2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV engine

This vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting
to do your own service work, see Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-93 .
Keep a record with all parts receipts and list the
mileage and the date of any service work performed.
See Maintenance Record on page 7-17 .
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle Things added to the outside of the vehicle can affect the
airow around it. This can cause wind noise and can
affect fuel economy and windshield washer performance.
Check with your dealer/retailer before adding equipment
to the outside of the vehicle.
Fuel Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of
the proper maintenance of this vehicle. To help keep the
engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle performance,
we recommend the use of gasoline advertised as
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
shows the code letter or number that identies the
vehicle’s engine. The VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. See Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) on page 6-104 . If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine (VIN Code 2),
you can use either unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85); also see Fuel E85
(85% Ethanol) on page 6-7 . In all other engines, use only
unleaded gasoline. See Gasoline Octane on page 6-5 .
Gasoline Octane If the vehicle has the 6.0L V8 engine (VIN Code 5),
use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87,
you might notice an audible knocking noise when you
drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If this occurs,
use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs
service.
If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine (VIN Code 2),
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 the 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.
6-5

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. See Additives on page 6-6 for
additional information.
California Fuel If the 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, the 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 the
vehicle might fail a smog-check test. See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-42 . 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. 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 the vehicle experiences
problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine
oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors
and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS is
the only gasoline additive recommended by General
Motors.
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.
6-6

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: This 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 the
vehicle 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. Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
shows the code letter or number that identies the
vehicle’s engine. The VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. See Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) on page 6-104 .
If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine (VIN Code 2),
you can use either unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85). See Fuel on
page 6-5 . In all other engines, use only the unleaded
gasoline described under Gasoline Octane on page 6-5 .
Only vehicles that have the 6.2L V8 engine (VIN Code 2)
can use 85% ethanol fuel (E85). We encourage the use
of E85 in vehicles that are designed to use it. The ethanol
in E85 is a “renewable” fuel, meaning it is made from
renewable sources such as corn and other crops.
Many service stations will not have an 85% ethanol
fuel (E85) pump available. The U. S. Department
of Energy has an alternative fuels website
(www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/infrastructure/locator.html)
that can help you nd E85 fuel. Those stations that
do have E85 should have a label indicating ethanol
content. Do not use the fuel if the ethanol content
is greater than 85%.
6-7

Filling the Tank
{ CAUTION: Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re can
cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow all the instructions on
the pump island. Turn off the engine when you are
refueling. Do not smoke if you are near fuel or
refueling the vehicle. Do not use cellular phones.
Keep sparks, ames, and smoking materials away
from fuel. Do not leave the fuel pump unattended
when refueling the vehicle. This is against the law
in some places. Do not re-enter the vehicle while
pumping fuel. Keep children away from the fuel
pump; never let children pump fuel.
The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged fuel
door on the driver side of the vehicle. If the vehicle has
E85 fuel capability, the fuel cap will be yellow and
state that E85 or gasoline can be used. See Fuel E85
(85% Ethanol) on page 6-7 .
6-9

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{ CAUTION: An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{ CAUTION: Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a re. These include liquids like fuel, oil,
coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and other
uids, and plastic or rubber. You or others could
be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill things
that will burn onto a hot engine.
6-12

Engine Compartment Overview If the vehicle is a Two-mode Hybrid, see the Two-mode Hybrid manual for more information.
When you open the hood on the 6.2L engine this is what you will see:
6-14

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-19 .
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System on page 6-24 .
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting on
page 6-40 .
D. Battery on page 6-39 .
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
under Engine Oil on page 6-15 .
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” under Automatic
Transmission Fluid on page 6-20 .
G. Remote Negative ( − ) Terminal (GND) (Out of View).
See Jump Starting on page 6-40 .
H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” under Engine Oil on page 6-15 .
I. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling
System on page 6-24 .
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View).
See Power Steering Fluid on page 6-33 .
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
under Brakes on page 6-36 . L. Underhood Fuse Block on page 6-109 .
M. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” under Windshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-34 .
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each
fuel ll. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6-14
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If this is not done, the
oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
6-15

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of the
dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of the recommended
oil. This section explains what kind of oil to use. For
engine oil crankcase capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications on page 6-113 .
Notice: Do not add too much oil. If the engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be damaged. See Engine Compartment
Overview on page 6-14
for the location of the
engine oil ll cap.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the proper
operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back in
when through.
6-16