2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV towing

Black plate (30,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the
vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 6 ‑ 30 .
If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often help to
free a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle's traction
system in the Index. If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the traction system off
and use the rocking method.
{ WARNING: If the vehicle's tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured.
The vehicle can overheat, causing an engine
compartment fire or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and avoid going above
55 km/h (35 mph) as shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire chains on the vehicle,
see Tire Chains on page 7 ‑ 78 . Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area
around the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stability
system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes
a rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that does
not get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to
be towed out. Recovery hooks can be used, if the
vehicle has them. If the vehicle does need to be towed
out, see Towing Your Vehicle on page 6 ‑ 38 .
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Black plate (33,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
The Tire and Loading Information label also
shows the size of the original equipment tires (C)
and the recommended cold tire inflation
pressures (D). For more information on tires and
inflation see Tires
on page 7 ‑ 58 and Inflation - Tire
Pressure
on page 7 ‑ 65 .
There is also important loading information on the
vehicle Certification/Tire label. It tells you the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front
and rear axles. See “ Certification/Tire Label ” later
in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 1.
Locate the statement “ The combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs ” on your vehicle's placard.2.
Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
3.
Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs. 4.
The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “ XXX ” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be five 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400 − 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).5.
Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4. 6.
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle. See
Towing a Trailer
on page 6 ‑ 42 for important
information on towing a trailer, towing safety
rules and trailering tips.
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Black plate (38,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
The system is activated when the ignition key is
turned to RUN and will automatically adjust
vehicle height thereafter. The system may exhaust
(lower vehicle height) for up to 10 minutes after
the ignition key has been turned to LOCK. You
may hear the air compressor operating when the
height is being adjusted.
If a weight-distributing hitch is being used, it is
recommended to allow the shocks to inflate,
thereby leveling the vehicle prior to adjusting the
height. See “ Weight distributing Hitches and
Weight Carrying Hitches ” under Towing a Trailer
on page 6 ‑ 42 .
Towing Towing Your Vehicle To avoid damage, the disabled vehicle should be towed
with all four wheels off the ground. Consult your dealer
or a professional towing service if the disabled vehicle
must be towed. See Roadside Service on page 9 ‑ 8 .
To tow the vehicle behind another vehicle for
recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “ Recreational Vehicle Towing ” following. Recreational Vehicle Towing If the vehicle has a two – mode hybrid engine, see the
Two – mode Hybrid manual for more information.
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle
behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “ dinghy towing ” (towing the vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and “ dolly towing ”
(towing the vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “ dolly ” ).
Here are some important things to consider before
recreational vehicle towing: .
What is the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure to read the tow vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations. .
What is the distance that will be travelled? Some
vehicles have restrictions on how far and how long
they can tow. .
Is the proper towing equipment going to be used?
See your dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment
recommendations. .
Is the vehicle ready to be towed? Just as preparing
the vehicle for a long trip, make sure the vehicle is
prepared to be towed. See Before Leaving on a
Long Trip on page 6 ‑ 26 .
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Black plate (39,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Dinghy and Dolly Towing
Notice: Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, or even with only two of
its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain
components. Do not tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle
with any of its wheels on the ground.
All-wheel-drive vehicles are not designed to be towed
with any wheels on the ground. If the vehicle must be
towed, see Towing Your Vehicle previously.
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Black plate (40,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Dinghy Towing
Notice: If a two-wheel-drive vehicle is towed with all
four wheels on the ground, the transmission could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not tow a two-wheel-drive
vehicle with all four wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed
with all four wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed. To dolly tow a two ‐ wheel ‐ drive vehicle, the vehicle must
be towed with the rear wheels on the dolly. See “ Dolly
Towing (Rear Wheels Off the Ground) ” following.
Dolly Towing (Front Wheels Off the Ground)
Notice: If a two-wheel-drive vehicle is towed with
the rear wheels on the ground, the transmission
could be damaged. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Never tow the
vehicle with the rear wheels on the ground.
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Black plate (41,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed with
the rear wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed.
Dolly Towing (Rear Wheels Off the Ground)
Use the following procedure to dinghy tow a
two-wheel-drive vehicle from the rear:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the
dolly manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.
3. Firmly set the parking brake. See Parking Brake
on page 3 ‑ 38 . 4. Put the transmission in P (Park).
5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the
manufacturer's instructions.
6. Use an adequate clamping device designed for
towing to ensure that the front wheels are locked
into the straight position.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Level Control Automatic Level Control The automatic level control rear suspension is available
on light ‐ duty vehicles and comes as a part of the
Autoride ®
suspension, if equipped.
This type of level control is fully automatic and will
provide a better leveled riding position as well as better
handling under a variety of passenger and loading
conditions. An air compressor connected to the rear
shocks will raise or lower the rear of the vehicle to
maintain proper vehicle height. The system is activated
when the ignition key is turned to ON/RUN and will
automatically adjust vehicle height thereafter. The
system may exhaust (lower vehicle height) for up to
ten minutes after the ignition key has been turned off.
You may hear the air compressor operating when the
height is being adjusted.
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Black plate (42,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
If a weight ‐ distributing hitch is being used, it is
recommended to allow the shocks to inflate, thereby
leveling the vehicle prior to adjusting the hitch.
Autoride ®
With this feature, improved vehicle ride and handling is
provided 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.
Autoride also interacts with the tow/haul mode that,
when activated, 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 for more information.
Towing a Trailer If the vehicle has a two – mode hybrid engine, see the
Two – mode Hybrid manual for more information.
Do not tow a trailer during break ‐ in. See New Vehicle
Break-In on page 3 ‑ 26 for more information. { WARNING: The driver can lose control when pulling a trailer if
the correct equipment is not used or the vehicle is
not driven properly. For example, if the trailer is
too heavy, the brakes may not work well — or
even at all. The driver and passengers could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only
if all the steps in this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer for advice and information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Notice: Pulling a trailer improperly can damage the
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
the vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer correctly,
follow the advice in this section and see your dealer
for important information about towing a trailer with
the vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of the vehicle, read the
information in “ Weight of the Trailer ” that appears later
in this section.
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Black plate (50,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Trailer Brakes A loaded trailer that weighs more than 2,000 lbs
(900 kg) needs to have its own brake system that is
adequate for the weight of the trailer. Be sure to read
and follow the instructions for the trailer brakes so they
are installed, adjusted and maintained properly.
Since the vehicle is equipped with StabiliTrak ®
, the
trailer brakes cannot tap into the vehicle's hydraulic
system.
Driving with a Trailer
{ WARNING: When towing a trailer, exhaust gases may collect
at the rear of the vehicle and enter if the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most window is open.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
(Continued)WARNING: (Continued) To maximize safety when towing a trailer: .
Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks
and make necessary repairs before starting
a trip. .
Never drive with the liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open. .
Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel. .
Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that brings in only outside air and set the fan
speed to the highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
For more information about carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust on page 3 ‑ 41 .
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of
experience. The combination you are driving is longer
and not as responsive as the vehicle itself. Get
acquainted with the handling and braking of the rig
before setting out for the open road.
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