2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT fuel additives

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.......................................................6-7
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................6-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................6-9
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.........................6-21
Cooling System............................................6-25
Engine Coolant.............................................6-26
Engine Overheating.......................................6-30Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................6-33
Engine Fan Noise.........................................6-33
Power Steering Fluid.....................................6-33
Windshield Washer Fluid................................6-34
Brakes........................................................6-35
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
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps...................................6-51
License Plate Lamp......................................6-52
Replacement Bulbs.......................................6-53
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............6-53
Tires..............................................................6-54
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................6-55
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................6-57
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................6-60
High-Speed Operation...................................6-61
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-1

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. SeeAdditives on page 6-7for
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. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-36.
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.
6-6

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. 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.
6-7

Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
This vehicle can use either unleaded gasoline or 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%.
At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM Specication
D 5798. By denition, this means that fuel labeled E85
will have an ethanol content between 70% and 85%.
Filling the fuel tank with fuel mixtures that do not meet
ASTM specications can affect driveability and could
cause the malfunction indicator lamp to come on.
To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the E85 fuel
must be formulated properly for your climate according
to ASTM specication D 5798. If you have trouble
starting on E85, it could be because the E85 fuel is not
properly formulated for your climate. If this happens,
switching to gasoline or adding gasoline to the fuel tank
can improve starting. For good starting and heater
efficiency below 32°F (0°C), the fuel mix in the fuel tankshould contain no more than 70% ethanol. It is best not
to alternate repeatedly between gasoline and E85. If
you do switch fuels, it is recommended that you add as
much fuel as possible — do not add less than three
gallons (11 L) when refueling. You should drive
the vehicle immediately after refueling for at least seven
miles (11 km) to allow the vehicle to adapt to the
change in ethanol concentration.
E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so you
will need to rell the fuel tank more often when
using E85 than when you are using gasoline. SeeFilling
the Tank on page 6-9.
Notice:Some additives are not compatible with
E85 fuel and can harm the vehicle’s fuel system. Do
not add anything to E85. Damage caused by
additives would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
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.
6-8

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 6-3
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-20
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-67
Additives, Fuel................................................. 6-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................6-103
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-34
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................6-19
Air Conditioning..............................................3-22
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-31
Readiness Light..........................................3-30
Airbag System................................................1-53
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-67
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-59
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-61
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-67
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-59
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-60
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-58
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-56
All-Wheel Drive...............................................6-45
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System........................... 5-9
Analog Clock..................................................3-22
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-90
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System......................................................3-90Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 5-5
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-34
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............6-100
Care of Safety Belts....................................6-97
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................6-101
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................6-98
Fabric/Carpet..............................................6-95
Finish Care.................................................6-98
Finish Damage..........................................6-101
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................6-96
Interior Cleaning..........................................6-94
Leather......................................................6-96
Sheet Metal Damage..................................6-101
Speaker Covers..........................................6-96
Tires........................................................6-100
Underbody Maintenance.............................6-101
Washing Your Vehicle...................................6-97
Weatherstrips..............................................6-97
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................6-99
Wood Panels..............................................6-96
Appointments, Scheduling Service....................... 8-9
Ashtray.........................................................3-21
Audio System.........................................3-66, 4-57
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-88
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-90
Radio Reception..........................................3-89
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-85
1

Electronic Immobilizer
PASS-Key®III+...........................................2-29
Electronic Immobilizer Operation
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-29
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................6-19
Check and Service Engine Soon Lamp...........3-36
Coolant......................................................6-26
Coolant Heater............................................2-34
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-35
Drive Belt Routing.......................................7-16
Engine Compartment Overview......................6-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-45
Fan Noise..................................................6-33
Oil .............................................................6-15
Oil Life System...........................................6-18
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........6-33
Overheating................................................6-30
Starting......................................................2-32
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-19
Event Data Recorders.....................................8-16
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-31
Exterior Cargo Lamps......................................3-18
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
F
Features
Memory ....................................................... 1-7
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................6-19
Finish Damage.............................................6-101
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-90
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-5
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................6-76
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................6-77
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................6-90
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................6-21
Power Steering...........................................6-33
Windshield Washer......................................6-34
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-18
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-40
Front Axle......................................................6-47
Fuel............................................................... 6-5
Additives...................................................... 6-7
California Fuel.............................................. 6-6
Driving for Better Economy............................. 5-2
E85 (85% Ethanol)........................................ 6-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................6-11
5