2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE tow

Black plate (23,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-23
Tow/Haul Mode Light
For vehicles with the Tow/Haul
Mode feature, this light comes on
when the Tow/Haul Mode has been
activated.
For more information, seeTow/Haul
Mode on page 9‑43.
StabiliTrak®Indicator
Light
The StabiliTrak indicator light comes
on briefly when the engine is
started.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays
on while driving, there might be a
problem with the StabiliTrak system
and the vehicle may need service.
When this warning light is on, the
system is off and does not limit
wheel spin. The light flashes if the system is
active and is working to assist the
driver with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
See
StabiliTrak
®System on
page 9‑47 for more information.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with a Tire Pressure
Monitor System, this light comes on
briefly when the engine is started.
It provides information about tire
pressures and the Tire Pressure
Monitor System.

Black plate (6,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
6-6 Lighting
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer
5 3
(Headlamp High/Low
Beam Changer): To change the
headlamps from low to high beam,
push the lever toward the instrument
panel. To return to low-beam
headlamps, pull the multifunction
lever toward you. Then release it.
When the high beams are on, this
indicator light on the instrument
panel cluster will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use the
high-beam headlamps to signal
a driver in front of you that you
want to pass. It works even if the
headlamps are in the automatic
position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever
toward you, then release it.
If the headlamps are in the
automatic position or on low beam,
the high-beam headlamps will
turn on. They will stay on as long
as you hold the lever toward you.
The high-beam indicator on the
instrument panel cluster will come
on. Release the lever to return to
normal operation.
The low‐beam headlamps must be
on for the flash‐to‐pass feature
to work.
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see the
front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running
lamps are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.
The DRL system comes on when
the following conditions are met:
.The ignition is on.
.The exterior lamps control is
in AUTO.
.The transmission is not in Park.
.The light sensor determines it is
daytime.
When the DRL system is on,
only the DRL lamps are on.
The taillamps, sidemarker,
instrument panel lights, and
other lamps will not be on.

Black plate (8,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
6-8 Lighting
The headlamps will also stay
on after you exit the vehicle.
This feature can be programmed
using the Driver Information Center
(DIC). SeeVehicle Personalization
on page 5‑40.
The regular headlamp system can
be turned on when needed.
Hazard Warning Flashers
|
(Hazard Warning Flashers):
Press this button located on top of
the steering column, to make the
front and rear turn signal lamps
flash on and off. This warns others
that you are having trouble. Press
again to turn the flashers off.
When the hazard warning flashers
are on, the vehicle's turn signals will
not work.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
An arrow on the instrument panel
cluster flashes in the direction of the
turn or lane change.
Move the lever all the way up or
down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever for less
than one second until the arrow
starts to flash to signal a lane change. This causes the turn
signals to automatically flash
three times. It will flash six times
if tow-haul mode is active. Holding
the turn signal lever for more than
one second will cause the turn
signals to flash until you release
the lever.
The lever returns to its starting
position whenever it is released.
If after signaling a turn or a lane
change the arrows flash rapidly or
do not come on, a signal bulb could
be burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb
is not burned out, check the fuse.
See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 10‑42.

Black plate (42,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
7-42 Infotainment System
Tips and Troubleshooting Chart (cont'd)
ProblemRecommended Action
The auxiliary source is running, but
there is no picture or sound. Check that the RSE video screen
is in the auxiliary source mode.
Check the auxiliary input
connections at both devices.
Sometimes the wireless headphone
audio cuts out or buzzes. Check for obstructions, low
batteries, reception range,
and interference from cellular
telephone towers, or use a
cellular telephone in the vehicle.
Check that the headphones are
on correctly using the L (left) and
R (right) on the headphones.
The remote and/or the headphones
are lost. See your dealer for assistance.
The DVD is playing, but there is no
picture or sound. Check that the RSE video screen is
sourced to the DVD player.
DVD Display Error Messages
The DVD display error message
depends on the radio that is in the
vehicle. The video screen can
display one of the following:
Disc Load/Eject Error:
This
message displays when there are
disc load or eject problems.
Disc Format Error: This message
displays if the disc is inserted with
the disc label wrong side up, or if
the disc is damaged.
Disc Region Error: This message
displays if the disc is not from a
correct region.
No Disc Inserted: This message
displays if no disc is present when
Zor DVD AUX is pressed on the
radio.

Black plate (57,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Infotainment System 7-57
Tips and Troubleshooting Chart
ProblemRecommended Action
IR Sensor Inoperative
.Check that the batteries are good in the
remote control.
.Check that the remote Control IR Sensor is
not blocked.
.Aim the remote control toward the IR Sensor
being controlled.
.Select the correct screen, 3 or 4.
No picture
.Check that the correct video input mode is
selected.
.Check that the video cable is plugged into
the jack securely.
No Sound
.Check that the correct audio input mode is
selected.
.Check that the audio cable is securely
plugged into the jack.
Cleaning the Video Screens
The video display screens are
made of a specially coated glass
and can be scratched or damaged
by abrasive products, solvents,
or ammonia-based window
cleaners. Clean with a soft,
lint-free, cotton cloth that has
been slightly dampened with warm
water. Dry the screens by wiping
with a clean dry cotton cloth.
Cleaning the Components
Use care when touching or cleaning
the components such as the DVD
player or the discs.
Do not use DVD lens cleaners for
DVD players because the lens
of the DVD optics can become
contaminated by lubricants.

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 (1,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . 9-18
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 9-20
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-23
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-30
Adjustable Throttle and BrakePedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Shifting Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Parking Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Active Fuel Management™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-40
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-47
Ride Control Systems
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . 9-47
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Road Sensing Suspension . . . 9-50
Continuous Damping Control (CDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Automatic Level Control . . . . . 9-50
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 9-54
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-59
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 9-64
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . 9-64
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-65
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-65
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . 9-66
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-68
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-70

Black plate (2,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
9-2 Driving and Operating
Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-70
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-71
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-74
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 9-78
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-82
Driving Information
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
your safety belt. See Safety Belts on
page 3‑22.
{WARNING
Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other
drivers) are going to be careless
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
and make mistakes. Anticipate
what they might do and be ready.
In addition:
.Allow enough following
distance between you and
the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Driver distraction can cause
collisions resulting in injury or
possible death. These simple
defensive driving techniques
could save your life.