Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
268 VEHICLE CARE
The fans may turn off if no cooling is
required. Under heavy vehicle loading,
trailer towing, high outside
temperatures, or operation of the air
conditioning system, the fans may
change to high speed and an increase
in fan noise may be heard. This is
normal and indicates that the cooling
system is functioning properly. The
fans will change to low speed when
additional cooling is no longer
required.
The electric engine cooling fans may
run after the engine has been turned.
off. This is normal and no service is
required.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid needs
to be added, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. Use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing in an area
where the temperature may fall below
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
The vehicle has a low washer fluid
message on the DIC that comes on
when the washer fluid is low. The
message is displayed for 15 seconds at
the start of each ignition cycle. When
the WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID
message displays, washer fluid will
need to be added to the windshield
washer fluid reservoir.
Open the cap with the washer symbol
on it. Add washer fluid until the tank
is full. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview 0257 for reservoir location.
Caution
.
Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
. Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the windshield
washer. It can damage the
windshield washer system
and paint.
. Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
. When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
. Fill the washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for
fluid expansion if freezing
(Continued)
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
VEHICLE CARE 269
Caution (Continued)
occurs, which could damage
the tank if it is
completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or can be
heard all the time when the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will not
work well. That could lead to a
crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications. See Capacities and
Specifications 0340.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or if
there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign that brake
service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes may not
work properly. The braking
performance expected can change in
many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are installed
or if parts are improperly installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir is
filled with DOT 3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment Overview 0257
for the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down:
. Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the fluid
level goes back up.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
270 VEHICLE CARE
.A fluid leak in the brake hydraulic
system. Have the brake hydraulic
system fixed. With a leak, the
brakes will not work well.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir
cap and the area around the cap
before removing it.
Do not top off the brake fluid. Adding
fluid does not correct a leak. If fluid is
added when the linings are worn,
there will be too much fluid when
new brake linings are installed. Add or
remove fluid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic
system.
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You or
others could be burned, and the
vehicle could be damaged. Add
brake fluid only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system. When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See
Brake System Warning
Light 0132.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time.
Replace brake fluid at the specified
intervals to prevent increased
stopping distance. See Maintenance
Schedule 0329.
Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0257.
The fluid level should be above MIN.
If it is not, have the brake hydraulic
system checked to see if there is
a leak.
After work is done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the level
is above MIN but not over the
MAX mark.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3 brake
fluid from a clean, sealed container.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0336.
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
VEHICLE CARE 271
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the paint
finish can be damaged. Immediately
wash off any painted surface.
Battery
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove the
cap and do not add fluid.
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new battery is needed. See
Engine Compartment Overview0257
for battery location.
{Warning
Do not use a match or flame near a
vehicle's battery. If you need more
light, use a flashlight.
Do not smoke near a vehicle's
battery.
When working around a vehicle’s
battery, shield your eyes with
protective glasses.
Keep children away from vehicle
batteries.
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode. You
can be hurt badly if you are not
careful.
Follow instructions carefully when
working around a battery.
Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds which can cause cancer
and reproductive harm. Wash
hands after handling.
Vehicle Storage
Infrequent Usage: Remove the black,
negative (−) cable from the battery to
keep the battery from running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the black,
negative (−) cable from the battery or
use a battery trickle charger.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
VEHICLE CARE 273
Rear Axle
When to Check Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check
rear axle fluid unless a leak is
suspected or an unusual noise is
heard. A fluid loss could indicate a
problem. Have it inspected and
repaired.
All axle assemblies are filled by
volume of fluid during production.
They are not filled to reach a certain
level. When checking the fluid level
on any axle, variations in the readings
can be caused by factory fill
differences between the minimum and
the maximum fluid volume. Also, if a
vehicle has just been driven before
checking the fluid level, it may appear
lower than normal because fluid has
traveled out along the axle tubes and
has not drained back to the sump
area. Therefore, a reading taken
five minutes after the vehicle has been
driven will appear to have a lower
fluid level than a vehicle that has
been stationary for an hour or two.
