2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE engine overheat

If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free thevehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 6!30.
If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often helpto free a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle's tractionsystem in the Index. If stuck too severely for the tractionsystem to free the vehicle, turn the traction system offand 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,seeTire Chains on page 7!78.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the areaaround the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stabilitysystem. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and aforward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stopspinning before shifting gears. Release the acceleratorpedal while shifting, and press lightly on the acceleratorpedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinningthe wheels in the forward and reverse directions causesa rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that doesnot get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might needto be towed out. Recovery hooks can be used, if thevehicle has them. If the vehicle does need to betowed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 6!38.
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Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforestartingdown a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission isnot shifted down, the brakes might get hot and nolonger work well.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift the transmission toa lower gear if the transmission shifts too often underheavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
The tow/haul mode may be used if the transmissionshifts too often. SeeTow/Haul Mode on page 3!36.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at alower temperature than at normal altitudes. If the engineis turned off immediately after towing at high altitude onsteep uphill grades, the vehicle may show signs similarto engine overheating. To avoid this, let the engine runwhile parked, preferably on level ground, with theautomatic transmission in P (Park) for a few minutesbefore turning the engine off. If the overheat warningcomes on, seeEngine Overheating on page 7!34.
Parking on Hills
{WARNING:
Parking the vehicle on a hill with the trailer
attached can be dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move. People can be
injured, and both the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always park the rig on
a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift intoP (Park) yet. Turn the wheels into the curb if facingdownhill or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailerwheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release theregular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
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Section 7 Service and Appearance Care
Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6Adding Equipment to the Outside of theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Fuel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7Gasoline Octane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8California Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13
Checking Things Under the Hood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14Hood Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-22
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-24Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-28Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-29Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-34Overheated Engine ProtectionOperating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-37Engine Fan Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-37Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-38Windshield Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-39Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-40Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-43Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-44
All-Wheel Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-49
Rear Axle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-50
Front Axle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-51
Headlamp Aiming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-52
Bulb Replacement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-54High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . 7-54LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-55Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-55License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-56Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-56
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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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{WARNING:
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 fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL®cancause premature engine, heater core, or radiatorcorrosion. In addition, the engine coolant couldrequire changing sooner, at 50 000 km (30,000 miles)or 24 months, whichever occurs first. Any repairswould not be covered by the vehicle warranty.Always use DEX-COOL®(silicate-free) coolantin the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is filled withDEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designedto remain in the vehicle for five years or 150,000 miles(240 000 km), whichever occurs first.
The following explains the cooling system and how tocheck and add coolant when it is low. If there is aproblem with engine overheating, seeEngineOverheating on page 7!34.
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What to Use
{WARNING:
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 fire 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 andDEX-COOL®coolant. If using this mixture, nothingelse 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, theengine could overheat and be badly damaged. Therepair cost would not be covered by the vehiclewarranty. Too much water in the mixture can freezeand crack the engine, radiator, heater core, andother parts.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or additives are usedin the vehicle's cooling system, the vehicle could bedamaged. Use only the proper mixture of the enginecoolant listed in this manual for the cooling system.SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsonpage 8!10for more information.
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How to Add Coolant to the Surge Tank
{WARNING:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough.
Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Notice:This vehicle has a specific coolant fillprocedure. Failure to follow this procedure couldcause the engine to overheat and be severelydamaged.
{WARNING:
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.
{WARNING:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn the surge tank
pressure cap—even a little—they can come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap.
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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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