2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV lock

When pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will weigh
more than 5,000 lbs (2 270 kg) be sure to use a properly
mounted weight-distributing hitch and sway control of
the proper size. This equipment is very important
for proper vehicle loading and good handling when
driving. Always use sway control if the trailer will weigh
more than these limits. Ask a hitch dealer about
sway controls.
Hitch Cover The vehicle may have a hitch cover. To remove the
hitch cover:
1. Turn the fasteners on the lower tabs 90 degrees
counterclockwise.
2. Lift the lower edge of the cover about 45 degrees.
3. Pull the cover downward to disengage the upper
attachments. To reinstall the hitch cover:
1. Hold the cover at a 45 degree angle to the vehicle
and push the upper tabs in the hitch cover into the
chrome slots in the fascia.
2. Move the bottom of the cover forward until the
lower tabs line up with the lower fascia slots.
3. Snap the hitch cover into place by pushing the
upper corners forward.
4. Turn the fasteners on the lower tabs 90 degrees
clockwise to lock the cover in place.
5-50

Tire Pressure Monitor System ........................ .6-64
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation .................... .6-65
Tire Inspection and Rotation .......................... .6-69
When It Is Time for New Tires ...................... .6-70
Buying New Tires ........................................ .6-71
Different Size Tires and Wheels ..................... .6-73
Uniform Tire Quality Grading ......................... .6-73
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance ................. .6-75
Wheel Replacement ..................................... .6-75
Tire Chains ................................................. .6-76
If a Tire Goes Flat ....................................... .6-77
Changing a Flat Tire .................................... .6-78
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools ............... .6-79
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire ............................................... .6-84
Secondary Latch System .............................. .6-89
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools ........... .6-92
Spare Tire .................................................. .6-96
Appearance Care ........................................... .6-96
Interior Cleaning .......................................... .6-96
Fabric/Carpet .............................................. .6-98
Leather ...................................................... .6-98
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces ....................................... .6-99
Wood Panels ............................................. .6-100
Speaker Covers ......................................... .6-100 Care of Safety Belts ................................... .6-100
Weatherstrips ............................................ .6-100
Washing Your Vehicle ................................. .6-100
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses ................... .6-101
Finish Care ............................................... .6-101
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades ...... .6-102
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim ............................................... .6-102
Tires ........................................................ .6-103
Sheet Metal Damage .................................. .6-103
Finish
Damage .......................................... .6-103
Underbody Maintenance .............................. .6-104
Chemical Paint Spotting .............................. .6-104
Vehicle Identication .................................... .6-104
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN) ............... .6-104
Service Parts Identication Label .................. .6-105
Electrical System ......................................... .6-105
Add-On Electrical Equipment ........................ .6-105
Windshield Wiper Fuses .............................. .6-105
Power Windows and Other Power Options ..... .6-105
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ......................... .6-106
Instrument Panel Fuse Block ....................... .6-106
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block ............. .6-108
Underhood Fuse Block ............................... .6-109
Capacities and Specications ....................... .6-113Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-2

Service For service and parts needs, visit your dealer/retailer.
You will receive genuine GM parts and GM-trained and
supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
Accessories and Modications When non-dealer/non-retailer accessories are added to
the vehicle, they can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as airbags, braking, stability,
ride and handling, emissions systems, aerodynamics,
durability, and electronic systems like antilock brakes,
traction control, and stability control. Some of these
accessories could even cause malfunction or damage
not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components resulting from the
installation or use of non-GM certied parts, including
control module modications, are not covered under the
terms of the vehicle warranty and may affect remaining
warranty coverage for affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to complement and
function with other systems on the vehicle. Your GM
dealer/retailer can accessorize the vehicle using genuine
GM Accessories. When you go to your GM dealer/retailer
and ask for GM Accessories, you will know that
GM-trained and supported service technicians will
perform the work using genuine GM Accessories.
Also, see Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 1-94 .
6-3

To open the fuel door, push the rearward center edge in
and release and it will open.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly counterclockwise.
The fuel cap has a spring in it; if the cap is released
too soon, it will spring back to the right.
While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap from the
hook on the fuel door. { CAUTION: Fuel can spray out on you if you open the fuel cap
too quickly. If you spill fuel and then something
ignites it, you could be badly burned. This spray
can happen if the tank is nearly full, and is more
likely in hot weather. Open the fuel cap slowly and
wait for any hiss noise to stop. Then unscrew the
cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overll the
tank and wait a few seconds after you have nished
pumping before removing the nozzle. Clean fuel from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See Washing Your
Vehicle on page 6-100 .
When replacing the fuel cap, insert the tether in its hole
before tightening the cap. Turn the fuel cap clockwise
until it clicks. It will require more effort to turn the fuel cap
on the last turn as you tighten it. Make sure the cap is
fully installed. The diagnostic system can determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
This would allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-42 .
6-10

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

Cold Check Procedure Use this procedure only as a reference to determine if the
transmission has enough uid to be operated safely until
a hot check procedure can be made. The hot check
procedure is the most accurate method to check the
uid level. Perform the hot check procedure at the rst
opportunity. Use this cold check procedure to check uid
level when the transmission temperature is between
80°F and 90°F (27°C and 32°C).
1. Locate the transmission
dipstick at the
rear of the engine
compartment, on the
passenger side of
the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6-14
for more information.
2. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
3. Install the dipstick by pushing it back in all the way,
wait three seconds, and then pull it back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower
level. Repeat the check procedure to verify the
reading. 5. If the uid level is below the COLD check band,
add only enough uid as necessary to bring the level
into the COLD band. It does not take much uid,
generally less than one pint (0.5L). Do not overll.
6. Perform a hot check at the rst opportunity after
the transmission reaches a normal operating
temperature between 160°F to 200°F (71°C to 93°C).
7. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way, then ip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
6-22

Hot Check Procedure Use this procedure to check the transmission uid level
when the transmission uid temperature is between
160°F and 200°F (71°C and 93°C).
The hot check is the most accurate method to check the
uid level. The hot check should be performed at the rst
opportunity in order to verify the cold check. The uid
level rises as uid temperature increases, so it is
important to ensure the transmission temperature is
within range.
1. Locate the transmission
dipstick at the
rear of the engine
compartment, on the
passenger side of the
vehicle.
See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6-14
for more information.
2. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
3. Install the dipstick by pushing it back in all the way,
wait three seconds, and then pull it back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower
level. Repeat the check procedure to verify the
reading. 5. Safe operating level is within the HOT cross hatch
band on the dipstick. If the uid level is not within the
HOT band, and the transmission temperature is
between 160°F and 200°F (71°C and 93°C), add or
drain uid as necessary to bring the level into the
HOT band. If the uid level is low, add only enough
uid to bring the level into the HOT band. It does not
take much uid, generally less than one pint (0.5L).
Do not overll.
6. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way, then ip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
6-23

If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant as
follows:
1. You can remove the
coolant surge tank
pressure cap when
the cooling system,
including the coolant
surge tank pressure
cap and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
about one full turn. If you hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. A hiss means there is still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it. 3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture
to the FULL COLD mark.
6-29