
Black plate (13,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
See Power Liftgate on page 3 ‑ 14 for more information
on how to use the power liftgate.
To unlock the liftgate, use the power door lock switch or
press the door unlock button on the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter twice. See Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation
on page 3 ‑ 4 .
On vehicles with a liftglass, press the button on the
underside of the license pocket applique (A) to open it.
The liftglass can also be opened by pressing the
liftglass release button on the RKE. To open the entire liftgate, press the power liftgate
release button on the RKE or in the vehicle. See Power
Liftgate
on page 3 ‑ 14 . You can also press the
touchpad on the underside of the liftgate handle (B).
The liftgate will open after a slight delay. The vehicle
must be in P (Park) to open the liftgate. To close the
liftgate, use the pull cup or pull strap as an aid.
The liftgate or liftglass cannot be opened if the rear
wipers are in motion. Attempting to open the liftgate or
liftglass while the rear wipers are in motion will cause
the release of the liftglass or liftgate to delay until the
wipers are parked off the liftglass.
Both the liftglass and liftgate have an electric latch.
If the battery is disconnected or has low voltage, the
liftglass and liftgate will not open. The liftglass and
liftgate will resume operation when the battery is
reconnected and charged.
If the battery is properly connected and has adequate
voltage, and the liftgate or liftglass still will not function,
your vehicle should be taken to a dealership for service.
3-13

Black plate (16,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Pressing the buttons, or touchpad switch a second time
while the liftgate is moving reverses the direction.
l : The liftgate can also be closed by pressing the
power liftgate button next to the liftgate latch.
Press the button a second time during liftgate operation
to reverse that operation.
The power liftgate may be temporarily disabled under
extreme temperatures, or under low battery conditions.
If this occurs, the liftgate can still be operated manually.
If you shift the transmission out of P (Park) while the
power function is in progress, the liftgate power function
will continue to completion. If you shift the transmission
out of P (Park) and accelerate before the power liftgate
latches closed, the liftgate may reverse to the open
position. Cargo could fall out of the vehicle. Always
make sure the power liftgate is closed and latched
before you drive away.
If you power open the liftgate and the liftgate support
struts have lost pressure, the lights will flash and a
chime will sound. The liftgate will stay open temporarily,
then slowly close. See your dealer for service before
using the liftgate. Obstacle Detection Features If the liftgate encounters an obstacle during a power
open or close cycle, a warning chime will sound and the
liftgate will automatically reverse direction to the full
closed or open position. After removing the obstruction,
the power liftgate operation can be used again. If the
liftgate encounters multiple obstacles on the same
power cycle, the power function will deactivate, and you
must manually open or close the liftgate. The REAR
ACCESS OPEN warning message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will indicate that the liftgate is
open. After removing the obstructions, manually open
the liftgate to the full open position or close the liftgate
to the fully closed and latched position. The liftgate will
now resume normal power operation.
Your vehicle has pinch sensors located on the side
edges of the liftgate. If an object is caught between the
liftgate and the body and presses against this sensor,
the liftgate will reverse direction and open fully. The
liftgate will remain open until it is activated again or
closed manually. Do not force the liftgate open or closed
during a power cycle.
3-16

Black plate (17,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Manual Operation of Power Liftgate To change the liftgate to manual operation, press the
switch on the overhead console to the OFF position.
With the power liftgate disabled and all of the doors
unlocked, the liftgate can be manually opened and
closed.
To open the liftgate, press the touchpad on the handle
on the outside of the liftgate, and lift the gate open. To
close the liftgate, use the pull cup to lower the liftgate
and close. The liftgate latch will power close. Always
close the liftgate before driving.
If the RKE button or the power close button on the
liftgate is pressed while power operation is disabled, the
lights will flash three times, but the liftgate will not move.
It is not recommended that you drive with the liftgate
open, however, if you must drive with the liftgate open,
the liftgate should be set to manual operation by
pressing the OFF switch on the center console.
The liftgate has an electric latch. If the battery is
disconnected or has low voltage, the liftgate will not
open. The liftgate will resume operation when the
battery is reconnected and charged.
If the battery is properly connected with adequate
voltage, the switch is not disabled, and the liftgate still
will not function, your vehicle should be taken to a
dealer for service. Power Assist Steps Your vehicle may have power assist steps.
The power assist steps automatically extend from
beneath the vehicle on the side in which the door has
been opened. Once the door is closed, the assist steps
automatically move back under the vehicle after a brief
delay. The vehicle must not be moving for the assist
steps to extend or retract.
The switch used to
disable the power assist
steps is located on the
center console below the
climate control system.
The assist steps cannot be disabled in the extended
position.
3-17

Black plate (23,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
If a locked driver door is opened without using the RKE
transmitter, a ten second pre-alarm will occur. The horn
will chirp and the lights will flash. If the key is not placed
in the ignition and turned to START or the door is not
unlocked by pressing the unlock button on the RKE
transmitter during the ten second pre-alarm, the alarm
will go off. Your vehicle's headlamps will flash and the
horn will sound for about 30 seconds, then will turn off
to save the battery power.
The theft-deterrent system will not activate if the doors
are locked with the vehicle's key or the manual door
lock. It activates only if you use the power door lock
switch with the door open or the RKE transmitter. You
should also remember that you can start your vehicle
with the correct ignition key if the alarm has been
set off.
To avoid setting off the alarm by accident: .
If you do not want to activate the theft-deterrent
system, the vehicle should be locked with the door
key after the doors are closed. .
Always unlock the doors with the RKE transmitter.
Unlocking a door any other way will set off the
alarm if it is armed.
If you set off the alarm by accident, press unlock on the
RKE transmitter or place the key in the ignition and turn
it to START to turn off the alarm. The alarm will not stop
if you try to unlock a door any other way. Testing the Alarm To test the alarm:
1. From inside the vehicle, lower the driver's window
and open the driver's door.
2. Activate the system by locking the doors with the
power door lock switch while the door is open,
or with the RKE transmitter.
3. Get out of the vehicle, close the door and wait for
the security light to go out.
4. Then reach in through the window, unlock the door
with the manual door lock and open the door. This
should set off the alarm.
While the alarm is set, the power door unlock switch will
not work.
If the alarm does not sound when it should but the
headlamps flash, check to see if the horn works. The
horn fuse may be blown. To replace the fuse, see Fuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 7 ‑ 110 .
If the alarm does not sound or the headlamps do not
flash, the vehicle should be serviced by your dealer.
3-23

