2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE trailer

Black plate (78,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
9-78 Driving and Operating
Total Weight on the Vehicle's
Tires
Be sure the vehicle's tires are
inflated to the inflation pressures
found on the Certification label
on the driver door or seeVehicle
Load Limits on page 9‑24 for more
information. Make sure not to
exceed the GVWR limit for the
vehicle, or the RGAWR, with the
tow vehicle and trailer fully loaded
for the trip including the weight of
the trailer tongue. If using a weight
distributing hitch, make sure not to
exceed the RGAWR before applying
the weight distribution spring bars.
Weight of the Trailering
Combination
It is important that the combination
of the tow vehicle and trailer
does not exceed any of its weight
ratings —GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR,
Trailer Weight Rating or Tongue
Weight. The only way to be sure
it is not exceeding any of these
ratings is to weigh the tow vehicle
and trailer combination, fully loaded
for the trip, getting individual
weights for each of these items.
Towing Equipment
Hitches
The correct hitch equipment helps
maintain combination control.
Most small-to-medium trailers can
be towed with a weight carrying
hitch which simply features a coupler latched to the hitch ball.
Larger trailers may require a weight
distributing hitch that uses spring
bars to distribute the trailer tongue
weight among the two vehicle and
trailer axles. See
“Weight of the
Trailer Tongue” inTrailer Towing on
page 9‑74 for rating limits with
various hitch types.
If a step-bumper hitch will be used,
the bumper could be damaged
in sharp turns. Make sure there
is ample room when turning to
avoid contact between the trailer
and the bumper.
Consider using sway controls
with any trailer. Ask a trailering
professional about sway controls
or refer to the trailer manufacturer's
recommendations and instructions.

Black plate (79,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-79
Weight‐Distributing Hitch
Adjustment
A. Body to Ground Distance
B. Front of Vehicle
When using a weight-distributing
hitch, the spring bars should be
adjusted so the distance (A) is the
same after coupling the trailer to the
tow vehicle and adjusting the hitch.
Hitch Cover
The vehicle may have a hitch cover.
To remove the hitch cover:
1. Turn the fasteners onthe lower tabs 90 degrees
counterclockwise.
2. Lift the lower edge of the cover about 45 degrees.
3. Pull the cover downward to disengage the upper
attachments. To reinstall the hitch cover:
1. Hold the cover at a 45 degree
angle to the vehicle and push
the upper tabs in the hitch cover
into the chrome slots in the
fascia.
2. Move the bottom of the cover forward until the lower tabs line
up with the lower fascia slots.
3. Snap the hitch cover into place by pushing the upper corners
forward.
4. Turn the fasteners on the lower tabs 90 degrees clockwise to
lock the cover in place.

Black plate (80,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
9-80 Driving and Operating
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer to help prevent the
tongue from contacting the road
if it becomes separated from the
hitch. Instructions about safety
chains may be provided by the
hitch manufacturer or by the trailer
manufacturer. Safety chains should
be attached to holes on the trailer
hitch platform. Always leave just
enough slack so the combination
can turn. Never allow safety chains
to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more
than 900 kg (2,000 lbs) needs to
have its own brake system that
is adequate for the weight of the
trailer. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted and
maintained properly.Since the vehicle is equipped with
StabiliTrak, the trailer brakes cannot
tap into the vehicle's hydraulic
system.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Harness
Package
The vehicle has a seven-pin
universal heavy-duty trailer
connector attached to the
rear bumper beam next to
the integrated trailer hitch.
The seven-wire harness contains
the following trailer circuits:
.Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
.Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn
Signal
.Brown: Taillamps
.White: Ground
.Light Green: Back-up Lamps
.Red: Battery Feed*
.Dark Blue: Trailer Brake*
*The fuses for these two circuits
are installed in the underhood
electrical center, but the wires are
not connected. They should be
connected by your dealer or a
qualified service center.
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.

Black plate (81,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-81
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 9‑43 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 9‑74. 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 (82,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
9-82 Driving and Operating
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 3‑52
andAdding
Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑53.

Black plate (24,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-24 Vehicle Care
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
The ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE or the ENGINE
OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message, along with a low coolant
condition, can indicate a serious
problem.
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 9‑74. 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.

Black plate (25,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-25
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 10‑7.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.

Black plate (45,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-45
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
19 Transmission Controls
(Ignition)
20 Fuel Pump Fuses Usage
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
31 Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
(If Equipped)
32 Driver Side
High-Beam Headlamp