2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV ECU

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
Storage 4-3
Center Console Storage A console compartment is located
between the bucket seats.
The console has both an upper and
lower storage bin accessed by lifting
up on the latches located at the
front of the console lid.
The console may have an
accessory power outlet inside.
See Power Outlets on page 5 ‑ 8 .
The rear of the console also has a
cupholder that swings down for the
rear seat passengers to use. Roof Rack System
{ WARNINGIf something is carried on top of
the vehicle that is longer or wider
than the roof rack — like paneling,
plywood, or a mattress — the
wind can catch it while the vehicle
is being driven. The item being
carried could be violently torn off,
and this could cause a collision
and damage the vehicle. Never
carry something longer or wider
than the roof rack on top of the
vehicle unless using a GM
certified accessory carrier.
For vehicles with a roof rack, the
rack can be used to load items.
For roof racks that do not have
crossrails included, GM Certified crossrails can be purchased as an
accessory. See your dealer for
additional information.
For vehicles with crossrails, they
can be moved back and forth to
help secure cargo. To adjust them,
turn the knob located at each end
of the crossrail counterclockwise
until the crossrail can move freely.
To secure the crossrail, turn the
knob located at each end of the
crossrail clockwise until tightened.
Tie the load to the siderails or
siderail supports.
Notice: Loading cargo on the
roof rack that weighs more than
91 kg (200 lbs) or hangs over the
rear or sides of the vehicle may
damage the vehicle. Load cargo
so that it rests evenly between
the crossrails, making sure to
fasten cargo securely.

Black plate (4,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
4-4 Storage To prevent damage or loss of cargo
when driving, check to make sure
crossrails and cargo are securely
fastened. Loading cargo on the roof
rack will make the vehicle ’ s center
of gravity higher. Avoid high speeds,
sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden
braking or abrupt maneuvers,
otherwise it may result in loss of
control. If driving for a long distance,
on rough roads, or at high speeds,
occasionally stop the vehicle to
make sure the cargo remains in its
place.
Do not exceed the maximum vehicle
capacity when loading the vehicle.
For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, see Vehicle
Load Limits on page 9 ‑ 16 .
To prevent damage or loss of cargo,
check now and then to make sure
the luggage and cargo are still
securely fastened. Be sure the cargo is properly
loaded. .
If small heavy objects are placed
on the roof, place the load in the
area over the rear wheels
(behind the rear side door on
extended models). If needed,
cut a piece of 3/8 inch plywood
to fit inside the crossrails and
siderails to spread the load.
If plywood is used, tie it to the
siderail supports. .
Tie the load to the crossrails or
the siderail supports. Use the
crossrails only to keep the load
from sliding. To move the
crossrails, pull out on the latch
release handle at each end.
Slide the crossrail to the desired
position balancing the force side
to side. Push the release handle
back into the latched position
and slide the crossrail back and
forth slightly to be sure the latch
snaps securely into place. .
If needed to carry long items,
move the crossrails as far apart
as they will go. Tie the load to
the crossrails and the siderails
or siderail supports. Also tie the
load to the bumpers. Do not
tie the load so tightly that the
crossrails or siderails are
damaged. .
After moving a crossrail, be sure
it is securely locked into the
siderail.
A Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL) is located above the glass
or above the rear load doors.
If items are loaded on the roof of the
vehicle, care should be taken not to
block or damage the CHMSL unit.

Black plate (1,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls Controls Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-2
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 5-4
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-4
Rear Window
Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12 Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-13
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-14
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Charging System Light . . . . . . 5-16
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Brake System Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . 5-20
StabiliTrak ®
OFF Light . . . . . . . 5-20
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak ®
Light . . . . 5-21
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-22
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-22 Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . 5-23
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Information Displays Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Vehicle Messages Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Battery Voltage and
Charging Messages . . . . . . . . 5-29
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-29
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Engine Cooling System
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-31
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-32
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-32
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-32
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Object Detection System
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Ride Control System
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34

Black plate (10,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
5-10 Instruments and Controls
Ashtrays For vehicles with an ashtray, it is
located in the center console near
the cupholders. Press on the access
door to open it and use the ashtray.
Notice: If papers, pins, or other
flammable items are put in the
ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite
them and possibly damage the
vehicle. Never put flammable
items in the ashtray.
To remove the ashtray, pull it from
the center console. Slide it back in
and push down to be sure it is
secure. Warning Lights,
Gauges, and
Indicators Warning lights and gauges can
signal that something is wrong
before it becomes serious enough
to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gauges could
prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there
could be a problem with a vehicle
function. Some warning lights come
on briefly when the engine is started
to indicate they are working. Gauges can indicate when there
could be a problem with a vehicle
function. Often gauges and warning
lights work together to indicate a
problem with the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights
comes on and stays on while
driving, or when one of the gauges
shows there may be a problem,
check the section that explains what
to do. Follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
and even dangerous.

