2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV check engine

When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
appears, the following services, checks, and inspections
are required:
❑ Change engine oil and lter. See Engine Oil on
page 5-14 . Reset oil life system. See Engine Oil Life
System on page 5-16 . An Emission Control Service.
❑ Lubricate chassis components. See footnote #.
❑ Visually check for any leaks or damage. See
footnote (j).
❑ Inspect engine air cleaner lter or change indicator (if
equipped). If necessary, replace lter. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17 . See footnote (k).
❑ Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear.
See Tire Inspection and Rotation on page 5-69 and
“Tire Wear Inspection” in At Least Once a Month
on page 6-10 . ❑ Inspect brake system. See footnote (a).
❑ Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid
levels and add uid as needed.
❑ Perform any needed additional services. See
“Additional Required Services” in this section.
❑ Inspect suspension and steering components. See
footnote (b).
❑ Inspect engine cooling system. See footnote (c).
❑ Inspect wiper blades. See footnote (d).
❑ Inspect restraint system components. See
footnote (e).
❑ Lubricate body components. See footnote (f).
❑ Check transmission uid level and add uid
as needed.
6-5

(i) Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer/retailer
perform this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-24
for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator,
condenser, pressure cap, and filler neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j) A fluid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the fluid level checked. Add fluid if needed.
(k) If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the filter at each engine oil change.
(l) Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or
obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.
(m) Check vent hose at transfer case for kinks and
proper installation.
Owner Checks and Services These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability, and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your dealer/retailer can assist you with these
checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13 .At Each Fuel Fill It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check Notice: It is important to check the engine oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level. Failure to
keep the engine oil at the proper level can cause
damage to the engine not covered by your warranty.
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See Engine Oil on page 5-14 .
Engine Coolant Level Check Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL ®
coolant mixture if necessary. See Engine Coolant
on page 5-24 .
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer uid reservoir and add the proper uid if
necessary.
6-9

At Least Once a Month Tire Ination Check Inspect your vehicle’s tires and make sure they are
inated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check
the spare tire. See Inflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-62 . Check to make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. See Changing a Flat Tire on page 5-79 .
Tire Wear Inspection Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway
drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life System service
notication. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary,
rotate the tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-69 . At Least Once a Year Starter Switch Check
{ CAUTION: When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. See Parking Brake on page 2-35 .
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle
should start only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If
the vehicle starts in any other position, contact your
dealer/retailer for service.
6-10

Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{ CAUTION: When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See Parking Brake
on page 2-35 .
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON/RUN,
but do not start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), contact your dealer/retailer
for service. Ignition Transmission Lock Check While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever position.
The ignition should turn to LOCK/OFF only
when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
The ignition key should come out only in
LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
6-11

Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism Check
{ CAUTION: When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move. Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability:
With the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle
is held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to PARK (P).
Then release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
6-12

Hood and Liftgate Support Gas
Strut Service Visually inspect gas strut for signs of wear, corrosion,
cracks, loss of lubricant, or other damage. Check
the hold open ability of gas strut. If necessary, replace
with genuine parts from your dealer/retailer.
Underbody Flushing Service At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect. Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil The engine requires a special
engine oil meeting GM Standard
GM4718M. Oils meeting this
standard can be identied as
synthetic, and should also be
identied with the American
Petroleum Institute (API) Certied
for Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol. However, not all synthetic
API oils with the starburst symbol
will meet this GM standard. Look for
and use only oil that meets GM
Standard GM4718M. For the proper
viscosity, see Engine Oil on
page 5-14 .
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL ®
Coolant. See Engine Coolant on
page 5-24 .
6-13

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

Audio System ................................................. 3-70
Audio Steering Wheel Controls .................... 3-106
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual ................................................... 3-95
Radio Reception ........................................ 3-108
Rear Seat Audio (RSA) ............................... 3-104
Setting the Clock ......................................... 3-71
Theft-Deterrent Feature ............................... 3-106
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System ........... 3-109
Audio System(s) ............................................. 3-72
Rear Side Window Antenna ......................... 3-109
Automatic Headlamp System ............................ 3-20
Automatic Transmission
Fluid .......................................................... 5-20
Operation ................................................... 2-30
Autoride ®
....................................................... 4-43
BBattery .......................................................... 5-39
Electric Power Management .......................... 3-23
Run-Down Protection ................................... 3-23
Bench Seat, Split (60/40) ................................. 1-11
Brake
Emergencies ................................................ 4-5
Brakes .......................................................... 5-36
System Warning Light .................................. 3-40
Braking ........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies ..................................... 4-5 Break-In, New Vehicle ..................................... 2-24
Bucket Seats, Rear ......................................... 1-17
Bulb Replacement ........................................... 5-51
Back-Up Lamps ........................................... 5-51
Headlamp Aiming ........................................ 5-48
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting ........... 5-51
License Plate Lamps .................................... 5-53
Replacement Bulbs ...................................... 5-53
Buying New Tires ........................................... 5-72
C Calibration ............................................. 2-41, 2-43
California Fuel .................................................. 5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements ....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning ....................... 5-3
Canadian Owners ................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications .......................... 5-115
Carbon Monoxide ........... 2-13, 2-14, 2-39, 4-30, 4-44
Care of
Safety Belts .............................................. 5-101
Cargo Cover .................................................. 2-63
CD, MP3 ....................................................... 3-90
Center Console Storage Area ........................... 2-61
Center Seat ................................................... 1-10
Chains, Tire ................................................... 5-77
Charging System Light .................................... 3-39
Check
Engine Light ............................................... 3-43
Checking Things Under the Hood ...................... 5-10
2