Black plate (29,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
{ WARNING: Snow can trap engine exhaust under the vehicle.
This may cause exhaust gases to get inside.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow: .
Clear away snow from around the base of
your vehicle, especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe. .
Check again from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there. .
Open a window about 5 cm (two inches) on
the side of the vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air. .
Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel. .
Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that circulates the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest setting. See
Climate Control System in the Index.
(Continued)WARNING: (Continued) For more information about carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust on page 3 ‑ 41 .
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill you.
You cannot see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking the exhaust.
Run the engine for short periods only as needed to
keep warm, but be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only short periods as
needed to warm the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of the way to save heat.
Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feel
really uncomfortable from the cold. Moving about to
keep warm also helps.
If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and then
when you run the engine, push the accelerator pedal
slightly so the engine runs faster than the idle speed.
This keeps the battery charged to restart the vehicle
and to signal for help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible to save fuel.
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Black plate (30,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the
vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 6 ‑ 30 .
If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often help to
free a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle's traction
system in the Index. If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the traction system off
and use the rocking method.
{ WARNING: If the vehicle's tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured.
The vehicle can overheat, causing an engine
compartment fire or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and avoid going above
55 km/h (35 mph) as shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire chains on the vehicle,
see Tire Chains on page 7 ‑ 78 . Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area
around the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stability
system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes
a rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that does
not get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to
be towed out. Recovery hooks can be used, if the
vehicle has them. If the vehicle does need to be towed
out, see Towing Your Vehicle on page 6 ‑ 38 .
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Black plate (41,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed with
the rear wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed.
Dolly Towing (Rear Wheels Off the Ground)
Use the following procedure to dinghy tow a
two-wheel-drive vehicle from the rear:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the
dolly manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.
3. Firmly set the parking brake. See Parking Brake
on page 3 ‑ 38 . 4. Put the transmission in P (Park).
5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the
manufacturer's instructions.
6. Use an adequate clamping device designed for
towing to ensure that the front wheels are locked
into the straight position.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Level Control Automatic Level Control The automatic level control rear suspension is available
on light ‐ duty vehicles and comes as a part of the
Autoride ®
suspension, if equipped.
This type of level control is fully automatic and will
provide a better leveled riding position as well as better
handling under a variety of passenger and loading
conditions. An air compressor connected to the rear
shocks will raise or lower the rear of the vehicle to
maintain proper vehicle height. The system is activated
when the ignition key is turned to ON/RUN and will
automatically adjust vehicle height thereafter. The
system may exhaust (lower vehicle height) for up to
ten minutes after the ignition key has been turned off.
You may hear the air compressor operating when the
height is being adjusted.
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Black plate (49,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Tow/Haul Mode
Pressing this button at the end of the shift lever turns on
and off the tow/haul mode.
This indicator light on the
instrument panel cluster
comes on when the tow/
haul mode is on. Tow/Haul is a feature that assists when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load. See Tow/Haul Mode
on
page 3 ‑ 36 for more information.
Tow/Haul is designed to be most effective when the
vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least
75 percent of the vehicle's Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR). See “ Weight of the Trailer ” earlier in
the section. Tow/Haul is most useful under the following
driving conditions: .
When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load through rolling terrain. .
When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load in stop and go traffic. .
When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load in busy parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is desired.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul when lightly loaded
or with no trailer at all will not cause damage. However,
there is no benefit to the selection of Tow/Haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded
may result in unpleasant engine and transmission
driving characteristics and reduced fuel economy.
Tow/Haul is recommended only when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load.
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Black plate (54,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Trailer Wiring Harness Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Harness Package
The vehicle has a seven-pin universal heavy-duty trailer
connector attached to the rear bumper beam 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: Battery Feed* .
Dark Blue: Trailer Brake*
*The fuses for these two circuits are installed in the
underhood electrical center, but the wires are not
connected. They should be connected by your dealer or
a qualified service center.
If charging a remote (non-vehicle) battery, press the
tow/haul mode button 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, turn on the headlamps as a second way
to boost the vehicle system and charge the battery.
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Black plate (55,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Electric Brake Control Wiring
Provisions These wiring provisions are included with the vehicle as
part of the trailer wiring package. These provisions are
for an electric brake controller. The instrument panel
contains blunt cut wires near the data link connector for
the trailer brake controller. The harness contains the
following wires: .
Dark Blue: Brake Signal to Trailer Connector .
Red/Black: Battery .
Light Blue/White: Brake Switch .
White: Ground
It should be installed by your dealer or a qualified
service center. Trailer Recommendations Subtract the hitch loads from the Cargo Weight Rating
(CWR). CWR is the maximum weight of the load the
vehicle can carry. It does not include the weight of the
people inside, but you can figure about 150 lbs. (68 kg)
for each passenger. The total cargo load must not be
more than the vehicles CWR.
Weigh the vehicle with the trailer attached, so the
GVWR or GAWR are not exceeded. If using a
weight-distributing hitch, weigh the vehicle without the
spring bars in place.
The best performance is obtained by correctly
spreading out the weight of the load and choosing the
correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information see Towing a Trailer on
page 6 ‑ 42 .
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Black plate (1,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Section 7 Service and Appearance CareService . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Gasoline Octane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
California Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13
Checking Things Under the Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Hood Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-22 Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-24
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-27
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-29
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-34
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-37
Engine Fan Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-37
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-38
Windshield Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-39
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-40
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-43
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-44
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-49
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-50
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-51
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-52
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-54
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . 7-54
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-55
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-55
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-56
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-56
7-1
Black plate (8,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Gasoline Octane If the vehicle has the 6.0L V8 engine (VIN Code J), use
regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of
87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87, an
audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark
knock, might be heard when driving. If this occurs, use
a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. If heavy knocking is heard when using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, the engine needs
service.
If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine (VIN Code F), 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 a slight
audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark
knock, might be heard. 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 heavy knocking is heard when
using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, the engine
needs service. Gasoline Specifications At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specification 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. See Additives
on page 7 ‑ 9 for additional
information.
California Fuel If the vehicle is certified to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specifications. 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
specifications, but emission control system performance
might be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp could
turn on and the vehicle might fail a smog ‐ check test.
See Malfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 4 ‑ 36 . If this
occurs, return to your authorized dealer 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.
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