2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE Owners Manual

4. Check both sides of the dipstick and readthe lower level. Repeat the check procedureto verify the reading.
5. Safe operating level is within the HOT cross hatchband on the dipstick. If the fluid level is not withinthe HOT band, and the transmission temperatureis between 160°F and 200°F (71°C and 93°C), addor drain fluid as necessary to bring the level intothe HOT band. If the fluid level is low, add onlyenough fluid to bring the level into the HOT band.It does not take much fluid, generally less thanone pint (0.5L). Do not overfill.
6. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, pushthe dipstick back in all the way, then flip the handledown to lock the dipstick in place.
Consistency of Readings
Always check the fluid level at least twice using theprocedures described. Consistency (repeatablereadings) is important to maintaining proper fluid level.If fluid is added, it may take 15 minutes or longer toobtain an accurate reading because of residual fluiddraining down the dipstick tube. If inconsistent readingspersist, check the transmission breather to be sure it isclean and not clogged. If readings are still inconsistent,contact your dealer/retailer.
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Cooling System
The cooling system allows the engine to maintain thecorrect working temperature.
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Coolant SurgeTank Pressure Cap
C. Engine Cooling Fan(s)
{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.
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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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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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If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolantas follows:
1. You can remove thecoolant surge tankpressure cap whenthe cooling system,including the coolantsurge tank pressurecap and upper radiatorhose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwiseabout one full turn. If you hear a hiss, wait forthat to stop. A hiss means there is still somepressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly andremove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixtureto the FULL COLD mark.
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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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