Black plate (56,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
SIDE BLIND ZONE SYSTEM
UNAVAILABLE If your vehicle has the Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
system, this message displays when the SBZA system
is disabled because the sensor is blocked and cannot
detect vehicles in your blind zone. The sensor may be
blocked by mud, dirt, snow, ice, or slush. This message
may also display during heavy rain or due to road spray.
It may also come on when driving in isolated areas with
no guardrails, trees, or road signs and light traffic.
Your vehicle does not need service. For cleaning
instructions, see Washing Your Vehicle
on page 7 ‑ 103 .
See Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) on page 3 ‑ 48 for
more information.
STABILITRAK OFF If your vehicle has StabiliTrak, this message displays
when you turn off StabiliTrak, or when the stability
control has been automatically disabled. To limit wheel
spin and realize the full benefits of the stability
enhancement system, you should normally leave
StabiliTrak on. However, you should turn StabiliTrak off
if your vehicle gets stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow and
you want to rock your vehicle to attempt to free it, or if you are driving in extreme off-road conditions and
require more wheel spin. See If Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 6 ‑ 30 . To turn the
StabiliTrak system on or off, see StabiliTrak ®
System
on page 6 ‑ 6 .
There are several conditions that can cause this
message to appear. .
One condition is overheating, which could occur if
StabiliTrak activates continuously for an extended
period of time. .
The message also displays if the brake system
warning light is on. See Brake System Warning
Light on page 4 ‑ 33 . .
The message could display if the stability system
takes longer than usual to complete its diagnostic
checks due to driving conditions. .
The message displays if an engine or vehicle
related problem has been detected and the vehicle
needs service. See your dealer.
The message turns off as soon as the conditions that
caused the message to be displayed are no longer
present.
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Black plate (57,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
TIGHTEN GAS CAP This message may display along with the check engine
light on the instrument panel cluster if the vehicle's fuel
cap is not tightened properly. See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
on page 4 ‑ 36 . Reinstall the fuel cap fully. See
Filling the Tank on page 7 ‑ 11 . The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap allows
fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly installed should turn this light
and message off.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE On vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS), this message displays when the TPMS is
re-learning the tire positions on your vehicle. The tire
positions must be re-learned after rotating the tires or
after replacing a tire or sensor. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 7 ‑ 71 , Tire Pressure Monitor System
on page 7 ‑ 67 , and Inflation - Tire Pressure on
page 7 ‑ 65
for more information. TIRE LOW ADD AIR TO TIRE On vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS), this message displays when the pressure in
one or more of the vehicle's tires is low. This message
also displays LEFT FRONT, RIGHT FRONT, LEFT
REAR, or RIGHT REAR to indicate which tire needs to
be checked. The low tire pressure warning light will also
come on. See Tire Pressure Light
on page 4 ‑ 35 . You
can receive more than one tire pressure message at a
time. To read the other messages that may have been
sent at the same time, press the set/reset button. If a
tire pressure message appears on the DIC, stop as
soon as you can. Have the tire pressures checked and
set to those shown on the Tire Loading Information
label. See Tires
on page 7 ‑ 58 , Loading the Vehicle on
page 6 ‑ 32 , and Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 7 ‑ 65 .
The DIC also shows the tire pressure values. See DIC
Operation and Displays on page 4 ‑ 42 .
TRACTION CONTROL OFF If your vehicle has StabiliTrak, this message displays
when the Traction Control System (TCS) is turned off.
Adjust your driving accordingly. See StabiliTrak ®
System on page 6 ‑ 6 for more information.
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Black plate (60,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Navigation Audio System Notice: Before adding any sound equipment to the
vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player, CB
radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio, make
sure that it can be added by checking with your
dealer. Also, check federal rules covering mobile
radio and telephone units. If sound equipment can
be added, it is very important to do it properly.
Added sound equipment can interfere with the
operation of the vehicle's engine, radio, or other
systems, and even damage them. The vehicle's
systems can interfere with the operation of sound
equipment that has been added.
Notice: The chime signals related to safety belts,
parking brake, and other functions of the vehicle
operate through the navigation system. If that
equipment is replaced or additional equipment is
added to the vehicle, the chimes may not work.
Make sure that replacement or additional equipment
is compatible with the vehicle before installing it.
See “ Accessories and Modifications ” in the
vehicle's owner manual. Playing the Radio
O /
n (Power/Volume): Press to turn the audio
system on and off. Turn to increase or to decrease the
volume.
Press and hold for more than two seconds to turn off
the navigation system, the Rear Seat Entertainment
(RSE) video screen, and Rear Seat Audio (RSA). If the
vehicle has not been turned off, press this knob to turn
RSE and RSA back on and to continue playback of the
last active source.
w (Tuning Knob): Turn to go to the next or previous
frequency or disc track or chapter. See CD Player
on
page 5 ‑ 68 or DVD Player on page 5 ‑ 75 for more
information.
AUDIO: Press to display the audio screen. Press to
switch between AM, FM, or XM, if equipped, DISC,
or AUX (Auxiliary), or touch the screen button. See CD
Player on page 5 ‑ 68 , DVD Player on page 5 ‑ 75 , and
Auxiliary Devices
on page 5 ‑ 85 for more information.
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Black plate (5,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Antilock Brake System (ABS) This vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an
advanced electronic braking system that helps prevent
a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the vehicle begins to
drive away, ABS checks itself. A momentary motor or
clicking noise might be heard while this test is going on.
This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light
stays on. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on
page 4 ‑ 34 .