Black plate (24,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
PASS-Key ®
III+ Electronic
Immobilizer See Radio Frequency Statement on page 9 ‑ 21 for
information regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) rules and Industry
Canada Standards RSS-210/220/310.
PASS-Key ®
III+ Electronic
Immobilizer Operation Your vehicle has PASS-Key ®
III+ (Personalized
Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key ®
III+ is a passive theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed when the key is
removed from the ignition.
The system is automatically disarmed when the key is
turned to ON/RUN, ACC/ACCESSORY or START from
the LOCK/OFF position. You do not have to manually arm or disarm the system.
The security light will come on if there is a problem with
arming or disarming the theft-deterrent system.
When the PASS-Key ®
III+ system senses that someone
is using the wrong key, it prevents the vehicle from
starting. Anyone using a trial-and-error method to start
the vehicle will be discouraged because of the high
number of electrical key codes.
If the engine does not start and the security light on the
instrument panel cluster comes on when trying to start
the vehicle, there may be a problem with your
theft-deterrent system. Turn the ignition off and try
again.
If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to
be undamaged, try another ignition key. At this time,
you may also want to check the fuse, see Fuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 7 ‑ 110 . If the engine still does
not start with the other key, your vehicle needs service.
If your vehicle does start, the first key may be faulty.
See your dealer who can service the PASS-Key ®
III+ to
have a new key made. In an emergency, contact
Roadside Assistance.
3-24

Black plate (25,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
It is possible for the PASS-Key ®
III+ decoder to learn
the transponder value of a new or replacement key. Up
to 10 keys may be programmed for the vehicle. The
following procedure is for programming additional keys
only. If all the currently programmed keys are lost or do
not operate, you must see your dealer or a locksmith
who can service PASS-Key ®
III+ to have keys made
and programmed to the system.
See your dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key ®
III+ to get a new key blank that is cut
exactly as the ignition key that operates the system. To program the new additional key:
1. Verify that the new key has a
1 stamped on it.
2. Insert the original, already programmed, key in the
ignition and start the engine. If the engine will not
start, see your dealer for service.
3. After the engine has started, turn the key to
LOCK/OFF, and remove the key.
4. Insert the new key to be programmed and turn it to
the ON/RUN position within five seconds of turning
the ignition to the LOCK/OFF position in Step 3.
The security light will turn off once the key has
been programmed.
5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys are to
be programmed.
If you lose or damage your PASS-Key ®
III+ key, see
your dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key ®
III+ to have a new key made.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms or
deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle.
3-25

Black plate (28,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
The steering may bind with the wheels turned off center.
If this happens, move the steering wheel from right to
left while turning the key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this
doesn't work, then the vehicle needs service.
Notice: Using a tool to force the key to turn in the
ignition could cause damage to the switch or break
the key. Use the correct key, make sure it is all the
way in, and turn it only with your hand. If the key
cannot be turned by hand, see your dealer.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY): This position lets things like
the radio and the windshield wipers operate while the
engine is off. Use this position if the vehicle must be
pushed or towed.
C (ON/RUN): This position can be used to operate the
electrical accessories and to display some instrument
panel cluster warning and indicator lights. The switch
stays in this position when the engine is running. The
transmission is also unlocked in this position on
automatic transmission vehicles.
If you leave the key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN position with the engine off, the battery could
be drained. You may not be able to start the vehicle if
the battery is allowed to drain for an extended period
of time. D (START): This is the position that starts the engine.
When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for driving.
A warning tone will sound when the driver door is
opened, the ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF and the key is in the ignition.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) The following vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off: .
Audio System .
Power Windows .
OnStar ®
System (if equipped) .
Sunroof (if equipped)
These features work when the key is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from
ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF, the windows and sunroof
continue to work up to 10 minutes until any door is
opened. The radio continues to work for up to
10 minutes or until the driver door is opened.
3-28

Black plate (40,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Torque Lock If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift the
transmission into P (Park) properly, the weight of the
vehicle can put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. It might be difficult to pull the shift
lever out of P (Park). This is called torque lock. To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into P (Park) properly before you leave the driver seat.
To find out how, see Shifting Into Park on page 3 ‑ 39 .
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
P (Park) before releasing the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you might 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 should be able to pull the shift lever out of
P (Park).
Shifting Out of Park This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to: .
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever
is in P (Park) with the shift lever button fully
released, and .
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of
P (Park), unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal
is applied. The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery.
See Jump Starting on page 7 ‑ 44 for more information.
To shift out of P (Park) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of P (Park):
1. Ease the pressure on the shift lever.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift
lever all the way into P (Park).
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you are still having a problem shifting, then have the
vehicle serviced soon.
3-40