2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE traction control

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Introduction v
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
0:Adjustable Pedals
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
(: Heated Steering Wheel
j:LATCH System Child
Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors
}: Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
_: Tow/Haul Mode
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid

Black plate (21,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-21
Power Outlets
The accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
The vehicle has three accessory
power outlets located:
.Inside the floor console
storage bin.
.On the rear of the floor console.
.In the rear cargo area on the
passenger side.
The accessory power outlets are
powered, even when the ignition is
in LOCK/OFF. Continuing to use
power outlets while the ignition is in
LOCK/OFF may cause the vehicle's
battery to run down.
See Power Outlets on page 5‑9.
Universal Remote System
This system provides a way to
replace up to three remote control
transmitters used to activate
devices such as garage door
openers, security systems, and
home automation devices.
Read the instructions completely
before attempting to program the
transmitter. Because of the steps
involved, it may be helpful to
have another person assist with
programming the transmitter.
SeeUniversal Remote System on
page 5‑50.
Performance and
Maintenance
StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle has a traction control
system that limits wheel spin and
the StabiliTrak system that assists
with directional control of the vehicle
in difficult driving conditions. Both
systems turn on automatically every
time the vehicle is started.
.To turn off traction control, press
and release
5on the instrument
panel.
Filluminates and the
appropriate DIC message
displays. See Ride Control
System Messages on page 5‑37.
.To turn off both traction control
and StabiliTrak, press and hold
5untilFilluminates and the
appropriate DIC message
displays. See Ride Control
System Messages on page 5‑37.
.Press and release5again to
turn on both systems.

Black plate (37,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-37
For cleaning instructions, see
“Washing Your Vehicle”inExterior
Care on page 10‑97. See Side Blind
Zone Alert (SBZA) on page 9‑56 for
more information.
Ride Control System
Messages
SERVICE STABILITRAK
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak and
this message displays, it means
there may be a problem with the
StabiliTrak system. If you see this
message, try to reset the system.
Stop; turn off the engine for at least
15 seconds; then start the engine
again. If this message still comes
on, it means there is a problem.
You should see your dealer for
service. The vehicle is safe to drive,
however, you do not have the
benefit of StabiliTrak, so reduce
your speed and drive accordingly.
SERVICE SUSPENSION
SYSTEM
This message displays when the
Road Sensing Suspension (RSS)
system is not operating properly.
Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak, this
message displays when there is a
problem with the Traction Control
System (TCS). When this message
displays, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly. See your dealer for
service. See StabiliTrak
®System on
page 9‑47 for more information.
STABILITRAK OFF
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak,
this message displays when
you turn off StabiliTrak, or when
the stability control has been
automatically disabled. To limit
wheel spin and realize the
full benefits of the stability
enhancement system, you
should normally leave StabiliTrak
on. However, you should turn
StabiliTrak off if your vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow
and you want to rock your vehicle
to attempt to free it, or if you
are driving in extreme off-road
conditions and require more wheel
spin. SeeIf the Vehicle is Stuck on
page 9‑23. To turn the StabiliTrak
system on or off, see StabiliTrak
®
System on page 9‑47.

Black plate (38,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
5-38 Instruments and Controls
There are several conditions that
can cause this message to appear.
.One condition is overheating,
which could occur if StabiliTrak
activates continuously for an
extended period of time.
.The message also displays if the
brake system warning light is on.
SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 5‑21.
.The message could display
if the stability system takes
longer than usual to complete
its diagnostic checks due to
driving conditions.
.The message displays if an
engine or vehicle related
problem has been detected
and the vehicle needs service.
See your dealer.
The message turns off as soon
as the conditions that caused the
message to be displayed are no
longer present.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak, this
message displays when the Traction
Control System (TCS) is turned off.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
See StabiliTrak
®System on
page 9‑47 for more information.
Airbag System Messages
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays if there is
a problem with the airbag system.
Have your dealer inspect the
system for problems. See Airbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑16 and
Airbag System on page 3‑39 for
more information.
Anti-Theft Alarm System
Messages
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT
SYSTEM
This message displays when there
is a problem with the theft-deterrent
system. The vehicle may or may not
restart so you may want to take the
vehicle to your dealer before turning
off the engine. See Immobilizer
Operation on page 2‑15 for more
information.

Black plate (31,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Infotainment System 7-31
q r(Folder/Artist/Album):
1. Select the left or right arrow to go to the previous or next folder,
artist, or album on the disc.
2. Press the middle screen button, with the folder, artist, or album
name, to sort the MP3 by folder,
artist, or album. It may take a
few minutes for the system to
sort the MP3.
y © ¨ z(Seek):
1. To seek tracks, press the up arrow to go to the next track.
2. Press the down arrow to go to the start of the current track,
if more than eight seconds have
played. 3. If either arrow is pressed more
than once, the player continues
moving backward or forward
through the CD. The sound
mutes while seeking.
w(Tuning Knob):
1. Turn counterclockwise one notch to go to the start of the current
track, turn it again to go to the
previous track.
2. Turn this knob clockwise to go to the next track.
When playing an MP3 the rear seat
operator can power on the RSE
video screen and use the remote
control to navigate through the MP3.
Auxiliary Devices
Using the Auxiliary Input Jack
The navigation system has an
auxiliary input jack located on
the right side of the faceplate.
This is not an audio output; do not
plug the headphone set into the
front auxiliary input jack. An external
audio device such as an iPod,
laptop computer, MP3 player, CD
player, or cassette tape player, etc.
can be connected to the auxiliary
input jack for use as another audio
source.
Drivers are encouraged to set
up any auxiliary device while the
vehicle is in P (Park). See Defensive
Driving on page 9‑2 for more
information on driver distraction.

