Black plate (74,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2011
9-74 Driving and Operating
If charging a remote (non-vehicle)
battery, press the tow/haul mode
button located at the end of the shift
lever. This will boost the vehicle
system voltage and properly charge
the battery. If the trailer is too light
for tow/haul mode, turn on the
headlamps as a second way to
boost the vehicle system and
charge the battery.
Electric Brake Control Wiring
Provisions
These wiring provisions are
included with the vehicle as part of
the trailer wiring package. These
provisions are for an electric brake
controller. The instrument panel
contains blunt cut wires near the
data link connector for the trailer
brake controller. The harness
contains the following wires:
.Dark Blue: Brake Signal to
Trailer Connector
.Red/Black: Battery
.Light Blue/White: Brake Switch
.White: Ground
It should be installed by your dealer
or a qualified service center.
Tow/Haul Mode
Pressing this button at the end of
the shift lever turns on and off the
tow/haul mode.
This indicator light on the instrument
panel cluster comes on when the
tow/haul mode is on. Tow/Haul is a feature that assists
when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load. See
Tow/Haul
Mode on page 9‑42 for more
information.
Tow/Haul is designed to be most
effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75 percent of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Weight of the Trailer” inTrailer
Towing on page 9‑68. Tow/Haul is
most useful under the following
driving conditions:
.When pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load through
rolling terrain.
.When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in stop and
go traffic.
.When pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load in busy
parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is
desired.
Black plate (75,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-75
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
when lightly loaded or with no
trailer at all will not cause damage.
However, there is no benefit to the
selection of Tow/Haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a
selection when unloaded may
result in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics
and reduced fuel economy. Tow/
Haul is recommended only when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load.Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
Notice:Do not add anything
electrical to the vehicle unless
you check with your dealer first.
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle and the
damage would not be covered
by the vehicle's warranty. Some
add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from
working as they should. Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12‐volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑37
andAdding
Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑38.
Black plate (24,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2011
10-24 Vehicle Care
If there is an engine overheat
warning, but see or hear no steam,
the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a
little too hot when the vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
.Tows a trailer. SeeTrailer
Towing on page 9‑68.
If the ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE or the ENGINE
OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message appears with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary. 3. In heavy traffic, let the engine
idle in N (Neutral) while stopped.
If it is safe to do so, pull off
the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge
is no longer in the overheat zone
or an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slowly
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull
over, stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle
the engine for five minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down. Also, see “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode”
later in this section.
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition
exists and the ENGINE POWER IS
REDUCED message is displayed,
an overheat protection mode which
alternates firing groups of cylinders
helps prevent engine damage. In
this mode, a loss in power and
engine performance will be noticed.
This operating mode allows the
vehicle to be driven to a safe place
in an emergency. Driving extended
distances and/or towing a trailer in
the overheat protection mode
should be avoided.
Notice: After driving in the
overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool
before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely
degraded. Repair the cause of
coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life system. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑8.
Black plate (25,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-25
Engine Fan
The vehicle has electric cooling
fans. The fans spinning at low
speed during most everyday driving
might be heard. The fans can turn
off if no cooling is required. Under
heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing,
and/or high outside temperatures,
or if operating the air conditioning
system, the fans can change to high
speed and an increase in fan noise
might be heard. This is normal and
indicates that the cooling system
is functioning properly. The fans
change to low speed when
additional cooling is no longer
required.
Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering
Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless
there is a leak suspected in the
system or an unusual noise is
heard. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
To check the power steering fluid:
1. Turn the key off and let the
engine compartment cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL
COLD mark. If necessary, add only
enough fluid to bring the level up to
the mark.
