2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV overheating

Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter The front ashtray and cigarette lighter are located in the
center console near the cupholders, if the vehicle has
them. Press on the access door to open it and use
the ashtray and lighter.
Notice: If you put papers, pins, or other ammable
items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them and possibly
damage your vehicle. Never put ammable items in
the ashtray.
To remove the ashtray, pull it from the center console.
Slide it back in and push down to be sure it is secure.
To use the cigarette lighter, push it in all the way, and let
go. When it is ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice: Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating does not let the lighter back away from the
heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating can occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating. Analog Clock The analog clock is not connected with any other
vehicle system and runs by itself.
To adjust the clock, do the following:
1. Locate the adjustment button, near the lower left
corner of the clock.
2. Push and hold the adjustment button to advance
the clock hands. Holding the button down will
cause the clock to advance faster. Release the
button before you get to the desired time.
3. Push and release the button to increase the time by
one minute increments until the desired time is
reached.
3-25

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage This gage shows the
engine coolant
temperature.
If the indicator on the gage moves towards the shaded
in thermostat, it means that your engine coolant has
overheated. If you have been operating your vehicle
under normal driving conditions, you should pull off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as
soon as possible.
See Engine Overheating on page 5-26 . Tire Pressure Light This light comes on briey
when the engine is started.
This light will also come on when one or more of your
tires are signicantly underinated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information Center
(DIC), may accompany the light. See DIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-53 for more information.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do so.
If underinated, inate to the proper pressure. See
Tires on page 5-56 for more information.
If a problem is detected with the Tire Pressure Monitor
System, this light will ash for approximately
60 seconds and then stay on solid for the remainder of
the ignition cycle. See Tire Pressure Monitor System
on page 5-64 for more information.
3-42

ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE Notice: If you drive your vehicle while the engine is
overheating, severe engine damage may occur. If
an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon
as possible. See Engine Overheating on page 5-26
for more information.
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-42 .
See Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode on
page 5-28 for information on driving to a safe place
in an emergency.
ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE Notice: If you drive your vehicle while the engine
is overheating, severe engine damage may occur. If
an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon
as possible. See Engine Overheating on page 5-26
for more information. This message displays and a chime sounds if the
engine cooling system reaches unsafe temperatures for
operation. Stop and turn off the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so to avoid severe damage. This message
clears when the engine has cooled to a safe operating
temperature.
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED This message displays and a chime sounds when the
cooling system temperature gets too hot and the engine
further enters the engine coolant protection mode.
See Engine Overheating on page 5-26 for further
information.
This message also displays when the vehicle’s engine
power is reduced. Reduced engine power can affect the
vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no reduction in performance, proceed
to your destination. The performance may be reduced
the next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may
be driven at a reduced speed while this message is on,
but acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime
this message stays on, the vehicle should be taken
to your dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.
3-55

SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM This message displays if a part on the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS) is not working properly. The tire
pressure light also ashes and then remains on during
the same ignition cycle. See Tire Pressure Light on
page 3-42 . Several conditions may cause this message
to appear. See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation on
page 5-65 for more information. If the warning comes on
and stays on, there may be a problem with the TPMS.
See your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL If your vehicle has StabiliTrak ®
, this message displays
when there is a problem with the Traction Control
System (TCS). When this message displays, the system
will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
See your dealer/retailer for service. See StabiliTrak ®
System on page 4-6 for more information.
STABILITRAK OFF If your vehicle has StabiliTrak ®
, this message displays
when you turn off StabiliTrak ®
, or when the stability
control has been automatically disabled. To limit wheel
spin and realize the full benets of the stability
enhancement system, you should normally leave
StabiliTrak ®
on. However, you should turn StabiliTrak ®
off if your vehicle gets stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow and you want to rock your vehicle to attempt to
free it, or if you are driving in extreme off-road conditions
and require more wheel spin. See If Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-33 . To turn
the StabiliTrak ®
system on or off, see StabiliTrak ®
System on page 4-6 .
There are several conditions that can cause this
message to appear.
One condition is overheating, which could occur if
StabiliTrak ®
activates continuously for an extended
period of time.
The message also displays if the brake system
warning light is on. See Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-40 .
The message could display if the stability system
takes longer than usual to complete its diagnostic
checks due to driving conditions.
The message displays if an engine or vehicle
related problem has been detected and the vehicle
needs service. See your dealer/retailer.
The message turns off as soon as the conditions that
caused the message to be displayed are no longer
present.
3-59

TIGHTEN GAS CAP This message may display along with the check engine
light on the instrument panel cluster if the vehicle’s
fuel cap is not tightened properly. See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-43 . Reinstall the fuel cap fully.
See Filling the Tank on page 5-7 . The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap
allows fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips with the cap properly installed should turn
this light and message off.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE This message displays when the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS) is re-learning the tire positions on
your vehicle. The tire positions must be re-learned after
rotating the tires or after replacing a tire or sensor.
See Tire Inspection and Rotation on page 5-69 ,
Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-64 , and
Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-62 for more
information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF If your vehicle has StabiliTrak ®
, this message displays
when the Traction Control System (TCS) is turned
off. Adjust your driving accordingly. See StabiliTrak ®
System on page 4-6 for more information. TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE Notice: If you drive your vehicle while the
transmission uid is overheating and the
transmission temperature warning is displayed on
the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, you
can damage the transmission. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not drive your vehicle with
overheated transmission uid or while the
transmission temperature warning is displayed.
This message displays along with a continuous chime if
the transmission uid in the vehicle gets hot. Driving
with the transmission uid temperature high can cause
damage to the vehicle. Stop the vehicle and let it
idle to allow the transmission to cool. This message
clears and the chime stops when the uid temperature
reaches a safe level.
TURN SIGNAL ON This message displays and a chime sounds if a turn
signal is left on for 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km). Move the turn
signal/multifunction lever to the off position.
3-60

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer The arrows on your instrument panel will ash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also ash, telling other drivers
you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear
selection if the transmission shifts too often (e.g.,
under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions). You may also want to activate the tow/haul mode if the
transmission shifts too often. See “Tow/Haul Mode”
earlier.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant at higher altitudes
will boil at a lower temperature than at or near sea level.
If you turn your engine off immediately after towing at
high altitude on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may
show signs similar to engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked (preferably on level
ground) with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for
at least ve minutes before turning the engine off. If you
do get the overheat warning, see Engine Overheating on
page 5-26 .
4-54

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

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