2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV service indicator

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light For vehicles with
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light
comes on briey when
the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the
light comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on, or
comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake system warning light is not on, the
vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on, the vehicle
does not have antilock brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. See Brake System Warning Light on
page 3-39 .
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
see DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56 for all
brake related DIC messages. StabiliTrak ®
Indicator Light The StabiliTrak indicator
light comes on briey
when the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally
the indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on while driving, there
might be a problem with the StabiliTrak ®
system and the
vehicle may need service. When this warning light is
on, the system is off and does not limit wheel spin.
The light ashes if the system is active and is working
to assist the driver with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
See StabiliTrak ®
System on page 5-6 for more
information.
3-40

When the Light Flashes First and Then is
On Steady This indicates that there could be a problem with the
Tire Pressure Monitor System. The light ashes for about
a minute and stays on steady for the remainder of the
ignition cycle. This sequence repeats with every ignition
cycle. See Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 6-64
for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems.
It ensures that emissions are at acceptable levels
for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
This light should come on
when the ignition is on, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show it
is working. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer. If the check engine light comes on and stays on, while
the engine is running, this indicates that there is an
OBD II problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before
any problem is apparent. Being aware of the light
can prevent more serious damage to the vehicle.
This system assists the service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice: If the vehicle is continually driven with
this light on, after a while, the emission controls
might not work as well, the vehicle’s fuel economy
might not be as good, and the engine might not
run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Notice: Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
the vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect the vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by the vehicle warranty.
This could also result in a failure to pass a required
Emission Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications on page 6-3 .
3-42

This light comes on briey while starting the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally
the indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on, it means that oil is
not owing through the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and it might have some other system
problem.
Security Light For information regarding
this light and the vehicle’s
security system, see
Content Theft-Deterrent
on page 2-21 .Fog Lamp Light The fog lamp light comes
on when the fog lamps are
in use.
The light goes out when the fog lamps are turned off.
See Fog Lamps on page 3-22 for more information.
Lights On Reminder This light comes on
whenever the parking
lamps are on.
See Exterior Lamps on page 3-16 for more information.
3-45

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 5-31 . To turn the StabiliTrak system on
or off, see StabiliTrak ®
System on page 5-6 .
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 3-39 . 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.
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 3-42 . Reinstall the fuel cap
fully. See Filling the Tank on page 6-9 . 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.
3-63

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

What to Add Use only new DOT 3 brake uid from a sealed container.
See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7-13 .
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the
area around the cap before removing it. This helps keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
{ CAUTION: With the wrong kind of uid in the brake hydraulic
system, the brakes might not work well. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in
the brake hydraulic system can damage brake
hydraulic system parts so badly that they will
have to be replaced. Do not let someone put in
the wrong kind of uid.
If brake uid is spilled on the vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake uid on the vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. See Washing
Your Vehicle on page 6-100 . Brake Wear This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads have
built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads
are needed. The sound can come and go or be heard all
the time the vehicle is moving, except when applying
the brake pedal rmly.
{ CAUTION: The brake wear warning sound means that soon
the brakes will not work well. That could lead to an
accident. When the brake wear warning sound is
heard, have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
the brakes.
6-38

When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
appears, the following services, checks, and inspections
are required:
❑ Change engine oil and lter. See Engine Oil on
page 6-15 . Reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil Life System on page 6-18 . An Emission
Control Service.
❑ Lubricate chassis components. See footnote #.
❑ Visually check for any leaks or damage.
See footnote (j).
❑ Inspect engine air cleaner lter or change indicator
(if equipped). If necessary, replace lter. See Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-19 . See footnote (k).
❑ Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear.
See Tire Inspection and Rotation on page 6-69 and
“Tire Wear Inspection” in At Least Once a Month on
page 7-10 . ❑ Inspect brake system. See footnote (a).
❑ Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid
levels and add uid as needed.
❑ Perform any needed additional services.
See “Additional Required Services” in this section.
❑ Inspect suspension and steering components.
See footnote (b).
❑ Inspect engine cooling system. See footnote (c).
❑ Inspect wiper blades. See footnote (d).
❑ Inspect restraint system components.
See footnote (e).
❑ Lubricate body components. See footnote (f).
❑ Check transmission uid level and add uid as
needed.
7-5

Additional Required Services The following services should be performed at the rst maintenance service after the indicated miles (kilometers)
shown for each item.
Additional Required ServicesService and Miles (Kilometers) 25,000
(40 000) 50,000
(80 000) 75,000
(120 000) 100,000
(160 000) 125,000
(200 000) 150,000
(240 000)
Inspect fuel system for damage or leaks. • •••••
Inspect exhaust system for loose or
damaged components. • •••••
Vehicles without a lter restriction
indicator: Replace engine air cleaner
lter. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
on page 6-19 . •••
Change automatic transmission uid and
lter (severe service). See footnote (h). •••
Change automatic transmission uid
and lter (normal service). •
7-6