2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT steering

Black plate (10,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2012
11-10 Service and Maintenance
Battery
The battery supplies power to start
the engine and operate any
additional electrical accessories.
.To avoid break‐down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
.Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion‐free.
Belts
.Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
.Trained dealer technicians can
inspect the belts and
recommend replacement when
necessary.
Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
.Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping.
.Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12 for GM
approved fluids.
.Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
.Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks. With a multi‐point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed.
Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
.With a multi‐point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns.
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
.Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.

Black plate (12,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2012
11-12 Service and Maintenance
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your dealer.Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Use only engine oil licensed to the dexos1 specfication, or equivalent, of
the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco dexos1 Synthetic Blend is
recommended. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑8.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL Coolant.
See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑16.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 12377967, in
Canada 89021320).
Windshield Washer Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Power Steering System GM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part No. 89021184, in Canada 89021186).
Automatic Transmission DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock Cylinders Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Chassis Lubrication Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or
lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Front and Rear Axle SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 89021677, in
Canada 89021678).

Black plate (17,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2012
Customer Information 13-17
Service Publications
Ordering Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis
and repair information on the
engines, transmission, axle,
suspension, brakes, electrical,
steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give additional
technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service
General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions
to assist in the diagnosis and
service of the vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written
specifically for owners and intended
to provide basic operational
information about the vehicle. The
Owner Manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all
models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio,
Owner Manual, and Warranty
Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$35.00 (U.S.) plus handling and
shipping fees.
Without Portfolio: Owner
Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$25.00 (U.S.) plus handling and
shipping fees.
Current and Past Models
Technical Service Bulletins and
Manuals are available for current
and past model GM vehicles.
ORDER TOLL FREE:
1-800-551-4123 Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit
Helm, Inc. at: www.helminc.com.
Or write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without
notice and without incurring
obligation. Allow ample time for
delivery.
All listed prices are quoted in U.S.
funds. Make checks payable in U.S.
funds.

Black plate (4,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2012
i-4 INDEX
Driving (cont'd)Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-13
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
DVD Rear Seat EntertainmentSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-31
DVD/CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
E
E85 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-67
Electrical System
Engine CompartmentFuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Emergency, OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . 14-2 Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Check and Service Engine
Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 10-6
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Cooling System Messages . . . 5-29
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Overheated Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 9-31
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Entry/Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64 Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 13-19
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
Exterior Cargo Lamps . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 6-5
F
Fan
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Features Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 6-7
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-64
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-88
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . .10-11
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Fog Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28

Black plate (6,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2012
i-6 INDEX
HeatedSteering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . 10-51
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-12
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . 9-12
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Ignition Transmission Lock
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10 Instrument Panel
Storage Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
J
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-76
K
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . . 5-32
Keyless Entry Remote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . 2-3
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . 10-45
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Lamps Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . . 6-5
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Exterior Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35 Lamps (cont'd)
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . . 5-15
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
LATCH System Replacing Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-47
LATCH, Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . 3-41
Level Control Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Light StabiliTrak
®OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Lighter, Cigarette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Lighting Entry/Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Lights Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Antilock Brake System(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . 5-18
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

Black plate (8,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2012
i-8 INDEX
N
NavigationDestination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-50
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-45
Using the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-42
Vehicle Data Recordingand Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-20
Navigation, OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
O
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11 Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6 Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Oil Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-10
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . 3-33
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . 13-6 OnStar
®
Additional Information . . . . . . . . 14-5
Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-4
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
OnStar
®System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Ordering Service Publications . . . . . . . . 13-17
Outlets Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Overview, Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Overview, OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
P
Park Shifting into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Shifting out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Park Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21 Parking
Assist, Ultrasonic . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-30
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 9-29
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Passenger Sensing System . . . 3-26
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California . . . . . 10-2
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Phone Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-81
Power
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 9-27
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Power Assist Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15

Black plate (11,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2012
INDEX i-11
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4Fluid, Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Heated Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Steps Power Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Stoplamps and Back-Up Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Storage Areas Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Cargo Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Top-Box Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Symbols, Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . 7-45
System Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Roof Rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
System Needs Service, If . . . . . . 7-78T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Taillamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . 13-6
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . 2-17 Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Throttle, Adjustable . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Tires Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-64
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-59
Full-Size Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-75
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-62
Inflation Monitor System . . . . 10-52
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Pressure Monitor System . . . 10-51
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55
Secondary Latch System . . . 10-73 Tires (cont'd)
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-59
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-61
When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-56
Top-Box Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Towing Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . 9-57
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 9-57
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . 10-81
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-61
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . 9-67
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-80
Traction
Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . 9-67