Page 389 of 548

Black plate (69,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-69
{ WARNINGFuel can spray out on you if you
open the fuel cap too quickly.
If you spill fuel and then
something ignites it, you could
be badly burned. This spray can
happen if the tank is nearly full,
and is more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly and wait
for any hiss noise to stop. Then
unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not
top off or overfill the tank and wait a
few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the
nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care on page 10 ‑ 90 . When replacing the fuel cap,
insert the tether in its hole before
tightening the cap. Turn the fuel cap
clockwise until it clicks. It will require
more effort to turn the fuel cap on
the last turn as you tighten it. Make
sure the cap is fully installed. The
diagnostic system can determine if
the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5 ‑ 18 .
If the vehicle has a Driver
Information Center (DIC), the
TIGHTEN GAS CAP message
displays if the fuel cap is not
properly installed. { WARNINGIf 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 get the right type.
Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type, it may
not fit properly. This may cause
the malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage the fuel
tank and emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5 ‑ 18 .
Page 399 of 548

Black plate (79,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-79Weight ‐ Distributing Hitch
Adjustment
A. Body to Ground Distance
B. Front of Vehicle
When using a weight-distributing
hitch, the spring bars should be
adjusted so the distance (A) is the
same after coupling the trailer to the
tow vehicle and adjusting the hitch. Hitch Cover The vehicle may have a hitch cover.
To remove the hitch cover:
1. Turn the fasteners on the lower
tabs 90 degrees
counterclockwise.
2. Lift the lower edge of the cover
about 45 degrees.
3. Pull the cover downward to
disengage the upper
attachments. To reinstall the hitch cover:
1. Hold the cover at a 45 degree
angle to the vehicle and push
the upper tabs in the hitch cover
into the chrome slots in the
fascia.
2. Move the bottom of the cover
forward until the lower tabs line
up with the lower fascia slots.
3. Snap the hitch cover into place
by pushing the upper corners
forward.
4. Turn the fasteners on the lower
tabs 90 degrees clockwise to
lock the cover in place.
Page 421 of 548

Black plate (19,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-19
{ WARNINGSteam 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. If no coolant is visible in the surge
tank, add coolant as follows:
1. Remove the coolant surge tank
pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about one full
turn. If a hiss is heard, wait for
that to stop. A hiss means there
is still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap
slowly and remove it. 3. Fill the coolant surge tank with
the proper mixture to the FULL
COLD mark.
Page 437 of 548

Black plate (35,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-353. Record the distance from the
ground to the center of the
projector lens of the low ‐ beam
headlamp.
4. At a wall, measure from the
ground upward (A) to the
recorded distance from
Step 3 and mark it.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line (B)
on the wall the width of the
vehicle at the height of the mark
in Step 4.
Notice: Do not cover a headlamp
to improve beam cut-off when
aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up
which may cause damage to the
headlamp. 6. Turn on the low-beam
headlamps and place a piece
of cardboard or equivalent in
front of the headlamp not being
adjusted. This allows only the
beam of light from the headlamp
being adjusted to be seen on the
flat surface.
7. Locate the vertical headlamp
aiming screws, which are under
the hood near each headlamp
assembly. 8. Turn the vertical aiming screw
until the headlamp beam is
aimed to the horizontal tape
line. Turn it clockwise or
counterclockwise to raise or
lower the angle of the beam.
9. Make sure that the light from
the headlamp is positioned
at the bottom edge of the
horizontal tape line. The lamp
on the left (A) shows the correct
headlamp aim. The lamp on the
right (B) shows the incorrect
headlamp aim.
10. Repeat Steps 7 through 9 for
the opposite headlamp.
Page 439 of 548

Black plate (37,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-37
2. Remove the two screws from the
taillamp assembly.
3. Pull the taillamp assembly
rearward until the inner pins on
the taillamp assembly disengage
from the vehicle.
4. Press the release tab, if the bulb
socket has one, and turn the
socket counterclockwise to
remove it from the taillamp
assembly. 5. Pull the old bulb straight out
from the socket.
6. Press a new bulb into the
socket, insert the socket into
the taillamp assembly and turn
the socket clockwise into the
taillamp assembly until it clicks.
7. Reinstall the taillamp assembly.
When reinstalling, make sure to
line up the pins on the taillamp
assembly with the vehicle. If the
pins do not line up correctly, the
taillamp assembly will not be
able to be installed properly.
If the taillamp, stoplamp, or turn
signal need to be replaced, see your
dealer for service. License Plate Lamp
1. Remove the two screws holding
each of the license plate lamps
to the molding that is part of the
liftgate.
2. Twist and pull the license plate
lamp assembly forward through
the molding opening.
Page 440 of 548

Black plate (38,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-38 Vehicle Care 3. Remove the bulb socket from
the lamp assembly by turning it
counterclockwise.
4. Pull the bulb straight out of the
socket and install the new bulb.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to
reinstall the license plate lamp.
Replacement Bulbs Exterior Lamp Bulb
Number
Back-up Lamp 7441
License
Plate Lamp 168LL
(W5WLL)
For replacement bulbs not listed
here, contact your dealer. Electrical System Electrical System
Overload The vehicle has fuses and circuit
breakers to protect against an
electrical system overload.
When the current electrical load is
too heavy, the circuit breaker opens
and closes, protecting the circuit
until the current load returns to
normal or the problem is fixed.
This greatly reduces the chance of
circuit overload and fire caused by
electrical problems. Fuses and circuit breakers protect
the following in the vehicle: .
Headlamp Wiring .
Windshield Wiper Motor .
Power Windows and Other
Power Accessories
Replace a bad fuse with a new one
of the identical size and rating.
If there is a problem on the road
and a fuse needs to be replaced,
the same amperage fuse can be
borrowed. Choose some feature of
the vehicle that is not needed to use
and replace it as soon as possible.
Page 470 of 548
Black plate (68,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-68 Vehicle Care
Tire Changing Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools The equipment you will need is
stored under the storage tray, which
is located on the driver side trim
panel (over the rear wheelhouse).
Regular Wheelbase shown,
Extended Wheelbase similar.
1. Remove the tray to access the
tools by pulling up on the finger
depression under the jack
symbol. 2. Remove the wing nut (B) used to
retain the tool bag by turning it
counterclockwise.
3. Turn the knob (A) on the jack
counterclockwise to release the
jack and wheel blocks from the
bracket.
4. Remove the wheel blocks and
the wheel block retainer by
turning the wing nut (C)
counterclockwise. The tools you will be using include
the following:
A. Jack
B. Wheel Blocks
C. Jack Handle
D. Jack Handle Extensions
E. Wheel Wrench
Page 471 of 548
Black plate (69,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-69To access the spare tire:
A. Hoist Assembly
B. Hoist Shaft
C. Hoist Shaft Access Cover/Hole
D. Jack Handle Extensions
E. Wheel Wrench
F. Hoist Cable
G. Tire/Wheel Retainer
H. Spare Tire (Valve Stem
Pointed Down)
I. Hoist Shaft Access Hole J. Hoist End of Extension Tool
K. Spare Tire Lock
1. To reach the hoist shaft access
cover (C), you will first need to
remove the hitch cover. Remove
it by turning the two fasteners
located at the bottom of the
cover counterclockwise and then
pull the cover down and rotate
towards you.
2. Open the hoist shaft access
cover (C) on the bumper to
access the spare tire lock (K). 3. To remove the spare tire lock
insert the ignition key, turn it
clockwise and then pull the
lock out.
4. Assemble the two jack handle
extensions (D) and wheel
wrench (E) as shown.