Page 153 of 620

Black plate (29,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Starting the Engine If the vehicle is a Two-mode Hybrid, see the Two-mode
Hybrid manual for more information.
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). The
engine will not start in any other position. To restart
the engine when the vehicle is are already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
Notice: Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when the vehicle
is stopped.
Starting Procedure 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as the
engine gets warm. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate the engine
and transmission gently to allow the oil to warm up
and lubricate all moving parts. The vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the engine
and protects components. If the ignition key is
turned to the START position, and then released
when the engine begins cranking, the engine will
continue cranking for a few seconds or until the
vehicle starts. If the engine does not start and the
key is held in START for many seconds, cranking
will be stopped after 15 seconds to prevent
cranking motor damage. To prevent gear damage,
this system also prevents cranking if the engine
is already running. Engine cranking can be
stopped by turning the ignition switch to the
ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF position.
Notice: Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by returning the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has ended, can overheat
and damage the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try,
to let the cranking motor cool down.
3-29
Page 154 of 620

Black plate (30,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
2. If the engine does not start after 5 ‐ 10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F or
− 18°C), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing the accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for up to a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at
least 15 seconds between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the
vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, do the
same thing. This clears the extra gasoline from the
engine. Do not race the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine and transmission
gently until the oil warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Notice: The engine is designed to work with the
electronics in the vehicle. If you add electrical parts
or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you do not,
the engine might not perform properly. Any
resulting damage would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal The vehicle has adjustable throttle and brake pedals
that allow you change their positions.
The feature will not operate when the vehicle is in
R (Reverse) or while using the cruise control.
The switch used to adjust the pedals is located on the
center console below the climate control system.
Press the right and left arrows to move the pedals either
closer or further from your body.
Before you start driving, fully press the brake pedal to
confirm the adjustment is right for you. While driving,
make only small adjustments.
The vehicle has a memory function which allows the
pedal positions to be saved and recalled. See Memory
Features
on page 2 ‑ 6 for more information.
3-30
Page 155 of 620

Black plate (31,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Engine Coolant Heater The engine coolant heater can provide easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up in cold
weather conditions at or below − 18°C (0°F). Vehicles
with an engine heater should be plugged in at least
four hours before starting. An internal thermostat in the
plug-end of the cord may exist which will prevent engine
coolant heater operation at temperatures above
− 18°C (0°F).
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater 1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The
cord is secured to the Engine Compartment Fuse
Block with a clip. Carefully remove the wire tie
which secures the electrical cord. Do not cut the
electrical cord.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC
outlet. { WARNING: Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could
cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of
extension cord could overheat and cause a fire.
You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into
a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC
outlet. If the cord will not reach, use a heavy-duty
three-prong extension cord rated for at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away from
moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged.
The length of time the heater should remain plugged in
depends on several factors. Ask a dealer in the area
where you will be parking the vehicle for the best advice
on this.
3-31
Page 156 of 620

Black plate (32,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Active Fuel Management ™Vehicles with V8 engines may have Active Fuel
Management ™ . This system allows the engine to
operate on either all or half of its cylinders, depending
on the driving conditions.
When less power is required, such as cruising at a
constant vehicle speed, the system will operate in the
half cylinder mode, allowing the vehicle to achieve
better fuel economy. When greater power demands are
required, such as accelerating from a stop, passing,
or merging onto a freeway, the system will maintain
full-cylinder operation.
If the vehicle has an Active Fuel Management ™
indicator, see DIC Operation and Displays
on
page 4 ‑ 42
for more information on using this display . Automatic Transmission Operation If the vehicle is a Two-mode Hybrid, see the Two-mode
Hybrid manual for more information.
The vehicle has a Hydra-Matic ®
6L80 automatic
transmission, and has an electronic shift position
indicator within the instrument panel cluster. The
electronic shift position indicator displays when the shift
lever is moved out of P (Park).
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
P (Park): This position locks the rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when you start the engine because
the vehicle cannot move easily.
3-32
Page 157 of 620

Black plate (33,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
When parked on a hill, especially when the vehicle has
a heavy load, you may notice an increase in the effort to
shift out of P (Park). See Torque Lock (Automatic
Transmission) under Shifting Into Park
on page 3 ‑ 39
for more information.
{ WARNING: It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park). See Shifting Into
Park on page 3 ‑ 39 . If you are pulling a trailer,
see Towing a Trailer on page 6 ‑ 42 . R (Reverse): Use this gear to back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging the transmission, see If
Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on
page 6 ‑ 30 .
3-33
Page 158 of 620

Black plate (34,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
N (Neutral): In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use N (Neutral) only. Also, use
N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed.
{ WARNING: Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.
Notice: Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage the
transmission. The repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive): This position is for normal driving. It provides
the best fuel economy. If you need more power for
passing, and you are: .
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
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.
D (Drive) 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 under
Loss of Control on page 6 ‑ 12 .
M (Manual Mode): This position lets drivers select the
range of gears appropriate for current driving
conditions. 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. The repair will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. If you are stuck, do
not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
The 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
3-34
Page 159 of 620

Black plate (35,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
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.
The vehicle's transmission uses adaptive shift controls
that compares key shift parameters to pre-programmed
ideal shifts stored in the transmissions computer. The
transmission constantly makes adjustments to improve
vehicle performance according to how the vehicle is
being used, such as with a heavy load or when
temperature changes. During this adaptive shift controls
process, shifting may feel different as the transmission
determines the best settings.
When temperatures are very cold, the Hydra-Matic ®
6L80 automatic transmission's gear shifting may be
delayed providing more stable shifts until the engine
warms up. Shifts may be more noticeable with a cold
transmission. This difference in shifting is normal. Driver Shift Control (DSC)
The vehicle has Driver Shift Control (DSC). DSC
controls the vehicle's transmission and vehicle speed
while driving down hill or towing a trailer by allowing you
to select a desired range of gears.
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever to the M (Manual Mode).
2. Press the plus/minus button, to upshift or downshift
selecting the desired range of gears for current
driving conditions.
3-35
Page 160 of 620

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
The DIC display will show the message MANUAL
SHIFT on the first line and the current gear will be
displayed on the second line. See Driver Information
Center (DIC)
on page 4 ‑ 41 and DIC Operation and
Displays on page 4 ‑ 42 for more information. The
number displayed in the DIC is the highest gear that
can be used. However, the vehicle can automatically
shift to lower gears as it adjusts to driving conditions.
This means that all gears below that number are
available. When 5 (Fifth ) is selected, 1 (First) through
5 (Fifth) gears are automatically shifted by the vehicle,
but 6 (Sixth) cannot be used until the plus/minus button
located on the steering column lever is used to change
to the gear.
Grade Braking is not available when the Driver Shift
Control is active. See Tow/Haul Mode
on page 3 ‑ 36 for
more information.
While using the DSC, cruise control and the tow/haul
mode can be used. Tow/Haul Mode
The 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.
See Tow/Haul Mode Light
on page 4 ‑ 40 for more
information.
3-36