Black plate (13,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-13When to Change Lubricant
See “ Scheduled Maintenance ” in the
owner manual to determine how
often to change the lubricant.
What to Use
Refer to the Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11 ‑ 2 to
determine what kind of lubricant
to use.
Electrical System High Voltage Devices and
Wiring
{ WARNINGExposure to high voltage can
cause shock, burns, and even
death. The high voltage
components in the vehicle can
only be serviced by technicians
with special training.
High voltage components are
identified by labels. Do not
remove, open, take apart,
or modify these components.
High voltage cable or wiring has
orange covering. Do not probe,
tamper with, cut, or modify high
voltage cable or wiring. Fuses and Circuit
Breakers 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.
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 do not have a spare fuse,
you can borrow one that has the
same amperage. Just pick some
feature of the 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.
Black plate (17,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-17If the inflation pressure is low, add
air until the recommended pressure
is reached. If the inflation pressure
is high, press on the metal stem in
the center of the tire valve to
release air.
Re-check the tire pressure with the
tire gauge.
Return the valve caps on the valve
stems to prevent leaks and keep out
dirt and moisture.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS is designed to warn the
driver when a low tire pressure
condition exists. TPMS sensors are
mounted onto each tire and wheel
assembly. The TPMS sensors
monitor the air pressure in the tires
and transmit the tire pressure
readings to a receiver located in the
vehicle. When a low tire pressure condition
is detected, the TPMS will illuminate
the low tire pressure warning
symbol located on the instrument
cluster. If the warning light comes
on, stop as soon as possible and
inflate the tires to the recommended
pressure shown on the tire loading
information label. See “ Vehicle Load
Limits ” in the owner manual for
more information.
A message to check the pressure in
a specific tire displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The low
tire pressure warning light and the
DIC warning message come on at
each ignition cycle until the tires
are inflated to the correct inflation pressure. Using the DIC, tire
pressure levels can be viewed. For
additional information and details
about the DIC operation and
displays see Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5 ‑ 5 .
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as the vehicle is driven. This
could be an early indicator that the
air pressure is getting low and
needs to be inflated to the proper
pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information
label shows the size of the original
equipment tires and the correct
inflation pressure for the tires when
they are cold. See “ Vehicle Load
Limits ” for an example of the Tire
and Loading Information label and
its location. Also see Tire Pressure
on page 10 ‑ 16 .
Black plate (18,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
10-18 Vehicle Care The TPMS can warn about a
low tire pressure condition but
it does not replace normal tire
maintenance. See “ Tire Inspection, ”
“ Tire Rotation ” and “ Tires ” in the
owner manual for more information.
Notice: Tire sealant materials are
not all the same. A non-approved
tire sealant could damage the
TPMS sensors. TPMS sensor
damage caused by using an
incorrect tire sealant is not
covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use only
the GM-approved tire sealant
available through your dealer or
included in the vehicle.
Factory-installed Tire Inflator Kits
use a GM approved liquid tire
sealant. Using non-approved tire
sealants could damage the TPMS
sensors. See Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 10 ‑ 22 for
information regarding the inflator kit
materials and instructions. TPMS Malfunction Light and
Message The TPMS will not function properly
if one or more of the TPMS sensors
are missing or inoperable. When the
system detects a malfunction, the
low tire warning light flashes for
about one minute and then stays on
for the remainder of the ignition
cycle. A DIC warning message also
displays. The malfunction light and
DIC warning message come on at
each ignition cycle until the problem
is corrected. Some of the conditions
that can cause these to come
on are: .
The TPMS sensor matching
process was not done or
not completed successfully
after rotating the tires. The
malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off after
successfully completing the
sensor matching process. See
"TPMS Sensor Matching
Process" later in this section. .
One or more TPMS sensors
are missing or damaged. The
malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off when the
TPMS sensors are installed and
the sensor matching process is
performed successfully. See
your dealer for service. .
Replacement tires or wheels do
not match the original equipment
tires or wheels. Tires and wheels
other than those recommended
could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. See
“ Buying New Tires ” in the owner
manual. .
Operating electronic devices or
being near facilities using radio
wave frequencies similar to the
TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning
properly, it cannot detect or signal a
low tire condition. See your dealer
for service if the TPMS malfunction
light and DIC message comes on
and stays on.
Black plate (21,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-21It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while driving, especially if the tires
are maintained properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it is much more likely to
leak out slowly. But if there ever is 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 as
used in a skid. Stop pressing the
accelerator pedal and steer to
straighten the vehicle. It may be
very bumpy and noisy. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road,
if possible. { WARNINGDriving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has
been driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause
a blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely underinflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon as
possible.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place and stopping, well
off the road, if possible. Then
do this:
1. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
2. Park the vehicle. Set the parking
brake firmly and put the shift
lever in P (Park). 3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the flat tire.
If the tire has been separated from
the wheel or has damaged sidewalls
or large tears that allow rapid air
loss, call a tire repair facility. See
“ Roadside Assistance Program ” or
“ Roadside Service ” in the owner
manual.
