2007 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT fuel

Towing a Trailer
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeNew
Vehicle Break-In on page 123for more information.
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment
and drive properly, you can lose control
when you pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not
work well — or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull a trailer only if you have followed all
the steps in this section. Ask your dealer
for advice and information about towing a
trailer with your vehicle.Notice:Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage your vehicle and result in costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. To pull a
trailer correctly, follow the advice in this
part, and see your dealer for important
information about towing a trailer with your
vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of your vehicle,
you should read the information in “Weight of
the Trailer” that appears later in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving your vehicle
by itself. Trailering means changes in handling,
acceleration, braking, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety
rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers. So please read
this section carefully before you pull a trailer.
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Tow/haul is designed to be most effective when
the vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least
75 percent of the vehicle’s Gross Combination
Weight Rating (GCWR). See “Weight of the
Trailer” later in this section.
Press the button at the end of the shift lever to
enable/disable the tow/haul mode.A light on the instrument
panel will illuminate to
indicate that tow/haul
mode has been
selected.
The vehicle will automatically turn off tow/haul
every time it is started.
Operating the vehicle in tow/haul when lightly
loaded or with no trailer at all will not cause
damage. However, there is no benet to the
selection of tow/haul when the vehicle is unloaded.
Such a selection when unloaded may result in
unpleasant engine and transmission driving
characteristics and reduced fuel economy.
Tow/haul is recommended only when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.
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Service........................................................ 396
Accessories and Modications................... 397
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 397
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 398
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 399
Fuel............................................................. 399
Gasoline Octane........................................ 399
Gasoline Specications.............................. 399
California Fuel........................................... 400
Additives................................................... 400
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 401
Filling the Tank......................................... 402
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 404
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 404
Hood Release........................................... 405
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 406
Engine Oil................................................. 407
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 410
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 412
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 415
Engine Coolant.......................................... 419Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 422
Engine Overheating................................... 422
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 425
Cooling System......................................... 426
Engine Fan Noise..................................... 431
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 431
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 432
Brakes...................................................... 433
Battery...................................................... 437
Jump Starting............................................ 438
All-Wheel Drive........................................... 443
Rear Axle.................................................... 444
Front Axle................................................... 446
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 447
Bulb Replacement....................................... 450
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting..... 450
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps.............. 450
License Plate Lamp................................... 452
Replacement Bulbs................................... 452
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
393

Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your
vehicle can affect the airow around it. This may
cause wind noise and affect windshield washer
performance. Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part
of the proper maintenance of your vehicle. To
help keep your engine clean and maintain optimum
vehicle performance, GM recommends the use
of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
Use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher. You may also
use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane
or higher, but your vehicle’s acceleration may
be slightly reduced, and you may notice a slight
audible knocking noise, commonly referred to
as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87, you
may notice a heavy knocking noise when you
drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you might damage your engine. If you
are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher
and you hear heavy knocking, your engine needs
service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines may
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT). General Motors recommends against the
use of gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives
on page 400for additional information.
399

California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California
Emissions Standards, it is designed to operate on
fuels that meet California specications. See
the underhood emission control label. If this fuel is
not available in states adopting California
emissions standards, your vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp may turn on and your vehicle may
fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 236. If this occurs, return to
your authorized GM dealer for diagnosis. If it is
determined that the condition is caused by the type
of fuel used, repairs may not be covered by
your warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United
States are now required to contain additives
that will help prevent engine and fuel system
deposits from forming, allowing your emission
control system to work properly. In most cases,
you should not have to add anything to your fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the
minimum amount of additive required to meet U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
To help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean,
or if your vehicle experiences problems due to
dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that is
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Also,
your GM dealer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as
ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines
may be available in your area. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels
containing more than 10% ethanol must not be
used in vehicles that were not designed for those
fuels.
400

Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for
fuel that contains methanol. Do not use
fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in your fuel system and also damage
the plastic and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you
buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT.
General Motors recommends against the use of
such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce
the life of spark plugs and the performance of
the emission control system may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp may turn on. If this
occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer
for service.Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside
the United States or Canada, the proper fuel may
be hard to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or
any other fuel not recommended in the previous
text on fuel. Costly repairs caused by use of
improper fuel would not be covered by your
warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business
in the country where you will be driving.
401

Filling the Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re
can cause bad injuries. To help avoid
injuries to you and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the pump island.
Turn off your engine when you are
refueling. Do not smoke if you are near
fuel or refueling your vehicle. Keep
sparks, ames, and smoking materials
away from fuel. Do not leave the fuel
pump unattended when refueling your
vehicle. This is against the law in some
places. Keep children away from the fuel
pump; never let children pump fuel.The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged
fuel door on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly
counterclockwise. It will require more effort to turn
the fuel cap on the last turn as you loosen it.
402

{CAUTION:
If you spill fuel and then something
ignites it, you could be badly burned. Fuel
can spray out on you if you open the fuel
cap too quickly. This spray can happen if
your tank is nearly full, and is more likely
in hot weather. Open the fuel cap slowly
and wait for any hiss noise to stop. Then
unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overll
the tank and wait a few seconds after you have
nished pumping before removing the nozzle.
Clean fuel from painted surfaces as soon as
possible. SeeWashing Your Vehicle on page 501.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until
it clicks. It will require more effort to turn the
fuel cap on the last turn as you tighten it. Make
sure the cap is fully installed. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel cap has been left
off or improperly installed. This would allow fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 236.The TIGHTEN GAS CAP message will be
displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC) if
the fuel cap is not properly installed. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 248for more
information.
{CAUTION:
If a re starts while you are refueling, do
not remove the nozzle. Shut off the ow of
fuel by shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant. Leave the
area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to
get the right type. Your dealer can get one
for you. If you get the wrong type, it may not
t properly. This may cause your malfunction
indicator lamp to light and may damage
your fuel tank and emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 236.
403