2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESP

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 257
In general, trailer tongue weight (1)
should be 10-15 % of the loaded
trailer weight (2). Some specific trailer
types (especially boat trailers) fall
outside of this range. In this case, the
recommended tongue weight in the
trailer owner’s manual should be
observed. In all cases, the maximum
loads for the vehicle series and hitch
type should not be exceeded.Vehicle Series Hitch Type Maximum Tongue Weight
1500 Weight Carrying 272 kg (600 lb)
1500 Weight Distributing 453 kg (1,000 lb)
Do not exceed the maximum
allowable tongue weight for the
vehicle. Choose the shortest hitch
extension that will position the hitch
ball closest to the vehicle. This will
help reduce the effect of trailer tongue
weight on the rear axle.
Trailer rating may be limited by the
vehicle's ability to carry tongue
weight. Tongue weight cannot cause
the vehicle to exceed the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or the
RGAWR (Rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating). See “Total Weight on the
Vehicle's Tires ”following.
After loading the trailer, weigh the
trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some items
around in the trailer. If a cargo carrier is used in the trailer
hitch receiver, choose a carrier that
positions the load as close to the
vehicle as possible. Make sure the
total weight, including the carrier, is
no more than half of the maximum
allowable tongue weight for the
vehicle or 227 kg (500 lb), whichever
is less.
Total Weight on the Vehicle's
Tires
Be sure the vehicle's tires are inflated
to the inflation pressures found on
the Certification label on the center
pillar or see
Vehicle Load Limits 0193.
Make sure not to exceed the GVWR
limit for the vehicle, or the RGAWR,
with the tow vehicle and trailer fully
loaded for the trip including the
weight of the trailer tongue. If using a
weight-distributing hitch, make sure

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
268 VEHICLE CARE
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting - North America 0329.
2. Battery - North America 0280.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System 0273.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0272.
5. Remote Negative (–) Location (Out of View). See Jump Starting -
North America 0329.
6. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System 0273.
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to
Add Engine Oil” underEngine Oil
0 268.
8. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0268.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid ”under Washer Fluid 0278.
10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake
Fluid 0279.
11. Engine Compartment Fuse Block
0289.Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine performance
and long life, careful attention must
be paid to engine oil. Following these
simple, but important steps will help
protect your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil” in
this section.
. Check the engine oil level regularly
and maintain the proper oil level.
See “Checking Engine Oil” and
“When to Add Engine Oil” in this
section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0270.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially prior
to a long trip. The engine oil dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine
Compartment Overview 0267 for the
location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle may
be hot; it could burn you. Use a
towel or glove to touch the dipstick
handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the oil
level.
Follow these guidelines:
. To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground. Check
the engine oil level after the
engine has been off for at least
two hours. Checking the engine oil
level on steep grades or too soon
after engine shutoff can result in
incorrect readings. Accuracy
improves when checking a cold
engine prior to starting. Remove
the dipstick and check the level.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
304 VEHICLE CARE
DOT Markings:A code molded
into the sidewall of a tire
signifying that the tire is in
compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation
(DOT) Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. The DOT code includes
the Tire Identification Number
(TIN), an alphanumeric designator
which can also identify the tire
manufacturer, production plant,
brand, and date of production.
GVWR
:Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 193.
GAWR FRT
:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the front axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0193.
GAWR RR
:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the rear axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0193.
Intended Outboard Sidewall
:
The side of an asymmetrical tire
that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle. Kilopascal (kPa)
:The metric unit
for air pressure.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
:A
tire used on light duty trucks and
some multipurpose passenger
vehicles.
Load Index
:An assigned number
ranging from 1 to 279 that
corresponds to the load carrying
capacity of a tire.
Maximum Inf lation Pressure
:
The maximum air pressure to
which a cold tire can be inflated.
The maximum air pressure is
molded onto the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating
:The load
rating for a tire at the maximum
permissible inflation pressure for
that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle
Weight
:The sum of curb weight,
accessory weight, vehicle capacity
weight, and production options
weight. Normal Occupant Weight
:The
number of occupants a vehicle is
designed to seat multiplied by
68 kg (150 lb). See Vehicle Load
Limits 0193.
Occupant Distribution
:
Designated seating positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall
:The
side of an asymmetrical tire that
has a particular side that faces
outward when mounted on a
vehicle. The side of the tire that
contains a whitewall, bears white
lettering, or bears manufacturer,
brand, and/or model name
molding that is higher or deeper
than the same moldings on the
other sidewall of the tire.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
:A tire
used on passenger cars and some
light duty trucks and
multipurpose vehicles.
Recommended Inf lation
Pressure
:Vehicle manufacturer's
recommended tire inflation
pressure as shown on the tire

