2021 CADILLAC ESCALADE oil viscosity

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 117
The engine oil pressure gauge shows
the engine oil pressure
in kPa (kilopascals) or psi (pounds per
square inch) when the engine is
running.
This gauge displays on the
infotainment display. If show in
cluster is selected a digital value is
shown on the instrument cluster in
zone 2.
Oil pressure can vary with engine
speed, outside temperature, coolant
temperature, and oil viscosity.
On some models, the oil pump will
vary engine oil pressure according to
engine needs. Oil pressure may change
quickly as the engine speed or load
varies. This is normal. If the oil
pressure warning light or Driver
Information Center (DIC) message
indicates oil pressure outside the
normal operating range, check the
vehicle's oil as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Oil 0367.Caution
Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. Driving with the engine oil
low can also damage the engine.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Check the
oil level as soon as possible. Add oil
if required, but if the oil level is
within the operating range and the
oil pressure is still low, have the
vehicle serviced. Always follow the
maintenance schedule for changing
engine oil.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge
Metric
English

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
VEHICLE CARE 367
1. Remote Negative (–) Location. SeeJump Starting - North America
0425.
2. Positive (+) Terminal (Under Cover). See Jump Starting - North America
0 425.
3. Battery - North America 0380.
4. Engine Compartment Fuse Block
0386.
5. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil 0367.
6. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System 0372.
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to
Add Engine Oil” underEngine Oil
0 367.
8. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System 0372.
9. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0371.
10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake
Fluid 0379.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer Fluid” under
Washer Fluid 0377.Engine Oil
For diesel engine vehicles, see “Engine
Oil” in the Duramax diesel
supplement.
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 0369.
.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 0366 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

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
368 VEHICLE CARE
improves when checking a cold
engine prior to starting. Remove the
dipstick and check the level.
.If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is warm,
or at least 30 minutes if the engine
is not warm. Pull out the dipstick,
wipe it with a clean paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the
tip down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and the
engine has been off for at least
15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See“Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for an explanation of what kind of oil to use.
For engine oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications
0455.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil levels
above or below the acceptable
operating range shown on the
dipstick are harmful to the engine.
If the oil level is above the
operating range (i.e., the engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets
above the cross-hatched area that
shows the proper operating range),
the engine could be damaged. Drain
the excess oil or limit driving of the
vehicle, and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 366 for the location of the engine oil
fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil depends
on both the proper oil specification
and viscosity grade. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0451.
Specification
Use full synthetic engine oils that
meet the dexos1 specification. Engine
oils that have been approved by GM
as meeting the dexos1 specification
are marked with the dexos1
approved logo.
Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
VEHICLE CARE 369
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 0W-20 viscosity grade
engine oil.
When selecting an oil of the
appropriate viscosity grade, it is
recommended to select an oil of the
correct specification. See
“Specification”earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine Oil
Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the dexos1
specification are all that is needed for
good performance and engine
protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause engine
damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your own
oil, be sure to drain all the oil from
the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the trash
or pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of
water. Recycle it by taking it to a place
that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based on a
combination of factors which include
engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven. Based
on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change is indicated can
vary considerably. For the oil life
system to work properly, the system
must be reset every time the oil is
changed.
When the system has calculated that
oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message comes on. Change the
oil as soon as possible within the next
1 000 km (600 mi). It is possible that,
if driving under the best conditions,
the oil life system might indicate that
an oil change is not necessary for up
to a year. The engine oil and filter
must be changed at least once a year
and at this time the system must be
reset. Your dealer has trained service
people who will perform this work and
reset the system. It is also important
to check the oil regularly over the
course of an oil drain interval and
keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally,
the oil must be changed at 5 000 km
(3,000 mi) since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE 451
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
This maintenance section applies to vehicles with a gasoline engine. If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see“Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Duramax diesel supplement.
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name or specification, including fluids or lubricants not listed here, can be
obtained from your dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Automatic Transmission DEXRON ULV Automatic Transmission Fluid. Chassis Lubrication Lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL Coolant. See Cooling System0372.
Engine Oil Engine oil meeting the dexos1 specification of the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco dexos1 full synthetic is recommended. See Engine Oil0367.
Front Axle (4WD Only) and Rear Axle. See your dealer. Hydraulic Brake System DOT 4 Hydraulic Brake Fluid.
Key Lock Cylinders, Hood Hinges, Body Door Hinge Pins, Power Assist Steps,Liftgate Hinge, and Fuel Door Hinge Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube. See your dealer.
Transfer Case (4WD Only) See your dealer.
Weatherstrip Conditioning Weatherstrip lubricant. See your dealer. Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protection requirements.