Black plate (3,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-3
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):When
automatic operation is active
the system will control the inside
temperature, the air delivery, and
the fan speed.
Use the steps below to place the
entire system in automatic mode:
1. Press the AUTO button.
When AUTO is selected, the
display will change to show
the current temperature(s) and
AUTO come on the display.
The current delivery mode and
fan speed will also be displayed
for approximately 5 seconds.
When AUTO is selected, the
air conditioning operation and
air inlet will be automatically
controlled. The air conditioning
compressor will run when the
outside temperature is over
about 4°C (40°F). The air inlet
will normally be set to outside air. If it is hot outside, the air
inlet may automatically switch
to recirculate inside air to help
quickly cool down the vehicle.
The light on the button comes
on in recirculation.
2. Set the driver and passenger temperature.
To find your comfort setting,
start with a 23°C (74°F)
temperature setting and allow
about 20 minutes for the system
to regulate. Use the driver or
passenger temperature buttons
to adjust the temperature setting
as necessary. If a temperature
setting of 15°C (60°F) is chosen,
the system remains at the
maximum cooling setting.
If a temperature setting of
32°C (90°F) is chosen, the
system remains at the maximum
heat setting. Choosing either
maximum setting will not cause
the vehicle to heat or cool any
faster. Be careful not to cover the
sensor located on the top of
the instrument panel near the
windshield. This sensor regulates
air temperature based on sun load
and also turns on the headlamps.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold
weather, the system will delay
turning on the fan until warm air
is available. The length of delay
depends on the engine coolant
temperature. Pressing the fan
switch will override this delay and
change the fan to a selected speed.
Black plate (4,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
8-4 Climate Controls
Manual Operation
y 9 z(Fan Control):Press the
up or down arrows to increase or
decrease the fan speed
Pressing this button when the
system is off will turn the system on.
Pressing either arrow while using
automatic operation will place the
fan in manual operation. The fan
setting will display and the AUTO
light will turn off. The air delivery
will remain in automatic operation.
z(Air Delivery Mode Control):
Press to change the direction of the
airflow in the vehicle. Repeatedly
press the button until the desired
mode appears on the display.
When the system is turned off, the
display goes blank after displaying
the current status of the system.
H(Vent): Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel and
floor outlets. Some air is directed towards the windshield and side
window outlets. Cooler air is
directed to the upper vents and
warmer air to the floor vents.
6(Floor):
Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some to the
windshield, side window outlets,
and second row floor outlets. In this
mode, the system automatically
selects outside air.
-(Defog): This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the windshield, floor
outlets, and side window vents.
In this mode, the system turns
off recirculation and runs the air
conditioning compressor unless
the outside temperature is close to
freezing. The recirculation mode
cannot be selected while in the
defog mode.
0(Defrost): This mode removes
fog or frost from the windshield
more quickly. Air is directed to the
windshield and side window vents,
with some directed to the floor vents. In this mode, the system
automatically forces outside air
into the vehicle and runs the air
conditioning compressor unless
the outside temperature is close to
freezing. The recirculation mode
cannot be selected while in the
defrost mode.
The passenger temperature control
cannot be activated while in defrost
mode. If the passenger control
knob is pressed, the passenger
temperature flashes three times
and will not work. If the passenger
control knob is adjusted, the driver
temperature indicator changes.
The passenger temperature will
not be displayed.
If vent, bi-level, or floor mode is
selected again, the climate control
system displays the previous
temperature settings.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
Black plate (7,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-7
The rear climate control system
can also be turned off by pressing
and holding the
Cbutton. To turn
the system on from the rear seats,
press any rear climate control
button, except the
Cbutton.
Mimic Mode: This mode matches
the rear climate control to the front
climate control airflow settings.
It comes on when REAR is pressed
the first time.
Independent Mode: This mode
directs rear seating airflow
according to the settings of
the rear controls.
To turn the system on from the
rear, press any rear climate control
button, except the
Cbutton.
Automatic Operation, If
Equipped
AUTO: Press the air delivery mode
button until this setting is selected
to control the inside temperature,
air delivery, and fan speed. AUTO
appears in the display when
automatic operation is active.
+/−(Increase/Decrease
Temperature): Press the + or−
buttons to increase or decrease the
cabin temperature. The rear control
temperature display will show the
temperature setting increasing or
decreasing.
The display only indicates climate
control functions when the system is
in rear independent mode.
Manual Operation
D C(Fan Control): Press these
buttons on the rear seat audio
control panel to increase or
decrease the airflow. Pressing
the fan up button when the system
is off will turn the system on.
The air delivery mode will remain
under automatic control.
+/−(Temperature Control):
Press these buttons to adjust the
temperature of the air flowing into
the passenger area. Press the
+ button for warmer air and press
the −button for cooler air.
N(Air Delivery Mode Control):
Press the mode button to change
the direction of the airflow in the
vehicle. Repeatedly press the
button until the desired mode
appears on the display. Multiple
presses will cycle through the
delivery selections.
Black plate (33,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-33
The 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 inthe 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 (38,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
9-38 Driving and Operating
Parking Over Things
That Burn
{WARNING
Things 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
{WARNING
Engine 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’s exhaust system
has been modified, damaged
or improperly repaired.
(Continued)
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” underShifting
Into Park on page 9‑36 for more
information.
{WARNING
It 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.
Black plate (43,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-43
Manual Mode
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
The vehicle has Driver Shift
Control (DSC). DSC controls the
vehicle's transmission and vehicle
speed while driving down hill or
towing a trailer by allowing you to
select a desired range of gears.
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever to theM (Manual Mode).
2. Press the plus/minus button, to upshift or downshift selecting
the desired range of gears for
current driving conditions. The DIC display will show the
message MANUAL SHIFT on the
first line and the current gear will
be displayed on the second line.
The number displayed in the DIC
is the highest gear that can be
used. However, the vehicle can
automatically shift to lower gears
as it adjusts to driving conditions.
This means that all gears below that
number are available. When 5 (Fifth)
is selected, 1 (First) through 5 (Fifth)
gears are automatically shifted by
the vehicle, but 6 (Sixth) cannot be
used until the plus/minus button
located on the steering column lever
is used to change to the gear.
Grade Braking is not available when
the Driver Shift Control is active.
See
Tow/Haul Mode on page 9‑43
for more information.
While using the DSC, Cruise
Control and the Tow/Haul Mode
can be used.
Tow/Haul Mode
The vehicle has a Tow/Haul Mode.
The Tow/Haul Mode adjusts the
transmission shift pattern to reduce
shift cycling, providing increased
performance, vehicle control, and
transmission cooling when towing
or hauling heavy loads.
Press the button located on the end
of the shift lever to turn the tow/haul
on or off. When the tow/haul is on, a
light on the instrument panel cluster
will come on.
See Tow/Haul Mode Light on
page 5‑23 for more information.
Also see “Tow Haul Mode” under
Towing Equipment on page 9‑78 for
more information.