2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE manual transmission

Black plate (94,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
10-94 Vehicle Care
All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Dinghy and Dolly Towing
Notice:Towing an all-wheel-drive
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground, or even with only two of
its wheels on the ground, will
damage drivetrain components.
Do not tow an all-wheel-drive
vehicle with any of its wheels on
the ground.
All-wheel-drive vehicles are not
designed to be towed with any
wheels on the ground. If the vehicle
must be towed, see Towing Your
Vehicle previously.
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Dinghy Towing
Notice: If a two-wheel-drive
vehicle is towed with all four
wheels on the ground, the
transmission could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle
with all four wheels on the
ground.

Black plate (95,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-95
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should
not be towed with all four wheels
on the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions
for internal lubrication while being
towed.
To dolly tow a two‐wheel‐drive
vehicle, the vehicle must be towed
with the rear wheels on the dolly.
See“Dolly Towing (Rear Wheels Off
the Ground)” following. Dolly Towing (Front Wheels Off
the Ground)
Notice:
If a two-wheel drive
vehicle is towed with the rear
wheels on the ground, the
transmission could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Never
tow the vehicle with the rear
wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not
be towed with the rear wheels on
the ground. Two-wheel-drive transmissions have no provisions
for internal lubrication while being
towed.
Dolly Towing (Rear Wheels Off the
Ground)
Use the following procedure to
dinghy tow a two-wheel-drive
vehicle from the rear:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow
vehicle following the dolly
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.

Black plate (96,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
10-96 Vehicle Care
3. Firmly set the parking brake.See Parking Brake on
page 9‑35.
4. Put the transmission in P (Park).
5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's
instructions.
6. Use an adequate clamping device designed for towing to
ensure that the front wheels are
locked into the straight position.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
Notice: Do not use petroleum
based, acidic, or abrasive
cleaning agents as they can
damage the vehicle's paint,
metal, or plastic parts. If damage
occurs, it would not be covered
by the vehicle's warranty.
Approved cleaning products
can be obtained from your
dealer. Follow all manufacturer
directions regarding correct
product usage, necessary safety
precautions, and appropriate
disposal of any vehicle care
product. Notice:
Avoid using high
pressure washes closer than
30 cm (12 in) to the surface of the
vehicle. Use of power washers
exceeding 8,274 kPa (1,200 psi)
can result in damage or removal
of paint and decals.
Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after, to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water
spotting.
Finish Care
Application of aftermarket clearcoat
sealant/wax materials is not
recommended. If painted surfaces
are damaged, see your dealer to
have the damage assessed and
repaired. Foreign materials such
as calcium chloride and other salts,
ice melting agents, road oil and tar,
tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals
from industrial chimneys, etc., can

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Service and Maintenance 11-5
.Visually inspect windshield
wiper blades for wear, cracking,
or contamination. SeeExterior
Care on page 10‑96. Replace
worn or damaged wiper blades.
See Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 10‑31.
.Check tire inflation pressures.
See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑52.
.Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑58.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑14.
.Inspect brake system.
.Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of
wear. See Exterior Care on
page 10‑96.
.Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑26.
.Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
.Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts.
.Lubricate body components. See
Exterior Care on page 10‑96.
.Check starter switch. See Starter
Switch Check on page 10‑30.
.Check automatic transmission
shift lock control function. See
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function Check on
page 10‑30.
.Check ignition transmission lock.
See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check on page 10‑30.
.Check parking brake and
automatic transmission park
mechanism. See Park Brake and
P (Park) Mechanism Check on
page 10‑31.
.Check accelerator pedal for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
.Visually inspect gas strut for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage. Check the hold open
ability of the strut. See your
dealer if service is required.
.Check tire sealant expiration
date, if equipped. See Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit on
page 10‑67.
.Inspect sunroof track and seal,
if equipped. See Sunroof on
page 2‑22.
.Check hybrid low pressure
coolant level, if equipped.

Black plate (13,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Service and Maintenance 11-13
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 10‑7.
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 (14,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
11-14 Service and Maintenance
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Transfer Case DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Hood Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Body Door Hinge Pins, Tailgate
Hinge and Linkage, and Fuel Door
Hinge Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Outer Tailgate Handle Pivot Points Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip Conditioning Weatherstrip Lubricant (GM Part No. 3634770, in Canada 10953518) or
Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part No. 12345579, in Canada 992887).
Weatherstrip Squeaks Synthetic Grease with Teflon, Superlube (GM Part No. 12371287, in
Canada 10953437).

Black plate (2,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
12-2 Technical Data
Vehicle Data
Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in metric and English conversions. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13 for more information.
Application Capacities
Metric English
Air Conditioning Refrigerant For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant label located under the hood. See your dealer for more information.
Cooling System 16.7 L 17.6 qt
Engine Oil with Filter 5.7 L† 6.0 qt†
Fuel Tank Regular 98.4 L 26.0 gal
Extended 119.2 L 31.5 gal
Transmission Fluid (Pan Removal and Replacement) 5.7 L 6.0 qt
Transfer Case Fluid 1.4 L 1.5 qt
Wheel Nut Torque 190 Y140 lb ft
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck fluid after filling.
†Oil filter should be changed at every oil change.

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Technical Data 12-3
Engine Specifications
EngineVIN CodeTransmission Spark Plug Gap
6.2L V8 FAutomatic 1.02 mm (0.040 in)
Engine Drive Belt Routing
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see the
hybrid supplement for more
information.