2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE HYBRID Owners Manual

Black plate (1,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating Driving Information Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1
Starting and Operating Starting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . 9-4
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Engine Exhaust Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7 Automatic Transmission Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . 9-7
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Drive Systems Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Brakes Regenerative Braking . . . . . . . . 9-15
Towing Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17
Driving Information Steering Electric Power Steering Your vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort. If the steering
wheel is turned in either direction
several times until it stops, or it
is held until it is stopped for an
extended time, power steering
assist should return shortly after a
few normal steering movements.
See the owner manual for more
information.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.

Black plate (2,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
9-2 Driving and Operating
Starting and
Operating Starting the Vehicle
{ WARNINGExiting the vehicle, without first
shifting into P (Park), may cause
the vehicle to move, and you or
others can be seriously injured.
Because the vehicle has the
Automatic Engine Start/Stop
feature, the vehicle ’ s engine
might seem to be shut off when
you come to a complete stop.
However, once the brake pedal is
released, the vehicle can move.
The vehicle ’ s engine can also
restart at any time.
Shift to P (Park) and turn the
ignition to LOCK/OFF, before
exiting the vehicle. Start the engine as you would any
other engine. See “ Starting the
Engine ” in the owner manual for
more information on starting.
If pulling a trailer with trailer
brakes, see Towing Equipment on
page 9 ‑ 17 for more information.
Auto Stop The vehicle has an Auto Stop
feature. After a successful engine
start, the engine may turn off and
operate in the Auto Stop mode.
Some of the vehicle conditions that
allow the engine to stop running and
enter the Auto Stop mode are: .
Ignition switch is in the ON/RUN
position. .
The hood is closed. .
The gear selector is in P (Park),
R (Reverse), N (Neutral) or
D (Drive). .
The hybrid battery is at an
acceptable state of charge. .
The hybrid battery voltage,
temperature or power limits
are not exceeded. In very hot
conditions, Auto Stop may be
unavailable until the hybrid
battery has cooled. .
The engine is at operating
temperature. .
The vehicle may enter Auto Stop
after a remote vehicle start.
With your foot off the brake and the
vehicle on level ground, the hybrid
drive motor may cause the vehicle
to roll slowly forward, even when the
engine is in Auto Stop.
Keep your foot firmly on the brake
pedal until you are ready for the
vehicle to move.
Engine OFF and AUTO STOP
modes are indicated on the
tachometer display. When the
tachometer needle indicates OFF,
the engine is not running and will
remain off until the ignition key is
placed in the START position or a
remote vehicle start is performed.

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-3When the tachometer needle
indicates AUTO STOP, the hybrid
system is on, the engine is not
running, but may Auto Start at any
time without notice. See Tachometer
on page 5 ‑ 3 for more information.
A chime will sound if the driver door
is opened while in Auto Stop as a
reminder that the ignition switch is
not in the LOCK/OFF position.
Always turn the ignition switch to
LOCK/OFF and remove the key
from the ignition switch when exiting
the vehicle.
Auto Start The vehicle also has an Auto Start
feature. The engine will remain off
while in Auto Stop mode until
vehicle conditions require the
engine to run. The near-instant
starting of the engine from Auto
Stop mode is called Auto Start. Some of the vehicle conditions
that may cause the engine to
Auto Start are: .
The hood is opened. .
The gear selector is in
M (Manual Mode). .
The hybrid battery state of
charge is too low. .
The hybrid battery voltage,
temperature or power limits are
exceeded. .
A remote vehicle start has been
requested. .
The engine is not at operating
temperature. .
Acceleration demands require
the use of the engine. EV Mode The vehicle also has an Electric
Vehicle (EV) mode which uses
only the electric motor to move the
vehicle. With light acceleration, the
vehicle will drive in EV mode. EV
mode is unavailable when the
vehicle is out of fuel.
If increased acceleration is
required, or the vehicle reaches
approximately 40 km/h (30 mph), the
engine will start automatically. The
engine shuts off at speeds below
40 km/h (25 mph) unless the
transmission is in M (Manual Mode)
or Auto Stop is disabled.
During heavy acceleration, both the
engine and hybrid electric motors
supply power. A sensation similar to
a transmission gear change can be
felt as the transmission changes
modes. Engine RPM may remain
above 4,000 RPM for a longer
period during hard acceleration.

Black plate (4,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
9-4 Driving and Operating
Engine Coolant Heater The engine coolant heater can
provide easier starting and better
fuel economy during engine
warm-up in cold weather conditions
at or below − 18°C (0°F). Vehicles
with an engine heater should be
plugged in at least four hours before
starting. An internal thermostat in
the plug-end of the cord may exist
which will prevent engine coolant
heater operation at temperatures
above − 18°C (0°F). Using the Engine Coolant
Heater 1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord. The cord is
secured to a wiring harness
between the engine and the
Hybrid Auxiliary Underhood
Fuse Block with a clip. Carefully
remove the wire tie which
secures the electrical cord.
Do not cut the electrical cord.
3. Plug the cord into a normal,
grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{ WARNINGPlugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause
an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a fire.
You could be seriously injured.
Plug the cord into a properly
grounded three-prong 110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord will not
reach, use a heavy-duty
three-prong extension cord
rated for at least 15 amps.

