2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT service

6-17
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter assembly has an air filter
restriction indicator that lets you know when the engine
air cleaner/filter is dirty and needs to be serviced. The
air filter restriction indicator is located on the air filter
assembly cover. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº
in the Index for more information on location.
See ªOwner Checks and Servicesº in the Index to
determine when to check the air filter restriction
indicator.
The service window (A)
with the percentage scale
shows the amount of engine
air cleaner/filter life used.
When both service window (A) and service window (B)
turn orange, replace the engine air cleaner/filter.After changing the engine air cleaner/filter, press the
button on top of the air filter restriction indicator to reset it.
Your engine air cleaner/filter is located in the air filter
housing near the front corner of the engine compartment
on the passenger's side of the vehicle. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº in the Index for more
information on location.

6-18
1. To remove the engine air cleaner/filter, loosen the
screws on the cover.
2. Lift the cover upward and remove the engine air
cleaner/filter out of the air cleaner housing. Care
should be taken to dislodge as little dirt as possible.
3. Clean the filter sealing surface and the housing.
4. Install the new engine air cleaner/filter.
5. Install the cover and tighten the screws.Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the engine air cleaner/filter. See ªOwner Checks
and Servicesº in the Index.
CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn't there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned. Don't
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/filter off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner/filter is off, a backfire can cause
a damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner/filter in place when you're
driving.

6-19
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The filter is located under the instrument panel below
the glove compartment.
To replace the passenger compartment air filter do the
following:
1. Remove the bolts on the access panel and set the
panel aside. Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have it done at your
dealer's service department.
2. Reach under the
instrument panel
towards the front of
the vehicle and pull
downward on the filter
retaining bracket.
3. Remove the air filter by pulling downward on the
element. Remove the second portion of the air filter
by sliding it towards the rear of the vehicle and then
pulling downward.4. Install the new filter by reversing the steps listed
previously. Be sure to follow any instructions that
may be included in the replacement filter package.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
when to replace the passenger compartment air filter.
See ªScheduled Maintenanceº in the Index.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.

6-20 How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading
on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.
Too little fluid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if
you check your transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if you have been driving:

When outside temperatures are above 90F (32C).

At high speed for quite a while.

In heavy traffic
-- especially in hot weather.

While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at
normal operating temperature, which is 180F
to 200F (82C to 93C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50F
(10C). If it's colder than 50F (10C), drive the
vehicle in THIRD (3) until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes.
A cold fluid check can be made after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off,
but this is used only as a reference. Let the engine run at
idle for five minutes if outside temperatures are 50F
(10C) or more. If it's colder than 50F (10C),
you may have to idle the engine longer. Should the fluid
level be low during this cold check, you must check the
fluid hot before adding fluid. Checking the fluid hot will
give you a more accurate reading of the fluid level.

6-23
Rear Axle
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. See ªScheduled
Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.The proper level is from 5/8 inch to 1 5/8 inch
(15 mm to 40 mm) below the bottom of the filler plug
hole. Add only enough fluid to reach the proper level.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See ªRecommended Fluids and
Lubricantsº in the Index.
All-Wheel Drive
Lubricant checks in this section also apply to these
vehicles. However, there are two additional systems that
need lubrication.
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. See ªPeriodic Maintenance
Inspectionsº in the Index.

6-24
How to Check Lubricant
Automatic Transfer Case
(A) Fill Plug (B) Drain Plug
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you'll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
Use care not to overtighten the plug.What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See ªRecommended Fluids and
Lubricantsº in the Index.
Front Axle
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. See ªScheduled
Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.

6-35 Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel 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 may
come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is
moving (except when you are pushing on the brake
pedal firmly).
CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won't work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your 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 GM torque specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See ªBrake System Inspectionº in Section 7 of
this manual under Part C ªPeriodic Maintenance
Inspections.º
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 of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.

6-42
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp
aim may be affected. Aim adjustment to the low beam
may be necessary if it is difficult to see lane markers
(for horizontal aim), or if oncoming drivers flash their
high beams at you (for vertical aim). If you believe
your headlamps need to be re
-aimed, we recommend
that you take your vehicle to your dealer for service.
However, it is possible for you to re
-aim your
headlamps as described in the following procedure.
NOTICE:
To make sure your headlamps are aimed
properly, read all the instructions before
beginning. Failure to follow these instructions
could cause damage to headlamp parts.
The vehicle should be properly prepared as follows:

The vehicle should be placed so the headlamps are
25 ft. (7.6 m) from a light colored wall or other flat
surface.

The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface which is level all the way to the wall or
other flat surface.

The vehicle should be placed so it is perpendicular to
the wall or other flat surface.

The vehicle should not have any snow, ice or mud
attached to it.

The vehicle should be fully assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp aiming is being done.

The vehicle should be normally loaded with a full
tank of fuel and one person or 160 lbs. (75 kg) on the
driver's seat.

Tires should be properly inflated.

Start the vehicle and rock it to level the suspension.
Headlamp aiming is done with the vehicle low beam
lamps. The high beam lamps will be correctly aimed if
the low beam lamps are aimed properly.