The rear axle assembly must be
supported on a flat, level surface to
get a true reading.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle
should be on a level surface.
The proper level is 1.0 mm to
19.0 mm (0.04 in to 0.7 in) below the
bottom of the fill hole, located on the
rear axle. Add only enough fluid to
reach the proper level.
What to Use
Refer toRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0336 to determine what
kind of lubricant to use.
Starter Switch Check
{Warning
When you are doing this inspection,
the vehicle could move suddenly.
If the vehicle moves, you or others
could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
Do not use the accelerator pedal,
and be ready to turn off the
engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
274 VEHICLE CARE
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control Function
Check
{Warning
When you are doing this inspection,
the vehicle could move suddenly.
If the vehicle moves, you or others
could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Apply the parking brake. Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately if the vehicle begins
to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{Warning
When you are doing this check, the
vehicle could begin to move. You or
others could be injured and
property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of the
vehicle in case it begins to roll. Be
ready to apply the regular brake at
once should the vehicle begin
to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping your
foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
. To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only. .
To check the P (Park) mechanism's
holding ability: With the engine
running, shift to P (Park). Then
release the parking brake followed
by the regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking.
For the proper type and size, see
Maintenance Replacement Parts 0337.
Front Wiper Blade Replacement
To replace the wiper blade assembly:
1. Pull the windshield wiper assembly away from the
windshield.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
278 VEHICLE CARE
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload
The vehicle has fuses to protect
against an electrical system overload.
Fuses also protect power devices in
the vehicle.
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, there are
some spare fuses and a fuse puller in
the left instrument panel fuse block.
The same amperage fuse can also be
borrowed. Choose some feature of the
vehicle that is not needed to use and
replace it as soon as possible.
Headlamp Wiring
An electrical overload may cause the
lamps to go on and off, or in some
cases to remain off. Have the
headlamp wiring checked right away if
the lamps go on and off or remain off.
Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due to
heavy snow or ice, the windshield
wipers will stop until the motor cools
and will then restart.
Although the circuit is protected from
electrical overload, overload due to
heavy snow or ice may cause wiper
linkage damage. Always clear ice and
heavy snow from the windshield
before using the windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an
electrical problem and not snow or
ice, be sure to get it fixed.
Fuses
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are
protected from short circuits by fuses.
This greatly reduces the chance of
fires caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside
the fuse. If the band is broken or
melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of
the identical size and rating.Fuses of the same amperage can be
temporarily borrowed from another
fuse location, if a fuse goes out.
Replace the fuse as soon as you can.
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block
The engine compartment fuse block is
in the engine compartment, on the
driver side of the vehicle.
Lift the cover to access the fuse block.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
282 VEHICLE CARE
ItemUsage
55 –
56 –
57 –
58 –
59 Euro trailer
60 A/C control
61 –
62 –
63 Upfitter 1
64 –
65 –
66 –
67 Trailer battery
68 –
69 RC upfitter 3 and 4
70 VBAT upfitter 3 and 4
71 –
72 Upfitter 1 relay
73 – Item
Usage
74 Engine control module ignition
75 Miscellaneous ignition spare
76 Transmission ignition
77 RC upfitter 1 and 2
78 VBAT upfitter 1 and 2
79 –
80 –
81 –
82 –
83 Euro trailer/RC
84 Run/Crank relay
85 –
86 –
87 Engine
88 Injector A –odd
89 Injector B –even
90 O2 sensor B Item
Usage
91 Throttle control
92 Engine control module relay
93 Horn
94 Fog lamps
95 High-beam headlamps
96 –
97 –
98 –
99 –
100 O2 sensor A
101 Engine control module
102 Engine control module/
Transmission
control module
103 Auxiliary interior heater
104 Starter
105 –