Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
VEHICLE CARE 407
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. SeeTire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0403.
Check that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel
Nut Torque ”under Capacities and
Specifications 0455.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on
the parts to which it is fastened,
can cause wheel nuts to become
loose over time. The wheel
could come off and cause a
crash. When changing a wheel,
remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches
to the vehicle. In an emergency,
a cloth or paper towel can be
used; however, use a scraper or
wire brush later to remove all
rust or dirt. Lightly coat the inner diameter of
the wheel hub opening with wheel
bearing grease after a wheel
change or tire rotation to prevent
corrosion or rust build-up.
{Warning
Do not apply grease to the
wheel mounting surface, wheel
conical seats, or the wheel nuts
or bolts. Grease applied to these
areas could cause a wheel to
become loose or come off,
resulting in a crash.
When It Is Time for New
Tires
Factors, such as maintenance,
temperatures, driving speeds, vehicle
loading, and road conditions affect the
wear rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one way to
tell when it is time for new tires.
Treadwear indicators appear when the
tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in) or
less of tread remaining. See Tire
Inspection 0406 and
Tire Rotation 0406 for additional
information.
The rubber in tires ages over time.
This also applies to the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, even if it is
never used. Multiple factors including
temperatures, loading conditions, and
inflation pressure maintenance affect
how fast aging takes place. GM
recommends that tires, including the
spare if equipped, be replaced after six
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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VEHICLE CARE 411
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 the
Federal 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 excessiveloading, 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.
{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.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
424 VEHICLE CARE
4. Remove the flat tire secure strapfrom the glove box and place the
loop end of the strap through the
cargo tie-down. Place the hook end
of the strap through the loop and
pull it until the strap is fastened
securely to the tie-down.5. Route the hook end of the strapthrough the wheel, as shown.
6. Attach the hook to the other cargo tie-down in the rear of the vehicle.
7. Tighten the strap.
Full-Size Spare Tire
If this vehicle came with a full-size
spare tire, it was fully inflated when
new, however, it can lose air over
time. Check the inflation pressure
regularly. See Tire Pressure0400 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0240 for
information regarding proper tire
inflation and loading the vehicle. For instructions on how to remove, install,
or store a spare tire, see
Tire Changing
0 413.
If equipped with a temporary use
full-size spare tire, it is indicated on
the tire sidewall. See Tire Sidewall
Labeling 0395. This spare tire should
not be driven on over 112 km/h
(70 mph), or 88 km/h (55 mph) when
pulling a trailer, at the proper
inflation pressure. Repair and replace
the road tire as soon as it is
convenient, and stow the spare tire for
future use.
Caution
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive
and a different size spare tire is
installed, do not drive in four-wheel
drive until the flat tire is repaired
and/or replaced. The vehicle could
be damaged and the repairs would
not be covered by the warranty.
Never use four-wheel drive when a
different size spare tire is installed
on the vehicle.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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VEHICLE CARE 425
The vehicle may have a different size
spare tire than the road tires originally
installed on the vehicle. This spare tire
was developed for use on this vehicle,
so it is all right to drive on it. If the
vehicle has four-wheel drive and a
different size spare tire is installed,
drive only in two-wheel drive.
After installing the spare tire on the
vehicle, stop as soon as possible and
check that the spare is correctly
inflated. The spare tire is made to
perform well at speeds up to
112 km/h (70 MPH) at the
recommended inflation pressure, so
you can finish your trip.
Have the damaged or flat road tire
repaired or replaced and installed
back onto the vehicle as soon as
possible so the spare tire will be
available in case it is needed again. Do
not mix tires and wheels of difference
sizes, because they will not fit. Keep
the spare tire and its wheel together.
If the vehicle has a spare tire that
does not match the original road tires
and wheels in size and type, do not
include the spare in the tire rotation.Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North
America
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see
the Duramax diesel supplement.
For more information about the
vehicle battery, seeBattery - North
America 0380.
If the vehicle's battery (or batteries)
has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper
cables to start your vehicle. Be sure to
use the following steps to do it safely.
{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.
Batteries also contain other
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer. WASH
HANDS AFTER HANDLING. For
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See California Proposition 65 Warning
0 363 and the back cover.
{Warning
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
.They contain acid that can
burn you.
.They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
.They contain enough electricity
to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these things
can hurt you.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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442 SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
keep the vehicle in good working
condition, improves fuel economy, and
reduces vehicle emissions.
Because of the way people use
vehicles, maintenance needs vary.
There may need to be more frequent
checks and services. The Additional
Required Services - Normal are for
vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargo within
recommended limits on the Tire
and Loading Information label. See
Vehicle Load Limits0240.
.Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving limits.
.Use the recommended fuel. See
Recommended Fuel 0326.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Normal chart.
The Additional Required Services -
Severe are for vehicles that are:
.Mainly driven in heavy city traffic
in hot weather.
.Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
.Frequently towing a trailer.
.Used for high speed or competitive
driving.
.Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Severe chart.
{Warning
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous and can cause serious
injury. Perform maintenance work
only if the required information,
proper tools, and equipment are
available. If they are not, see your
dealer to have a trained technician
do the work. See Doing Your Own
Service Work 0364.
Maintenance Schedule
For diesel engine vehicles, see
“Maintenance Schedule ”in the
Duramax diesel supplement.
Owner Checks and Services
Check the engine oil level. See Engine
Oil 0367.
Once a Month
.Check the tire inflation pressures,
including the spare. See Tire
Pressure 0400.
.Inspect the tires for wear. See Tire
Inspection 0406.
.Check the windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid 0377.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE 443
Engine Oil Change
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message displays, have the
engine oil and filter changed within
the next 1 000 km/600 mi. If driven
under the best conditions, the engine
oil life system may not indicate the
need for vehicle service for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and the
oil life system must be reset. Your
trained dealer technician can perform
this work. If the engine oil life system
is reset accidentally, service the
vehicle within 5 000 km/3,000 mi since
the last service. Reset the oil life
system when the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life System0369.
Extended Idle Use
When the vehicle is used in a way
that requires extended idle time,
one hour of use shall be deemed the
same as 53 km (33 mi). See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0132 for
hourmeter.
Air Conditioning Desiccant
(Replace Every Seven Years)
The air conditioning system requires
maintenance every seven years. This
service requires replacement of the
desiccant to help the longevity and
efficient operation of the air
conditioning system. This service can
be complex. See your dealer.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the following
services. See Tire Rotation0406.
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed, change
engine oil and filter, and reset oil
life system. See Engine Oil0367 and
Engine Oil Life System 0369.
.Check engine coolant level. See
Cooling System 0372.
.Check windshield washer fluid level.
See Washer Fluid 0377.
.Check tire inflation pressures,
including the spare. See Tire
Pressure 0400.
.Inspect tire wear. See Tire Inspection
0 406.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect engine air cleaner filter. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0371.
.Inspect brake system. See Exterior
Care 0432.
.Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damage, including
cracks or tears in the rubber boots,
loose or missing parts, or signs of
wear at least once a year. See
Exterior Care 0432. Lubricate the
suspension and steering
components at least every other oil
change (if equipped with grease
fittings).