tires CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT 2007 3.G Owners Manual

Headlamp Aiming
................................. 447
Bulb Replacement
................................ 450
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
..................................... 453
Tires
..................................................... 454
Appearance Care
.................................. 496
Vehicle Identication
............................. 508
Electrical System
.................................. 509
Capacities and Specications
................ 518Maintenance Schedule
.............................. 519
Maintenance Schedule
.......................... 520
Customer Assistance Information
............. 541
Customer Assistance and
Information
........................................ 542
Reporting Safety Defects
...................... 560
Index
.......................................................... 565
2

DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving.
It provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle.
If you need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push
the accelerator all the way down.
By doing this, the vehicle shifts down to the next
gear and has more power.
DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer,
carrying a heavy load, driving on steep hills, or for
off-road driving. You may want to shift the
transmission to a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see Skidding
underLoss of Control on page 338MANUAL MODE (M):This position lets drivers
select the range of gears appropriate for current
driving conditions. If your vehicle has this feature,
see Driver Shift Control (DSC) later in this
section.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the
transmission. If you are stuck, do not spin the
tires. When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Your vehicle has a shift stabilization feature that
adjusts the transmission shifting to the current
driving conditions in order to reduce rapid upshifts
and downshifts. This shift stabilization feature is
designed to determine, before making an upshift, if
the engine will be able to maintain vehicle
speed by analyzing things such as vehicle speed,
throttle position and vehicle load. If the shift
stabilization feature determines that a current
vehicle speed cannot be maintained, the
transmission does not upshift and instead holds
the current gear. In some cases, this may appear
to be a delayed shift, however the transmission
is operating normally.
132

Tire Pressure Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
the ignition to RUN.
This light will also come on when one or more of
your tires are signicantly underinated.
A CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message in the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will accompany
the light, seeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 248.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do
so. If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 454for more information.This light will ash for approximately 60 seconds
and then turn on solid if a problem is detected with
the Tire Pressure Monitor system.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 462
for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which
monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition,
and emission control
systems.
236

This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable
levels for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce
a cleaner environment. The check engine light
comes on to indicate that there is a problem and
service is required. Malfunctions often will be
indicated by the system before any problem is
apparent. This may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle. This system is also designed to
assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, your emission
controls may not work as well, your fuel
economy may not be as good, and your engine
may not run as smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that may not be covered by
your warranty.Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of your vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those of the same
Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect
your vehicle’s emission controls and may
cause this light to come on. Modications to
these systems could lead to costly repairs
not covered by your warranty. This may also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 397.
This light should come on, as a check to show
you it is working, when the ignition is on and the
engine is not running. If the light does not
come on, have it repaired. This light will also
come on during a malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has
been detected. A misre increases vehicle
emissions and may damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis
and service may be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
237

Remember, you must reset the OIL LIFE display
yourself after each oil change. It will not reset
itself. Also, be careful not to reset the OIL LIFE
display accidentally at any time other than
when the oil has just been changed. It cannot be
reset accurately until the next oil change. To
reset the engine oil life system, seeEngine Oil
Life System on page 410.
Units
Press the vehicle information button until UNITS
displays. This display allows you to select between
English or Metric units of measurement. Once in
this display, press the set/reset button to select
between ENGLISH or METRIC units. All of
the vehicle information will then be displayed in
the unit of measurement selected.
Tire Pressure
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system, the pressure for each tire can be viewed in
the DIC. The tire pressure will be shown in either
pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa).
Press the vehicle information button until the DIC
displays FRONT TIRES PSI (kPa) LEFT ##
RIGHT ##. Press the vehicle information button
again until the DIC displays REAR TIRES PSI (kPa)
LEFT ## RIGHT ##.If a low or high tire pressure condition is detected
by the system while driving, a message advising
you to check the pressure in a specic tire
will appear in the display. SeeInation - Tire
Pressure on page 460andDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 248for more information.
If the tire pressure display shows dashes
instead of a value, there may be a problem with
your vehicle. If this consistently occurs, see
your dealer for service.
Relearn Tire Positions
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system, after rotating the tires or after replacing
a tire or sensor, the system must re-learn the tire
positions. To re-learn the tire positions, see
Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 462. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on page 467andDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 248for more
information.
247

CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message will display when the engine oil
needs to be changed. When you change the
engine oil, be sure to reset the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message. SeeEngine Oil Life
System on page 410for information on how to
reset the message. This message will clear itself
after 10 seconds until the next ignition cycle
or until the message is reset. SeeEngine Oil on
page 407andScheduled Maintenance on
page 523for more information.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system, this message will display when the
pressure in one or more of the vehicle’s tires need
to be checked. This message will also display
LEFT FRONT, RIGHT FRONT, LEFT REAR, or
RIGHT REAR to indicate which tire needs to
be checked. You can receive more than one tire
pressure message at a time. To read the other
messages that may have been sent at the same
time, press the set/reset button. If a tire pressuremessage appears on the DIC, stop as soon as
you can. Have the tire pressures checked and set
to those shown on your Tire Loading Information
Label. SeeTires on page 454,Loading Your
Vehicle on page 372, andInation - Tire Pressure
on page 460. The DIC display also shows the
tire pressure values for the front and rear tires by
pressing the vehicle information button. See
DIC Operation and Displays on page 243.Ifthe
tire pressure is low, the low tire pressure warning
light will come on. SeeTire Pressure Light on
page 236.
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
If the driver’s door is not fully closed and the
vehicle is in a drive gear, this message will display
and a chime will sound. Stop and turn off the
vehicle, check the door for obstructions, and close
the door again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
249

The message could be displayed if the
stability system takes longer than usual
to complete
its diagnostic checks due to driving conditions.
If an engine or vehicle related problem
has been detected and the vehicle needs
service, the message will appear. See your
dealer.
The message will also appear if the vehicle is
shifted into 4LO.
The message will turn off as soon as the
conditions that caused the message to be
displayed are no longer present.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
If the vehicle’s fuel cap is not tightened properly,
this message may display along with the check
engine light on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 236.
Reinstall the fuel cap fully. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 402. The diagnostic system can determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly installed should turn this
light and message off.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system, this message will display when the
system is re-learning the tire positions on your
vehicle. SeeDIC Operation and Displays on
page 243for more information. The tire positions
must be re-learned after rotating the tires or
after replacing a tire or sensor. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 467,Tire Pressure Monitor
System on page 462, andInation - Tire
Pressure on page 460for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message
will display when the traction control system
is turned off. Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 330for
more information.
256

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle
go where you want it to go. They are the
brakes, the steering, and the accelerator. All
three systems have to do their work at the places
where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. See
StabiliTrak
®System on page 330.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 397.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 232.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might
be less with one driver and as long as two or
three seconds or more with another. Age, physical
condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight
all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs, and
frustration. But even in three-fourths of a second,
a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
326

All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
With this feature, engine power is sent to all
four wheels at all times. This is like four-wheel
drive, but there is no separate lever or switch to
engage or disengage the front axle. It is fully
automatic, and adjusts itself as needed for road
conditions. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 330
for more information.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning, you
can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable
speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents
mentioned on the news happen on curves. Here
is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of your tires and the road surface, the
angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
333

Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to
do their work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 330.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the
way you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you
should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted
speeds are based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable conditions you will
want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while
your front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive”
through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of
the curve, and then accelerate gently into
the straightaway.Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 397.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more
effective than braking. For example, you come
over a hill and nd a truck stopped in your lane, or
a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a
child darts out from between parked cars and
stops right in front of you. You can avoid these
problems by braking — if you can stop in time. But
sometimes you cannot; there is not room. That
is the time for evasive action — steering around
the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies
like these. First apply your brakes.
SeeBraking on page 326. It is better to remove as
much speed as you can from a possible collision.
Then steer around the problem, to the left or
right depending on the space available.
334