Along with ABS, the vehicle has a Dynamic Rear
Proportioning (DRP) system. If there is a DRP problem,
both the brake and ABS warning lights come on
accompanied by a 10 ‐ second chime. The lights and
chime will come on each time the ignition is turned on
until the problem is repaired. See your dealer for
service. Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each front
wheel and at both rear wheels.
ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, as
required, faster than any driver could. This can help the
driver steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time needed to
get a foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, there will not be enough time to apply the
brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to stop, even with ABS.
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Black plate (9,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Magnetic Ride Control ™The vehicle may have the MagneRide control system.
MagneRide constantly checks speed, wheel position,
lift/dive and steering of the vehicle. The damping force
for each shock absorber and adjustment level is chosen
for the best ride and handling.
MagneRide also works with the tow/haul switch that,
when engaged, will provide more firmness from the
shock absorbers. This added control gives better ride
and handling when carrying heavy loads or towing a
trailer. See Tow/Haul Mode
on page 3 ‑ 36 for more
information.
Road Sensing Suspension The Road Sensing Suspension (RSS) feature provides
superior 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. RSS also interacts with the tow/haul mode that, when
engaged, 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 ” under Towing a
Trailer on page 6 ‑ 42 .
Locking Rear Axle Vehicles with a locking rear axle can give more traction
on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a
standard axle most of the time, but when traction is low,
this feature will allow the rear wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System If the vehicle has this feature, engine power is sent to
all four wheels when extra traction is needed. This is
like four-wheel drive, but there is no separate lever or
switch to engage or disengage the front axle. It is fully
automatic, and adjusts itself as needed for road
conditions.
If the vehicle is a Two-mode Hybrid, see “ Four-Wheel
Drive ” in the Two-mode Hybrid Supplement.
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Black plate (14,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Before You Go Off-Roading .
Have all necessary maintenance and service
work done. .
Make sure there is enough fuel, that fluid levels are
where they should be, and that the spare tire, if the
vehicle has one, is fully inflated. .
Be sure to read all the information about
all-wheel-drive vehicles in this manual. .
Make sure all underbody shields, if the vehicle has
them, are properly attached. .
Know the local laws that apply to off-roading where
you will be driving or check with law enforcement
people in the area. .
Be sure to get the necessary permission if you will
be on private land. 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 air dam is held in place by
two bolts and 10 snaps accessible from underneath the
front fascia.
To remove the air dam:
1. Remove the two outboard air dam bolts.
2. With a flat ‐ blade tool, disengage the snaps.
3. After the bolts are removed and the snaps are
disengaged, push forward on the air dam until it
is free.
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.
After off-roading, be sure to reinstall the air dam:
1. Line up the snaps and push the air dam rearward
to engage the snaps.
2. Install the two outboard bolts.
6-14
Black plate (16,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010 .
Always carry a litter bag and make sure all refuse
is removed from any campsite before leaving. .
Take extreme care with open fires (where
permitted), camp stoves, and lanterns. .
Never park your vehicle over dry grass or other
combustible materials that could catch fire from the
heat of the vehicle's exhaust system.
Traveling to Remote Areas It makes sense to plan your trip, especially when going
to a remote area. Know the terrain and plan your route.
Get accurate maps of trails and terrain. Check to see if
there are any blocked or closed roads.
It is also a good idea to travel with at least one other
vehicle in case something happens to one of them.
For vehicles with a winch, be sure to read the winch
instructions. In a remote area, a winch can be handy if
you get stuck but you will want to know how to use it
properly. Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving It is a good idea to practice in an area that is safe and
close to home before you go into the wilderness.
Off-roading requires some new and different skills.
Tune your senses to different kinds of signals.
Your eyes need to constantly sweep the terrain for
unexpected obstacles. Your ears need to listen for
unusual tire or engine sounds. Use your arms, hands,
feet, and body to respond to vibrations and vehicle
bounce.
Controlling the vehicle is the key to successful off-road
driving. One of the best ways to control the vehicle is to
control the speed. At higher speeds: .
You approach things faster and have less time to
react. .
There is less time to scan the terrain for obstacles. .
The vehicle has more bounce when driving over
obstacles. .
More braking distance is needed, especially on an
unpaved surface.
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Black plate (24,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Driving in Water
{ WARNING: Driving through rushing water can be dangerous.
Deep water can sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers could drown. If it is
only shallow water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires, and you could lose
traction and roll the vehicle over. Do not drive
through rushing water.
Heavy rain can mean flash flooding, and flood waters
demand extreme caution.
Find out how deep the water is before driving through it.
Do not try it if it is deep enough to cover the wheel
hubs, axles, or exhaust pipe — you probably will not get
through. Deep water can damage the axle and other
vehicle parts.
If the water is not too deep, drive slowly through it. At
faster speeds, water splashes on the ignition system
and the vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur if you
get the tailpipe under water. If the tailpipe is under
water, you will never be able to start the engine. When
going through water, remember that when the brakes
get wet, it might take longer to stop. See Driving in Rain
and on Wet Roads on page 6 ‑ 25 . After Off-Road Driving Remove any brush or debris that has collected
on the underbody, chassis, or under the hood.
These accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake linings
cleaned and checked. These substances can cause
glazing and uneven braking. Check the body structure,
steering, suspension, wheels, tires, and exhaust system
for damage and check the fuel lines and cooling system
for any leakage.
The vehicle requires more frequent service due to
off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule for
additional information.
Driving at Night Night driving is more dangerous than day driving
because some drivers are likely to be impaired — by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by
fatigue.
Night driving tips include: .
Drive defensively. .
Do not drink and drive. .
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
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