2007 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT steering

Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your
vehicle behind another vehicle — such as behind
a motorhome. The two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are known as “dinghy
towing” (towing your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground) and “dolly towing” (towing
your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).
Dinghy Towing and Dolly Towing
All-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Notice:Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with
all four wheels on the ground, or even with
only two of its wheels on the ground, will
damage drivetrain components. Do not tow an
all-wheel-drive vehicle if any of its wheels
will be on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be towed with any
of the wheels on the ground. If your vehicle
must be towed, seeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 378.
Autoride®
The Autoride®feature provides improved vehicle
ride and handling under a variety of passenger and
loading conditions.
The system is fully automatic and uses a computer
controller to continuously monitor vehicle speed,
wheel to body position, lift/dive and steering
position of the vehicle. The controller then sends
signals to each shock absorber to independently
adjust the damping level to provide the optimum
vehicle ride.
Autoride
®also interacts with the tow/haul mode
that, when activated, will provide additional control
of the shock absorbers. This additional control
results in better ride and handling characteristics
when the vehicle is loaded or towing a trailer. See
“Tow/Haul Mode” underTowing a Trailer on
page 380for more information.
379

Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of
experience. Before setting out for the open road,
you’ll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint
yourself with the feel of handling and braking with
the added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is
now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer
moving and then apply the trailer brake controller
by hand to be sure the brakes are working.
This lets you check your electrical connection at
the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure
that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead
as you would when driving your vehicle without
a trailer. This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a
good deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before you can
return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one
hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left,
just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer
to the right, move your hand to the right. Always
back up slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
388

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

Hood Release
To open the hood do the following:
1. Pull the handle with
this symbol on it. It
is located inside
the vehicle to
the lower left of the
steering wheel.
2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and locate
the secondary hood release, near the center
of the grille.
3. Push the secondary hood release to the right.
4. Lift the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the ller
caps are on properly. Then bring the hood from
full open to within 6 inches (152 mm) from
the closed position, pause, then push the front
center of the hood with a swift, rm motion
to fully close the hood.
405

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 412.
B. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 412.
C. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCooling System on page 426andCoolant
Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 422.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 438.
E. Battery. SeeBattery on page 437.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 407.
G. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 415.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND) (Out of
View). SeeJump Starting on page 438.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 407.
J. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). SeeCooling
System on page 426.
K. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 431.L. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 433.
M. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 513.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 432.
Engine Oil
If the ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL message
appears on the Driver Information Center (DIC), it
means you need to check your engine oil level
right away. For more information, see ENGINE OIL
LOW ADD OIL underDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 248.
You should check your engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every
time you get fuel. In order to get an accurate
reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle must
be on level ground.
407

5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
6. Verify coolant level after engine is shut off
and the coolant is cold. If necessary, repeat
coolant ll procedure Steps 1 through 6.
Engine Fan Noise
Your vehicle has electric cooling fans, you may
hear the fans spinning at low speed during
most everyday driving. The fans may turn off if no
cooling is required. Under heavy vehicle loading,
trailer towing, and/or high outside temperatures, or
if you are operating your air conditioning system,
the fans may change to high speed and you
may hear an increase in fan noise. This is normal
and indicates that the cooling system is
functioning properly. The fans will change to low
speed when additional cooling is no longer
required.
Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 406for
reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
uid unless you suspect there is a leak in the
system or you hear an unusual noise. A uid loss in
this system could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
431

How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering uid, do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine
compartment cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir
clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a
clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the
uid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark.
If necessary, add only enough uid to bring
the level up to the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 533.
Always use the proper uid. Failure to use the
proper uid can cause leaks and damage hoses
and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer uid, be sure
to read the manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If you will be operating your vehicle in an area
where the temperature may fall below freezing,
use a uid that has sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Your vehicle has a low washer uid message that
comes on when the washer uid is low. The
message is displayed for 15 seconds at the start
of each ignition cycle. When the WASHER
FLUID LOW ADD FLUID message is displayed,
you will need to add washer uid to the windshield
washer uid reservoir.
432

(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates
the tire section width in millimeters from sidewall
to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that
indicates the tire height-to-width measurements.
For example, if the tire size aspect ratio is
75, as shown in item C of the light truck
(LT-Metric) tire illustration, it would mean that the
tire’s sidewall is 75% as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply construction;
the letter D means diagonal or bias ply
construction; and the letter B means belted-bias
ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in
inches.
(F) Service Description:The service description
indicates the load range and speed rating of a
tire. The load index can range from 1 to 279.
Speed ratings range from A to Z.Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire
pressing outward on each square inch of the
tire. Air pressure is expressed in pounds
per square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined
weight of optional accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are, automatic
transmission/transaxle, power steering, power
brakes, power windows, power seats, and
air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height
to its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is
located between the plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies
are laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees
to the centerline of the tread.
457