2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE heating

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. SeeScheduled 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 P (PARK).
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 P (PARK).
4. Allow the engine to idle (500 – 800 rpm) for at least
one minute. Slowly release the brake pedal.
5. Keep the engine running and press the Trip/Fuel
button or trip odometer reset stem until TRANS
TEMP (Transmission Temperature) displays on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
5-20

Consistency of Readings
Always check the uid level at least twice using the
procedures described. Consistency (repeatable
readings) is important to maintaining proper uid level.
If uid is added, it may take 15 minutes or longer to
obtain an accurate reading because of residual
uid draining down the dipstick tube. If inconsistent
readings persist, check the transmission breather to be
sure it is clean and not clogged. If readings are still
inconsistent, contact your dealer/retailer.
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, seeEngine 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.
5-23

Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant surge tank. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-42.
In addition, the messages ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE, ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE, or ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED could
appear in the Driver Information Center (DIC) on
the instrument panel. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-52.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even if you just open the hood.
Stay away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Turn it off and get
everyone away from the vehicle until it cools
down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when the vehicles engine
is overheated, the liquids in it can catch re.
You or others could be badly burned. Stop
your engine if it overheats, and get out of the
vehicle until the engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode on page 5-28for information on driving
to a safe place in an emergency.
Notice:If your engine catches re because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be badly
damaged. The costly repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 5-28for information on
driving to a safe place in an emergency.
5-26

If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
do not do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface. Check the coolant
level after the system cools down. Some amount of
coolant may be lost due to overheating.
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL COLD
mark. If it is not, you may have a leak at the pressure cap
or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump, or somewhere else in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak xed before you drive
the vehicle.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 5-28for information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant could
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by the warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in the vehicle.
5-29

Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires
made by a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever
have questions about your tire warranty and where
to obtain service, see your vehicle Warranty
booklet for details.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly
used tires are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
exing. You could have an air-out and
a serious accident. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-35.
Underinated tires pose the same
danger as overloaded tires. The
resulting accident could cause serious
injury. Check all tires frequently to
maintain the recommended pressure.
Tire pressure should be checked when
your tires are cold. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-60.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Overinated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured, or broken by a sudden
impact — such as when you hit a
pothole. Keep tires at the
recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents.
If your tread is badly worn, or if
your tires have been damaged,
replace them.
SeeHigh-Speed Operation on page 5-61
for ination pressure adjustment for high
speed driving.
22-Inch Tires
If your vehicle has the optional 22-inch
P285/45R22 size tires, they are classied as
touring tires and are designed for on-road use.
The low-prole, wide tread design is not
recommended for off-road driving. SeeOff-Road
Driving on page 4-12, for additional information.
5-54

Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-55
Infants and Young Children...........................1-52
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-59
Older Children.............................................1-49
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-68
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Center Front Seat Position........................1-70
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-71
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-58
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-25
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-102
Exterior Lamps/Lenses................................5-100
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-97
Finish Care...............................................5-100
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-98
Interior.......................................................5-96
Leather......................................................5-98
Speaker Covers..........................................5-99
Tires........................................................5-103
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-103
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-100
Weatherstrips..............................................5-99
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades......5-101
Wood Panels..............................................5-99Climate Control System
Dual Automatic............................................3-26
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-31
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System,
Electronic................................................3-31
Clock............................................................3-25
Clock, Setting.................................................3-69
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Compass...............................................2-40, 2-42
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-20
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Convenience Net............................................2-63
Coolant
Engine.......................................................5-23
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-42
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-26
Cooled Seats................................................... 1-5
Cooling System..............................................5-28
Cruise Control................................................3-12
Cruise Control Light........................................3-46
Cupholders....................................................2-61
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-9
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-5
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-5
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-6
3

Electrical System (cont.)
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-106
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-109
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-106
Electronic Immobilizer
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-22
Electronic Immobilizer Operation
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-23
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-17
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-43
Coolant......................................................5-23
Coolant Heater............................................2-28
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-42
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-16
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-38
Fan Noise..................................................5-32
Oil .............................................................5-14
Oil Life System...........................................5-16
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-28
Overheating................................................5-26
Starting......................................................2-26
Entry Lighting.................................................3-22
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-17
Exit Lighting...................................................3-22
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-48
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-16
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-17
Finish Damage.............................................5-103
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flat Tire........................................................5-76
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-77
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-91
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-20
Power Steering...........................................5-33
Windshield Washer......................................5-34
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-21
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-46
Front Axle......................................................5-46
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage .........................................................3-47
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Running Out of...........................................2-39
5

Power (cont.)
Running Boards..........................................2-17
Seat ............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-33
Windows....................................................2-19
Privacy..........................................................7-16
Event Data Recorders..................................7-17
Navigation System.......................................7-18
OnStar .......................................................7-18
Radio Frequency Identication.......................7-18
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-11
R
Radio Frequency Identication (RFID),
Privacy......................................................7-18
Radio(s)........................................................3-70
Radios
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual..............................3-92
Rear Seat Audio........................................3-102
Reception.................................................3-105
Setting the Clock.........................................3-69
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-104
Rainsense™ II Wipers.....................................3-10
Reading Lamps..............................................3-23
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System
and Electronic Climate Controls.....................3-31Rear Axle......................................................5-44
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-11
Rear Heated Seats.........................................1-10
Rear Seat Armrest..........................................2-63
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)..................................3-102
Rear Seat Entertainment System.......................3-92
Rear Side Window Antenna............................3-106
Rear Storage Area..........................................2-63
Rear Windshield Washer/Wiper.........................3-12
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®, Compass and Temperature Display.....2-42
Reclining Seatbacks, Power............................... 1-7
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-13
Recovery Hooks.............................................4-34
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-41
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.................. 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System,
Operation..................................................... 2-5
Remote Vehicle Start........................................ 2-7
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-83
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-78
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-51
Replacement Parts, Maintenance......................6-15
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-15
General Motors...........................................7-15
United States Government............................7-14
10