
Black plate (1,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
2011 Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual MIn Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Performance and
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Keys, Doors and Windows . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-51 Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-40
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-50
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19
Rear Seat Infotainment . . . . . . . 7-33
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-60
Voice Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . 7-100
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-103 Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-30
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-40
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-47
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-54
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-70
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-82
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-36

Black plate (1,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-1
In Brief Instrument Panel Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Third Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Heated and Ventilated
Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9 Head Restraint
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Sensing System for
Passenger Airbag . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Steering Wheel
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Throttle and Brake Pedal
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-14
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Vehicle Features Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-16
Bluetooth ®
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-17 Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 1-20
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Universal Remote System . . . 1-21
Performance and Maintenance StabiliTrak ®
System . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-22
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-22
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . 1-23
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Roadside Service . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
OnStar ®
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-3A. Air Vents on page 8 ‑ 8 .
B. Turn and Lane ‐ Change Lever.
See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals on page 6 ‑ 9 .
Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5 ‑ 5 .
C. Instrument Cluster on
page 5 ‑ 12 .
D. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6 ‑ 8 .
E. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9 ‑ 40 .
Driver Shift Control (DSC). See
Manual Mode on page 9 ‑ 43 .
F. Tow/Haul Mode on page 9 ‑ 43 .
G. Driver Information Center (DIC)
Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5 ‑ 26 . H. Clock on page 5 ‑ 8 .
I. Infotainment on page 7 ‑ 2 .
J. StabiliTrak ®
System on
page 9 ‑ 47 .
Rear Park Aid Disable Button.
See Ultrasonic Parking Assist
on page 9 ‑ 54 .
K. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5 ‑ 2 .
L. Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6 ‑ 1 .
M. Dome Lamp Override. See
Dome Lamps on page 6 ‑ 10 .
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6 ‑ 10 .
Fog Lamps on page 6 ‑ 9 .
N. Data Link Connector (DLC)
(Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5 ‑ 18 . O. Automatic Transfer Case
Control (Hybrid only). See the
hybrid supplement for more
information.
P. Cruise Control on page 9 ‑ 51 .
Heated Steering Wheel on
page 5 ‑ 5 (If Equipped).
Q. Horn on page 5 ‑ 5 .
R. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5 ‑ 3 .
S. Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8 ‑ 1 .
T. Pedal Adjust Button. See
Adjustable Throttle and Brake
Pedal on page 9 ‑ 31 .
Power Assist Steps on
page 2 ‑ 13 (If Equipped).
U. Glove Box on page 4 ‑ 1 .

Black plate (15,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-15
Climate Controls The heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle can be controlled with
this system.
Climate Control with Cooled and Heated Seats shown
A. Driver and Passenger
Temperature Controls
B. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
C. Defrost
D. Air Recirculation
E. Rear Window Defogger F. Air Conditioning
G. Heated and Cooled Seats
H. Fan Control
I. REAR (Rear Climate Control)
J. Air Delivery Mode Control See Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8 ‑ 1 and Rear
Climate Control System (Rear
Climate with Rear Seat Audio) on
page 8 ‑ 6 (If Equipped).
Transmission Driver Shift Control (DSC)
The DSC switch is located on
the shift lever. To enable the
DSC feature, move the column shift
lever to the M (Manual) position.

Black plate (19,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-19
Driver Information
Center (DIC) The DIC display is located at the
bottom of the instrument panel
cluster. It shows the status of
many vehicle systems and enables
access to the personalization menu.
The DIC buttons are located on
the instrument panel, next to the
steering wheel. 3 : Press to display the
odometer, trip odometer, fuel
range, average economy, fuel
used, timer, transmission
temperature, instantaneous
economy, and average vehicle
speed. The compass and outside
air temperature will also be shown
in the display. The temperature will
be shown in °C or °F depending on
the units selected.
T : Press to display the oil life,
units, side blind zone system on/off,
tire pressure readings for vehicles
with the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), compass zone
setting, and compass recalibration.
U : Press to customize the feature
settings on your vehicle. See
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5 ‑ 40 for more information. V : Press to set or reset certain
functions and to turn off or
acknowledge messages on the DIC.
For more information, see Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5 ‑ 26 .
Vehicle Customization Some vehicle features can be
programmed by using the DIC
buttons next to the steering wheel.
These features include: .
Language .
Door Lock and Unlock Settings .
RKE Lock and Unlock Feedback .
Lighting .
Chime Volume .
Memory Features .
Digital Speedometer Display
See Vehicle Personalization on
page 5 ‑ 40 .

