2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE steering

While driving on a surface with reduced traction, tryyour best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shiftingto a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause thetires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slipperyuntil the vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warningclues—such as enough water, ice, or packed snow onthe road to make a mirrored surface—and slow downwhen you have any doubt.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only thebraking skid.
Off-Road Driving
Vehicles with all!wheel drive can be used for off!roaddriving. Vehicles without all!wheel drive and vehicleswith 22!inch tire/wheel assemblies should not be drivenoff-road except on a level, solid surface.
Many of the vehicle design features that help make thevehicle more responsive on paved roads during poorweather conditions also help make it better suited foroff!road use than conventional passenger vehicles.The vehicle does not have features usually thought tobe necessary for extended or severe off!road use suchas special underbody shielding and transfer case lowgear range.
The airbag system is designed to work properly under awide range of conditions, including off!road usage.Always wear your safety belt and observe safe drivingspeeds, especially on rough terrain.
Drinking and driving can be very dangerous on anyroad and this is certainly true for off-road driving.At the very time you need special alertness and drivingskills, your reflexes, perceptions, and judgment can beaffected by even a small amount of alcohol. You couldhave a serious—or even fatal—accident if you drinkand drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking.
Off-roading can be great fun but has some definitehazards. The greatest of these is the terrain itself. Whenoff-road driving, traffic lanes are not marked, curves arenot banked, and there are no road signs. Surfaces canbe slippery, rough, uphill, or downhill.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers. Failure tooperate the vehicle correctly off!road could result in lossof vehicle control or vehicle rollover.
Off-roading involves some new skills. That is why it isvery important that you read these driving tips andsuggestions to help make off-road driving safer andmore enjoyable.
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{WARNING:
When you are driving off-road, bouncing and
quick changes in direction can easily throw you
out of position. This could cause you to lose
control and crash. So, whether you are driving on
or off the road, you and your passengers should
wear safety belts.
Scanning the Terrain
Off-road driving can take you over many different kindsof terrain. Be familiar with the terrain and its manydifferent features.
Surface Conditions :Off-roading surfaces can behard-packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow,or ice. Each of these surfaces affects the vehicle'ssteering, acceleration, and braking in different ways.Depending on the surface, slipping, sliding, wheelspinning, delayed acceleration, poor traction, andlonger braking distances can occur.
Surface Obstacles :Unseen or hidden obstacles canbe hazardous. A rock, log, hole, rut, or bump can startleyou if you are not prepared for them. Often theseobstacles are hidden by grass, bushes, snow, or eventhe rise and fall of the terrain itself.
Some things to consider:
.Is the path ahead clear?
.Will the surface texture change abruptly up ahead?
.Does the travel take you uphill or downhill?
.Will you have to stop suddenly or change directionquickly?
When driving over obstacles or rough terrain, keep afirm grip on the steering wheel. Ruts, troughs, or othersurface features can jerk the wheel out of your hands.
When driving over bumps, rocks, or other obstacles, thewheels can leave the ground. If this happens, even withone or two wheels, you cannot control the vehicle aswell or at all.
Because you will be on an unpaved surface, it isespecially important to avoid sudden acceleration,sudden turns, or sudden braking.
Off-roading requires a different kind of alertness fromdriving on paved roads and highways. There are noroad signs, posted speed limits, or signal lights. Usegood judgment about what is safe and what is not.
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Driving Uphill
Once you decide it is safe to drive up the hill:
.Use a low gear and get a firm grip on thesteering wheel.
.Get a smooth start up the hill and try to maintainspeed. Not using more power than needed canavoid spinning the wheels or sliding.
{WARNING:
Turning or driving across steep hills can be
dangerous. You could lose traction, slide
sideways, and possibly roll over. You could be
seriously injured or killed. When driving up hills,
always try to go straight up.
.Try to drive straight up the hill if at all possible.If the path twists and turns, you might want to findanother route.
.Ease up on the speed as you approach the top ofthe hill.
.Attach a flag to the vehicle to be more visible toapproaching traffic on trails or hills.
.Sound the horn as you approach the top of the hillto let opposing traffic know you are there.
.Use headlamps even during the day to make thevehicle more visible to oncoming traffic.
{WARNING:
Driving to the top (crest) of a hill at full speed can
cause an accident. There could be a drop-off,
embankment, cliff, or even another vehicle. You
could be seriously injured or killed. As you near
the top of a hill, slow down and stay alert.
If the vehicle stalls, or is about to stall, and you cannotmake it up the hill:
.Push the brake pedal to stop the vehicle andkeep it from rolling backwards and apply theparking brake.
.If the engine is still running, shift the transmissionto R (Reverse), release the parking brake, andslowly back down the hill in R (Reverse).
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.If the engine has stopped running, you need torestart it. With the brake pedal pressed and theparking brake still applied, shift the transmissionto P (Park) and restart the engine. Then, shift toR (Reverse), release the parking brake, andslowly back down the hill as straight as possiblein R (Reverse).
.While backing down the hill, put your left handon the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock positionso you can tell if the wheels are straight and canmaneuver as you back down. It is best to backdown the hill with the wheels straight rather thanin the left or right direction. Turning the wheel toofar to the left or right will increase the possibilityof a rollover.
Things not to do if the vehicle stalls, or is about to stall,when going up a hill:
.Never attempt to prevent a stall by shifting intoN (Neutral) to rev-up the engine and regain forwardmomentum. This will not work. The vehicle can rollbackward very quickly and could go out of control.
