2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV check engine light

Maintenance When Trailer Towing The vehicle needs service more often when pulling a
trailer. See this manual’s Maintenance Schedule or Index
for more information. Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic transmission uid,
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system and brake
system. It is a good idea to inspect these before and
during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Package
The vehicle is equipped with the seven-wire trailer
towing harness. This harness with a seven-pin universal
heavy-duty trailer connector is attached to the rear
bumper beam. It is located next to the integrated trailer
hitch. The seven-wire harness contains the following trailer
circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps
White: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Red w/ Black Stripe: Battery Feed*
Dark Blue: Trailer Brake*
*The fuses for these two circuits are installed in the
underhood electrical center, but the circuits are
not connected. They should be installed by your dealer
or a qualied service center.
If charging a remote (non-vehicle) battery, press the
Tow/Haul mode button, if equipped, located at the end of
the shift lever. This will boost the vehicle system voltage
and properly charge the battery. If the trailer is too light
for Tow/Haul mode, or the vehicle is not equipped with
Tow/Haul, turn on the headlamps as a second way to
boost the vehicle system and charge the battery.
5-56

Service ........................................................... .6-3
Accessories and Modications ......................... .6-3
California Proposition 65 Warning .................... .6-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements .... .6-4
Doing Your Own Service Work ........................ .6-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle ................................................ .6-5
Fuel ............................................................... .6-5
Gasoline Octane ........................................... .6-5
Gasoline Specications ................................... .6-6
California Fuel .............................................. .6-6
Additives ...................................................... .6-6
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) ................................. .6-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries .............................. .6-8
Filling the Tank ............................................. .6-9
Filling a Portable Fuel Container .................... .6-11
Checking Things Under the Hood ................... .6-12
Hood Release ............................................. .6-13
Engine Compartment Overview ...................... .6-14
Engine Oil .................................................. .6-15
Engine Oil Life System ................................. .6-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter ............................... .6-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid ........................ .6-20
Cooling System ........................................... .6-24
Engine Coolant ............................................ .6-25
Engine Overheating ...................................... .6-30 Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode ........................................ .6-33
Engine Fan Noise ........................................ .6-33
Power Steering Fluid .................................... .6-33
Windshield Washer Fluid ............................... .6-34
Brakes ....................................................... .6-36
Battery ....................................................... .6-39
Jump Starting .............................................. .6-40
All-Wheel Drive ............................................. .6-45
Rear Axle ...................................................... .6-46
Front
Axle ..................................................... .6-47
Headlamp Aiming .......................................... .6-48
Bulb Replacement ......................................... .6-51
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting ........... .6-51
LED Lighting ............................................... .6-51
Back-Up Lamps ........................................... .6-51
License Plate Lamp ..................................... .6-53
Replacement Bulbs ...................................... .6-53
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ............. .6-54
Tires ............................................................. .6-56
Tire Sidewall Labeling .................................. .6-57
Tire Terminology and Denitions .................... .6-59
Ination - Tire Pressure ................................ .6-62
High-Speed Operation .................................. .6-63Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-1

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

{ CAUTION: If too much brake uid is added, it can spill on
the engine and burn, if the engine is hot enough.
You or others could be burned, and the vehicle
could be damaged. Add brake uid only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
See “Checking Brake Fluid” in this section.
When the brake uid falls to a low level, the brake
warning light comes on. See Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-39 .
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to check the brake uid. See Scheduled Maintenance
on page 7-4 . Checking Brake Fluid Check brake uid by looking at the brake uid reservoir.
See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6-14 .
The uid level should be
above MIN. If it is not,
have the brake hydraulic
system checked to
see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is above the MIN but not over the
MAX mark.
6-37

AAccessories and Modications ............................ 6-3
Accessory Power ............................................ 2-26
Accessory Power Outlets ................................. 3-25
Additional Required Services, Scheduled
Maintenance ................................................. 7-6
Additives, Fuel ................................................. 6-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment ........................... 6-105
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal .................. 2-27
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine ................................. 6-19
Airbag
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle ................................................... 1-94
Airbag System
How Does an Airbag Restrain? ...................... 1-85
Passenger Sensing System ........................... 1-87
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle .......... 1-93
What Makes an Airbag Inate? ...................... 1-85
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates? .... 1-86
When Should an Airbag Inate? .................... 1-84
Where Are the Airbags? ............................... 1-81
Airbags
Passenger Status Indicator ........................... 3-37
Readiness Light .......................................... 3-36
System Check ............................................. 1-79 All-Wheel Drive ............................................... 6-45
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System ........................... 5-9
Analog Clock .................................................. 3-26
Antenna
Rear Side Window ..................................... 3-117
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System ..................................................... 3-117
Antilock Brake System (ABS) ............................. 5-5
Warning Light ............................................. 3-40
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels ............. 6-102
Care of Safety Belts ................................... 6-100
Chemical Paint Spotting .............................. 6-104
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses .................. 6-101
Fabric/Carpet .............................................. 6-98
Finish Care ............................................... 6-101
Finish Damage .......................................... 6-103
Instrument
Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces ................................................. 6-99
Interior Cleaning .......................................... 6-96
Leather ...................................................... 6-98
Sheet Metal Damage .................................. 6-103
Speaker Covers ......................................... 6-100
Tires ........................................................ 6-103
Underbody Maintenance ............................. 6-104
Washing Your Vehicle ................................. 6-100
1

