2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV service

If you need roadside assistance, call GM Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside Service on page 7-6 for
more information.
If your vehicle cannot be driven, know where the
towing service will be taking it. Get a card from the
tow truck operator or write down the driver’s name,
the service’s name, and the phone number.
Remove any valuables from your vehicle before it is
towed away. Make sure this includes your insurance
information and registration if you keep these items
in your vehicle.
Gather the important information you will need from
the other driver. Things like name, address, phone
number, driver’s license number, vehicle license
plate, vehicle make, model and model year, Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN), insurance company and
policy number, and a general description of the
damage to the other vehicle.
If possible, call your insurance company from the
scene of the crash. They will walk you through the
information they will need. If they ask for a police
report, phone or go to the police department
headquarters the next day and you can get a copy of
the report for a nominal fee. In some states/provinces
with “no fault” insurance laws, a report may not be
necessary. This is especially true if there are no
injuries and both vehicles are driveable. Choose a reputable collision repair facility for your
vehicle. Whether you select a GM dealer/retailer or a
private collision repair facility to x the damage,
make sure you are comfortable with them.
Remember, you will have to feel comfortable with
their work for a long time.
Once you have an estimate, read it carefully and
make sure you understand what work will be
performed on your vehicle. If you have a question,
ask for an explanation. Reputable shops welcome
this opportunity.
Managing the Vehicle Damage
Repair Process In the event that your vehicle requires damage repairs,
GM recommends that you take an active role in its
repair. If you have a pre-determined repair facility of
choice, take your vehicle there, or have it towed there.
Specify to the facility that any required replacement
collision parts be original equipment parts, either new
Genuine GM parts or recycled original GM parts.
Remember, recycled parts will not be covered by your
GM vehicle warranty.
Insurance pays the bill for the repair, but you must live
with the repair. Depending on your policy limits, your
insurance company may initially value the repair using
aftermarket parts. Discuss this with your repair
professional, and insist on Genuine GM parts.
7-12

Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, please notify General Motors.
Call 1-800-458-8006, or write:
Cadillac Customer Assistance Center
Cadillac Motor Car Division
P.O. Box 33169
Detroit, MI 48232-5169
In Canada, call 1-888-446-2000, or write:
Canadian Cadillac Customer Communication Centre,
CA1-163-005
General Motors of Canada Limited
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7 Service Publications Ordering
Information Service Manuals Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins Service Bulletins’ give additional technical service
information needed to knowledgeably service General
Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin contains
instructions to assist in the diagnosis and service of
your vehicle.
Owner Information Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
7-14

Current and Past Model Order Forms Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available
for current and past model GM vehicles. To request
an order form, specify year and model name of
the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds. Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example,
your vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and
control engine and transmission performance, to monitor
the conditions for airbag deployment and deploy
airbags in a crash and, if so equipped, to provide
antilock braking to help the driver control the vehicle.
These modules may store data to help your
dealer/retailer technician service your vehicle. Some
modules may also store data about how you operate the
vehicle, such as rate of fuel consumption or average
speed. These modules may also retain the owner’s
personal preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat
positions, and temperature settings.
7-15

GM will not access this data or share it with others
except: with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the
vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee; in
response to an official request of police or similar
government office; as part of GM’s defense of litigation
through the discovery process; or, as required by
law. Data that GM collects or receives may also be used
for GM research needs or may be made available to
others for research purposes, where a need is shown
and the data is not tied to a specic vehicle or
vehicle owner.
OnStar ®
If your vehicle has OnStar and you subscribe to the
OnStar services, please refer to the OnStar Terms and
Conditions for information on data collection and
use. See also OnStar ®
System on page 2-50 in this
manual for more information. Navigation System If your vehicle has a navigation system, use of the
system may result in the storage of destinations,
addresses, telephone numbers, and other trip
information. Refer to the navigation system operating
manual for information on stored data and for deletion
instructions.
Radio Frequency
Identication (RFID) RFID technology is used in some vehicles for functions
such as tire pressure monitoring and ignition system
security, as well as in connection with conveniences
such as key fobs for remote door locking/unlocking and
starting, and in-vehicle transmitters for garage door
openers. RFID technology in GM vehicles does not use
or record personal information or link with any other
GM system containing personal information.
7-17

AAccessories and Modications ............................ 5-3
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle ....................................................... 1-90
Additives, Fuel ................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment ........................... 5-108
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal .................. 2-28
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine ................................. 5-17
Air Conditioning .............................................. 3-26
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator ........................... 3-37
Readiness Light .......................................... 3-36
Airbag System ................................................ 1-76
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates? .... 1-84
When Should an Airbag Inate? .................... 1-81
Where Are the Airbags? ............................... 1-78
Airbag Systems
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle ................................................... 1-90
How Does an Airbag Restrain? ...................... 1-83
Passenger Sensing System ........................... 1-85
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle .......... 1-90
What Makes an Airbag Inate? ...................... 1-83
All-Wheel Drive ............................................... 5-45
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System ........................... 4-8
Analog Clock .................................................. 3-25
Antenna, Rear Side Window ........................... 3-109 Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System ..................................................... 3-109
Antilock Brake System (ABS) ............................. 4-4
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light ................ 3-41
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels ............. 5-104
Care of Safety Belts ................................... 5-101
Chemical Paint Spotting .............................. 5-105
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses .................. 5-102
Fabric/Carpet ............................................ 5-100
Finish Care ............................................... 5-102
Finish Damage .......................................... 5-105
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces ............................................... 5-101
Interior
Cleaning .......................................... 5-98
Leather .................................................... 5-100
Sheet Metal Damage .................................. 5-105
Speaker Covers ......................................... 5-101
Tires ........................................................ 5-105
Underbody Maintenance ............................. 5-105
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials ............... 5-106
Washing Your Vehicle ................................. 5-102
Weatherstrips ............................................ 5-101
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades ...... 5-103
Wood Panels ............................................ 5-101
Appointments, Scheduling Service ....................... 7-8
Ashtray ......................................................... 3-25
Assist Handles ............................................... 2-61
1

Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government .............................. 7-13
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government ......................... 7-13
Roadside Service .......................................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information ........ 7-14
DDaytime Running Lamps .................................. 3-20
Defensive Driving ............................................. 4-2
Delayed Locking ............................................. 2-11
Differential, Locking ........................................... 4-5
Disc, MP3 ...................................................... 3-90
Doing Your Own Service Work ........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp Override ...................................... 3-22
Dome Lamps ................................................. 3-22
Door
Delayed Locking .......................................... 2-11
Locks ........................................................ 2-10
Power Door Locks ....................................... 2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks ............. 2-11
Rear Door Security Locks ............................. 2-11
Driver Information Center (DIC) ......................... 3-48
DIC Operation and Displays .......................... 3-49
DIC Vehicle Customization ............................ 3-61
DIC Warnings and Messages ........................ 3-53 Driving
At Night ..................................................... 4-26
Before a Long Trip ...................................... 4-28
Defensive ..................................................... 4-2
Drunken ....................................................... 4-2
Highway Hypnosis ....................................... 4-28
Hill and Mountain Roads .............................. 4-29
In Rain and on Wet Roads ........................... 4-27
Off-Road .................................................... 4-12
Recovery Hooks .......................................... 4-34
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out ................. 4-34
Winter ........................................................ 4-30
Dual Automatic Climate Control System ............. 3-26
DVD
Rear Seat Entertainment System ................... 3-95
E EDR ............................................................. 7-15
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment ..................................... 5-108
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block ............. 5-110
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ......................... 5-108
Instrument Panel Fuse Block ....................... 5-109
Power Windows and Other Power Options .... 5-108
Underhood Fuse Block ............................... 5-111
Windshield Wiper Fuses ............................. 5-108
4

Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter ......................................... 5-17
Check and Service Engine Soon Light ............ 3-43
Coolant ...................................................... 5-24
Coolant Heater ............................................ 2-28
Coolant Temperature Gage ........................... 3-42
Drive Belt Routing ....................................... 6-16
Engine Compartment Overview ...................... 5-12
Exhaust ..................................................... 2-39
Fan Noise .................................................. 5-33
Oil ............................................................. 5-14
Oil Life System ........................................... 5-16
Overheated Protection Operating Mode ........... 5-28
Overheating ................................................ 5-26
Running While Parked .................................. 2-40
Starting ...................................................... 2-26
Entry Lighting ................................................. 3-22
Event Data Recorders ..................................... 7-16
Exit Lighting ................................................... 3-22
Extender, Safety Belt ....................................... 1-49
Exterior Lamps ............................................... 3-16
FFilter
Engine Air Cleaner ...................................... 5-17
Finish Damage ............................................. 5-105
Flashers, Hazard Warning .................................. 3-6
Flat Tire ........................................................ 5-78 Flat Tire, Changing ......................................... 5-79
Flat Tire, Storing ............................................. 5-94
Fluid ............................................................. 5-20
Power Steering ........................................... 5-34
Windshield Washer ...................................... 5-35
Fog Lamp
Fog ........................................................... 3-21
Fog Lamp Light .............................................. 3-46
Front Axle ...................................................... 5-47
Fuel ............................................................... 5-5
Additives ...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel .............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container .................... 5-10
Filling the Tank ............................................. 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries .............................. 5-6
Gage ......................................................... 3-48
Gasoline Octane ........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications .................................. 5-5
Fuses
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block ............. 5-110
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ......................... 5-108
Instrument Panel Fuse Block ....................... 5-109
Underhood Fuse Block ............................... 5-111
Windshield Wiper ....................................... 5-108
5

Loss of Control ............................................... 4-11
Luggage Carrier .............................................. 2-61
Lumbar
Power Controls ............................................. 1-3
MMaintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services ........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill ........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month ................................ 6-10
At Least Once a Year .................................. 6-10
Introduction .................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes .................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record .................................... 6-17
Maintenance Replacement Parts .................... 6-15
Maintenance Requirements ............................. 6-2
Owner Checks and Services ........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............. 6-13
Scheduled Maintenance ................................. 6-4
Using .......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment ................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light ................................ 3-43
Manual, Using .................................................... iii
Memory Seat, Mirrors, and Pedals ...................... 1-6
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages ........................ 3-53 Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Mirror with Intellibeam™,
OnStar ®
, Compass, and Temperature
Display ................................................... 2-41
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar ®
,
Compass and Temperature Display ............. 2-43
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors .................... 2-45
MP3 ............................................................. 3-90
MyGMLink.com ................................................ 7-4
N Navigation System, Privacy .............................. 7-17
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual ................................. 3-95
New Vehicle Break-In ...................................... 2-24
O Odometer ...................................................... 3-35
Odometer, Trip ............................................... 3-35
Off-Road Driving ............................................. 4-12
Off-Road Recovery .......................................... 4-11
Oil
Engine ....................................................... 5-14
Pressure Light ............................................. 3-46
Oil, Engine Oil Life System .............................. 5-16
Older Children, Restraints ................................ 1-50
Online Owner Center ........................................ 7-4
8