2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE engine coolant

ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays and a chime sounds when the
cooling system temperature gets too hot and the engine
further enters the engine coolant protection mode.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 6-30for further
information.
This message also displays when the vehicle’s engine
power is reduced. Reduced engine power can affect the
vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no reduction in performance, proceed
to your destination. The performance may be reduced
the next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may
be driven at a reduced speed while this message is on,
but acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime
this message stays on, the vehicle should be taken
to your dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays and a chime sounds if the fuel
level is low. Refuel as soon as possible. SeeFuel Gage
on page 3-45andFuel on page 6-5for more information.
HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM OFF
This message displays when the heated windshield
washer has been turned off. SeeWindshield Washer on
page 3-10for more information.
HEATING WASH FLUID WASH WIPES
PENDING
This message displays when the heated windshield
washer system is heating the uid. SeeWindshield
Washer on page 3-10for more information.
HOOD OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the hood is
not fully closed. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the
hood for obstructions, and close the hood again. Check to
see if the message still appears on the DIC.
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE WITH CARE
This message displays when ice conditions are possible.
LEFT REAR DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the driver
side rear door is not fully closed and the vehicle is shifted
out of P (Park). Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the
door for obstructions, and close the door again. Check to
see if the message still appears on the DIC.
3-56

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel ash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the
trailer lamps also ash, telling other drivers the vehicle
is turning, changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument
panel ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. For this reason you may think other
drivers are seeing the signal when they are not. It is
important to check occasionally to be sure the
trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforestarting
down a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift the transmission to
a lower gear if the transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
The tow/haul mode may be used if the transmission
shifts too often. SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 3-45.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, the vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let
the engine run while parked, preferably on level ground,
with the transmission in P (Park) for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, seeEngine Overheating on page 6-30.
5-52

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..............................................6-12
Engine Compartment Overview.......................6-14
Engine Oil...................................................6-16
Engine Oil Life System..................................6-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................6-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................6-21
Cooling System............................................6-24
Engine Coolant.............................................6-26Engine Overheating.......................................6-30
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . .6-33
Engine Fan Noise.........................................6-33
Power Steering Fluid.....................................6-34
Windshield Washer Fluid................................6-35
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..........................................6-50
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.................................6-61
High-Speed Operation...................................6-63
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................6-63
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-1

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a re. These include liquids like fuel, oil,
coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and other
uids, and plastic or rubber. You or others could
be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill things
that will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood:
1. Pull the handle with this
symbol on it. It is
located inside the
vehicle to the lower left
of the steering wheel.
6-12

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-19.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeCooling
System on page 6-24.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 6-40.
D.Battery on page 6-39.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-16.
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 6-21.
G. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND) (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 6-40.H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 6-16.
I. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). SeeCooling
System on page 6-24.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 6-34.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 6-36.
L.Underhood Fuse Block on page 6-106.
M. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-35.
6-15

A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
C. Engine Cooling Fan(s)
{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine parts,
can be very hot. Do not touch them. If you do, you
can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine re, and you could be burned.
Get any leak xed before you drive the vehicle.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®can
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant could
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in the
vehicle.
6-25

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in the vehicle for ve years or 150,000
miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs rst.
The following explains the cooling system and how to
check and add coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 6-30.
What to Use
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant
mixture will. The vehicle’s coolant warning system
is set for the proper coolant mixture. With plain
water or the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but you would not get the overheat
warning. The engine could catch re and you or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant. If using this mixture, nothing else
needs to be added. This mixture:
Gives freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C),
outside temperature.
Gives boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C),
engine temperature.
Protects against rust and corrosion.
Will not damage aluminum parts.
Helps keep the proper engine temperature.
Notice:If an improper coolant mixture is used, the
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core,
and other parts.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or additives are used
in the vehicle’s cooling system, the vehicle could
be damaged. Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in this manual for the
cooling system. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 7-13for more information.
6-26

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant surge
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down. If
coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at or above
the FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
surge tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 6-14for
more information on location.
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark. If it is not, you may have a leak in the
cooling system.
6-27