Page 300 of 538
Black plate (8,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
8-8 Climate Controls .
Keep the air path under the front
seats clear of objects. This helps
air to circulate throughout the
vehicle. .
Adding outside equipment to the
front of the vehicle, such as
hood-air deflectors, may affect
the performance of the heating
and air conditioning system.
Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside
of the vehicle.
Page 302 of 538

Black plate (2,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
9-2 Driving and Operating Fuel Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Gasoline Specifications
(U.S. and Canada Only) . . . . 9-52
California Fuel
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-52
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . 9-54
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56
Towing General Towing
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-57
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-57
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-61
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 9-65
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-69
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-69 Driving Information Distracted Driving Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, always
keep your eyes on the road, hands
on the wheel, and mind on the drive. .
Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls. .
Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices. .
Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions. .
Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving. .
Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor. .
Stop or park the vehicle to tend
to children. .
Keep pets in an appropriate
carrier or restraint. .
Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.
Page 314 of 538

Black plate (14,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
9-14 Driving and Operating Blizzard Conditions Being stuck in snow can be a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use the Roadside
Service (U.S. and Canada) on
page 13 ‑ 7 or Roadside Service
(Mexico) on page 13 ‑ 9 . To get help
and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe: .
Turn on the hazard warning
flashers. .
Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{ WARNING
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
(Continued) WARNING (Continued) If the vehicle is stuck in the snow: .
Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe. .
Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there. .
Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air. .
Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel. .
Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside the
vehicle and set the fan speed
to the highest setting. See
“ Climate Control Systems ” in
the Index.
(Continued) WARNING (Continued) For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9 ‑ 29 .
Run the engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm, but
be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm
the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of
the way to save heat. Repeat this
until help arrives but only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the
cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help
with the headlamps. Do this as little
as possible to save fuel.
Page 322 of 538

Black plate (22,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
9-22 Driving and Operating new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this
breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake
linings. .
Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. See Trailer Towing
on page 9 ‑ 61 for the trailer
towing capabilities of the
vehicle and more
information.
Following break ‐ in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
Adjustable Throttle and
Brake Pedal The vehicle has adjustable throttle
and brake pedals that allow you to
change their positions.
The feature will not operate when
the vehicle is in R (Reverse) or
while using the cruise control. The switch used to adjust the
pedals is located on the center
console below the climate control
system.
Press the right and left arrows to
move the pedals either closer or
further from your body.
Before you start driving, fully press
the brake pedal to confirm the
adjustment is right for you. While
driving, make only small
adjustments.
The vehicle has a memory function
which allows the pedal positions to
be saved and recalled. See Memory
Seats on page 3 ‑ 5 .Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition
must be in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY and the regular brake
pedal must be applied.
A (STOPPING THE ENGINE/
LOCK/OFF): When the vehicle is
stopped, turn the ignition switch to
LOCK/OFF to turn the engine off.
Page 358 of 538

Black plate (58,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
9-58 Driving and Operating (50 mph) and do not make starts
at full throttle. This helps the
engine and other parts of the
vehicle wear in at the heavier
loads. .
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear if the transmission shifts
too often under heavy loads and/
or hilly conditions. .
If the vehicle has the Side Blind
Zone Alert (SBZA) system and it
doesn't seem to be working
properly while pulling a trailer,
turn the system off. See Side
Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) on
page 9 ‑ 45 for more information.
Important considerations that have
to do with weight: .
The weight of the trailer .
The weight of the trailer tongue .
The weight on the vehicle's tires .
And the weight of the trailering
combination Driving with a Trailer
{ WARNINGWhen towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of
the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.
Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
To maximize safety when towing
a trailer: .
Have the exhaust system
inspected for leaks and make
necessary repairs before
starting a trip. .
Never drive with the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window open.
(Continued) WARNING (Continued) .
Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel. .
Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air and
set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
For more information about
Carbon Monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9 ‑ 29 .
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. The
combination you are driving is
longer and not as responsive as the
vehicle itself. Get acquainted with
the handling and braking of the rig
before setting out for the open road.
Page 412 of 538

Black plate (42,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
10-42 Vehicle Care Fuses Usage
33 Daytime Running
Lamps 2 (If Equipped)
34 Sunroof
35 Key Ignition System,
Theft Deterrent
System
36 Windshield Wiper
37 SEO B2 Upfitter
Usage (Battery)
38 Electric Adjustable
Pedals
39 Climate Controls
(Battery)
40 Airbag System
(Ignition)
41 Amplifier
42 Audio System
43 Miscellaneous
(Ignition), Cruise
Control
44 Liftgate Release Fuses Usage
45 Airbag System
(Battery)
46 Instrument Panel
Cluster
47 Not Used
48 Auxiliary Climate
Control (Ignition)
49 Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)
50 Rear Defogger
51 Heated Mirrors
52 SEO B1 Upfitter
Usage (Battery)
53 Accessory Power
Outlet, Cigarette
Lighter (If Equipped)
54 Automatic Level
Control Compressor
Relay
55 Climate Controls
(Ignition) Fuses Usage
56 Engine Control
Module, Secondary
Fuel Pump (Ignition)
J-Case
Fuses Usage
57 Cooling Fan 1
58 Automatic Level
Control Compressor
59 Heavy Duty Antilock
Braking System
60 Cooling Fan 2
61 Antilock Brake
System 1
62 Starter
63 Stud 2 (Trailer
Brakes)
64 Left Bussed Electrical
Center 1
65 Electric Running
Boards
Page 413 of 538
Black plate (43,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
Vehicle Care 10-43J-Case
Fuses Usage
66 Not Used
67 Transfer Case
68 Stud 1 (Trailer
Connector Battery
Power)
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 Relays Usage
FAN
CNTRL Cooling Fan Control
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 Instrument Panel Fuse
Block
The instrument panel fuse block
access door is located on the driver
side edge of the instrument panel.
Pull off the cover to access the fuse
block.
Page 414 of 538
Black plate (44,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
10-44 Vehicle Care
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown.
Fuses Usage
1 Rear Seats
2 Rear Accessory
Power Outlet Fuses Usage
3 Steering Wheel
Controls Backlight
4 Driver Door Module
5 Dome Lamps, Driver
Side Turn Signal Fuses Usage
6 Driver Side Turn
Signal, Stoplamp
7 Instrument Panel
Back Lighting
8 Passenger Side Turn
Signal, Stoplamp
9 Passenger Door
Module, Driver Unlock
10 Power Door Lock 2
(Unlock Feature)
11 Power Door Lock 2
(Lock Feature)
12 Stoplamps, Center
High ‐ Mounted
Stoplamp
13 Rear Climate Controls
14 Power Mirror
15 Body Control
Module (BCM)
16 Accessory Power
Outlets