2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE octane

If the Light is Flashing
The following can prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady, see
“If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the ignition off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart
the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If the
Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still ashing,
follow the previous steps and see your dealer/retailer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You might be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install the
cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-7. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off orimproperly 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 the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your vehicle’s electrical system might be wet.
The condition is usually corrected when the electrical
system dries out. A few driving trips should turn the
light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality causes
the engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You
might notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when
you put the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration — these
conditions might go away once the engine is warmed up.
This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
your dealer/retailer can check the vehicle. Your dealer/
retailer has the proper test equipment and diagnostic
tools to x any mechanical or electrical problems that
might have developed.
3-44

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.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
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.............................................5-23
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-26Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-28
Cooling System............................................5-28
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-32
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-33
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-34
Brakes........................................................5-35
Battery........................................................5-38
Jump Starting...............................................5-39
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-44
Rear Axle.......................................................5-44
Front Axle......................................................5-46
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-46
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-49
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting............5-49
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-50
License Plate Lamp......................................5-51
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-51
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-52
Tires..............................................................5-54
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-55
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-57
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-60
High-Speed Operation...................................5-61
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of
the proper maintenance of your vehicle. To help
keep the engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle
performance, we recommend the use of gasoline
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
Use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 91 or higher. You can also use regular
unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but
your vehicle’s acceleration could be slightly reduced,
and you might notice a slight audible knocking
noise, commonly referred to as spark knock. If the
octane is less than 87, you might notice a heavy
knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, you could damage the engine.
If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher
and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in Canada. Some gasolines
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
We recommend against the use of gasolines
containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-6for
additional information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specications. See the underhood
emission control label. If this fuel is not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specications, but emission control system
performance might be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp could turn on and your vehicle might fail
a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 3-43. If this occurs, return to your authorized
dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined that
the condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs
might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
5-5

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing the emission control system to work properly.
In most cases, you should not have to add anything
to the fuel. However, some gasolines contain only
the minimum amount of additive required to meet
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations. To
help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean,
or if your vehicle experiences problems due to dirty
injectors or valves, look for gasoline that is advertised
as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Also, your
dealer/retailer has additives that will help correct and
prevent most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available in
your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines,
if they comply with the specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing
more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that
were not designed for those fuels.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under your
warranty.Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend
against the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing
MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and the
performance of the emission control system could be
affected. The malfunction indicator lamp might turn on.
If this occurs, return to your dealer/retailer for service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
5-6

This schedule is for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will nd these limits on the Tire and
Loading Information label. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-35.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
are driven off-road in the recommended manner.
SeeOff-Road Driving on page 4-12.
use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline Octane
on page 5-5.
The services inScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
should be performed when indicated. SeeAdditional
Required Services on page 6-6andMaintenance
Footnotes on page 6-8for further information.
{CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs,
you can be seriously injured. Do your own
maintenance work only if you have the required
know-how and the proper tools and equipment
for the job. If you have any doubt, see your
dealer/retailer to have a qualied technician do
the work. SeeDoing Your Own Service Work
on page 5-4.
Some maintenance services can be complex.
So, unless you are technically qualied and have
the necessary equipment, you should have your
dealer/retailer do these jobs.
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

Fuses
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block.............5-108
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-106
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-107
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-109
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-106
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-42
Fuel..........................................................3-47
Speedometer..............................................3-35
Tachometer.................................................3-35
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-54
Garment Hooks..............................................2-62
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-5
Glove Box.....................................................2-61
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-9
Headlamp
Aiming .......................................................5-46Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-49
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-20
Exterior Lamps............................................3-16
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting...........5-49
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-9
On Reminder..............................................3-20
Heated Seats............................................1-4, 1-5
Heated Steering Wheel..................................... 3-7
Heater
Engine Coolant...........................................2-28
Heater...........................................................3-26
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-47
High-Speed Operation, Tires.............................5-61
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-28
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-29
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn ............................................................... 3-6
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-33
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-25
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-52
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-60
6