2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE brakes

During the trip, check occasionally to be sure that theload is secure and the lamps and any trailer brakesstill work.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead asyou would when driving the vehicle without a trailer.This can help to avoid heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when towing a trailer.The combination will not accelerate as quickly and islonger so it is necessary to go much farther beyond thepassed vehicle before returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.Then, to move the trailer to the left, move that hand tothe left. To move the trailer to the right, move your handto the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while traileringcould cause the trailer to come in contact with thevehicle. The vehicle could be damaged. Avoidmaking very sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make wider turns thannormal. Do this so the trailer will not strike softshoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal wellin advance.
If the trailer turn signal bulbs burn out, the arrowson the instrument panel will still flash for turns. It isimportant to check occasionally to be sure the trailerbulbs are still working.
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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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Electric Brake Control Wiring
Provisions
These wiring provisions are included with the vehicle aspart of the trailer wiring package. These provisions arefor an electric brake controller. The instrument panelcontains blunt cut wires near the data link connector forthe trailer brake controller. The harness contains thefollowing 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/retailer or aqualified service center.
Trailer Recommendations
Subtract the hitch loads from the Cargo Weight Rating(CWR). CWR is the maximum weight of the load thevehicle can carry. It does not include the weight of thepeople inside, but you can figure about 150 lbs. (68 kg)for each passenger. The total cargo load must not bemore than the vehicles CWR.
Weigh the vehicle with the trailer attached, so theGVWR or GAWR are not exceeded. If using aweight-distributing hitch, weigh the vehicle without thespring bars in place.
The best performance is obtained by correctlyspreading out the weight of the load and choosing thecorrect hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information seeTowing a Traileronpage 6!42.
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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
7-1

Service
For service and parts needs, visit your dealer/retailer.You will receive genuine GM parts and GM-trained andsupported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
Accessories and Modifications
When non!dealer/non!retailer accessories are added tothe vehicle, they can affect vehicle performance andsafety, including such things as airbags, braking,stability, ride and handling, emissions systems,aerodynamics, durability, and electronic systems likeantilock brakes, traction control, and stability control.Some of these accessories could even causemalfunction or damage not covered by the vehiclewarranty.
Damage to vehicle components resulting from theinstallation or use of non!GM certified parts, includingcontrol module modifications, is not covered under theterms of the vehicle warranty and may affect remainingwarranty coverage for affected parts.
7-4

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 7!22.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.SeeCooling System on page 7!28.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Startingon page 7!44.
D.Battery on page 7!43.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See“When to Add Engine Oil”underEngine Oil on page 7!17.
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (Out of View).See“Checking the Fluid Level”underAutomaticTransmission Fluid on page 7!24.
G. Remote Negative (!) Terminal (GND) (Out ofView). SeeJump Starting on page 7!44.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See“CheckingEngine Oil”underEngine Oil on page 7!17.
I. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). SeeCoolingSystem on page 7!28.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View).SeePower Steering Fluid on page 7!38.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See“BrakeFluid”underBrakes on page 7!40.
L.Underhood Fuse Block on page 7!111.
M. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See“AddingWasher Fluid”underWindshield Washer Fluidonpage 7!39.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at eachfuel fill. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil mustbe warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. SeeEngine Compartment Overviewon page 7!16for thelocation of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutesto drain back into the oil pan. If this is not done, theoil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towelor cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove itagain, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinderreservoir is filled with DOT3 brake fluid. SeeEngineCompartment Overviewon page 7!16for thelocation of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level inthe reservoir might go down:
.The brake fluid level goes down because ofnormal brake lining wear. When new linings areinstalled, the fluid level goes back up.
.A fluid leak in the brake hydraulic system can alsocause a low fluid level. Have the brake hydraulicsystem fixed, since a leak means that sooner orlater the brakes will not work well.
Do not top off the brake fluid. Adding fluid does notcorrect a leak. If fluid is added when the linings areworn, there will be too much fluid when new brakelinings are installed. Add or remove brake fluid, asnecessary, only when work is done on the brakehydraulic system.
{WARNING:
If too much brake fluid is added, it can spill on the
engine and burn, if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and the vehicle could
be damaged. Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system. See
“Checking Brake Fluid”in this section.
When the brake fluid falls to a low level, the brakewarning light comes on. SeeBrake System WarningLight on page 4!33.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine whento check the brake fluid. SeeScheduled Maintenanceo n p a g e 8!3.
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Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the brake fluid reservoir.SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 7!16.
The fluid level should beabove MIN. If it is not,have the brake hydraulicsystem checked to see ifthere is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, makesure the level is above the MIN but not over theMAX mark.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid from a sealedcontainer. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsonpage 8!10.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the areaaround the cap before removing it. This helps keep dirtfrom entering the reservoir.
{WARNING:
With the wrong kind of fluid in the brake hydraulic
system, the brakes might not work well. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
Notice:
.Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake hydraulic system parts. For example,
just a few drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in the brake hydraulic system
can damage brake hydraulic system parts so
badly that they will have to be replaced. Do
not let someone put in the wrong kind of
fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the vehicle's
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on the vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. SeeWashing Your Vehicleon
page 7!102.
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