2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV light

When replacing the fuel cap, insert the tether in its hole
before tightening the cap. Turn the fuel cap 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. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 3-43.
If your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC),
the TIGHTEN GAS CAP message will be displayed
if the fuel cap is not properly installed.
{ 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/retailer 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 3-43 .
5-9

How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter 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 by following Steps 1
through 6. 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 lter is required. Replacing the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
and Resetting the Air Filter Restriction
Indicator 1. Locate the air
cleaner/lter assembly.
See Engine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12 .
2. Loosen the four screws on the cover of the housing
and lift up the cover.
5-18

Engine Coolant The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL ®
engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL ®
extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see Engine Overheating
on page 5-26 .
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL ®
coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to − 34°F ( − 37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice: Using coolant other than DEX-COOL ®
may
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at the rst maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or
24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL ®
(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle. What to Use Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one-half DEX-COOL ®
coolant which will not damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you do
not need to add anything else.
{ CAUTION: Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL ®
coolant.
Notice: If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
5-24

Brakes Brake Fluid The brake master cylinder
reservoir is lled with
DOT-3 brake uid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for 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 hydraulic system. If it is, you
should have the brake hydraulic system xed, since
a leak means that sooner or later the brakes will
not work well. It is not a good idea to top off the brake uid. Adding
brake uid will not correct a leak. If uid is added when
the linings are worn, there will be too much uid
when new brake linings are installed. 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 “Checking Brake Fluid”
in this section.
When the brake uid falls to a low level, the brake
warning light will come on. See Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-40 .
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to check the brake uid. See Scheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4 .
5-36

Brake Wear Your vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads have
built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads
are needed. The sound can come and go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving, except when you are
pushing on the brake pedal rmly.
{ CAUTION: The brake wear warning sound means that soon
the brakes will not work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
the brakes. Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque specications in
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-115 .
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does not
return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign that brake service
might be required.
Brake Adjustment Every time you make a brake stop, the disc brakes
adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality brake parts.
5-38

Notice: If you leave your radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always turn off your radio and
other accessories when jump starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or the accessory power outlets. Turn off
the radio and all the lamps that are not needed.
This avoids sparks and helps save both batteries.
And it could save the radio!
4. Open the hood on the other vehicle and locate the
positive (+) and negative ( − ) terminal locations on
that vehicle.
Your vehicle has a remote positive (+) jump starting
terminal and a remote negative ( − ) jump starting
terminal. You should always use these remote
terminals instead of the terminals on the battery.
If the vehicle has a remote positive (+) terminal, it is
located under a red plastic cover at the positive
battery post. To uncover the remote positive (+)
terminal, open the red plastic cover. The remote negative (-) terminal is a stud located
on the right front of the engine, where the negative
battery cable attaches.
See Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for more information on the location of the remote
positive (+) and remote negative (-) terminals.
5-41

{ CAUTION: An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{ CAUTION: Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been blinded. Use a
ashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You do
not need to add water to the battery installed
in your new vehicle. But if a battery has ller
caps, be sure the right amount of uid is there.
CAUTION: (Continued) CAUTION: (Continued) If it is low, add water to take care of that rst.
If you do not, explosive gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can burn you.
Do not get it on you. If you accidentally get it
in your eyes or on your skin, ush the place
with water and get medical help immediately.
{ CAUTION: Fans or other moving engine parts can injure
you badly. Keep your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5-42

Headlamp Aiming The vehicle has a visual optical headlamp aiming
system. The aim of the headlamps have been preset at
the factory and should need no further adjustment.
However, if the vehicle is damaged in a crash, the aim
of the headlamps may be affected and adjustment
may be necessary.
If oncoming vehicles ash their high beams at you,
this may mean the vertical aim of your headlamps
needs to be adjusted.
It is recommended that the vehicle is taken to your
dealer/retailer for service if the headlamps need
to be adjusted. It is possible however, to re-aim the
headlamps as described. The vehicle should:
Be placed so the headlamps are 25 ft. (7.6 m) from
a light colored wall or other at surface.
Have all four tires on a level surface which is level
all the way to the wall or other at surface.
Be placed so it is perpendicular to the wall or other
at surface.
Not have any snow, ice, or mud on it.
Be fully assembled and all other work stopped while
headlamp aiming is being performed.
Be normally loaded with a full tank of fuel and one
person or 160 lbs (75 kg) sitting on the driver seat.
Have the tires properly inated.
Have the spare tire is in its proper location in the
vehicle.
5-48