2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT transmission

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
fluid, 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 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 w/ Black Stripe: 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/retailer 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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Section 7 Service and Appearance Care
Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Gasoline Octane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
California Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Checking Things Under the Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-12
Hood Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20 Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-22
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-26
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-27
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-33
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-35
Engine Fan Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-35
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-36
Windshield Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-37
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-38
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-41
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-42
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-47
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-48
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-49
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-50
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-53
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . 7-53
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-53
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-55
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-55
7-1

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 7‑20.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System on page 7‑26.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting
on page 7‑42.
D. Battery on page 7‑41.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
under Engine Oil on page 7‑15.
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 7‑22.
G. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND) (Out of View). See Jump Starting on page 7‑42.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 7‑15.
I. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling
System on page 7‑26.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View). See Power Steering Fluid on page 7‑36.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” under Brakes on page 7‑38.
L. Underhood Fuse Block on page 7‑108.
M. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on
page 7‑37.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each
fuel fill. 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 7‑14for 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.
7-15

Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is usually not necessary to check the transmission
fluid level. The only reason for fluid loss is a
transmission leak or overheating the transmission.
If you suspect a small leak, then use the following
checking procedures to check the fluid 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.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
fluid may damage the vehicle, and the damages may
not be covered by the vehicle's warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 8‑10.
Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed in the
Maintenance Schedule. See Scheduled Maintenance
on page 8‑3. Be sure to use the transmission fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricantson
page 8‑10.
How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Notice: Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts or
exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Too little fluid
could cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Before checking the fluid 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).
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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 fluid temperature is reached.Cold Check Procedure
Use this procedure only as a reference to determine if
the transmission has enough fluid to be operated safely
until a hot check procedure can be made. The hot
check procedure is the most accurate method to check
the fluid level. Perform the hot check procedure at the
first opportunity. Use this cold check procedure to check
fluid level when the transmission temperature is
between 80°F and 90°F (27°C and 32°C).
1. Locate thetransmission dipstick at
the rear of the engine
compartment, on the
passenger side of the
vehicle.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 7‑14for 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.
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4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lowerlevel. Repeat the check procedure to verify the
reading.
5. If the fluid level is below the COLD check band,add only enough fluid as necessary to bring the
level into the COLD band. It does not take much
fluid, generally less than one pint (0.5L). Do not
overfill.
6. Perform a hot check at the first opportunity after the transmission reaches a normal
operating temperature between 160°F to 200°F
(71°C to 93°C).
7. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way, then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
Hot Check Procedure
Use this procedure to check the transmission fluid level
when the transmission fluid temperature is between
160°F and 200°F (71°C and 93°C).
The hot check is the most accurate method to check
the fluid level. The hot check should be performed at
the first opportunity in order to verify the cold check.
The fluid level rises as fluid temperature increases, so it
is important to ensure the transmission temperature is
within range.
1. Locate thetransmission dipstick
at the rear of the
engine compartment,
on the passenger side
of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 7‑14for 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.
7-24

5. Safe operating level is within the HOT cross hatchband on the dipstick. If the fluid level is not within
the HOT band, and the transmission temperature
is between 160°F and 200°F (71°C and 93°C), add
or drain fluid as necessary to bring the level into
the HOT band. If the fluid level is low, add only
enough fluid to bring the level into the HOT band.
It does not take much fluid, generally less than
one pint (0.5L). Do not overfill.
6. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way, then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
Consistency of Readings
Always check the fluid level at least twice using the
procedures described. Consistency (repeatable
readings) is important to maintaining proper fluid level.
If fluid is added, it may take 15 minutes or longer to
obtain an accurate reading because of residual fluid
draining down the dipstick tube. If inconsistent readings
persist, check the transmission breather to be sure it is
clean and not clogged. If readings are still inconsistent,
contact your dealer/retailer.
7-25

Jump Starting
If the vehicle's battery (or batteries) has run down, you
may want to use another vehicle and some jumper
cables to start your vehicle. Be sure to use the following
steps to do it safely.
{WARNING:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
.They contain acid that can burn you.
.They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
.They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly, some or
all of these things can hurt you. Notice:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to the vehicle that would not be covered by
the warranty.
Trying to start the vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage the vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery with a negative ground system.
Notice: If the other vehicle's system is not a 12-volt
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not
touching each other. If they are, it could cause a
ground connection you do not want. You would
not be able to start your vehicle, and the bad
grounding could damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved
in the jump start procedure. Put the automatic
transmission in P (Park) or a manual transmission
in Neutral before setting the parking brake. If you
have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear, not in Neutral.
7-42