Black plate (32,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
7-32 Infotainment System
To use a portable audio player,
connect a 1/8 in (3.5 mm) cable to
the radio's front auxiliary input jack.
When a device is connected, press
the AUDIO control button, then
press it again until AUX is selected
or press the AUX screen button to
begin playing audio from the device
over the vehicle speakers.
For optimal sound quality, increase
the portable audio device's volume
to the loudest level.
It is always best to power the
portable audio device through its
own battery while playing.
The vehicle may have a rear
entertainment system (RSE) with
a second and third row screen.
The RSE has audio adapters to
allow you to connect auxiliary
devices. The audio can be heard
through the speakers or through
the wireless or wired headphones.
See the Rear Seat Infotainment
user guide for more information.Drivers are encouraged to
set up any auxiliary device
while the vehicle is in P (Park).
See
Defensive Driving on page 9‑2
for more information on driver
distraction.
To switch the RSE system to use an
auxiliary device:
1. Connect the auxiliary device to the RSE system, for the second
or third row. 2. Press AUDIO then press
AUDIO again, repeatedly until
AUX (auxiliary) is selected or
press the AUX screen button.
An auxiliary device must be
connected for the AUX screen
button to appear as an option to
select.
3. For the second row display select the Rear AUX
screen button next to Rear
Display 1 and for the third row
display select the Rear AUX
screen button next to Rear
Display 2. Each screen works
independently of the other.
The second row screen can
watch a DVD while the third
row screen can use the
auxiliary device.
The rear seat passengers can also
use the remote control to change
the functions of the RSE. See the
Rear Seat Infotainment user guide
for more information.

Black plate (60,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
7-60 Infotainment System
Navigation
Using the Navigation
System
This section presents basic
information needed to operate the
navigation system.
Use the control buttons located on
the navigation system along with the
available touch-sensitive screen
buttons on the navigation screen to
operate the system. SeeOverview
on page 7‑3 for more information.
Once the vehicle is moving, various
functions are disabled to reduce
driver distractions.
Control Buttons
The following control buttons are
located on the navigation system:
O/n(Power/Volume):
1. Press to turn the system on and off.
2. Turn to increase or decrease the volume to the audio system.
3. Press and hold for more than two seconds to turn off the
navigation system, the Rear
Seat Entertainment (RSE), and
Rear Seat Audio (RSA). If the
vehicle has not been tuned off,
the RSE and the RSA can be
turned back on by pressing this
knob and continues play of the
last active source.
Z(Eject): Press to eject the
CD/DVD Disc. See CD/DVD Player
on page 7‑19.
w(Tune): Turn to go to the next
or previous frequency or disc track
or chapter. See CD/DVD Player on
page 7‑19 orMP3 on page 7‑28 for
more information.
AUDIO: Press to display the audio
screen. Press to switch between
AM, FM, or XM, if equipped, DISC,
or AUX (Auxiliary), or press on the
screen button. See CD/DVD Player
on page 7‑19, MP3 on page 7‑28,
and Auxiliary Devices on page 7‑31
for more information.
FAV (Favorite): Press to access
the preset stations. See “Storing
Radio Station Presets” under,
Overview on page 7‑3.
5(Phone): See the OnStar
(if equipped) owner guide and
Bluetooth (if equipped) for more
information.

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-5
Steering
Power Steering
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see the
hybrid supplement for more
information.
If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or the
power steering system is not
functioning, the vehicle can be
steered but it will take more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on
the condition of the tires and the
road surface, the angle at which the
curve is banked, and vehicle speed.
While in a curve, speed is the one
factor that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed,
do it before entering the curve, while
the front wheels are straight.Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain a
reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until out of the curve,
and then accelerate gently into the
straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering
can be more effective than braking.
For example, you come over a hill
and find a truck stopped in your
lane, or a car suddenly pulls out
from nowhere, or a child darts out
from between parked cars and stops
right in front of you. These problems
can be avoided by braking
—if you
can stop in time. But sometimes
you cannot stop in time because
there is no room. That is the time
for evasive action —steering around
the problem.
The vehicle can perform very well
in emergencies like these. First,
apply the brakes. See Braking on
page 9‑4. It is better to remove as
much speed as possible from a collision. Then steer around
the problem, to the left or right
depending on the space available.
An emergency like this requires
close attention and a quick decision.
If holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock
positions, it can be turned a full
180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have
to act fast, steer quickly, and just as
quickly straighten the wheel once
you have avoided the object.