2008 Cadillac Escalade ESV Owner's Manual - Page 287

Many of the same design features that help make your vehicle responsive on paved roads during poor weather conditions - features like all-wheel drive - help make it much better suited for off-road use. Its higher ground clearance also helps your vehicle step over some off-road obstacles. But your vehicle does not have features like special underbody shielding and a transfer case low gear range, things that are usually thought necessary for extended or severe off-road service. Also, see Braking on page 4-3. The airbag system is designed to work properly under a wide range of conditions, including off-road usage. Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough terrain. As always, wear your safety belt. Off-road driving can be great fun. But it does have some definite hazards. The greatest of these is the terrain itself. "Off-roading" means you have left the North American road system behind. Traffic lanes are not marked. Curves are not banked. There are no road signs. Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill, or downhill. In short, you have gone right back to nature. Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that is why it is very important that you read this guide. You will find many driving tips and suggestions. These will help make your off-road driving safer and more enjoyable. If you think you will need some more ground clearance at the front of your vehicle, you can remove the front fascia lower air dam. The front fascia lower air dam is held in place by two bolts and 10 snap features. The bolts and snap features are accessible from underneath the front fascia. The following steps must be performed on the bolts and snap features to remove the air dam: 1. Remove the two outboard air dam bolts. 2. With a flat-blade screwdriver, push down on the snap features and disengage the snaps. 3. After the bolts are removed and the snaps are disengaged, push forward on the air dam until it is free. When you are back on roads, though, be sure to replace the air dam. Notice: Operating your vehicle for extended periods without the front fascia lower air dam installed can cause improper air flow to the engine. Always be sure to replace the front fascia air dam when you are finished off-road driving. To reinstall the lower air dam do the following: 1. Line up the snap features and push the air dam rearward to engage the snaps. 2. Install the two outboard bolts. 4-13