2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE Owner's Manual

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
280 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
0 138.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid at
the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0347.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3 brake
fluid from a clean, sealed container.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0355.
{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.
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 - North America
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 Overview 0267
for battery location.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm.
(Continued)

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Warning (Continued)
Batteries also contain other
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer.WASH
HANDS AFTER HANDLING. For
more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See California Proposition 65 Warning
0 264 and the back cover.
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode. You
can be badly hurt if you are not
careful. See Jump Starting - North
America 0329 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
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.
Four-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case
If the vehicle is equipped with
Four-Wheel Drive, be sure to perform
the lubricant checks described in this
section.
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to
Maintenance Schedule 0347
to determine how often to check the
lubricant.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle
should be on a level surface.
1. Fill Plug
2. Drain Plug
If the level is below the bottom of the
fill plug (1) hole, located on the
transfer case, some lubricant will need
to be added. Add enough lubricant to
raise the level to the bottom of the fill
plug (1) hole. Use care not to
overtighten the plug.
What to Use
Refer to Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0355 to determine what
kind of lubricant to use.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
282 VEHICLE CARE
Front Axle
When to Check and Change
Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check
front 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.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle
should be on a level surface.
1. Fill Plug
2. Drain Plug
.When the differential is cold, add
enough lubricant to raise the level
from 0 mm (0 in) to 3.2 mm
(1/8 in) below the fill plug (1) hole.
. When the differential is at
operating temperature (warm), add
enough lubricant to raise the level
to the bottom of the fill
plug (1) hole.
What to Use
Refer to Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0355 to determine what
kind of lubricant to use.
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.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
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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 0355 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.
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.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
284 VEHICLE CARE
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 0356.
Front Wiper Blade Replacement
To replace the wiper blade assembly:
1. Pull the windshield wiper assembly away from the
windshield.
2. Lift up on the latch in the middleof the wiper blade where the
wiper arm attaches.
3. With the latch open, pull the wiper blade down toward the
windshield far enough to release
it from the J-hooked end of the
wiper arm.
4. Remove the wiper blade. Allowing the wiper blade arm to
touch the windshield when no
wiper blade is installed could
damage the windshield. Any
damage that occurs would not be

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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covered by the vehicle warranty.
Do not allow the wiper blade arm
to touch the windshield.
5. Reverse Steps 1–3 for wiper blade replacement.
Rear Wiper Blade Replacement
To replace the rear wiper blade:
1. With the rear wiper in the off position, open the liftglass to
access the rear wiper arm/blade.
The rear wiper blade will not
lock in a vertical position so care
should be used when pulling it
away from the vehicle.
2. Push the release lever (2) todisengage the hook and push the
wiper arm (1) out of the blade
assembly (3).
3. Push the new blade assembly securely in the wiper arm hook
until the release lever clicks into
place.
4. Return the wiper arm and blade assembly to the rest position on
the glass.
Glass Replacement
If the windshield or front side glass
must be replaced, see your dealer to
determine the correct replacement
glass.
Windshield Replacement
HUD System
The windshield is part of the HUD
system. If the windshield must be
replaced, get one that is designed for
HUD or the HUD image may look out
of focus.
Driver Assistance Systems
If the windshield needs to be replaced
and the vehicle is equipped with a
front camera sensor for the Driver
Assistance Systems, a GM
replacement windshield is
recommended. The replacement
windshield must be installed
according to GM specifications for
proper alignment. If it is not, these
systems may not work properly, they
may display messages, or they may
not work at all. See your dealer for
proper windshield replacement.
Gas Strut(s)
This vehicle is equipped with gas
strut(s) to provide assistance in lifting
and holding open the hood/trunk/
liftgate system in full open position.
{Warning
If the gas struts that hold open the
hood, trunk, and/or liftgate fail, you
or others could be seriously injured.
Take the vehicle to your dealer for
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Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
286 VEHICLE CARE
Warning (Continued)
service immediately. Visually
inspect the gas struts for signs of
wear, cracks, or other damage
periodically. Check to make sure the
hood/trunk/liftgate is held open
with enough force. If struts are
failing to hold the hood/trunk/
liftgate, do not operate. Have the
vehicle serviced.
Caution
Do not apply tape or hang any
objects from gas struts. Also do not
push down or pull on gas struts.
This may cause damage to the
vehicle.
See Maintenance Schedule 0347.
Hood
Trunk
Liftgate

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
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Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset and
should need no further adjustment.
If the vehicle is damaged in a crash,
the headlamp aim may be affected.
If adjustment to the headlamps is
necessary, see your dealer.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, or any bulb changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact your
dealer.
LED Lighting
This vehicle has several LED lamps.
For replacement of any LED lighting
assembly, contact your dealer.
License Plate Lamp
Passenger Side Shown, Driver SideSimilar