2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE service

Doing Your Own Service Work
If this vehicle is a Two!mode Hybrid, see the Two!modeHybrid manual for more information.
{WARNING:
You can be injured and the vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
.Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts,
and tools before attempting any vehicle
maintenance task.
.Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts, and
other fasteners. English and metric fasteners
can be easily confused. If the wrong fasteners
are used, parts can later break or fall off.
You could be hurt.
If doing some of your own service work, use the properservice manual. It tells you much more about how toservice the vehicle than this manual can. To order theproper service manual, seeService PublicationsOrdering Information on page 9!17.
This vehicle has an airbag system. Before attemptingto do your own service work, seeServicing YourAirbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 2!89.
Keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileageand the date of any service work performed. SeeMaintenance Record on page 8!14.
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of the Vehicle
Things added to the outside of the vehicle can affectthe airflow around it. This can cause wind noise andcan affect fuel economy and windshield washerperformance. Check with your dealer/retailer beforeadding equipment to the outside of the vehicle.
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Gasoline Octane
If the vehicle has the 6.0L V8 engine (VIN Code J), useregular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane ratingof 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87, anaudible knocking noise, commonly referred to as sparkknock, might be heard when driving. If this occurs, usea gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon aspossible. If heavy knocking is heard when usinggasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, the engineneeds service.
If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine (VIN Code F), usepremium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane ratingof 91 or higher. You can also use regular unleadedgasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but the vehicle'sacceleration could be slightly reduced, and a slightaudible knocking noise, commonly referred to as sparkknock, might be heard. If the octane is less than 87, youmight notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive.If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane orhigher as soon as possible. Otherwise, you coulddamage the engine. If heavy knocking is heard whenusing gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, the engineneeds service.
Gasoline Specifications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTMspecification D 4814 in the United States orCAN/CGSB!3.5 or 3.511 in Canada. Some gasolinescontain an octane-enhancing additive calledmethylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).We recommend against the use of gasolines containingMMT. SeeAdditiveso n p a g e 7!9for additionalinformation.
California Fuel
If the vehicle is certified to meet California EmissionsStandards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meetCalifornia specifications. See the underhood emissioncontrol label. If this fuel is not available in statesadopting California emissions standards, the vehiclewill operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federalspecifications, but emission control system performancemight be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp couldturn on and the vehicle might fail a smog!check test.SeeMalfunction Indicator Lampon page 4!36. If thisoccurs, return to your authorized dealer/retailer fordiagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is causedby the type of fuel used, repairs might not be coveredby the vehicle warranty.
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Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United Statesare now required to contain additives that help preventengine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowingthe emission control system to work properly. In mostcases, nothing should have to be added to the fuel.However, some gasolines contain only the minimumamount of additive required to meet U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency regulations. To help keep fuelinjectors and intake valves clean, or if the vehicleexperiences problems due to dirty injectors or valves,look for gasoline that is advertised as TOP TIERDetergent Gasoline.
For customers who do not use TOP TIER DetergentGasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel SystemTreatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engineoil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectorsand intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS isthe only gasoline additive recommended by GeneralMotors.
Also, your dealer/retailer has additives that will helpcorrect and prevent most deposit!related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers andethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be availablein your area. We recommend that you use thesegasolines, if they comply with the specifications
described earlier. However, E85 (85% ethanol) andother fuels containing more than 10% ethanol mustnot be used in vehicles that were not designed forthose fuels.
Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel thatcontains methanol. Do not use fuel containingmethanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuelsystem and also damage plastic and rubber parts.That damage would not be covered under thevehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for lowemissions can contain an octane-enhancing additivecalled methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasolinewhether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend againstthe use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT canreduce the life of spark plugs and the performance ofthe emission control system could be affected. Themalfunction indicator lamp might turn on. If this occurs,return to your dealer/retailer for service.
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
This vehicle can use either unleaded gasoline or85% ethanol fuel (E85). We encourage the use ofE85 in vehicles that are designed to use it. The ethanolin E85 is a“renewable”fuel, meaning it is made fromrenewable sources such as corn and other crops.
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Many service stations will not have an 85% ethanol fuel(E85) pump available. The U.S. Department of Energyhas an alternative fuels website (www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/infrastructure/locator.html) that can help you findE85 fuel. Those stations that do have E85 should havea label indicating ethanol content. Do not use the fuel ifthe ethanol content is greater than 85%.
At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM SpecificationD 5798. By definition, this means that fuel labeled E85will have an ethanol content between 70% and 85%.Filling the fuel tank with fuel mixtures that do not meetASTM specifications can affect driveability and couldcause the malfunction indicator lamp to come on.
