2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE maintenance

TIGHTEN FUEL CAP
If the vehicle’s fuel cap is not tightened properly this
message may appear along with the check engine light
on the instrument panel. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 3-45. Reinstall the fuel cap, making sure
to fully install the cap. SeeFilling Your Tank on
page 5-8. 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 the light and message off.
CHECK WASHER FLUID
If the washer uid level is low, this message will appear
on the DIC. Adding washer uid will clear the message.
Pressing the select button will clear it from the DIC
display. This message will clear itself after 10 seconds
until the next ignition cycle.
TRANSMISSION HOT
If the transmission uid temperature becomes high, the
message center will display this message.
When the transmission enters the protection mode, you
may notice a change in the transmission shifting
patterns. When the transmission uid temperature
returns to normal, the display will turn off and the
transmission shifting patterns will return to normal.Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
transmission uid is overheating and the
transmission temperature warning is displayed on
the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, you
can damage the transmission. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not drive your vehicle with
overheated transmission uid or while transmission
temperature warning is displayed.
The following situations can cause the transmission to
operate at higher temperatures:
Towing a trailer
Hot outside air temperatures
Hauling a large or heavy load
Low transmission uid level
High transmission uid level
Restricted air ow to the radiator.
A temporary solution to hotter transmission operating
temperatures may be to let the transmission cool down.
If the transmission is operated at higher temperatures
on a frequent basis, seeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-5Scheduled Maintenance for the proper
transmission maintenance intervals.
3-65

Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive
Vehicle Off Paved Roads
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have all-wheel
drive. If your vehicle does not have all-wheel drive or if it
has 20-inch tire/wheel assemblies, you should not
drive off-road unless you are on a level, solid surface.
SeeTires on page 5-65.
Many of the same design features that help make your
vehicle responsive on paved roads during poor weather
conditions — features like all-wheel drive — help make it
much better suited for off-road use. Its higher ground
clearance also helps your vehicle step over some off-road
obstacles. But your vehicle does not have features like
special underbody shielding and a transfer case low gear
range, things that are usually thought necessary for
extended or severe off-road service.
Also, seeBraking on page 4-6.
Off-road driving can be great fun. But it does have
some denite hazards. The greatest of these is
the terrain itself.“Off-roading” means you have left the North American
road system behind. Traffic lanes are not marked.
Curves are not banked. There are no road signs.
Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill or downhill.
In short, you have gone right back to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that is
why it is very important that you read this guide. You will
nd many driving tips and suggestions. These will
help make your off-road driving safer and more
enjoyable.
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out. For
example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance
and service work done. Check to make sure all
underbody shields (if so equipped) are properly
attached. Is there enough fuel? Is the spare tire fully
inated? Are the uid levels up where they should be?
What are the local laws that apply to off-roading
where you will be driving? If you do not know, you
should check with law enforcement people in the area.
Will you be on someone’s private land? If so, be
sure to get the necessary permission.
4-18

{CAUTION:
Driving through rushing water can be
dangerous. Deep water can sweep your vehicle
downstream and you and your passengers
could drown. If it is only shallow water, it can
still wash away the ground from under your
tires, and you could lose traction and roll the
vehicle over. Do not drive through rushing
water.
SeeDriving in Rain and on Wet Roads on page 4-33for
more information on driving through water.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on the
underbody, chassis or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a re hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake linings
cleaned and checked. These substances can cause
glazing and uneven braking. Check the body structure,
steering, suspension, wheels, tires and exhaust
system for damage. Also, check the fuel lines and
cooling system for any leakage.
Your vehicle will require more frequent service due to
off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
for additional information.
4-31

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission uid (don’t overll),
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system and brake
system. Each of these is covered in this manual, and the
Index will help you nd them quickly. If you’re trailering,
it’s a good idea to review these sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Package
Your vehicle is equipped with the seven-wire trailer
towing harness. This harness with a seven-pin universal
heavy-duty trailer connector is attached to a bracket
on the hitch platform.
The Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) wire is
tied next to the trailer wiring harness for use with a
trailer.
4-67

Tires..............................................................5-65
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-74
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-75
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-78
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-79
Buying New Tires.........................................5-80
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-81
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-82
Wheel Replacement......................................5-83
Tire Chains..................................................5-84
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-85
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-86
Spare Tire.................................................5-104
Appearance Care..........................................5-105
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle...............5-106
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-108
Weatherstrips.............................................5-108Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle.............5-108
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-111
Finish Damage...........................................5-111
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-111
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-112
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-112
Vehicle Identication.....................................5-113
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)................5-113
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-114
Electrical System..........................................5-114
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................5-114
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-114
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-114
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................5-115
Capacities and Specications........................5-124
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Doing Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own service work, you
will want to use the proper service manual. It tells
you much more about how to service your vehicle than
this manual can. To order the proper service manual,
seeService Publications Ordering Information on
page 7-13.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting
to do your own service work, seeServicing Your Air
Bag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-94.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service work you
perform. SeeMaintenance Record on page 6-17.{CAUTION:
You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts
and tools before you attempt any vehicle
maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. “English” and “metric”
fasteners can be easily confused. If you
use the wrong fasteners, parts can later
break or fall off. You could be hurt.
5-4

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
location of engine air
cleaner/lter and air lter
restriction indicator
(if equipped).
When to Inspect
If your vehicle is equipped with an air lter restriction
indicator, it lets you know when the engine air
cleaner/lter needs to be replaced. On vehicles with a
restriction indicator, you should inspect the air lter
restriction indicator at every oil change and replace the
engine air cleaner/lter when the indicator tells you
to. On vehicles without an air lter restriction indicator,
you should inspect the air cleaner/lter at every oil
change and replace it at the rst oil change after 25,000
miles (40 000 km). SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-5for more information.
How to Inspect
Vehicles with an Air Filter Restriction
Indicator
Locate the air lter restriction indicator on the engine air
cleaner/lter cover. When the indicator turns black or
is in the red/orange “change” zone, replace the lter and
reset the indicator. See the steps following to replace
the engine air cleaner/lter and to reset the air lter
restriction indicator.
Vehicles without an Air Filter Restriction
Indicator
To inspect the air cleaner/lter, remove the engine air
cleaner/lter from the vehicle using the steps following.
When you have the engine air cleaner/lter removed,
lightly shake it to release loose dust and dirt. If the
engine air cleaner/lter remains caked with dirt, a new
one is required.
5-19

{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The
air cleaner not only cleans the air, it helps to
stop ame if the engine backres. If it is not
there and the engine backres, you could
be burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the uid and lter 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 90°F (32°C) 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 uid and lter every
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-5.
5-21