load range,
speed rating, and construction type
(radial and bias ‐ belted tires) as the
vehicle's original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire pressure
monitoring system may give an
inaccurate low ‐ pressure warning
if non ‐ TPC Spec-rated tires are
installed on the vehicle. Non ‐ TPC
Spec-rated tires may give a
low ‐ pressure warning that is higher
or lower than the proper warning level you would get with TPC
Spec-rated tires. See Tire Pressure
Monitor System on page 10 ‑ 54 .
The vehicle's original equipment
tires are listed on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Vehicle Load Limits on page 9 ‑ 24
for more information about the Tire
and Loading Information label and
its location on the vehicle.
Different Size Tires and
Wheels If wheels or tires are installed that
are a different size than the original
equipment wheels and tires, vehicle
performance, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover
may be affected. If the vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, and electronic stability
control, the performance of these
systems can also be affected.

Black plate (66,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-66 Vehicle Care
Tire Chains
{ WARNINGDo not use tire chains. There is
not enough clearance. Tire chains
used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes,
suspension, or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the
tire chains could cause you to
lose control of the vehicle and
you or others may be injured
in a crash. Use another type
of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for
use on the vehicle and tire size
combination and road conditions.
Follow that manufacturer's
instructions. To help avoid
damage to the vehicle, drive
slowly, re ‐ adjust or remove the
device if it is contacting the
vehicle, and do not spin the
(Continued) WARNING (Continued) wheels. If you do find traction
devices that will fit, install them on
the rear tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while you are driving, especially if
you maintain your vehicle's tires
properly. If air goes out of a tire,
it is much more likely to leak out
slowly. But if you should ever have
a blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible. A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any rear
blowout remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle
under control by steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you
can still steer. Gently brake to a
stop, well off the road, if possible.
{ WARNINGDriving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has
been driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause
a blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely underinflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon as
possible.