2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV Owners Manual

Black plate (33,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-33The 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. Starting the Engine If the vehicle is a hybrid, see
the hybrid supplement for more
information.
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart the
engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Notice: Do not try to shift to
P (Park) if the vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped.
Starting Procedure 1. With your foot off the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition to START.
When the engine starts, let go of
the key. The idle speed will go
down as the engine warms. Do
not race the engine immediately
after starting it. Operate the
engine and transmission gently
to allow the oil to warm up and
lubricate all moving parts.

Black plate (34,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
9-34 Driving and Operating The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects
components. If the ignition key
is turned to the START position,
and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the
engine will continue cranking
for a few seconds or until the
vehicle starts. If the engine does
not start and the key is held in
START, cranking will be stopped
after 15 seconds to prevent
cranking motor damage. To
prevent gear damage, this
system also prevents cranking if
the engine is already running.
Engine cranking can be stopped
by turning the ignition switch to
the ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF position.
When the Low Fuel warning
lamp is on and the FUEL LEVEL
LOW message is displayed in the Driver Information Center
(DIC), the Computer ‐ Controlled
Cranking System is disabled
to prevent possible vehicle
component damage. When
this happens, hold the ignition
switch in the START position to
continue engine cranking.
Notice: Cranking the engine for
long periods of time, by returning
the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start
after 5 ‐ 10 seconds, especially in
very cold weather (below − 18°C
or 0°F), it could be flooded with
too much gasoline. Try pushing
the accelerator pedal all the
way to the floor and holding it
there as you hold the key in
START for up to a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to
allow the cranking motor to cool
down. When the engine starts,
let go of the key and accelerator.
If the vehicle starts briefly but
then stops again, repeat these
steps. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Do
not race the engine immediately
after starting it. Operate the
engine and transmission gently
until the oil warms up and
lubricates all moving parts.
Notice: The engine is designed
to work with the electronics in
the vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine
operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your
dealer. If you do not, the engine
might not perform properly. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.

Black plate (35,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-35
Engine Heater The engine coolant heater can
provide easier starting and better
fuel economy during engine
warm-up in cold weather conditions
at or below − 18°C (0°F). Vehicles
with an engine heater should be
plugged in at least four hours before
starting. An internal thermostat in
the plug-end of the cord may exist
which will prevent engine coolant
heater operation at temperatures
above − 18°C (0°F).
To Use the Engine Coolant
Heater 1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap
the electrical cord. The cord
is secured to the Engine
Compartment Fuse Block with a
clip. Carefully remove the wire
tie which secures the electrical
cord. Do not cut the
electrical cord.
3. Plug the cord into a normal,
grounded 110-volt AC outlet. { WARNINGPlugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause
an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a fire.
You could be seriously injured.
Plug the cord into a properly
grounded three-prong 110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord will not
reach, use a heavy-duty
three-prong extension cord rated
for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be
sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine parts.
If you do not, it could be
damaged.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer in the
area where you will be parking the
vehicle for the best advice on this. 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.

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
9-36 Driving and Operating
Shifting Into Park
{ WARNINGIt can be 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. 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, use the steps
that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 9 ‑ 71 .
1. Hold the brake pedal down, then
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the
P (Park) position by pulling the
shift lever toward you and
moving it up as far as it will go. 3. Turn the ignition key to
LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with
you. If you can leave the vehicle
with the ignition key in your
hand, the vehicle is in P (Park).
Leaving the Vehicle with the
Engine Running
{ WARNINGIt can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it
could overheat and even catch
fire. You or others could be
injured. Do not leave the vehicle
with the engine running. If you have to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, be sure the
vehicle is in P (Park) and the
parking brake is firmly set. After the
shift lever is moved into P (Park),
hold the regular brake pedal down.
Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from P (Park) without
first pulling it toward you. If you can,
it means that the shift lever was not
fully locked into P (Park).

