2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE ABS

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may be found onthe vehicle and what they mean. For more informationon the symbol, refer to the index.
0:Adjustable Pedals
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
_:Tow/Haul Mode
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
v

Section 4 Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3Tilt Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6Windshield Wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6Windshield Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8Exterior Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11Headlamps on Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16Instrument Panel Brightness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17Dome Lamp Override . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17Electric Power Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18Battery Run-Down Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18Accessory Power Outlet(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20Analog Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
Climate Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . 4-20Outlet Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System andElectronic Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-26
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators. . . . . . . . . . 4-27Instrument Panel Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28Speedometer and Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-29Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-29Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-29Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-29Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-31Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-32Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-33Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . 4-34
4-1

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with theAntilock Brake System(ABS), this light comes onbriefly when the engine isstarted.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the indicatorlight then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the lightcomes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safelypossible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engineagain to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on,or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needsservice. If the regular brake system warning light is noton, the vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes.If the regular brake system warning light is also on, thevehicle does not have antilock brakes and there is aproblem with the regular brakes. SeeBrake SystemWarning Light on page 4!33.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),seeDIC Warnings and Messageson page 4!48for allbrake related DIC messages.
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light
The StabiliTrak indicatorlight comes on brieflywhen the engine isstarted.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the indicatorlight then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on while driving, theremight be a problem with the StabiliTrak®system andthe vehicle may need service. When this warning light ison, the system is off and does not limit wheel spin.
The light flashes if the system is active and is workingto assist the driver with directional control of the vehiclein difficult driving conditions.
SeeStabiliTrak®Systemo n p a g e 6!6for moreinformation.
4-34

Section 6 Driving Your Vehicle
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle. . . . . . . . . . 6-2Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5Braking in Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6Magnetic Ride Control™. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9Road Sensing Suspension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11Passing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13
Driving at Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-24Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-25Before Leaving on a Long Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-26Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-26Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-27Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-28If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,or Snow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-30Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-30Recovery Hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-31Loading the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-32
Towing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-38Towing Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-38Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-38Level Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-41Autoride®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-42Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-42Trailer Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-55
6-1

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), anadvanced electronic braking system that helps preventa braking skid.
When the engine is started and the vehicle begins todrive away, ABS checks itself. A momentary motor orclicking noise might be heard while this test is going on.This is normal.
If there is a problem withABS, this warning lightstays on. SeeAntilockBrake System (ABS)Warning Lightonpage 4!34.
Along with ABS, the vehicle has a Dynamic RearProportioning (DRP) system. If there is a DRP problem,both the brake and ABS warning lights come onaccompanied by a 10!second chime. The lights andchime will come on each time the ignition is turned onuntil the problem is repaired. See your dealer/retailerfor service.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slamon the brakes and continue braking. Here is whathappens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down.If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, thecomputer will separately work the brakes at each frontwheel and at both rear wheels.
ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, asrequired, faster than any driver could. This can help thedriver steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the computer keepsreceiving updates on wheel speed and controls brakingpressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time needed toget a foot up to the brake pedal or always decreasestopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle infront of you, there will not be enough time to apply thebrakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Alwaysleave enough room up ahead to stop, even with ABS.
6-5

Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedaldown firmly and let antilock work. The brakes mightvibrate or some noise might be heard, but this isnormal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and brake at the sametime. In many emergencies, steering can help morethan even the very best braking.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a Brake Assist feature designed toassist the driver in stopping or decreasing vehiclespeed in emergency driving conditions. This featureuses the stability system hydraulic brake control moduleto supplement the power brake system under conditionswhere the driver has quickly and forcefully applied thebrake pedal in an attempt to quickly stop or slow downthe vehicle. The stability system hydraulic brake controlmodule increases brake pressure at each corner of thevehicle until the ABS activates. Minor brake pedalpulsations or pedal movement during this time is normaland the driver should continue to apply the brake pedalas the driving situation dictates The Brake Assistfeature will automatically disengage when the brakepedal is released or brake pedal pressure is quicklydecreased.
StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle has a vehicle stability enhancement systemcalled StabiliTrak. It is an advanced computer controlledsystem that assists the driver with directional control ofthe vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the computer sensesa discrepancy between the intended path and thedirection the vehicle is actually traveling. StabiliTrakselectively applies braking pressure at any one of thevehicle's brakes to assist the driver with keeping thevehicle on the intended path.
When the vehicle is started and begins to move, thesystem performs several diagnostic checks to insurethere are no problems. The system may be heard or feltwhile it is working. This is normal and does not meanthere is a problem with the vehicle. The system shouldinitialize before the vehicle reaches 20 mph (32 km/h).In some cases, it may take approximately two miles ofdriving before the system initializes.
If cruise control is being used when StabiliTrakactivates, the cruise control automatically disengages.The cruise control can be re-engaged when roadconditions allow. SeeCruise Control on page 4!8.
6-6