If the flat tire is due to a slow leak
caused by a nail or other similar
road hazard, the tire inflator kit may
be used to repair the damaged tire
temporarily. The kit uses a liquid tire
sealant to seal small punctures in
the tread area of the tire.
After repairing a tire with the tire
inflator kit, take the vehicle to an
authorized dealer to have the tire
inspected and repaired as soon
as possible. The tire sealant is a
temporary repair only. See Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit on
page 10 ‑ 22 .
Black plate (22,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
10-22 Vehicle Care
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
{ WARNINGIdling a vehicle in an enclosed
area with poor ventilation is
dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust
contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death. Never run the
engine in an enclosed area that
has no fresh air ventilation. For
more information, see ” Engine
Exhaust ” in the owner manual. { WARNINGOverinflating a tire could cause
the tire to rupture and you or
others could be injured. Be
sure to read and follow the tire
sealant and compressor kit
instructions and inflate the tire to
its recommended pressure. Do
not exceed the recommended
pressure.
{ WARNINGStoring the tire sealant and
compressor kit or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store the tire
sealant and compressor kit in its
original location. If this vehicle has a tire sealant and
compressor kit, there may not be a
spare tire, tire changing equipment,
and on some vehicles there may not
be a place to store a tire.
The tire sealant and compressor
can be used to temporarily seal
punctures up to 6 mm (¼ inch) in
the tread area of the tire. It can
also be used to inflate an under
inflated tire.
If the tire has been separated from
the wheel, has damaged sidewalls,
or has a large puncture, the tire is
too severely damaged for the tire
sealant and compressor kit to be
effective. See “ Roadside Assistance
Program ” or “ Roadside Service ” in
the owner manual.
Black plate (23,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-23Read and follow all of the tire
sealant and compressor kit
instructions.
The kit includes:
A. Air Compressor
B. Tire Sealant Canister
C. Power Plug
D. On/Off Button
E. Pressure Gauge
F. Air Only Hose (Black)
G. Sealant/Air Hose (Clear) Tire Sealant Read and follow the safe handling
instructions on the label adhered to
the sealant canister.
Check the tire sealant expiration
date on the sealant canister.
The sealant canister should be
replaced before its expiration date.
Replacement sealant canisters are
available at your local dealer. See
“ Removal and Installation of the
Sealant Canister ” following.
There is only enough sealant to seal
one tire. After usage, the sealant
canister and sealant/air hose
assembly must be replaced. See
“ Removal and Installation of the
Sealant Canister ” following.
Using the Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit to
Temporarily Seal and Inflate
a Punctured Tire
Follow the directions closely for
correct sealant usage. When using the tire sealant and
compressor kit during cold
temperatures, warm the kit in a
heated environment for five minutes.
This will help to inflate the tire
faster.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers.
See If a Tire Goes Flat on
page 10 ‑ 20 for other important
safety warnings.
Black plate (26,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
10-26 Vehicle Care 19. Wipe off any sealant from the
wheel, tire or vehicle.
20. Dispose of the used tire
sealant canister (B) and
sealant/air hose (G) assembly
at a local dealer or in
accordance with local state
codes and practices.
21. Replace it with a new canister
available from your dealer.
22. After temporarily sealing a tire
using the tire sealant and
compressor kit, take the
vehicle to an authorized dealer
within a 161 km (100 mi) of
driving to have the tire repaired
or replaced. Using the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit without
Sealant to Inflate a Tire
(Not Punctured) To use the air compressor to inflate
a tire with air only and not sealant:
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. See If a Tire Goes Flat on
page 10 ‑ 20 for other important
safety warnings.
1. Remove the tire sealant and
compressor kit from its storage
location. See Storing the Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit on
page 10 ‑ 29 .
2. Unlock the air only hose (F) from
the tire sealant canister (B) by
pulling up on the lever.
3. Pull the air only hose (F) from
the tire sealant canister (B).
4. Remove the power plug (C) from
the air compressor (A).
5. Place the kit on the ground.
Make sure the tire valve stem is
positioned close to the ground
so the hose will reach it.
6. Remove the tire valve stem cap
by turning it counterclockwise.
Black plate (29,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-29
Storing the Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit The tire sealant and compressor kit
is located under the storage tray on
the driver side trim panel (over the
rear wheelhouse).
To access the tire sealant and
compressor kit:
1. Remove the tray by pulling up
on the finger depression to
access the tire sealant and
compressor kit. 2. Locate the tire sealant and
compressor kit.
3. Remove the sealant and
compressor kit by pulling the
velcro strip up and back.
4. Remove the sealant and
compressor kit from its plastic
tray assembly.
To store the tire sealant and
compressor kit, reverse the steps. Jump Starting
{ WARNINGPersonal injury, death, or damage
to the vehicle can result if you try
jump starting or using a battery
charger on the high voltage
hybrid battery. Use only the
12-volt battery for jump starting
and charging.
For more information about the
vehicle battery, see Battery on
page 10 ‑ 11 .