2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE engine coolant

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checkingthe coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant surgetank. If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank isboiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.If coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at orabove the FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL®coolant at thecoolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling system iscool before this is done.
The coolant surge tank is located in the enginecompartment on the passenger side of the vehicle.SeeEngine Compartment Overviewon page 7!16formore information on location.
The coolant level should be at or above the FULLCOLD mark. If it is not, you may have a leak in thecooling system.
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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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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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If No Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
The ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE or theENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE message, alongwith a low coolant condition, can indicate a seriousproblem.
If you get an engine overheat warning, but see or hearno steam, the problem may not be too serious.Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
.Climb a long hill on a hot day.
.Stop after high-speed driving.
.Idle for long periods in traffic.
.Tow a trailer. SeeTowing a Trailer on page 6!42.
If you get the ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINEor the ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE messagewith no sign of steam, try this for a minute or so:
If the overheat warning is displayed with no sign ofsteam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature andto the highest fan speed. Open the windows asnecessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral)while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off theroad, shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and let theengine idle.
If the temperature overheat gage is no longer in theoverheat zone or an overheat warning no longerdisplays, the vehicle can be driven. Continue to drivethe vehicle slow for about 10 minutes. Keep a safevehicle distance from the car in front of you. If thewarning does not come back on, continue to drivenormally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park thevehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine forfive minutes while parked. If the warning is stilldisplayed, turn off the engine until it cools down. Also,see“Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode”later in this section.
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Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and theENGINE POWER IS REDUCED message is displayed,an overheat protection mode which alternates firinggroups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. Inthis mode, you will notice a loss in power and engineperformance. This operating mode allows the vehicle tobe driven to a safe place in an emergency. Drivingextended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in theoverheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engineprotection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,allow the engine to cool before attempting anyrepair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil andreset the oil life system. SeeEngine Oilonpage 7!17.
Engine Fan Noise
The vehicle has electric cooling fans. You might hearthe fans spinning at low speed during most everydaydriving. The fans can turn off if no cooling is required.Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing, and/or highoutside temperatures, or if you are operating the airconditioning system, the fans can change to high speedand you might hear an increase in fan noise. This isnormal and indicates that the cooling system isfunctioning properly. The fans change to low speedwhen additional cooling is no longer required.
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Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid needs to be added, besure to read the manufacturer's instructions before use.Use a fluid that has sufficient protection against freezingin an area where the temperature may fall belowfreezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
The vehicle has a low washer fluid message in the DICthat comes on when the washer fluid is low. Themessage is displayed for 15 seconds at the start ofeach ignition cycle. When the WASHER FLUID LOWADD FLUID message displays, you will need to addwasher fluid to the windshield washer fluid reservoir.
Open the cap with thewasher symbol on it. Addwasher fluid until the tankis full. SeeEngineCompartment Overviewon page 7!16forreservoir location.
Notice:
.When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
adding water.
.Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage the washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system. Also, water does
not clean as well as washer fluid.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only three-quarters
full when it is very cold. This allows for fluid
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
.Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can damage the
vehicle's windshield washer system and
paint.
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Every Engine Oil Change
.Change engine oil and filter. SeeEngine Oilonpage 7!17.An Emission Control Service.
.Engine coolant level check. SeeEngine Coolanton page 7!29.
.Windshield washer fluid level check. SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 7!39.
.Tire inflation check. SeeInflation - Tire Pressureon page 7!65.
.Tire wear inspection. SeeTire Inspection andRotation on page 7!71.
.Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotationonpage 7!71.
.Fluids visual leak check (or every 12 months,whichever occurs first). A leak in any system mustbe repaired and the fluid level checked.
.Engine air cleaner filter inspection. SeeEngine AirCleaner/Filter on page 7!22.
.Brake system inspection (or every 12 months,whichever occurs first).
.Lubricate the front suspension, steering linkage,and parking brake cable guides. Control arm balljoints are maintenance!free.
.Steering and suspension inspection. Visualinspection for damaged, loose, or missing parts orsigns of wear.
.Engine cooling system inspection. Visualinspection of hoses, pipes, fittings, and clamps andreplacement, if needed.
.Windshield wiper blade inspection for wear,cracking, or contamination and windshield andwiper blade cleaning, if contaminated. SeeWindshield, Backglass, and Wiper Bladesonpage 7!104. Worn or damaged wiper bladereplacement. SeeWindshield Wiper BladeReplacement on page 7!57.
.Body hinges and latches, key lock cylinders, rearcompartment hinges, outer tailgate handle pivotpoints, and folding seat hardware lubrication. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsonpage 8!10. More frequent lubrication may berequired when vehicle is exposed to a corrosiveenvironment. Applying silicone grease onweatherstrips with a clean cloth makes them lastlonger, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
.Restraint system component check. SeeCheckingthe Restraint Systems on page 2!91.
.Automatic transmission fluid level check andadding fluid, if needed. SeeAutomaticTransmission Fluid on page 7!24.
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