To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the E85 fuelmust be formulated properly for your climate accordingto ASTM specification D 5798. If you have troublestarting on E85, it could be because the E85 fuel is notproperly formulated for your climate. If this happens,switching to gasoline or adding gasoline to the fuel tankcan improve starting. For good starting and heaterefficiency below 0°C (32°F), the fuel mix in the fuel tankshould contain no more than 70% ethanol. It is best notto alternate repeatedly between gasoline and E85.If you do switch fuels, it is recommended that youadd as much fuel as possible—do not add less than11 L (three gallons) when refueling. You should drivethe vehicle immediately after refueling for at least11 km (seven miles) to allow the vehicle to adaptto the change in ethanol concentration.
E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so youwill need to refill the fuel tank more often when usingE85 than when you are using gasoline. SeeFilling theTank on page 7!11.
Notice:Some additives are not compatible withE85 fuel and can harm the vehicle's fuel system.Do not add anything to E85. Damage caused byadditives would not be covered by the vehiclewarranty.
Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel thatcontains methanol. Do not use fuel containingmethanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuelsystem and also damage plastic and rubber parts.That damage would not be covered under thevehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside theUnited States or Canada, the proper fuel might be hardto find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel notrecommended in the previous text on fuel. Costlyrepairs caused by use of improper fuel would not becovered by the vehicle warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club,or contact a major oil company that does business inthe country where you will be driving.
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Engine Oil Additives / Engine Oil
Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oilswith the starburst symbol that meet GM standards areall that is needed for good performance and engineprotection.
Engine oil system flushes are not recommended andcould cause engine damage not covered by the vehiclewarranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that indicates whento change the engine oil and filter. This is based onengine revolutions and engine temperature, and not onmileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage atwhich an oil change is indicated can vary considerably.For the oil life system to work properly, the system mustbe reset every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has beendiminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary.A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes on.SeeDIC Warnings and Messageson page 4!48.Change the oil as soon as possible within the next600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if driving underthe best conditions, the oil life system might not indicatethat an oil change is necessary for over a year.However, the engine oil and filter must be changed atleast once a year and at this time the system must bereset. Your dealer/retailer has trained service peoplewho will perform this work using genuine parts andreset the system. It is also important to check the oilregularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must bechanged at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last oilchange. Remember to reset the oil life systemwhenever the oil is changed.
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Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is usually not necessary to check the transmissionfluid level. The only reason for fluid loss is atransmission leak or overheating the transmission.If you suspect a small leak, then use the followingchecking procedures to check the fluid level. However,if there is a large leak, then it may be necessary to havethe vehicle towed to a dealer/retailer service departmentand have it repaired before driving the vehicle further.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmissionfluid may damage the vehicle, and the damages maynot be covered by the vehicle's warranty. Alwaysuse the automatic transmission fluid listed inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 8!10.
Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed in theMaintenance Schedule. SeeScheduled Maintenanceo n p a g e 8!3. Be sure to use the transmission fluidlisted inRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsonpage 8!10.
How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Notice:Too much or too little fluid can damage yourtransmission. Too much can mean that some of thefluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts orexhaust system parts, starting a fire. Too little fluidcould cause the transmission to overheat. Be sureto get an accurate reading if you check yourtransmission fluid.
Before checking the fluid level, prepare the vehicle asfollows:
1. Start the engine and park the vehicle on a levelsurface. Keep the engine running.
2. Apply the parking brake and place the shiftlever in P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shiftlever through each gear range, pausing for aboutthree seconds in each range. Then, move the shiftlever back to P (Park).
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4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, startthe engine and let it run until you can feel theupper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for theengine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolantsurge tank may be lower. If the level is lower, addmore of the proper mixture to the coolant surgetank until the level reaches the FULL COLD mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressurecap is hand-tight and fully seated.
6. Verify coolant level after engine is shut off and thecoolant is cold. If necessary, repeat coolant fillprocedure Steps 1 through 6.
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,coolant loss and possible engine damage mayoccur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightlysecured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators to warn of engineoverheating.
There is a coolant temperature gage on your vehicle'sinstrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant TemperatureGage on page 4!35.
In addition, ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE,ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE, and a ENGINEPOWER IS REDUCED message comes on in the DriverInformation Center (DIC) on the instrument panel. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 4!48.
You may decide not to lift the hood when this warningappears, but instead get service help right away. SeeRoadside Service on page 9!8.
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If you do decide to lift the hood , make sure the vehicleis parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine cooling fans arerunning. If the engine is overheating, both fans shouldbe running. If they are not, do not continue to run theengine and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from running your enginewithout coolant is not covered by your warranty.SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Modeon page 7!37for information on driving to a safeplace in an emergency.
Notice:If the engine catches fire while driving withno coolant, the vehicle can be badly damaged. Thecostly repairs would not be covered by the vehiclewarranty. SeeOverheated Engine ProtectionOperating Modeon page 7!37for information ondriving to a safe place in an emergency.
If Steam Is Coming From The Engine
Compartment
{WARNING:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Turn it off and get everyone away from the
vehicle until it cools down. Wait until there is no
sign of steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the vehicles engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop the engine if it
overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Modeon page 7!37for information on driving to
a safe place in an emergency.
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