2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE tow

Black plate (14,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-14 Vehicle Care
Cold Check Procedure
Use this procedure only as a
reference to determine if the
transmission has enough fluid
to be operated safely until a hot
check procedure can be made.
The hot check procedure is the
most accurate method to check the
fluid level. Perform the hot check
procedure at the first opportunity.
Use this cold check procedure
to check fluid level when the
transmission temperature is
between 27°C and 32°C
(80°F and 90°F).
1. Locate the transmissiondipstick at the rear of the
engine compartment, on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑6 for
more information.
2. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick and wipe it with
a clean rag or paper towel.
3. Install the dipstick by pushing it back in all the way, wait
three seconds, and then
pull it back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower level. Repeat
the check procedure to verify the
reading.5. If the fluid level is below theCOLD check band, add only
enough fluid as necessary to
bring the level into the COLD
band. It does not take much
fluid, generally less than 0.5 L
(1 pint). Do not overfill.
6. Perform a hot check at the first opportunity after the
transmission reaches a normal
operating temperature between
71°C to 93°C (160°F to 200°F).
7. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way,
then flip the handle down to
lock the dipstick in place.

Black plate (15,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-15
Hot Check Procedure
Use this procedure to check the
transmission fluid level when the
transmission fluid temperature
is between 71°C and 93°C
(160°F and 200°F).
The hot check is the most accurate
method to check the fluid level.
The hot check should be performed
at the first opportunity in order to
verify the cold check. The fluid level
rises as fluid temperature increases,
so it is important to ensure the
transmission temperature is within
range.
1. Locate the transmissiondipstick at the rear of the
engine compartment, on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑6 for
more information.
2. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick and wipe it with
a clean rag or paper towel.
3. Install the dipstick by pushing it back in all the way, wait
three seconds, and then pull
it back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower level. Repeat
the check procedure to verify the
reading.5. Safe operating level is within theHOT cross hatch band on the
dipstick. If the fluid level is not
within the HOT band, and the
transmission temperature is
between 71°C and 93°C (160°F
and 200°F), add or drain fluid as
necessary to bring the level into
the HOT band. If the fluid level
is low, add only enough fluid
to bring the level into the HOT
band. It does not take much
fluid, generally less than 0.5 L
(1 pint). Do not overfill.
6. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way,
then flip the handle down to
lock the dipstick in place.

Black plate (24,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-24 Vehicle Care
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
The ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE or the ENGINE
OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message, along with a low coolant
condition, can indicate a serious
problem.
If there is an engine overheat
warning, but see or hear no steam,
the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a
little too hot when the vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
.Tows a trailer. SeeTrailer
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.

Black plate (25,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-25
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. Under
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
SeeEngine 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.

Black plate (65,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-65
After the tires have been
rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. SeeTire
Pressure on page 10‑57
and Vehicle Load Limits on
page 9‑24.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation on
page 10‑60.
Make certain that all wheel
nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2.
{WARNING
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where
the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, use a cloth or a
paper towel to do this; but be sure
to use a scraper or wire brush
later, if needed, to get all the rust
or dirt off. SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat
on page 10‑73.
Lightly coat the center of the
wheel hub with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change or
tire rotation to prevent corrosion
or rust build-up. Do not get
grease on the flat wheel
mounting surface or on the
wheel nuts or bolts.
When It Is Time for New
Tires
Various factors, such as
maintenance, temperatures, driving
speeds, vehicle loading, and road
conditions influence when you need
new tires.
One way to tell when it is time for
new tires is to check the treadwear
indicators, which appear when the
tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in)
or less of tread remaining.

Black plate (73,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-73
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while you are driving, especially if
you maintain your vehicle's tires
properly. If air goes out of a tire,
it is much more likely to leak out
slowly. But if you should ever have
a blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot
off the accelerator pedal and grip
the steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any rear
blowout remove your foot from theaccelerator pedal. Get the vehicle
under control by steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you
can still steer. Gently brake to a
stop, well off the road, if possible.
{WARNING
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has
been driven on while severely
under-inflated or flat may cause
a blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely under-inflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon
as possible.
{WARNING
Lifting a vehicle and getting
under it to do maintenance or
repairs is dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and
training. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, it is designed only for
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could
be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, only
use it for changing a flat tire.
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see
the hybrid supplement for more
information.

Black plate (76,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-76 Vehicle Care
To 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 StemPointed 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 accesscover (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.

Black plate (77,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-77
5. Insert the open end of theextension (J) through the hole in
the rear bumper (I) (hoist shaft
access hole).
Be sure the hoist end (J) of
the extension (D) connects to
the hoist shaft (B). The ribbed
square end of the extension is
used to lower the spare tire. 6. Turn the wheel wrench (E)
counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire (H) to the ground.
Continue to turn the wheel
wrench until the spare tire can
be pulled out from under the
vehicle.
If the spare tire does not lower to
the ground, the secondary latch
is engaged causing the tire not
to lower. See Secondary Latch
System on page 10‑86 for more
information.7. Use the wheel wrench hook
that allows you to pull the hoist
cable towards you, to assist in
reaching the spare tire.