2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT heating

Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don't shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear
selection if the transmission shifts too often (e.g., under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions).
You may also want to activate the tow/haul mode if the
transmission shifts too often. See ªTow/Haul Modeº
earlier.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for a
few minutes before turning the engine off. If you do get
the overheat warning, see
Engine Overheating on
page 5-27.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here's
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don't shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
4-59

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Speci®cations....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-14
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-21
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-27
Engine Overheating.......................................5-27
Cooling System............................................5-30
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-36Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-37
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-43
Jump Starting...............................................5-44
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-50
Rear Axle.......................................................5-51
Front Axle......................................................5-52
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-53
Headlamp Horizontal Aiming...........................5-54
Headlamp Vertical Aiming..............................5-55
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-57
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting............5-57
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-57
Headlamps..................................................5-58
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Daytime Running Lamps.............................5-62
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-63
Taillamps.....................................................5-63
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-64
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-65
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is ®lled with
DEX-COOLžengine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs ®rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
žextended 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 5-27.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
žcoolant will:
·Give freezing protection down to-34ÉF (-37ÉC).
·Give boiling protection up to 265ÉF (129ÉC).
·Protect against rust and corrosion.
·Help keep the proper engine temperature.
·Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:When adding coolant, it is important that
you use only DEX-COOLž(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOLžis added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner -- at 30,000 miles
(50,000 km) or 24 months, whichever occurs ®rst.
Damage caused by the use of coolant other than
DEX-COOL
žis not covered by your new
vehicle warranty.
5-24

Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant surge tank.
Notice:Your pressure cap is a pressure-type cap
and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss
and possible engine damage from overheating.
See ªCapacities and Speci®cationsº for more
information.
Engine Overheating
You will ®nd a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle's instrument panel cluster. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-40. In addition, you
will ®nd a LOW COOLANT, ENGINE COOLANT HOT,
ENGINE OVERHEATED and a REDUCED ENGINE
POWER message in the DIC on the instrument panel.
See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-47.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER 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 and change the oil.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
5-27

Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your Cadillac Warranty booklet for details.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
·Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and a
serious accident. See ªLoading Your
Vehicleº in the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
·
Underin¯ated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
·Overin¯ated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact Ð such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
·Worn, old tires can cause accidents.
If your tread is badly worn, or if your
tires have been damaged, replace them.
5-66

E
Easy Exit Seat...............................................2-73
Electrical System...........................................5-101
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-101
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-101
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-101
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-101
Electrochromic Mirror Operation........................2-42
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs.................................3-44
ENGINE COOLANT HOT.................................3-59
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-11
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-17
Engine Oil and Chassis Lubrication Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-5
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-11
ENGINE OVERHEATED..................................3-60
Engine..........................................................5-19
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-19
Battery.......................................................5-43
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-42
Compartment Overview................................5-12
Coolant Heater............................................2-31
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-40
Coolant......................................................5-24
Cooling System Inspection............................6-16
Exhaust.....................................................2-39Engine (cont.)
Fan Noise..................................................5-36
Oil .............................................................5-14
Overheating................................................5-27
Starting......................................................2-29
Entertainment System....................................3-101
Cleaning the Video Screen..........................3-101
DVD Distortion............................................3-99
Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Environmental Concerns..................................4-20
Erasing HomeLink
žButtons..............................2-51
Exit Lighting...................................................3-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-27
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter.............................................................5-19
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-19
Finding a PTY Station (RDS and XMŸ).............3-71
Finding a Station............................................3-69
Finish Care....................................................5-96
Finish Damage...............................................5-98
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-101
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-76
Flat Tire........................................................5-75
6

Headlamp......................................................5-53
Aiming.......................................................5-53
Horizontal Aiming.........................................5-54
Vertical Aiming............................................5-55
Headlamps....................................................5-58
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-57
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Daytime Running Lamps...........................5-62
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-57
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting...........5-57
Headphones...................................................3-88
Heated Seats................................................... 1-3
Heating.........................................................3-28
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-40
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-40
Hitches..........................................................4-57
HomeLink Transmitter, Programming..................2-49
HomeLink
žTransmitter....................................2-48
Hood............................................................5-10
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-7
How the System Works...................................3-21
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank.................................................5-32
How to Add Fluid............................................5-23
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-51
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-37
How to Check........................................5-21, 5-67How to Inspect...............................................5-19
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-13
Hydroplaning..................................................4-36
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-29
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-28
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-43
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-43
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-46
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-53
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-44
Ignition Positions.............................................2-28
Ignition Transmission Lock Check......................6-14
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors.........................2-25
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-31
In¯ation Ð Tire Pressure.................................5-67
Inspection......................................................6-16
Brake System.............................................6-16
Engine Cooling System................................6-16
Exhaust System..........................................6-15
Fuel System...............................................6-16
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-15
Steering and Suspension..............................6-15
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive)......................................6-16
8