2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT maintenance schedule

3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The ¯uid level must be in the COLD area,
below the cross-hatched area, for a cold check or in
the HOT area or cross-hatched area for a hot
check. Be sure to keep the dipstick pointed down to
get an accurate reading.
4. If the ¯uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then ¯ip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission ¯uid to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
Add ¯uid only after checking the transmission ¯uid while
it is hot. (A cold check is used only as a reference.) If
the ¯uid level is low, add only enough of the proper ¯uid
to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot check.
It doesn't take much ¯uid, generally less than one pint
(0.5 L).
Don't over®ll.
Notice:
We recommend you use only ¯uid labeled
DEXRONž-III, because ¯uid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by ¯uid other than DEXRON
ž-III is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
·After adding ¯uid, recheck the ¯uid level as
described under
How to Check.
·When the correct ¯uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then ¯ip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
5-21

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is ®lled with DOT-3
brake ¯uid. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake ¯uid level in
the reservoir might go down. The ®rst is that the
brake ¯uid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the ¯uid level goes back up. The other reason is
that ¯uid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system ®xed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes will not work
well, or will not work at all.
So, it is not a good idea to ªtop offº your brake ¯uid.
Adding brake ¯uid will not correct a leak. If you add ¯uid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much ¯uid when you get new brake linings. You should
add (or remove) brake ¯uid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake ¯uid, it can spill on
the engine. The ¯uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
¯uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system. See ªChecking Brake Fluidº
in this section.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to check your brake ¯uid. See
Scheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4.
5-38

All-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case
It is not necessary to regularly check transfer case ¯uid
unless you suspect there is a leak or you hear an
unusual noise. A ¯uid loss could indicate a problem.
Have it inspected and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the ®ller plug hole,
you'll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the ®ller 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. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-13.
(A) Drain Plug (B) Filler Plug
5-48

Rear Axle
When to Check Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check rear axle ¯uid
unless you suspect there is a leak or you hear an
unusual noise. A ¯uid loss could indicate a problem.
Have it inspected and repaired.
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 ®ller plug
hole. Add only enough ¯uid to reach the proper level.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-13.
5-49

Front Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check front axle ¯uid
unless you suspect there is a leak or you hear an
unusual noise. A ¯uid loss could indicate a problem.
Have it inspected and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the ®ller plug hole,
you may need to add some lubricant.
When the differential is cold, add enough lubricant
to raise the level from 1/2 inch (12 mm) to about
5/8 inch (18 mm) below the ®ller plug hole.
When the differential is at operating temperature
(warm), add enough lubricant to raise the level to the
bottom of the ®ller plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-13.
5-50

6. Press a new bulb into the socket, insert it into the
taillamp housing and turn the socket clockwise into
the taillamp housing until it clicks.
7. Reinstall the rear lamp assembly and tighten the
screws.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb Number
Low-Beam Headlamps (HID) *
High-Beam Headlamps 9005 or 9005 LL
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) 4114K
Front Sidemarker Lamp 194
Front Parking and Turn Lamp3157 or
3157K Long Life
Taillamp and Stop Lamp 3057
Rear Turn Signal Lamp and
Stop Lamp3057
Back-up Lamp 3157
*For replacement bulbs not listed here, please consult
your dealer.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear and cracking. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more information.
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways. For proper type and length,
see
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 6-15.
5-62

Make sure the spare tire is stored securely. Push, pull,
and then try to rotate or turn the tire. If it moves,
use the ratchet/wheel wrench to tighten the cable. See
Changing a Flat Tire on page 5-83.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The ®rst rotation
is the most important. See
Scheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4.
When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Do not include the spare tire in your tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear in¯ation pressures as shown on the tire and loading
information label. See
Loading Your Vehicle onpage 4-47
andIn¯ation - Tire Pressure on page 5-71,
for more information. Make certain that all wheel
nuts are properly tightened. See ªWheel Nut Torqueº
under
Capacities and Speci®cations on page 5-120.
If your vehicle has the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system, the sensors will need to be reset after a
tire rotation is performed. See ªTPM Sensor
Identi®cation Codesº under
Tire Pressure Monitor
System on page 5-72.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, you can use a cloth or a
paper towel to do this; but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to
get all the rust or dirt off. See ªChanging a Flat
Tireº in the Index.
5-75

Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
Using Your Maintenance Schedule....................6-3
Scheduled Maintenance...................................6-4
Additional Required Services............................6-6
Maintenance Footnotes...................................6-8Owner Checks and Services............................6-9
At Each Fuel Fill............................................6-9
At Least Once a Month.................................6-10
At Least Once a Year...................................6-10
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants...............6-13
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts..........6-15
Maintenance Record.....................................6-16
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
6-1