2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV Owners Manual

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

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use Look for three things:
GM4718M
This vehicle’s engine requires a special oil meeting
GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting this
standard may be identied as synthetic. However,
not all synthetic oils will meet this GM standard.
Use only an oil that meets GM Standard GM4718M. Notice: Using oils that do not have the GM4718M
Standard designation can cause engine damage not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
SAE 5W-30
SAE 5W-30 is best for the vehicle. These numbers
on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50.
American Petroleum Institute (API) starburst symbol
Oils meeting these
requirements should have
the starburst symbol on
the container. This symbol
indicates that the oil
has been certied by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
This vehicle’s engine was lled at the factory with a
Mobil 1 ®
synthetic oil meeting all requirements for this
vehicle.
Substitute Engine Oil: When adding oil to maintain
engine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M
might not be available. You can add substitute oil
designated SAE 5W-30 with the starburst symbol at all
temperatures. Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard
GM4718M should not be used for an oil change.
6-17

Engine Oil Additives / Engine Oil
Flushes Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM standards are
all that is needed for good performance and engine
protection.
Engine oil system ushes are not recommended and
could cause engine damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil This vehicle has a computer system that indicates when
to change the engine oil and lter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change is indicated can vary considerably.
For the oil life system to work properly, the system
must be reset every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary.
A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes on.
See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56 .
Change the oil as soon as possible within the next
600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life system might not
indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year. However, the engine oil and lter must be changed at
least once a year and at this time the system must
be reset. Your dealer/retailer has trained service people
who will perform this work using genuine parts and
reset the system. It is also important to check the oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
the engine oil and lter based on vehicle use. Whenever
the oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs
where the oil is changed prior to a CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message being turned on, reset the system.
Always reset the engine oil life to 100% after every oil
change. It will not reset itself. To reset the Engine
Oil Life System:
1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC.
2. Press and hold the SET/RESET button on the DIC
for more than ve seconds. The oil life will change
to 100%.
6-18

If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes
back on when the vehicle is started, the Engine Oil Life
System has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil Used engine oil contains certain elements that can be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Recycle it by taking it to a
place that collects used oil.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6-14 for
the location of the engine air cleaner/lter.
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the Maintenance II
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change after each
50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. See Scheduled
Maintenance on page 7-4 for more information. If driving
on dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the lter at each engine
oil change. How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter To inspect the air cleaner/lter, remove the engine air
cleaner/lter from the vehicle by following Steps 1
through 6. When the engine air cleaner/lter is removed,
lightly shake it to release loose dust and dirt. If the
engine air cleaner/lter remains caked with dirt, a new
lter is required.
Replacing the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 1. Locate the air cleaner/
lter assembly. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on
page 6-14 .
2. Loosen the four screws on the cover of the housing
and lift up the cover.
6-19

3. Remove the engine air cleaner/lter from the
housing. Care should be taken to dislodge as
little dirt as possible.
4. Clean the engine air cleaner/lter sealing surfaces
and the housing.
5. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter.
6. Reinstall the cover and tighten the screws. { CAUTION: Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter off
can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to stop
ames if the engine backres. If it is not there and
the engine backres, you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/lter off.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid It is usually not necessary to check the transmission uid
level. The only reason for uid loss is a transmission leak
or overheating the transmission. If you suspect a small
leak, then use the following checking procedures to check
the uid level. However, if there is a large leak, then it
may be necessary to have the vehicle towed to a dealer/
retailer service department and have it repaired before
driving the vehicle further.
6-20

Notice: Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage the vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by the vehicle’s warranty.
Always use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7-13 .
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in the
Maintenance Schedule. See Scheduled Maintenance on
page 7-4 . Be sure to use the transmission uid listed
in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7-13 .
How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid Notice: Too much or too little uid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of the
uid could come out and fall on hot engine parts or
exhaust system parts, starting a re. Too little uid
could cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission uid. Before checking the uid level, prepare the vehicle as
follows:
1. Start the engine and park the vehicle on a level
surface. Keep the engine running.
2. Apply the parking brake and place the shift lever in
P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, move the
shift lever back to P (Park).
4. Allow the engine to idle (500 – 800 rpm) for at least
one minute. Slowly release the brake pedal.
5. Keep the engine running and press the Trip/Fuel
button or trip odometer reset stem until TRANS
TEMP (Transmission Temperature) displays on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
6. Using the TRANS TEMP reading, determine and
perform the appropriate check procedure. If the
TRANS TEMP reading is not within the required
temperature ranges, allow the vehicle to cool,
or operate the vehicle until the appropriate
transmission uid temperature is reached.
6-21

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