.Never try to turn around if about to stall whengoing up a hill. If the hill is steep enough to stallthe vehicle, it is steep enough to cause it to rollover. If you cannot make it up the hill, back straightdown the hill.
If, after stalling, you try to back down the hill and decideyou just cannot do it, set the parking brake, put yourtransmission in P (Park), and turn off the engine. Leavethe vehicle and go get some help. Exit on the uphill sideand stay clear of the path the vehicle would take if itrolled downhill.
Driving Downhill
When off-roading takes you downhill, consider:
.How steep is the downhill? Will I be able tomaintain vehicle control?
.What is the surface like? Smooth? Rough?Slippery? Hard-packed dirt? Gravel?
.Are there hidden surface obstacles? Ruts? Logs?Boulders?
.What is at the bottom of the hill? Is there a hiddencreek bank or even a river bottom with largerocks?
If you decide you can go down a hill safely, try to keepthe vehicle headed straight down. Use a low gear soengine drag can help the brakes so they do not have todo all the work. Descend slowly, keeping the vehicleunder control at all times.
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Stalling on an Incline
{WARNING:
Getting out on the downhill (low) side of a vehicle
stopped across an incline is dangerous. If the
vehicle rolls over, you could be crushed or killed.
Always get out on the uphill (high) side of the
vehicle and stay well clear of the rollover path.
If the vehicle stalls when crossing an incline, be sureyou, and any passengers, get out on the uphill side,even if the door there is harder to open. If you get outon the downhill side and the vehicle starts to roll over,you will be right in its path.
If you have to walk down the slope, stay out of the paththe vehicle will take if it does roll over.
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow, or Ice
When you drive in mud, snow, or sand, the wheelsdo not get good traction. Acceleration is not asquick, turning is more difficult, and braking distancesare longer.
It is best to use a low gear when in mud—thedeeper the mud, the lower the gear. In really deep mud,keep the vehicle moving so it does not get stuck.
When driving on sand, wheel traction changes.On loosely packed sand, such as on beaches orsand dunes, the tires will tend to sink into the sand.This affects steering, accelerating, and braking.Drive at a reduced speed and avoid sharp turns orabrupt maneuvers.
Hard packed snow and ice offer the worst tire traction.On these surfaces, it is very easy to lose control. Onwet ice, for example, the traction is so poor that you willhave difficulty accelerating. And, if the vehicle does getmoving, poor steering and difficult braking can cause itto slide out of control.
{WARNING:
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds, or rivers can be
dangerous. Underwater springs, currents under
the ice, or sudden thaws can weaken the ice. Your
vehicle could fall through the ice and you and your
passengers could drown. Drive your vehicle on
safe surfaces only.
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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 watersdemand extreme caution.
Find out how deep the water is before driving throughit. Do not try it if it is deep enough to cover the wheelhubs, axles, or exhaust pipe—you probably will not getthrough. Deep water can damage the axle and othervehicle parts.
If the water is not too deep, drive slowly through it.At faster speeds, water splashes on the ignition systemand the vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur if youget the tailpipe under water. If the tailpipe is underwater, you will never be able to start the engine. Whengoing through water, remember that when the brakesget wet, it might take longer to stop. SeeDriving in Rainand on Wet Roads on page 6!25.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collectedon the underbody, chassis, or under the hood.These accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake liningscleaned and checked. These substances can causeglazing and uneven braking. Check the body structure,steering, suspension, wheels, tires, and exhaust systemfor damage and check the fuel lines and cooling systemfor any leakage.
The vehicle requires more frequent service due tooff-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule foradditional information.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day drivingbecause some drivers are likely to be impaired—byalcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or byfatigue.
Night driving tips include:
.Drive defensively.
.Do not drink and drive.
.Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the insiderearview mirror.
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Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between thetires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet icecan occur at about 0°C (32°F) when freezing rainbegins to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoiddriving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can betreated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerategently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quicklycauses the wheels to spin and makes the surface underthe tires slick, so there is even less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate toofast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surfaceunder the tires even more.
TheStabiliTrak®Systemo n p a g e 6!6improves theability to accelerate on slippery roads, but slow downand adjust your driving to the road conditions. Whendriving through deep snow, turn off the traction controlpart of the StabiliTrak®System to help maintain vehiclemotion at lower speeds.
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS)o n p a g e 6!5improves vehicle stability during hard stops on aslippery roads, but apply the brakes sooner than whenon dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery roadand watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur onotherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surfaceof a curve or an overpass can remain icy when thesurrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steeringmaneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped, on slippery surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a serious situation. Staywith the vehicle unless there is help nearby. If possible,use theRoadside Serviceo n p a g e 9!8. To get helpand keep everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on theHazard Warning Flashersonp a g e 4!3.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
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If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free thevehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 6!30.
If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often helpto free a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle's tractionsystem in the Index. If stuck too severely for the tractionsystem to free the vehicle, turn the traction system offand 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,seeTire Chains on page 7!78.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the areaaround the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stabilitysystem. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and aforward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stopspinning before shifting gears. Release the acceleratorpedal while shifting, and press lightly on the acceleratorpedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinningthe wheels in the forward and reverse directions causesa rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that doesnot get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might needto be towed out. Recovery hooks can be used, if thevehicle has them. If the vehicle does need to betowed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 6!38.
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