2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV engine

Black plate (22,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-22 Vehicle Care .
Idles for long periods in traffic. .
Tows a trailer. See Trailer
Towing on page 9 ‑ 74 .
If the ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE or the ENGINE
OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message appears with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest
temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine
idle in N (Neutral) while stopped.
If it is safe to do so, pull off
the road, shift to P (Park)
or N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge
is no longer in the overheat zone
or an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven. Continue to drive the vehicle slowly
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull
over, stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle
the engine for five minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine
until it cools down. Also, see
“ Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode ” later in this
section.
Overheated
Engine Protection
Operating Mode If an overheated engine condition
exists and the ENGINE POWER IS
REDUCED message is displayed,
an overheat protection mode which
alternates firing groups of cylinders
helps prevent engine damage. In this mode, a loss in power and
engine performance will be noticed.
This operating mode allows the
vehicle to be driven to a safe place
in an emergency. Driving extended
distances and/or towing a trailer in
the overheat protection mode
should be avoided.
Notice: After driving in the
overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool
before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely
degraded. Repair the cause of
coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life system. See
Engine Oil on page 10 ‑ 7 .
Engine Fan The vehicle has electric cooling
fans. The fans spinning at low
speed during most everyday
driving might be heard. The fans
can turn off if no cooling is required.

Black plate (23,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-23Under heavy vehicle loading,
trailer towing, and/or high outside
temperatures, or if operating the
air conditioning system, the fans
can change to high speed and an
increase in fan noise might be
heard. This is normal and indicates
that the cooling system is
functioning properly. The fans
change to low speed when
additional cooling is no longer
required.
Power Steering Fluid
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10 ‑ 6 for reservoir location. When to Check Power Steering
Fluid It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless
there is a leak suspected in the
system or an unusual noise is
heard. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid To check the power steering fluid:
1. Turn the key off and let the
engine compartment cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the
reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the
dipstick with a clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely
tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look
at the fluid level on the dipstick. The level should be at the FULL
COLD mark. If necessary, add only
enough fluid to bring the level up to
the mark.
What to Use To determine what kind of fluid to
use, see Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11 ‑ 7 . Always
use the proper fluid.
Notice: Use of the incorrect fluid
may damage the vehicle and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle's warranty. Always
use the correct fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11 ‑ 7 .

Black plate (24,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-24 Vehicle Care
Washer Fluid What to Use When windshield washer fluid needs
to be added, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. Use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing in an
area where the temperature may fall
below freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid The vehicle has a low washer fluid
message on the DIC that comes
on when the washer fluid is low.
The message is displayed for
15 seconds at the start of each
ignition cycle. When the WASHER
FLUID LOW ADD FLUID message
displays, washer fluid will need to
be added to the windshield washer
fluid reservoir. Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid
until the tank is full. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10 ‑ 6 for reservoir 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
windshield washer system
and paint.
Brakes This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc
brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.

Black plate (26,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-26 Vehicle Care
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10 ‑ 6 for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why
the brake fluid level in the reservoir
might go down: .
The brake fluid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the fluid level goes
back up. .
A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system can also cause
a low fluid level. Have the brake
hydraulic system fixed, since a
leak means that sooner or later
the brakes will not work well. Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings
are worn, there will be too much
fluid when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
{ WARNINGIf 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 brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light on page 5 ‑ 21 . Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine when to check the
brake fluid. See Scheduled
Maintenance on page 11 ‑ 2 .
Checking Brake Fluid Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10 ‑ 6 .
The fluid level should be above
MIN. If it is not, have the brake
hydraulic system checked to see if
there is a leak.

Black plate (27,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-27After work is done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the
level is above the MIN but not over
the MAX mark.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid
from a sealed container. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11 ‑ 7 .
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from 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. Battery If the vehicle is a hybrid, see the
hybrid supplement for more
information.
Refer to the replacement number
on the original battery label when
a new battery is needed. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10 ‑ 6 for battery location.
{ DANGERBattery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.

Black plate (31,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-312. Firmly apply both the parking
brake and the regular brake.
See Parking Brake on
page 9 ‑ 46 .
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each
gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service. Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{ WARNINGWhen you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be
sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
See Parking Brake on
page 9 ‑ 46 .
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move. 3. With the engine off, turn the
ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF in each shift lever
position. .
The ignition should turn to
LOCK/OFF only when the shift
lever is in P (Park). .
The ignition key should come
out only in LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.

Black plate (32,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-32 Vehicle Care
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{ WARNINGWhen you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move. Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake. .
To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only. .
To check the P (Park)
mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift
to P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required. Wiper Blade Replacement Windshield wiper blades should
be inspected for wear or cracking.
See Scheduled Maintenance on
page 11 ‑ 2 .
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed in
different ways.
Front Wiper Blade
Replacement 1. Pull the windshield wiper arm
connector away from the
windshield.
2. Squeeze the grooved areas on
each side of the blade, and turn
the blade assembly away from
the arm connector.

Black plate (39,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-39Headlamp Wiring An electrical overload may cause
the lamps to go on and off, or in
some cases to remain off. Have
the headlamp wiring checked right
away if the lamps go on and off or
remain off.
Windshield Wipers If the wiper motor overheats due to
heavy snow or ice, the windshield
wipers will stop until the motor cools
and will then restart.
Although the circuit is protected
from electrical overload, overload
due to heavy snow or ice may
cause wiper linkage damage.
Always clear ice and heavy snow
from the windshield before using the
windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an
electrical problem and not snow or
ice, be sure to get it fixed. Fuses and Circuit
Breakers If the vehicle is a hybrid, see
the hybrid supplement for more
information.
The wiring circuits in the vehicle
are protected from short circuits
by a combination of fuses, circuit
breakers and fusible thermal links.
This greatly reduces the chance of
fires caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band
inside the fuse. If the band is broken
or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure
you replace a bad fuse with a new
one of the identical size and rating.
If you ever have a problem on the
road and don't have a spare fuse,
you can borrow one that has the
same amperage. Just pick some
feature of your vehicle that you can
get along without – like the radio
or cigarette lighter – and use its
fuse, if it is the correct amperage.
Replace it as soon as you can. Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
The Engine Compartment Fuse
Block is located in the engine
compartment, on the driver side of
the vehicle. Lift the cover for access
to the fuse/relay block.
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see
the hybrid supplement for more
information.
Notice: Spilling liquid on any
electrical component on the
vehicle may damage it. Always
keep the covers on any electrical
component.
To remove fuses, hold the end of
the fuse between your thumb and
index finger and pull straight out.