2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE warning light

{WARNING:
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the vehicle.
This may cause exhaust gases to get inside.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
.Clear away snow from around the base of
your vehicle, especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
.Check again from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there.
.Open a window about 5 cm (two inches) on
the side of the vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel.
.Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that circulates the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest setting.
See Climate Control System in the Index.
(Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
For more information about carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust on page 3!41.
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill you.
You cannot see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking the exhaust.
Run the engine for short periods only as needed tokeep warm, but be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only short periods asneeded to warm the vehicle and then shut the engineoff and close the window most of the way to save heat.Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feelreally uncomfortable from the cold. Moving about tokeep warm also helps.
If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and thenwhen you run the engine, push the accelerator pedalslightly so the engine runs faster than the idle speed.This keeps the battery charged to restart the vehicleand to signal for help with the headlamps. Do this aslittle as possible to save fuel.
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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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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

If the vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC), theTIGHTEN GAS CAP message displays if the fuel cap isnot properly installed.
{WARNING:
If a fire starts while you are refueling, do not
remove the nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by notifying the station
attendant. Leave the area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to getthe right type. Your dealer/retailer can get one foryou. If you get the wrong type, it may not fitproperly. This may cause the malfunction indicatorlamp to light and may damage the fuel tank andemissions system. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lampon page 4!36.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{WARNING:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
the vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel vapor. You can be
badly burned and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:
.Dispense fuel only into approved containers.
.Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle's trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than the ground.
.Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the inside
of the fill opening before operating the nozzle.
Contact should be maintained until the filling
is complete.
.Do not smoke while pumping fuel.
.Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping fuel.
7-13

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.
7-40

Brake Wear
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads havebuilt-in wear indicators that make a high-pitchedwarning sound when the brake pads are worn and newpads are needed. The sound can come and go or beheard all the time the vehicle is moving, except whenapplying the brake pedal firmly.
{WARNING:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
the brakes will not work well. That could lead to
an accident. When the brake wear warning sound
is heard, have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brakepads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brakesqueal when the brakes are first applied or lightlyapplied. This does not mean something is wrong withthe brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to helpprevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspectbrake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts inthe proper sequence to torque specifications inCapacities and Specifications on page 7!115.
Brake linings should always be replaced as completeaxle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does notreturn to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase inpedal travel. This could be a sign that brake servicemight be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every brake stop, the disc brakes adjust for wear.
7-42

The remote negative (-) terminal is a stud locatedon the right front of the engine, where the negativebattery cable attaches.
SeeEngine Compartment Overviewon page 7!16for more information on the location of the remotepositive (+) and remote negative (!) terminals.
{WARNING:
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
{WARNING:
Using an open flame near a battery can cause
battery gas to explode. People have been hurt
doing this, and some have been blinded. Use a
flashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You do not
need to add water to the battery installed in your
new vehicle. But if a battery has filler caps, be
sure the right amount of fluid is there. If it is low,
add water to take care of that first. If you do not,
explosive gas could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you. Do
not get it on you. If you accidentally get it in your
eyes or on your skin, flush the place with water
and get medical help immediately.
7-46

9. Make sure that the light from the headlamp ispositioned at the bottom edge of the horizontaltape line. The lamp on the left (A) shows thecorrect headlamp aim. The lamp on the right (B)shows the incorrect headlamp aim.
10. Repeat Steps 7 through 9 for the oppositeheadlamp.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs on page 7!56.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in thissection, contact your dealer/retailer.
High Intensity Discharge (HID)
Lighting
{WARNING:
The low beam high intensity discharge lighting
system operates at a very high voltage. If you try
to service any of the system components, you
could be seriously injured. Have your dealer/
retailer or a qualified technician service them.
The vehicle may have HID headlamps. After an HIDheadlamp bulb has been replaced, you may notice thatthe beam is a slightly different shade than it wasoriginally. This is normal.
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