
Black plate (21,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-21
Using heavier suspension
components to get added
durability might not change your
weight ratings. Ask your dealer
to help you load the vehicle the
right way.
If you put things inside the
vehicle—like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything
else —they go as fast as the
vehicle goes. If you have to stop
or turn quickly, or if there is a
crash, they will keep going.
{WARNING
Things you put inside the
vehicle can strike and injure
people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
.Put things in the cargo
area of the vehicle. Try to
spread the weight evenly.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an
unsecured child restraint
in the vehicle.
.When you carry something
inside the vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
.Do not leave a seat folded
down unless you need to.
There is also important loading
information for off-road driving in
this manual. See “Loading Your
Vehicle for Off-Road Driving”
under Off-Road Driving on
page 9‑6. Add-On Equipment
When you carry removable
items, you may need to put a
limit on how many people you
can carry inside the vehicle. Be
sure to weigh the vehicle before
you buy and install the new
equipment.
Notice:
Overloading the
vehicle may cause damage.
Repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do
not overload the vehicle.
Remember not to exceed
the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) of the front or
rear axle.

Black plate (23,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-23
Starting and
Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:The vehicle does not
need an elaborate break-in. But it
will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
.Keep the vehicle speed at
88 km/h (55 mph) or less for
the first 805 km (500 miles).
.Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
for the first 805 km
(500 miles). Do not make
full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake or
slow the vehicle.
.Avoid making hard stops
for the first 322 km
(200 miles) or so. During
this time the new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with 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.

Black plate (41,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-41
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.
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

Black plate (42,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2012
10-42 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
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 Fuses
Usage
15 Body Control
Module (BCM)
16 Accessory Power
Outlets
17 Interior Lamps
18 Power Door Lock 1
(Unlock Feature)
19 Rear Seat
Entertainment
20 Ultrasonic Rear
Parking Assist, Power
Liftgate
21 Power Door Lock 1
(Lock Feature)
22 Driver Information
Center (DIC)
23 Rear Wiper
24 Cooled Seats Fuses
Usage
25 Driver Seat Module,
Remote Keyless Entry
System
26 Driver Power Door
Lock (Unlock Feature)
Circuit
Breaker Usage
LT DR Driver Side Power
Window Circuit
Breaker
Harness
Connector Usage
LT DR Driver Door
Harness
Connection
BODY Harness Connector
BODY Harness Connector

Black plate (47,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-47
is certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a
tire is certified to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and
Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of
air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch
of the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch).
Accessory Weight
:The
combined weight of optional
accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are
automatic transmission, power
steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire's height to its width. Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords that is located between
the plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other
reinforcing materials.
Bead
:The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The
amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch)
before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See Tire Pressure
on page 10‑49.
Curb Weight
:The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard and
optional equipment including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil,
and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings
:A code molded
into the sidewall of a tire
signifying that the tire is in
compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation
(DOT) Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also
identify the tire manufacturer,
production plant, brand, and
date of production.
GVWR
:Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating. See Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑16.
GAWR FRT
:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the front axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits on
page 9‑16.

Black plate (1,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2012
INDEX i-1
A
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Active Fuel Management
®. . . . . 9-30
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-67
Additional Information, OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Adjustments Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . 10-14
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Airbag Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32
How Does an Airbag
Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24 Airbag System (cont'd)
What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-25
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . 3-21
Airbags Passenger Status Indicator . . . 5-14
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Servicing Airbag-EquippedVehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Alarm System Anti-theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . 10-27, 9-36
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Antenna Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
Anti-theft Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Alarm System Messages . . . . . 5-34
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19 Appearance Care
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-82
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-85
Armrest Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Audio Players CD/DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
MP3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-27
Audio System Fixed Mast Antenna . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
Rear Seat (RSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-40
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . . 7-3
Automatic Dimming Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Level Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . 9-31 Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Shift Lock ControlFunction Check . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Auxiliary Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-30
Axle, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Axle, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2012
INDEX i-5
Front Fog LampLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Front Seats Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . 9-52
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . 9-51
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Management, Active . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Requirements, California . . . . . 9-52
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Fuel Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 10-75 Fuses
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Gauges Engine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9 General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . 11-1
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-57
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Global Positioning System (GPS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-76
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7
H
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 6-7
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
HeadlampsAiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Daytime RunningLamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . 6-5
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 5-22

Black plate (6,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2012
i-6 INDEX
HeatedSteering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . 10-51
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-12
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . 9-12
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Ignition Transmission Lock
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10 Instrument Panel
Storage Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
J
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-76
K
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . . 5-32
Keyless Entry Remote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . 2-3
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . 10-45
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Lamps Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . . 6-5
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Exterior Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35 Lamps (cont'd)
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . . 5-15
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
LATCH System Replacing Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-47
LATCH, Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . 3-41
Level Control Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Light StabiliTrak
®OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Lighter, Cigarette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Lighting Entry/Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Lights Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Antilock Brake System(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . 5-18
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5