2007 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV tow

Dolly Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles (Rear Wheels
Off the Ground)
Notice:If you tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle
with the rear wheels on the ground, the
transmission could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Never
tow your vehicle with the rear wheels on the
ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed
with the rear wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive transmissions have no provisions
for internal lubrication while being towed.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles can be towed on a dolly
with the front wheels on the ground provided
that the wheels are straight.
Use the following procedure to dolly tow your
vehicle:
1. Drive the vehicle up onto the tow dolly.
2. Shift the transmission to PARK (P).
3. Turn the engine off, but leave the ignition on.
4. Firmly set the parking brake.5. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the
tow dolly.
6. Release the parking brake only after the
vehicle being towed is rmly attached to
the towing vehicle.
Autoride®
The Autoride®feature provides improved vehicle
ride and handling under a variety of passenger and
loading conditions.
The system is fully automatic and uses a computer
controller to continuously monitor vehicle speed,
wheel to body position, lift/dive and steering
position of the vehicle. The controller then sends
signals to each shock absorber to independently
adjust the damping level to provide the optimum
vehicle ride.
Autoride
®also interacts with the tow/haul mode
that, when activated, will provide additional control
of the shock absorbers. This additional control
results in better ride and handling characteristics
when the vehicle is loaded or towing a trailer.
See “Tow/Haul Mode” underTowing a Trailer
on page 379for more information.
378

Towing a Trailer
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeNew
Vehicle Break-In on page 139for more information.
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment
and drive properly, you can lose control
when you pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not
work well — or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously injured.
You may also damage your vehicle; the
resulting repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Pull a trailer only if
you have followed all the steps in this
section. Ask your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.Notice:Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage your vehicle and result in costly repairs
not covered by your warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this part, and see
your dealer for important information about
towing a trailer with your vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of your vehicle,
you should read the information in “Weight of
the Trailer” that appears later in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving your vehicle
by itself. Trailering means changes in handling,
acceleration, braking, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety
rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers. So please read
this section carefully before you pull a trailer.
379

If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed
limit restrictions, having to do with trailering.
Make sure your rig will be legal, not only
where you live but also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this information can be
state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. See “Hitches”
later in this section.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst
500 miles (800 km) your new vehicle is driven.
Your engine, axle or other parts could be
damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that
you tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and don’t make starts at full throttle.
This helps your engine and other parts of
your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want
to shift the transmission to THIRD (3) or,
if necessary, a lower gear selection if
the transmission shifts too often (e.g., under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions).
See “Tow/Haul Mode” next.Three important considerations have to do
with weight:
the weight of the trailer
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the weight on your vehicle’s tires
Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/haul is designed to assist while your
vehicle is pulling a large or heavy load or trailer.
Tow/haul is most useful while pulling such a
load in rolling terrain, in stop-and-go traffic, or
when you need improved low-speed control, such
as when parking. The purpose of the tow/haul
mode is to do the following:
Reduce the frequency and improve the
predictability of transmission shifts when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.
Provide the same solid shift feel when pulling
a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load as
when the vehicle is unloaded.
Improve control of vehicle speed while
requiring less throttle pedal activity when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.
380

Tow/haul is designed to be most effective when
the vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least
75 percent of the vehicle’s Gross Combination
Weight Rating (GCWR). See “Weight of the
Trailer” later in this section.
Press this button at the end of the shift lever to
enable/disable the tow/haul mode.A light on the instrument
panel will illuminate
to indicate that
tow/haul mode has
been selected.
The vehicle will automatically turn off tow/haul
every time it is started.
Driving with tow/haul activated without a heavy
load or with no trailer will cause reduced fuel
economy and unpleasant engine and transmission
driving characteristics, but will not cause
damage.
Operating the vehicle in tow/haul when lightly
loaded or with no trailer at all will not cause
damage. However, there is no benet to the
selection of tow/haul when the vehicle is unloaded.
Such a selection when unloaded may result in
unpleasant engine and transmission driving
characteristics and reduced fuel economy.
Tow/haul is recommended only when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.
381

Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to
pull a trailer are all important. It can also depend
on any special equipment that you have on
your vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the
vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer
Tongue” later in this section for more information.Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming
only the driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all
the required trailering equipment. The weight
of additional optional equipment, passengers and
cargo in the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
Use the following chart to determine how much
your vehicle can weigh, based upon your vehicle
model and options.
Vehicle Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Wt. **GCWR
Escalade 2WD 6.2L 3.42 7,400 lbs (3 356 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
Escalade AWD 6.2L 3.42 8,100 lbs (3 674 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
Escalade ESV AWD 6.2L 3.42 7,800 lbs (3 538 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle
and trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should
not be exceeded.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering
information or advice, or you can write us at
the address listed in your Warranty and Owner
Assistance Information Booklet.In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
382

Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total
or gross weight of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle
Weight (GVW) includes the curb weight of the
vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it, and
the people who will be riding in the vehicle. If you
have a lot of options, equipment, passengers
or cargo in your vehicle, it will reduce the tongue
weight your vehicle can carry, which will also
reduce the trailer weight your vehicle can tow. And
if you will tow a trailer, you must add the tongue
load to the GVW because your vehicle will be
carrying that weight, too. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 370for more information about
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.The trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent
to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B),
up to a maximum of 600 lbs (272 kg) with a weight
carrying hitch. The trailer tongue weight (A) should
be 10 percent to 15 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight (B), up to the maximum of 1,000 lbs
(454 kg) with a weight distributing hitch.
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue
weight for your 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.
383

Weight-Distributing Hitches and Weight
Carrying Hitches
When using a weight-distributing hitch, the hitch
must be adjusted so that the distance (A) remains
the same both before and after coupling the
trailer to the tow vehicle.
If you use a step-bumper hitch, the bumper could
be damaged in sharp turns. Make sure there is
ample room when turning to avoid contact between
the trailer and the bumper.If you’ll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded,
will weigh more than 5,000 lbs (2 270 kg) be sure
to use a properly mounted weight-distributing
hitch and sway control of the proper size.
This equipment is very important for proper
vehicle loading and good handling when driving.
You should always use a sway control if your
trailer will weigh more than these limits. You can
ask a hitch dealer about sway controls.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your
vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety chains
under the tongue of the trailer to help prevent the
tongue from contacting the road if it becomes
separated from the hitch. Always leave just enough
slack so you can turn with your rig. Never allow
safety chains to drag on the ground.
If you are towing a trailer up to 5,000 lbs (900 kg)
with a factory-installed step bumper, you may
attach the safety chains to the attaching points on
the bumper. If you are towing a trailer up to
your vehicle’s trailer rating limit, you may attach
the safety chains to the attaching point on the hitch
platform. If you are towing with an aftermarket
hitch, follow the trailer or hitch manufacturer’s
recommendation for attaching safety chains.
(A) Body-to-Ground Distance (B) Front of Vehicle
386

Always leave just enough slack so you can turn
with your rig. Never allow safety chains to drag on
the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 2,000 lbs (900 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes — and
they must be adequate. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes so you’ll be
able to install, adjust and maintain them properly.
Since your vehicle is equipped with StabiliTrak
®,
your trailer brake system cannot tap into the
vehicle’s hydraulic brake system.
Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open
and you pull a trailer with your vehicle,
carbon monoxide (CO) could come into
your vehicle. You can not see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness or
death. SeeEngine Exhaust on page 155.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
To maximize your safety when towing a
trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected
for leaks, and make necessary repairs
before starting on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or
another opening, drive with your front,
main heating or cooling system on
and with the fan on any speed. This
will bring fresh, outside air into your
vehicle. Do not use the climate control
setting for maximum air because it
only recirculates the air inside your
vehicle. SeeDual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 220.
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of
experience. Before setting out for the open road,
you’ll want to get to know your rig.
387