It is recommended to leave the system on for normaldriving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn thesystem off if the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice orsnow, and you want to“rock”the vehicle to attempt tofree it. It may also be necessary to turn off the systemwhen driving in extreme off-road conditions where highwheel spin is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck inSand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 6!30.
Traction Control Operation
The traction control system is part of the StabiliTraksystem. Traction control limits wheel spin by reducingengine power to the wheels (engine speedmanagement) and by applying brakes to each individualwheel (brake-traction control) as necessary.
The traction control system is enabled automaticallywhen the vehicle is started. It will activate and theStabiliTrak light will flash if it senses that any of thewheels are spinning or beginning to lose tractionwhile driving. If traction control is turned off, only thebrake-traction control portion of traction control willwork. The engine speed management will be disabled.In this mode, engine power is not reduced automaticallyand the driven wheels can spin more freely. This cancause the brake-traction control to activate constantly.
Notice:If the wheel(s) of one axle is allowed to spinexcessively while the StabiliTrak, ABS and brakewarning lights and any relevant DIC messages aredisplayed, the transfer case could be damaged.The repairs would not be covered by the vehiclewarranty. Reduce engine power and do not spin thewheel(s) excessively while these lights andmessages are displayed.
The traction control system may activate on dry orrough roads or under conditions such as heavyacceleration while turning or abrupt upshifts/downshiftsof the transmission. When this happens, a reduction inacceleration may be noticed, or a noise or vibration maybe heard. This is normal.
If cruise control is being used when the systemactivates, the StabiliTrak light will flash and cruisecontrol will automatically disengage. Cruise control maybe reengaged when road conditions allow. SeeCruiseControl on page 4!8.
StabiliTrak may also turn off automatically if itdetermines that a problem exists with the system.If the problem does not clear itself after restarting thevehicle, see your dealer/retailer for service.
6-8

Magnetic Ride Control™
The vehicle may have the MagneRide control system.MagneRide constantly checks speed, wheel position,lift/dive and steering of the vehicle. The damping forcefor each shock absorber and adjustment level is chosenfor the best ride and handling.
MagneRide also works with the tow/haul switch that,when engaged, will provide more firmness from theshock absorbers. This added control gives better rideand handling when carrying heavy loads or towinga trailer. SeeTow/Haul Modeon page 3!36formore information.
Road Sensing Suspension
The Road Sensing Suspension (RSS) feature providessuperior vehicle ride and handling under a variety ofpassenger and loading conditions.
The system is fully automatic and uses a computercontroller to continuously monitor vehicle speed, wheelto body position, lift/dive and steering position of thevehicle. The controller then sends signals to each shockabsorber to independently adjust the damping level toprovide the optimum vehicle ride.
RSS also interacts with the tow/haul mode that, whenengaged, will provide additional control of the shockabsorbers. This additional control results in better rideand handling characteristics when the vehicle is loadedor towing a trailer. See“Tow/Haul Mode”underTowing aTrailer on page 6!42.
Locking Rear Axle
Vehicles with a locking rear axle can give more tractionon snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like astandard axle most of the time, but when traction is low,this feature will allow the rear wheel with the mosttraction to move the vehicle.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
If the vehicle has this feature, engine power is sent toall four wheels when extra traction is needed. This islike four-wheel drive, but there is no separate lever orswitch to engage or disengage the front axle. It is fullyautomatic, and adjusts itself as needed for roadconditions.
If the vehicle is a Two-mode Hybrid, see“Four-WheelDrive”in the Two-mode Hybrid Supplement.
6-9