2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV brake fluid

A. Air Outlets. See Outlet Adjustment on page 3-31 .
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. See Turn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7 .
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. See Instrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-34 .
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. See Hazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6 .
E. Shift Lever and Range Selection Mode. See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-30 .
F. Tow/Haul Selector Button. See Tow/Haul Mode
on page 2-34 .
G. Driver Information Center Controls. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-48 .
H. Analog Clock. See Analog Clock on page 3-25 .
I. Audio System. See Audio System(s) on page 3-70 .
J. StabiliTrak ®
Button. See StabiliTrak ®
System on
page 4-6 . Rear Park Aid Disable Button. See
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on
page 2-48 .
K. Tilt Wheel Lever. See Tilt Wheel on page 3-6 . L. Exterior Lamps Control. See Exterior Lamps on
page 3-16 .
M. Dome Lamp Override Button. See Dome Lamp
Override on page 3-22 . Instrument Panel Brightness
Control. See Instrument Panel Brightness on
page 3-21 . Fog Lamp Button. See Fog Lamps on
page 3-21 .
N. Cruise Control Buttons. See Cruise Control on
page 3-13 .
O. Horn. See Horn on page 3-6 .
P. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. See Audio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-106 .
Q. Dual Automatic Climate Controls. See Dual
Automatic Climate Control System on page 3-26 .
R. Pedal Adjust Button. See Adjustable Throttle
and Brake Pedal on page 2-28 . Heated Windshield
Washer Fluid Button. See Windshield Washer
on page 3-11 . Power Running Boards Disable Button
(If Equipped). See Power Running Boards on
page 2-17 .
S. Glove Box. See Glove Box on page 2-60 .
3-5

Service ........................................................... .5-3
Accessories and Modications ......................... .5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning .................... .5-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements .... .5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work ........................ .5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle ..................................................... .5-4
Fuel ............................................................... .5-5
Gasoline Octane ........................................... .5-5
Gasoline Specications ................................... .5-5
California Fuel .............................................. .5-5
Additives ...................................................... .5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries .............................. .5-6
Filling the Tank ............................................. .5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container .................... .5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood ................... .5-10
Hood Release ............................................. .5-11
Engine Compartment Overview ...................... .5-12
Engine Oil .................................................. .5-14
Engine Oil Life System ................................. .5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter ............................... .5-17
Automatic Transmission Fluid ........................ .5-20
Engine Coolant ............................................ .5-24
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap ................. .5-26
Engine Overheating ...................................... .5-26 Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode ....................................... .5-28
Cooling System ........................................... .5-29
Engine Fan Noise ........................................ .5-33
Power Steering Fluid .................................... .5-34
Windshield Washer Fluid ............................... .5-35
Brakes ....................................................... .5-36
Battery ....................................................... .5-39
Jump Starting .............................................. .5-40
All-Wheel Drive ............................................. .5-45
Rear Axle ...................................................... .5-46
Front
Axle ..................................................... .5-47
Headlamp Aiming .......................................... .5-48
Bulb Replacement ......................................... .5-51
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting ........... .5-51
Back-Up Lamps ........................................... .5-51
License Plate Lamp ..................................... .5-53
Replacement Bulbs ...................................... .5-53
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ............. .5-54
Tires ............................................................. .5-56
Tire Sidewall Labeling .................................. .5-57
Tire Terminology and Denitions .................... .5-59
Ination - Tire Pressure ................................ .5-62
High-Speed Operation .................................. .5-63
Tire Pressure Monitor System ........................ .5-64Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17 .
B. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17 .
C. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System on page 5-29 and Coolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap on page 5-26 .
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting
on page 5-40 .
E. Battery. See Battery on page 5-39 .
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
under Engine Oil on page 5-14 .
G. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” under Automatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-20 . H. Remote Negative ( − ) Terminal (GND) (Out of View).
See Jump Starting on page 5-40 .
I. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” under Engine Oil on page 5-14 .
J. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling
System on page 5-29 .
K. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View).
See Power Steering Fluid on page 5-34 .
L. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
under Brakes on page 5-36 .
M. Underhood Fuse Block. See Underhood Fuse Block
on page 5-111 .
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” under Windshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-35 .
5-13

Automatic Transmission Fluid When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid It is usually not necessary to check the transmission
uid level. The only reason for uid loss is a
transmission leak or overheating the transmission. If you
suspect a small leak, then use the following checking
procedures to check the uid level. However, if there
is a large leak, then it may be necessary to have
the vehicle towed to a dealer/retailer service department
and have it repaired before driving the vehicle further.
Notice: Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13 .
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
the Maintenance Schedule. See Scheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4 . Be sure to use the transmission uid
listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-13 . How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid Notice: Too much or too little uid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the uid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a re.
Too little uid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission uid.
Before checking the uid level, prepare your vehicle
as follows:
1. Start the engine and park your vehicle on a level
surface. Keep the engine running.
2. Apply the parking brake and place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, move the
shift lever back to PARK (P).
5-20

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

Checking Brake Fluid The brake uid can be checked without taking off the
cap by looking at the brake uid reservoir.
The uid level should be
above MIN. If it is not,
have the brake hydraulic
system checked to
see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is above the MIN but not over the
MAX mark.
What to Add When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3 brake
uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed container
only. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-13 . Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This helps keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
{ CAUTION: With the wrong kind of uid in the brake
hydraulic system, the brakes might not work
well. This could cause a crash. Always use the
proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in the brake hydraulic system can damage
brake hydraulic system parts so badly that they
will have to be replaced. Do not let someone
put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake uid on your
vehicle. If you do, wash it off immediately.
See Washing Your Vehicle on page 5-102 .
5-37

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hydraulic Brake
System Delco ®
Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
Washer Optikleen ®
Washer Solvent.
Power Steering
System GM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184, in
Canada 89021186).
Automatic
Transmission DEXRON ®
-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
Cylinders Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Chassis
Lubrication Chassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Front and
Rear Axle SAE 75W-90 Synthetic
Axle Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021677,
in Canada 89021678) meeting
GM Specication 9986115.
Transfer Case DEXRON ®
-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid. Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hood Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Body Door
Hinge Pins,
Tailgate Hinge
and Linkage,
Folding Seats,
and Fuel Door
Hinge Multi-Purpose
Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Outer Tailgate
Handle Pivot
Points Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip
Conditioning Weatherstrip Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 3634770,
in Canada 10953518) or
Dielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579,
in Canada 992887).
Weatherstrip
Squeaks Synthetic Grease with
Teon, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12371287,
in Canada 10953437).
6-14

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