
Black plate (79,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Driver Side shown, Passenger Side similar
If the vehicle has a third row passenger seat, the
roof-rail airbags are located in the ceiling above the rear
windows for the outboard passenger positions in the
third row. { WARNING: If something is between an occupant and an
airbag, the airbag might not inflate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
inflating airbag must be kept clear. Do not put
anything between an occupant and an airbag, and
do not attach or put anything on the steering
wheel hub or on or near any other airbag
covering.
Do not use seat accessories that block the
inflation path of a seat-mounted side impact
airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof of a vehicle with
roof-rail airbags by routing a rope or tie down
through any door or window opening. If you do,
the path of an inflating roof-rail airbag will be
blocked.
2-79

Black plate (83,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
The vehicle has a feature that may automatically unlock
the doors, turn on the interior lamps and hazard warning
flashers, and shut off the fuel system after the airbags
inflate. You can lock the doors, turn off the interior
lamps and hazard warning flashers by using the
controls for those features.
{ WARNING: A crash severe enough to inflate the airbags may
have also damaged important functions in the
vehicle, such as the fuel system, brake and
steering systems, etc. Even if the vehicle appears
to be drivable after a moderate crash, there may
be concealed damage that could make it difficult
to safely operate the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt to restart the
engine after a crash has occurred. In many crashes severe enough to inflate the airbag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger airbag. .
Airbags are designed to inflate only once. After an
airbag inflates, you will need some new parts for
the airbag system. If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there to help protect you
in another crash. A new system will include airbag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts. .
The vehicle has a crash sensing and diagnostic
module which records information after a crash.
See Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy on
page 9 ‑ 19 and Event Data Recorders on
page 9 ‑ 20
. .
Let only qualified technicians work on the airbag
systems. Improper service can mean that an
airbag system will not work properly. See your
dealer for service.
2-83

Black plate (88,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
If this happens, use the following steps to allow the
system to detect that person and enable the right front
passenger frontal airbag:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove any additional material from the seat,
such as blankets, cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.
3. Place the seatback in the fully upright position.
4. Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered
on the seat cushion, with legs comfortably
extended.
5. Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in
this position for two to three minutes after the on
indicator is lit. Additional Factors Affecting System
Operation Safety belts help keep the passenger in position on the
seat during vehicle maneuvers and braking, which helps
the passenger sensing system maintain the passenger
airbag status. See “ Safety Belts ” and “ Child Restraints ”
in the Index for additional information about the
importance of proper restraint use.
If the shoulder portion of the belt is pulled out all the
way, the child restraint locking feature will be engaged.
This may unintentionally cause the passenger sensing
system to turn the airbag off for some adult size
occupants. If this happens, let the belt go back all the
way and start again.
A thick layer of additional material, such as a
blanket or cushion, or aftermarket equipment such as
seat covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers can
affect how well the passenger sensing system operates.
2-88

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
3-1

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Keys
{ WARNING: Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key
is dangerous for many reasons. Children or others
could be badly injured or even killed. They could
operate the power windows or other controls or
even make the vehicle move. The windows will
function with the keys in the ignition and children
could be seriously injured or killed if caught in the
path of a closing window. Do not leave the keys in
a vehicle with children.
The key can be used for the ignition and door locks.
See your dealer if a replacement key or additional key
is needed.
Notice: If the keys get locked in the vehicle, it may
have to be damaged to get them out. Always carry a
spare key.
If you are locked out of your vehicle, contact Roadside
Service. See Roadside Service
on page 9 ‑ 8 for more
information.
3-3

Black plate (4,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System 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.
If there is a decrease in the RKE operating range,
try this: .
Check the distance. The transmitter may be too far
from the vehicle. Stand closer during rainy or
snowy weather. .
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left
or right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again. .
Check the transmitter's battery. See “ Battery
Replacement ” later in this section..
If the transmitter is still not working correctly, see
your dealer or a qualified technician for service. Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter functions
work up to 195 feet (60 m) away from the vehicle.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter. See Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 3 ‑ 4 .
With Remote Start
and Power Liftgate
and Liftglass (Without
Remote Start Similar)
3-4

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
The following functions may be available if this vehicle
has the RKE system:
Q (Lock): Press to lock all the doors.
If enabled through the Driver Information Center (DIC),
the turn signal lamps flash once to indicate locking has
occurred. If enabled through the DIC, the horn chirps
when
Q is pressed again within three seconds. See DIC
Vehicle Customization on page 4 ‑ 58 for additional
information.
Pressing
Q arms the content theft ‐ deterrent system.
See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 3 ‑ 22 .
K (Unlock): Press once to unlock only the driver door.
If
K is pressed again within three seconds, all
remaining doors unlock. The interior lamps may come
on and stay on for 20 seconds or until the ignition is
turned on.
If enabled through the DIC, the turn signal lamps flash
twice to indicate unlocking has occurred. See DIC
Vehicle Customization on page 4 ‑ 58 . If enabled
through the DIC, the exterior lights turn on briefly if it is
dark enough outside. See “ APPROACH LIGHTING ”
under DIC Vehicle Customization
on page 4 ‑ 58 . Pressing
K on the RKE transmitter disarms the content
theft ‐ deterrent system. See Content Theft-Deterrent
on
page 3 ‑ 22 .
/ (Remote Vehicle Start): For vehicles with this
feature, press
/ to start the engine from outside the
vehicle using the RKE transmitter. See Remote Vehicle
Start
on page 3 ‑ 7 for additional information.
& (Power Liftgate): Press and hold to open and
close the liftgate. The taillamps flash and a chime
sounds to indicate when the liftgate is opening and
closing.
m (Liftglass): Press and hold to open the liftglass.
L (Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm): Press and release
to locate the vehicle. The turn signal lamps flash and
the horn sounds three times.
Press and hold
L for more than two seconds to
activate the panic alarm. The turn signal lamps flash
and the horn sounds repeatedly for 30 seconds.
The alarm turns off when the ignition is moved to
ON/RUN or
L is pressed again. The ignition must
be in LOCK/OFF for the panic alarm to work.
3-5

Black plate (8,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, the RKE
transmitter functions will have an increased range of
operation. However, the range may be less while the
vehicle is running.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter, see Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System
on page 3 ‑ 4 for additional
information.
/ (Remote Start): This button will be on the RKE
transmitter if you have remote start.
To start the vehicle using the remote start feature:
1. Aim the transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press and release the transmitter's lock button.
The vehicle's doors will lock. Immediately press
and hold the transmitter's remote start button until
the turn signal lights flash. If you cannot see the
vehicle's lights, press and hold the remote start
button for two to four seconds. Pressing the remote
start button again after the vehicle has started will
turn the engine off.
When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps will turn
on and remain on while the vehicle is running.
If the vehicle is left running it will automatically shut
off after 10 minutes unless a time extension has
been done. 3. If it is the first remote start since the vehicle has
been driven, repeat these steps, while the engine
is still running, to extend the engine running time
by 10 minutes. Remote start can be extended
one time.
After entering the vehicle during a remote start, insert
and turn the key to ON/RUN to drive the vehicle.
To manually shut off a remote start, do any of the
following: .
Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle and press
the remote start button until the parking lamps
turn off. .
Turn on the hazard warning flashers. .
Turn the ignition switch on and then off.
The vehicle can be remote started two separate times
between driving sequences. The engine will run for
10 minutes after each remote start.
Or, you can extend the engine run time by another
10 minutes within the first 10 minute remote start time
frame, and before the engine stops.
3-8