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
VEHICLE CARE 307
Tire Pressure for
High-Speed Operation
{Warning
Driving at high speeds, 160 km/h
(100 mph) or higher, puts additional
strain on tires. Sustained
high-speed driving causes excessive
heat buildup and can cause sudden
tire failure. This could cause a
crash, and you or others could be
killed. Some high-speed rated tires
require inflation pressure
adjustment for high-speed
operation. When speed limits and
road conditions allow the vehicle to
be driven at high speeds, make sure
the tires are rated for high-speed
operation, are in excellent
condition, and are set to the correct
cold tire inflation pressure for the
vehicle load.
When driving the vehicle at speeds of
160 km/h (100 mph) or higher, set the
cold inflation pressure to 20 kPa
(3 psi) above the recommended tire pressure shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. Return the
tires to the recommended cold tire
inflation pressure when high-speed
driving has ended.
See
Vehicle Load Limits 0193 and Tire
Pressure 0305.
Tire Pressure Monitor
System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) uses radio and sensor
technology to check tire pressure
levels. The TPMS sensors monitor the
air pressure in your tires and transmit
tire pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare (if
provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the
inflation pressure recommended by
the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or tire
inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires.) As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale when one or more of your tires
is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread
life, and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver's responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if
under-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped
with a TPMS malfunction indicator to
indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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316 VEHICLE CARE
Warning (Continued)
injury. Only use GM specific wheel
and tire systems developed for the
vehicle, and have them properly
installed by a GM certified
technician.
See Buying New Tires 0314 and
Accessories and Modifications 0265.
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires by
treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This
applies only to vehicles sold in the
United States. The grades are
molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform
Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
system does not apply to deep tread, winter tires, compact spare
tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they must
also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) standards.
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must
Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements In Addition To
These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half
(1½) times as well on the
government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences
in road characteristics and
climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest
to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's
ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled
conditions on specified

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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VEHICLE CARE 317
government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance. Warning: The
traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing
the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability
to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature
can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under theFederal Motor Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on
the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade
for this tire is established for a tire
that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance
The tires and wheels were aligned and
balanced at the factory to provide the
longest tire life and best overall
performance. Adjustments to wheel
alignment and tire balancing are not
necessary on a regular basis. Consider
an alignment check if there is unusual
tire wear or the vehicle is significantly
pulling to one side or the other. Some
slight pull to the left or right,
depending on the crown of the road
and/or other road surface variations such as troughs or ruts, is normal.
If the vehicle is vibrating when driving
on a smooth road, the tires and
wheels may need to be rebalanced.
See your dealer for proper diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent,
cracked, or badly rusted or corroded.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the
wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts
should be replaced. If the wheel leaks
air, replace it. Some aluminum wheels
can be repaired. See your dealer if any
of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of
wheel that is needed.
Each new wheel should have the same
load-carrying capacity, diameter,
width, offset, and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
Replace wheels, wheel bolts, wheel
nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) sensors with new GM original
equipment parts.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
318 VEHICLE CARE
{Warning
Using the wrong replacement
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts
can be dangerous. It could affect
the braking and handling of the
vehicle. Tires can lose air, and
cause loss of control, causing a
crash. Always use the correct wheel,
wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for
replacement.
Caution
The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake
cooling, speedometer or odometer
calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance,
and tire or tire chain clearance to
the body and chassis.
Used Replacement Wheels
{Warning
Replacing a wheel with a used one
is dangerous. How it has been used
or how far it has been driven may
be unknown. It could fail suddenly
and cause a crash. When replacing
wheels, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{Warning
Do not use tire chains. There is not
enough clearance. Tire chains used
on a vehicle without the proper
amount of clearance can cause
damage to the brakes, suspension,
or other vehicle parts. The area
damaged by the tire chains could
cause loss of control and a crash.
Use another type of traction device
only if its manufacturer(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
recommends it for the vehicle's tire
size combination and road
conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slowly
and readjust or remove the traction
device if it contacts the vehicle. Do
not spin the wheels. If traction
devices are used, install them on
the rear tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It 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

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
VEHICLE CARE 343
Cleaning High Gloss Surfaces
and Vehicle Information and
Radio Displays
Use a microfiber cloth on high gloss
surfaces or vehicle displays. First, use
a soft bristle brush to remove dirt that
can scratch the surface. Then gently
clean by rubbing with a microfiber
cloth. Never use window cleaners or
solvents. Periodically hand wash the
microfiber cloth separately, using mild
soap. Do not use bleach or fabric
softener. Rinse thoroughly and air dry
before next use.
Caution
Do not attach a device with a
suction cup to the display. This may
cause damage and would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Instrument Panel, Leather, Vinyl,
Other Plastic Surfaces, Low
Gloss Paint Surfaces, and
Natural Open Pore Wood
Surfaces
Use a soft microfiber cloth dampened
with water to remove dust and loose
dirt. For a more thorough cleaning,
use a soft microfiber cloth dampened
with a mild soap solution.
Caution
Soaking or saturating leather,
especially perforated leather, as well
as other interior surfaces, may
cause permanent damage. Wipe
excess moisture from these surfaces
after cleaning and allow them to
dry naturally. Never use heat,
steam, or spot removers. Do not use
cleaners that contain silicone or
wax-based products. Cleaners
containing these solvents can
permanently change the appearance
and feel of leather or soft trim, and
are not recommended.Do not use cleaners that increase
gloss, especially on the instrument
panel. Reflected glare can decrease
visibility through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Caution
Use of air fresheners may cause
permanent damage to plastics and
painted surfaces. If an air freshener
comes in contact with any plastic
or painted surface in the vehicle,
blot immediately and clean with a
soft cloth dampened with a mild
soap solution. Damage caused by
air fresheners would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Cargo Cover and
Convenience Net
If equipped, wash with warm water
and mild detergent. Do not use
chlorine bleach. Rinse with cold water,
and then dry completely.