Black plate (11,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-11The taillamps will flash and a chime
will sound when the power liftgate is
moving.
{ WARNINGYou or others could be injured if
caught in the path of the power
liftgate. Make sure there is no one
in the way of the liftgate as it is
opening and closing.
Notice: If you open the liftgate
without checking for overhead
obstructions such as a garage
door, you could damage the
liftgate or the liftgate glass.
Always check to make sure the
area above and behind the liftgate
is clear before opening it. The power liftgate can be power
opened and closed in the
following ways: .
Press and hold
& on the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter until the liftgate starts
moving. See Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation
on page 2 ‑ 3 . .
Press
& on the overhead
console. .
Press the touchpad on the
outside liftgate handle.
Pressing the buttons, or touchpad
switch a second time while the
liftgate is moving reverses the
direction.
l : The liftgate can also be
closed by pressing this button
next to the liftgate latch.
Press the button a second time
during liftgate operation to reverse
that operation. The power liftgate may be
temporarily disabled under extreme
temperatures, or under low battery
conditions. If this occurs, the liftgate
can still be operated manually.
If the transmission is shifted out of
P (Park) while the power function is
in progress, the liftgate power
function will continue to completion.
If the transmission is shifted out of
P (Park) and the vehicle accelerates
before the power liftgate latches
closed, the liftgate may reverse to
the open position. Cargo could fall
out of the vehicle. Always make
sure the power liftgate is closed and
latched before you drive away.
If you power open the liftgate and
the liftgate support struts have lost
pressure, the lamps will flash and a
chime will sound. The liftgate will
stay open temporarily, then slowly
close. See your dealer for service
before using the liftgate.

Black plate (13,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-13Automatic Fold and Tumble
Feature The transmission must be in
P (Park) for this feature to work.
{ WARNINGAutomatically folding and
tumbling the seat when someone
is sitting in the seat, could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always make sure there is no one
sitting in the seat before pressing
the automatic seat release button.
Folding and Tumbling the Second
Row Seat from the Third Row Seat
or Outside the Vehicle
{ WARNING
Using the third row seating
position while the second row is
folded, or folded and tumbled,
(Continued) WARNING (Continued) could cause injury in a sudden
stop or crash. Be sure to return
the seat to the passenger seating
position. Push and pull on the
seat to make sure it is locked into
place.
To fold and tumble the seat from the
third row seat, if equipped:
1. Make sure that there is nothing
under, in front of, or on the seat.
Notice: Folding a rear seat with
the safety belts still fastened may
cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the
safety belts and return them to
their normal stowed position
before folding a rear seat. Driver Side Rear Panel Button
Shown
2. Press the automatic seat release
button on the panel behind the
rear doors.
The seatback automatically
folds flat and the seat tumbles
forward. There will be a slight
delay between the folding of the
seatback and the tumbling of
the seat.

Black plate (2,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
5-2 Instruments and Controls Vehicle Messages Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-31
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Engine Cooling System
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-34
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-34
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-35
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-35
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Object Detection System
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Ride Control System
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Airbag System Messages . . . . 5-38 Anti-Theft Alarm System
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Transmission Messages . . . . . 5-40
Vehicle Reminder
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Washer Fluid Messages . . . . . 5-40
Vehicle Personalization Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . 5-40
Universal Remote System Universal Remote System . . . 5-50
Universal Remote System
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
Universal Remote System
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-55 Controls Steering Wheel
Adjustment
The power tilt wheel control is
located on the left side of the
steering column.
Push the control up or down to tilt
the steering wheel up or down.
To set the memory position, see
“ Memory Features ” in Power Seat
Adjustment on page 3 ‑ 3 .