Black plate (89,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
We recommend that you not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment except when approved by GM
for your specific vehicle. See Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
on page 2 ‑ 90 for more
information about modifications that can affect how the
system operates.
The on indicator may be lit if an object, such as a
briefcase, handbag, grocery bag, laptop or other
electronic device, is put on an unoccupied seat.
If this is not desired remove the object from the seat.
{ WARNING: Stowing of articles under the passenger seat or
between the passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the proper operation
of the passenger sensing system. Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle Airbags affect how the vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several places
around the vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual
have information about servicing the vehicle and the
airbag system. To purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering Information on
page 9 ‑ 18 .
{ WARNING: For up to 10 seconds after the ignition is turned off
and the battery is disconnected, an airbag can still
inflate during improper service. You can be injured
if you are close to an airbag when it inflates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
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Black plate (1,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Section 3 Features and ControlsKeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Doors and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Rear Door Security Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Liftgate/Liftglass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Power Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Power Assist Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21 Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Content Theft-Deterrent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
PASS-Key ®
III+ Electronic Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . 3-24
PASS-Key ®
III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
Active Fuel Management ™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32
Automatic Transmission Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-39
Shifting Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40
Parking Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-42
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Black plate (26,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle New Vehicle Break-In Notice: The vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines: .
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less
for the first 500 miles (805 km). .
Do not drive at any one constant speed,
fast or slow, for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle. .
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time the
new brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard
stops with new linings can mean premature
wear and earlier replacement. Follow this
breaking-in guideline every time you get new
brake linings. .
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer
on page 6 ‑ 42 for the trailer
towing capabilities of the vehicle and more
information.
Following break ‐ in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
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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.
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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 .
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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
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.
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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