Bulb Replacement ........................................... 6-53
Back-Up Lamps - Ambulance Body ................ 6-51
Fog Lamps ................................................. 3-22
Headlamp Aiming ........................................ 6-48
Headlamps ................................................. 6-51
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting ........... 6-51
License Plate Lamps .................................... 6-53
Buying New Tires ........................................... 6-71
CCalibration ..................................................... 3-53
California
Perchlorate Materials Requirements ................. 6-4
Warning ....................................................... 6-4
California Fuel .................................................. 6-6
Camera, Rear Vision ....................................... 2-48
Canadian Owners ............................................... iii
Capacities and Specications .......................... 6-113
Carbon Monoxide ................................... 2-12, 2-14
Engine Exhaust ........................................... 2-38
Winter Driving ............................................. 5-29
Care of
Safety Belts .............................................. 6-100
Center Console Storage ................................... 2-63
Center Seat ................................................... 1-10
Chains, Tire ................................................... 6-76
Charging System Light .................................... 3-38
Check Engine Lamp ........................................ 3-42 Checking Things Under the Hood ...................... 6-12
Chemical Paint Spotting ................................. 6-104
Child Restraints
Infants and Young Children ........................... 1-55
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children .......... 1-63
Older Children ............................................. 1-52
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position ........................................... 1-71
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center
Front Seat Position ................................... 1-75
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position ................................... 1-76
Systems ..................................................... 1-59
Where to Put the Restraint ........................... 1-61
Cigarette Lighter ............................................. 3-26
Circuit Breakers ............................................ 6-106
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels ............. 6-102
Exterior Lamps/Lenses ................................ 6-101
Fabric/Carpet .............................................. 6-98
Finish Care ............................................... 6-101
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces ................................................. 6-99
Interior ....................................................... 6-96
Leather ...................................................... 6-98
Speaker
Covers ......................................... 6-100
Tires ........................................................ 6-103
Underbody Maintenance ............................. 6-104
Washing Your Vehicle ................................. 6-100
3

Mirrors (cont.)
Outside Heated Mirrors ................................ 2-42
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors .................... 2-40
Park Tilt ..................................................... 2-41
NNavigation
Getting Started ............................................. 4-4
System Overview .......................................... 4-2
Using the System ........................................ 4-13
Navigation System, Privacy .............................. 8-18
New Vehicle Break-In ...................................... 2-24
OObject Detection, Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA) ............................................... 2-44
Odometer ...................................................... 3-35
Trip ........................................................... 3-35
Off-Road ....................................................... 5-13
Driving ....................................................... 5-13
Recovery .................................................... 5-11
Oil
Engine ....................................................... 6-15
Engine Oil Life System ................................. 6-18
Pressure Light ............................................. 3-44 Older Children, Restraints ................................ 1-52
Online Owner Center ........................................ 8-5
OnStar, Privacy .............................................. 8-18
OnStar ®
System, see OnStar ®
Manual ............... 2-52
Operation, Universal Home Remote System ........ 2-55
Ordering
Map DVDs ................................................. 4-61
Outlet Adjustment ............................................ 3-31
Outlets
Accessory Power ......................................... 3-25
Outside
Convex Mirror ............................................. 2-41
Heated Mirrors ............................................ 2-42
Power Foldaway Mirrors ............................... 2-40
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode ..... 6-33
Overview, Navigation System ............................. 4-2
Owner Checks and Services ............................. 7-10
Owners, Canadian .............................................. iii
P Paint, Damage .............................................. 6-103
Park
Shifting Into ................................................ 2-36
Shifting Out of ............................................ 2-37
Park Aid ........................................................ 2-42
Park Tilt Mirrors .............................................. 2-41
10