Black plate (22,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
5-22 Instruments and Controls
Engine Oil Pressure Light Notice: Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. Driving with the engine
oil low can also damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Check the oil level as soon as
possible. Add oil if required, but
if the oil level is within the
operating range and the oil
pressure is still low, have the
vehicle serviced. Always follow
the maintenance schedule for
changing engine oil.
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. 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, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and it might
have some other system problem.
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see the
hybrid supplement for more
information.
Security Light
The security light should come on
briefly as the engine is started. If the
system is working normally, the
indicator light turns off. If it does not
come on, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer.
If the light stays on and the engine
does not start, there could be a
problem with the theft-deterrent
system. This light is also used to indicate
the status of the anti-theft alarm
system when the ignition is turned
off. The light will flash rapidly if the
alarm system is arming and one or
more of the monitored entry points
is not closed. The light will stay on if
the alarm is arming and all entry
points are closed.
For information regarding this light
and the vehicle's security system,
see Anti-theft Alarm System on
page 2 ‑ 13 .
High-Beam On Light
This light comes on when the
high-beam headlamps are in use.
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer on page 6 ‑ 5 for more
information.

Black plate (47,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
Instruments and Controls 5-47This 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.
Do not use this system with any
garage door opener that does not
have the stop and reverse feature.
This includes any garage door
opener model manufactured before
April 1, 1982.
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.
Be sure to keep the original remote
control transmitter for use in other
vehicles, as well as for future
programming. Only the original
remote control transmitter is needed
for Fixed Code programming. The programmed buttons should be
erased when the vehicle is sold or
the lease ends. See “ Erasing
Universal Home Remote Buttons ”
in this section.
Park the vehicle outside of the
garage when programming a garage
door. Be sure that people and
objects are clear of the garage door
or gate that is being programmed.
Programming Universal Home
Remote — Rolling CodeFor questions or help programming
the Universal Home Remote
System, call 1-866-572-2728 or
go to www.learcar2u.com.
Most garage door openers sold
after 1996 are Rolling Code units. Programming a garage door opener
involves time-sensitive actions, so
read the entire procedure before
starting. Otherwise, the device will
time out and the procedure will have
to be repeated.
To program up to three devices:
1. From inside the vehicle,
press the two outside buttons
at the same time for one to
two seconds, and immediately
release them.

Black plate (48,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
5-48 Instruments and Controls
2. In the garage, locate the
garage door opener receiver
(motor-head unit). Find the
“ Learn ” or “ Smart ” button.
It can usually be found where
the hanging antenna wire is
attached to the motor-head unit
and may be a colored button.
Press this button. After pressing
this button, complete the
following steps in less than
30 seconds. 3. Immediately return to the
vehicle. Press and hold the
Universal Home Remote button
that will be used to control the
garage door until the garage
door moves. The indicator light,
above the selected button,
should slowly blink. This button
may need to be held for up to
20 seconds.
4. Immediately, within one second,
release the button when the
garage door moves. The
indicator light will blink rapidly
until programming is complete.
5. Press and release the same
button again. The garage door
should move, confirming that
programming is successful and
complete. To program another Rolling Code
device such as an additional garage
door opener, a security device,
or home automation device, repeat
Steps 1 through 5, choosing a
different function button in Step 3
than what was used for the garage
door opener.
If these instructions do not work, the
garage door opener is probably a
Fixed Code unit. Follow the
programming instructions that follow
for a Fixed Code garage door
opener.
Programming Universal Home
Remote — Fixed CodeFor questions or help programming
the Universal Home Remote
System, call 1-866-572-2728 or go
to www.learcar2u.com.
Most garage door openers sold
before 1996 are Fixed Code units.

Black plate (51,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
Instruments and Controls 5-51
A. Left Button
(Up, +, or On)
B. Middle Button
(Middle, 0, or Neutral)
C. Right Button
(Down, − , or Off)
4. The indicator lights will blink
slowly. Enter each switch setting
from Step 2 into your vehicle's
Universal Home Remote.
You will have two and one-half
minutes to complete Step 4. Now press one button on the
Universal Home Remote for
each switch setting as follows: .
If you wrote “ Left, ” press
the left button (A) in the
vehicle. .
If you wrote “ Right, ” press
the right button (C) in the
vehicle. .
If you wrote “ Middle, ” press
the middle button (B) in the
vehicle.
5. After entering all of the switch
positions, once again firmly
press and release all three
buttons at the same time.
The indicator lights will turn on.
6. Press and hold the button that
will be used to control the
garage door until the garage
door moves. The indicator light
above the selected button
should slowly blink. This button
may need to be held for up to
55 seconds. 7. Immediately release the button
when the garage door moves.
The indicator light will blink
rapidly until programming is
complete.
8. Press and release the same
button again. The garage door
should move, confirming that
programming is successful and
complete.
To program another Fixed Code
device such as an additional garage
door opener, a security device,
or home automation device, repeat
Steps 1-8, choosing a different
button in Step 6 than what was used
for the garage door opener.