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-54. Before starting the engine, be
sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep
it away from moving engine
parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer in the
area where you will be parking the
vehicle for the best advice on this. Shifting Into Park
{ WARNINGIt can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the shift lever is not
fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow. With four-wheel
drive, if the transfer case is in
N (Neutral), the vehicle will be
free to roll, even if the shift lever
is in P (Park). So, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive
gear — not in N (Neutral).
(Continued) WARNING (Continued) If you are pulling a trailer, see
“ Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips ” in the owner
manual.
1. Hold the brake pedal down, then
set the parking brake.
See “ Parking Brake ” in the
owner manual.
2. Move the shift lever into the
P (Park) position by pulling the
shift lever toward you and
moving it up as far as it will go.
3. Be sure the transfer case
(if equipped) is in a drive
gear — not in N (Neutral).
4. Turn the ignition key to
LOCK/OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with
you. If you can leave the vehicle
with the ignition key in your
hand, the vehicle is in P (Park).

Black plate (6,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
9-6 Driving and Operating Leaving the Vehicle with the
Engine Running
{ WARNINGIt can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set.
If you have four-wheel drive and
the transfer case is in N (Neutral),
the vehicle will be free to roll,
even if the shift lever is in
P (Park). So be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear — not in
N (Neutral).
(Continued) WARNING (Continued) And, if you leave the vehicle
with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You
or others could be injured. Do not
leave the vehicle with the engine
running unless you have to.
If you have to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, be sure your
vehicle is in P (Park) and the
parking brake is firmly set before
you leave it. After you move the shift
lever into P (Park), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you
can move the shift lever away from
P (Park) without first pulling it toward
you. If you can, it means that the
shift lever was not fully locked into
P (Park). Torque Lock If parking on a hill and the
transmission not shifted into
P (Park) properly, the weight
of the vehicle may put too much
force on the parking pawl in the
transmission. You may find it
difficult to pull the shift lever out
of P (Park). This is called torque
lock. To prevent torque lock, set the
parking brake and then shift into
P (Park) properly before you leave
the driver seat. To find out how, see
Shifting Into Park on page 9 ‑ 5 .
When you are ready to drive, move
the shift lever out of P (Park) before
you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may
need to have another vehicle push
yours a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transmission, then you will be
able to pull the shift lever out of
P (Park).

Black plate (7,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-7
Engine Exhaust Running the Vehicle
While Parked It is better not to park with the
engine running. But if you ever have
to, here are some things to know.
{ WARNINGExiting the vehicle, without first
shifting into P (Park), may cause
the vehicle to move, and you or
others can be seriously injured.
Because the vehicle has the
Automatic Engine Start/Stop
feature, the vehicle ’ s engine
might seem to be shut off when
you come to a complete stop.
(Continued) WARNING (Continued) However, once the brake pedal is
released, the vehicle can move.
The vehicle ’ s engine can also
restart at any time.
Shift to P (Park) and turn the
ignition to LOCK/OFF, before
exiting the vehicle.
Follow the proper steps to be sure
the vehicle will not move. See
Shifting Into Park on page 9 ‑ 5 .
If pulling a trailer, see “ Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips ” in
the owner manual. Automatic
Transmission The vehicle has an electronic
shift position indicator within the
instrument panel cluster.
There are several different positions
for the shift lever.
See “ Range Selection Mode ” in this
section.
P (Park): This position locks the
rear wheels. It is the best position
to use when you start the engine
because the vehicle cannot move
easily.

Black plate (8,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
9-8 Driving and Operating When parked on a hill, especially
when the vehicle has a heavy
load, you may notice an increase in
the effort to shift out of P (Park). See
Shifting Into Park on page 9 ‑ 5 .
{ WARNINGIt is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when
the engine is running unless you
have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake
and move the shift lever to
P (Park). See Shifting Into Park
on page 9 ‑ 5 . If you are
pulling a trailer, see “ Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips ”
in the owner manual. { WARNINGIf you have Four-Wheel Drive, the
vehicle will be free to roll — even
if the shift lever is in P (Park) — if
the transfer case is in Neutral. So,
be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear, Two-Wheel Drive High
or Four-Wheel Drive High or
Four-Wheel Drive Low — not in
Neutral. See Shifting Into Park
on page 9 ‑ 5 .
R (Reverse): Use this gear to
back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only
after the vehicle is stopped. To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission, see “ If
the Vehicle is Stuck ” in the owner
manual.
N (Neutral): In this position, the
engine and transmission are not
connected with the wheels. To
restart the engine when the
vehicle is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
{ WARNINGShifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.