Black plate (37,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-37Torque Lock If you are parking on a hill and
you do not shift the transmission
into P (Park) properly, the weight
of the vehicle can put too much
force on the parking pawl in the
transmission. It might be difficult to
pull the shift lever out of P (Park).
This is called torque lock. To
prevent torque lock, set the parking
brake and then shift into P (Park)
properly before you leave the driver
seat. To find out how, see Shifting
Into Park on page 9 ‑ 36 .
When you are ready to drive, move
the shift lever out of P (Park) before
releasing the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you might
need to have another vehicle push
yours a little uphill to take some
of the pressure from the parking
pawl in the transmission. Then
you should be able to pull the shift
lever out of P (Park). Shifting Out of Park This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic shift lock release system.
The shift lock release is
designed to: .
Prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in
P (Park) with the shift lever
button fully released. .
Prevent movement of the shift
lever out of P (Park), unless the
ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY and the regular
brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of
an uncharged or low voltage (less
than 9 volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. See Jump Starting on
page 10 ‑ 82 for more information. To shift out of P (Park) use the
following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Move the shift lever to the
desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out
of P (Park):
1. Ease the pressure on the shift
lever.
2. While holding down the brake
pedal, press the shift lever all
the way into P (Park).
3. Move the shift lever to the
desired position.
If you are still having a problem
shifting, then have the vehicle
serviced soon.

Black plate (38,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
9-38 Driving and Operating
Parking Over Things
That Burn
{ WARNINGThings that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn. Active Fuel Management ®
Vehicles with V8 engines may have
Active Fuel Management ™ . This
system allows the engine to operate
on either all or half of its cylinders,
depending on the driving conditions.
When less power is required, such
as cruising at a constant vehicle
speed, the system will operate in
the half cylinder mode, allowing the
vehicle to achieve better fuel
economy. When greater power
demands are required, such as
accelerating from a stop, passing,
or merging onto a freeway, the
system will maintain full-cylinder
operation.
If the vehicle has an Active Fuel
Management ™ indicator, see
Driver Information Center (DIC) on
page 5 ‑ 26 for more information on
using this display. Engine Exhaust
{ WARNINGEngine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if: .
The vehicle idles in areas
with poor ventilation (parking
garages, tunnels, deep snow
that may block underbody
airflow or tail pipes). .
The exhaust smells or
sounds strange or different. .
The exhaust system leaks
due to corrosion or damage. .
The vehicle exhaust system
has been modified, damaged
or improperly repaired.
(Continued)

Black plate (39,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-39WARNING (Continued) .
There are holes or openings
in the vehicle body from
damage or after market
modifications that are not
completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or
if it is suspected that exhaust is
coming into the vehicle: .
Drive it only with the windows
completely down. .
Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
area such as a garage or a
building that has no fresh air
ventilation. Running the Vehicle
While Parked It is better not to park with the
engine running. But if you ever have
to, here are some things to know.
{ WARNINGIdling a vehicle in an enclosed
area with poor ventilation is
dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust
contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death. Never run the
engine in an enclosed area that
has no fresh air ventilation. For
more information, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9 ‑ 38 .{ WARNINGIt can be dangerous to get out
of the vehicle if the automatic
transmission 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure
the vehicle will not move. See
Shifting Into Park on page 9 ‑ 36 .
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 9 ‑ 71 .

Black plate (40,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
9-40 Driving and Operating
Automatic
Transmission If the vehicle is a hybrid, see
the hybrid supplement for more
information.
The vehicle has a
Hydra-Matic ®
6L80 automatic
transmission, and has an electronic
shift position indicator within the
instrument panel cluster. The
electronic shift position indicator
displays when the shift lever is
moved out of P (Park).
There are several different positions
for the shift lever. P (Park): This position locks the
rear wheels. It is the best position
to use when you start the engine
because the vehicle cannot move
easily.
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 ” under Shifting Into
Park on page 9 ‑ 36 for more
information. { WARNINGIt 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 9 ‑ 36 . If you are pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 9 ‑ 71 .