2007 CADILLAC ESCALADE change wheel

Surface Obstacles:Unseen or hidden obstacles
can be hazardous. A rock, log, hole, rut, or
bump can startle you if you are not prepared for
them. Often these obstacles are hidden by
grass, bushes, snow, or even the rise and fall of
the terrain itself. Here are some things to consider:
Is the path ahead clear?
Will the surface texture change abruptly
up ahead?
Does the travel take you uphill or downhill?
There is more discussion of these subjects
later.
Will you have to stop suddenly or change
direction quickly?
When you drive over obstacles or rough
terrain, keep a rm grip on the steering wheel.
Ruts, troughs, or other surface features can
jerk the wheel out of your hands if you are
not prepared.When you drive over bumps, rocks, or other
obstacles, the wheels can leave the ground.
If this happens, even with one or two wheels,
you cannot control the vehicle as well or at all.
Because you will be on an unpaved surface, it is
especially important to avoid sudden acceleration,
sudden turns, or sudden braking.
In a way, off-road driving requires a different kind
of alertness from driving on paved roads and
highways. There are no road signs, posted speed
limits, or signal lights. You have to use your
own good judgment about what is safe and what
is not.
Drinking and driving can be very dangerous on
any road. And this is certainly true for off-road
driving. At the very time you need special alertness
and driving skills, your reexes, perceptions,
and judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You could have a serious — or
even fatal — accident if you drink and drive or
ride with a driver who has been drinking.
SeeDrunken Driving on page 323.
343

Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow, or Ice
When you drive in mud, snow, or sand, the wheels
will not get good traction. You cannot accelerate
as quickly, turning is more difficult, and you
will need longer braking distances.
It is best to use a low gear when you are in
mud — the deeper the mud, the lower the gear.
In really deep mud, the idea is to keep your vehicle
moving so you do not get stuck.
When you drive on sand, you will sense a change
in wheel traction. But it will depend upon how
loosely packed the sand is. On loosely packed
sand, such as on beaches or sand dunes, the
tires will tend to sink into the sand. This has
an effect on steering, accelerating, and braking.
Drive at a reduced speed and avoid sharp turns
or abrupt maneuvers.
Hard packed snow and ice offer the worst tire
traction. On these surfaces, it is very easy to lose
control. On wet ice, for example, the traction is
so poor that you will have difficulty accelerating.
And, if you do get moving, poor steering and
difficult braking can cause you to slide out
of control.{CAUTION:
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds, or rivers
can be dangerous. Underwater springs,
currents under the ice, or sudden thaws
can weaken the ice. Your vehicle could
fall through the ice and you and your
passengers could drown. Drive your
vehicle on safe surfaces only.
Driving in Water
Heavy rain can mean ash ooding, and ood
waters demand extreme caution.
Find out how deep the water is before you drive
through it. If it is deep enough to cover the wheel
hubs, axles, or exhaust pipe, do not try it — you
probably will not get through. Also, water that deep
can damage the axle and other vehicle parts.
352

For All-Wheel-Drive vehicles, the proper level
is from 0.04 inch to 0.75 inch (1.0 mm to
19.0 mm) below the bottom of the ller plug
hole, located on the rear axle. 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 531.
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.A:Fill Plug
B:Drain Plug
If the level is below the bottom of the ller plug
hole, located on the front axle, you may need
to add some lubricant:
When the differential is cold, add enough
lubricant to raise the level from 0 (0 mm)
to 1/8 inch (3.2 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.
445

Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) and Industry and Science
Canada
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
operates on a radio frequency and complies with
Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference.
2. This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
operates on a radio frequency and complies with
RSS-210 of Industry and Science Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Changes or modications to this system by other
than an authorized service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your
tires as soon as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New Tires on page 469
andWheel Replacement on page 474for
more information.
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. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 476.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The
rst rotation is the most important. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 521.
467

When rotating your vehicle’s tires, always use the
correct rotation pattern shown here.
Do not include the spare tire in the tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the
front and rear ination pressures as shown on the
tire and loading information label. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 370andInation - Tire
Pressure on page 460, for more information.
Vehicles that have the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS) will need to have the TPMS
sensors reset after a tire rotation. See “TPMS
Sensor Identication Codes” underTire Pressure
Monitor System on page 462.Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specications on page 515.
{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 needed, to get all the rust or
dirt off. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on
page 476.
468

If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are
driving, especially if you maintain your vehicle’s
tires properly. If air goes out of a tire, it is
much more likely to leak out slowly. But if you
should ever have a blowout, here are a few tips
about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create a drag
that pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your
foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel rmly. Steer to maintain lane
position, and then gently brake to a stop well out
of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much
like a skid and may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any rear blowout
remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get
the vehicle under control by steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may be very bumpy
and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road if possible.{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous
without the appropriate safety equipment
and training. The jack provided with your
vehicle is designed only for changing a
at tire. If it is used for anything else, you
or others could be badly injured or killed
if the vehicle slips off the jack. Use the
jack provided with your vehicle only for
changing a at tire.
If a tire goes at, the next part shows how to use
the jacking equipment to change a at tire
safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel
damage by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on
your vehicle’s hazard warning ashers. See
Hazard Warning Flashers on page 194for more
information.
476

{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over or
fall on you or other people. You and they
could be badly injured or even killed. Find a
level place to change your tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart
while the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in
the vehicle.
To be even more certain the vehicle will not
move, you should put blocks at the front
and rear of the tire farthest away from the
one being changed. That would be the tire,
on the other side, at the opposite end of the
vehicle.When your vehicle has a at tire, use the following
example as a guide to assist you in the placement
of wheel blocks.
The following information will tell you next how to
use the jack and change a tire.
477

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you will need to change a at
tire is stored under the storage tray, which
is located on the driver’s side trim panel
(over the rear wheelhouse).
1. Remove the tray to access the tools by pulling
up on the nger depression under the jack
symbol.2. Remove the wing nut (B) used to retain the
tool bag by turning it counterclockwise.
3. Turn the knob (A) on the jack
counterclockwise to release the jack and
wheel blocks from the bracket.
4. Remove the wheel blocks and the wheel
block retainer by turning the wing nut (C)
counterclockwise.
Regular Wheelbase shown, Extended Wheelbase
similar.
478