2007 CADILLAC ESCALADE brakes

DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving.
It provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle.
If you need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push
the accelerator all the way down.
By doing this, the vehicle shifts down to the next
gear and has more power.
DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer,
carrying a heavy load, driving on steep hills, or for
off-road driving. You may want to shift the
transmission to a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see Skidding
underLoss of Control on page 337.MANUAL MODE (M):This position lets drivers
select the range of gears appropriate for current
driving conditions. If your vehicle has this feature,
see Driver Shift Control (DSC) later in this section.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the
transmission. If you are stuck, do not spin the
tires. When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Your vehicle has a shift stabilization feature that
adjusts the transmission shifting to the current
driving conditions in order to reduce rapid upshifts
and downshifts. This shift stabilization feature is
designed to determine, before making an upshift, if
the engine will be able to maintain vehicle speed by
analyzing things such as vehicle speed, throttle
position and vehicle load. If the shift stabilization
feature determines that a current vehicle speed
cannot be maintained, the transmission does not
upshift and instead holds the current gear. In some
cases, this may appear to be a delayed shift,
however the transmission is operating normally.
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Tow/Haul Mode
Your vehicle has a tow/haul mode. The tow/haul
mode adjusts the transmission shift pattern to
reduce shift cycling, providing increased
performance, vehicle control, and transmission
cooling when towing or hauling heavy loads.
Press the button located on the end of the shift
lever to turn the tow/haul on or off. When the
tow/haul is on, a light on the instrument panel
cluster will come on.SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 244for more
information.
Also see “Tow Haul Mode” underTowing a Trailer
on page 379for more information.
The tow/haul mode works with the Autoride
®
feature, if the vehicle has this, to enhance the ride
when trailering or with a loaded vehicle. See
Autoride
®on page 378.
Grade Braking
Grade Braking assists when driving on a downhill
grade. It maintains the vehicle’s speed by
automatically implementing a shift schedule that
uses the engine and the transmission to slow
the vehicle. This reduces wear on the brakes
system and increases control of the vehicle. The
system constantly monitors the vehicle’s speed,
acceleration, throttle position, and whether
the brake pedal is being pressed, and determines
when to keep the current vehicle speed or to
slow down.The system will then automatically
command downshifts that reduces the vehicles
speed, until the brake pedal is no longer
being pressed. This indicates the desired vehicle
speed has been reached.
150

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift
your transmission into PARK (P) properly,
the weight of the vehicle may put too much force
on the parking pawl in the transmission. You
may nd it difficult to pull the shift lever out
of PARK (P). This is called torque lock. To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into
Park (P) on page 152.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever
out of PARK (P) before you release the parking
brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to
take some of the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transmission, then you will be able to
pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift
lock control system which locks the shift lever
in PARK (P) when the ignition is in the LOCK.
You have to fully apply your regular brakes before
you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
is in RUN. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 144.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the
way up into PARK (P) as you maintain brake
application. Then, move the shift lever into
the desired gear.
153

Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady speed.
So, do not use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed
of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can
really help on long trips. Cruise control does not
work at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, cruise control
is turned off.If your vehicle has the StabiliTrak
®system and
begins to limit wheel spin while you are using cruise
control, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 330.
When road conditions allow you to safely use it
again, you may turn the cruise control back on.
The cruise control
buttons are located
on left side of the
steering wheel.
T(On/Off):This button can both activate and
turn off the system. The indicator light on the
button turns on when cruise control is on and turns
off when cruise control is off.
202

The ultrasonic sensors are not kept clean. So,
be sure to keep your vehicle’s rear bumper free
of mud, dirt, snow, ice, and slush. For cleaning
instructions, seeWashing Your Vehicle on
page 500. If the DIC still displays the PARKING
ASSIST OFF message after cleaning the
bumper and driving forward at a speed of at
least 15 mph (25 km/h), see your dealer.
Other conditions that may affect system
performance include vibrations from a
jackhammer or the compression of air brakes
on a very large truck or other mechanical
devices that interfere with URPA performance.
When URPA is disabled without driver action
and the driver attempts to turn URPA back on
by pressing the rear park aid button, the
indicator light will ash for 3 seconds and then
stay lit to indicate that URPA is off.As always, drivers should use care when backing
up a vehicle. Always look behind you, being
sure to check for other vehicles, obstructions and
blind spots.
For Driver Information Center messages related to
URPA, seeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 250.
If the bumper is damaged, your URPA system
may not work properly. Take the vehicle to
your dealer to repair the system.
217

If the warning light comes on and a chime sounds
there could be a brake problem. Have your
brake system inspected right away.
This light may also come on due to low brake
uid. SeeBrakes on page 433for more
information.
This light should come on briey when you turn
the ignition key to RUN. If it does not come
on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there’s a problem.If the light comes on while you are driving, pull
off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is harder to push or may go closer to
the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is
still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 376.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
United StatesCanada
236

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will
come on when you start
your engine and may
stay on for several
seconds.
That’s normal. If the light does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. You will also
hear a chime sound when the light is on steady. If
the regular brake system warning light is not on,
you still have brakes, but you do not have anti-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is
also on you do not have anti-lock brakes and there
is a problem with your regular brakes. In addition to
both lights, you will also hear a chime sound on the
rst occurrence of a problem and each time the
vehicle is shut off and then restarted. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 235.The anti-lock brake system warning light should
come on briey when you turn the ignition
key to RUN. If the light does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there
is a problem.
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light
This warning light
should come on briey
when the engine is
started.
If the warning light does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem. If it stays on, or comes on when you
are driving, there may be a problem with your
StabiliTrak
®system and your vehicle may need
service. When this warning light is on, the system is
off and will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
This light will also ash when the StabiliTrak
®
system is active.
237

SERVICE BRAKES SOON
If there is a problem with the brake system, this
message will display. If this message appears,
stop as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle.
Restart the vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed
or appears again when you begin driving, the
brake system needs service. See your dealer.
SERVICE PARKING ASSIST
This message will display if there is a problem
with the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)
system. Do not use this system to help you park.
SeeUltrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on
page 214for more information. See your dealer
for service.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®and this message
displays, it means there may be a problem with the
StabiliTrak
®system. If you see this message, try to
reset the system. Stop; turn off the engine for at
least 15 seconds; then start the engine again.
If this message still comes on, it means there is a
problem. You should see your dealer for service.
The vehicle is safe to drive, however, you do not
have the benet of StabiliTrak
®, so reduce your
speed and drive accordingly.
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYSTEM
This message will display when the Road Sensing
Suspension (RSS) system is not operating
properly. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
This message will display when there is a
problem with the theft-deterrent system. The
vehicle may or may not restart so you may want
to take the vehicle to your dealer before turning off
the engine. SeePASS-Key
®III+ Operation on
page 137for more information.
256