Black plate (43,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-43
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown.Fuses Usage
1 Right Trailer
Stop/Turn Lamp
2 Electronic Stability
Suspension
Control, Automatic
Level Control
Exhaust
3 Left Trailer
Stop/Turn Lamp
4 Engine Controls
5 Engine Control
Module, Throttle
Control
6 Trailer Brake
Controller
7 Front Washer
8 Oxygen Sensors
9 Antilock Brakes
System 2 Fuses Usage
10 Trailer Back-up
Lamps
11 Driver Side
Low-Beam
Headlamp
12 Engine Control
Module (Battery)
13 Fuel Injectors,
Ignition Coils
(Right Side)
14 Transmission
Control Module
(Battery)
15 Vehicle Back-up
Lamps
16 Passenger Side
Low-Beam
Headlamp
17 Air Conditioning
Compressor
18 Oxygen Sensors Fuses Usage
19 Transmission
Controls (Ignition)
20 Fuel Pump
21 Fuel System
Control Module
22 Headlamp Washer
23 Rear Windshield
Washer
24 Fuel Injectors,
Ignition Coils
(Left Side)
25 Trailer Park Lamps
26 Driver Side Park
Lamps
27 Passenger Side
Park Lamps
28 Fog Lamps
29 Horn
30 Passenger Side
High-Beam
Headlamp
Black plate (45,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-45
J-CaseFuses Usage
61 Antilock Brake
System 1
62 Starter
63 Stud 2 (Trailer
Brakes)
64 Left Bussed
Electrical Center 1
65 Electric Running
Boards
66 Heated Windshield
Washer System
67 Transfer Case
68 Stud 1 (Trailer
Connector Battery
Power) J-Case
Fuses Usage
69 Mid-Bussed
Electrical Center 1
70 Climate Control
Blower
71 Power Liftgate
Module
72 Left Bussed
Electrical Center 2
Relays Usage
FAN HI Cooling Fan High
Speed
FAN LO Cooling Fan Low
Speed
FAN CNTRL Cooling Fan
Control Relays Usage
HDLP
LO/HID Low-Beam
Headlamp
FOG LAMP Front Fog Lamps
A/C
CMPRSR Air Conditioning
Compressor
STRTR Starter
PWR/TRN Powertrain
FUEL PMP Fuel Pump
PRK LAMP Parking Lamps
REAR
DEFOG Rear Defogger
RUN/CRNK Switched Power
Black plate (5,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-5
Once a Year
.SeeStarter Switch Check on
page 10‑32.
.See Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control Function
Check on page 10‑33.
.See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check on page 10‑33.
.See Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check on
page 10‑34.
.Accelerator pedal check for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
.Hood support gas strut
inspection for signs of wear,
corrosion, cracks, loss of
lubricant, or other damage.
Check the hold open ability of
the gas strut. If necessary,
replace with genuine parts from
your dealer.
.Underbody flushing service. First Engine Oil Change After
Every 80 000 km/50,000 Miles
.Engine air cleaner filter
replacement. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑16.
.Automatic transmission fluid
and filter change (severe
service) for vehicles mainly
driven in heavy city traffic in hot
weather, in hilly or mountainous
terrain, when frequently towing
a trailer, or used for taxi, police,
or delivery service. See
Automatic Transmission Fluid on
page 10‑13.
.All‐wheel drive only: Transfer
case fluid change (severe
service) for vehicles mainly
driven when frequently towing a
trailer, or used for taxi, police,
or delivery service. Check vent
hose at transfer case for kinks
and proper installation. Check
to be sure vent hose is
unobstructed, clear, and free of
debris. During any maintenance,
if a power washer is used to
clean mud and dirt from the
underbody, care should be taken
to not directly spray the transfer
case output seals. High pressure
water can overcome the seals
and contaminate the transfer
case fluid. Contaminated fluid
will decrease the life of the
transfer case and should be
replaced.
Black plate (11,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2011
INDEX i-11
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light . . . . 5-20
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4 Fluid, Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Heated Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Steps Power Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Stoplamps and Back-Up Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Storage Areas
Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Cargo Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Top-Box Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-24
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25 Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Symbols, Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . 7-45
System
Roof Rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
System Needs Service, If . . . . . . 7-78
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Taillamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . 13-6
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . 2-17 Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Throttle, Adjustable . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Tires Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-69
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-71
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Full-Size Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-84
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-69
Inflation Monitor System . . . . 10-58
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61 Tires (cont.)
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-56
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Pressure Monitor System . . . 10-56
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Secondary Latch System . . . 10-82
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-66
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-67
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-68
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Top-Box Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Towing
Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . 9-64
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-72
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 9-64
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . 10-90
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-68
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-89