Page 1 of 90

Black plate (1,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
2012 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid MIn Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-1
Hybrid Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Performance and
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . 9-7
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16 Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . . 11-2
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1
Page 9 of 90
Black plate (1,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-1
Seats and
Restraints Airbag System Replacing Airbag System Parts
after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Airbag System Replacing Airbag System
Parts after a Crash If an airbag inflates or the vehicle
has been in a crash, the vehicle's
sensing system may command
the automatic hybrid battery
disconnect to open. When the
battery disconnect is open, the
hybrid battery will be off and the
vehicle will not start. The airbag
readiness light and/or SERVICE
HYBRID SYSTEM warning
message may come on in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See “ Airbag Readiness Light ”
in the owner manual and Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5 ‑ 5 for more information. To operate the vehicle, the
automatic hybrid battery
disconnect must be reconnected
by a qualified service technician
and sensing system parts will need
to be replaced. Have the vehicle
serviced right away.
Page 13 of 90
Black plate (1,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Fuel Economy Gauge . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . 5-4
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . 5-4
Information Displays Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 Vehicle Messages Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Brake System Messages . . . . . . 5-6
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Service Vehicle Messages . . . . 5-7
Transmission Messages . . . . . . 5-7
Page 14 of 90
Black plate (2,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
5-2 Instruments and Controls
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators Instrument Cluster
English Version Shown, Metric Similar
Page 16 of 90

Black plate (4,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
5-4 Instruments and Controls
Charging System Light
This 12 ‐ volt battery light comes on
briefly when the ignition is turned to
ON/RUN, but the engine is not
running, as a check to show it is
working.
It should go out once the engine
has been started. If it stays on,
or comes on while driving, there
could be a problem with the 12 ‐ volt
charging system. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. A 12 ‐ volt
charging system Driver Information
Center (DIC) message may also
appear. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5 ‑ 5 for more
information. This light could indicate
that there are electrical problems.
Have it checked right away. If a short distance must be driven with
the light on, be certain to turn off all
the accessories.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
{ WARNINGDo not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule for changing engine oil. This light comes on briefly as a
check it works, when the ignition is
in ON/RUN. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced.
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 might have
some other system problem.
During an Auto Stop there is zero
oil pressure, but this light will not
come on.
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Black plate (6,1)Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
5-6 Instruments and Controls
Battery Voltage and
Charging Messages SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM If the 12-volt battery system faults or
fails this message will appear on the
DIC. The battery/charging system
light will appear in the instrument
panel cluster. See “ Battery Warning
Light ” in the owner manual. Driving
with this message on could drain
the battery. Have the electrical
system checked as soon as
possible. Brake System Messages SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM This message may be displayed if
there is a problem with the brake
system. You will still be able to
brake, but it will be noticeably more
difficult. Pull off the road to a safe
location and have your vehicle
towed to the nearest dealer for
service. See “ Brakes, ” “ Brake
System Warning Light, ” and “ ABS
Brake System Warning Light ” in the
owner manual.
This message may also come on
when you are towing a trailer. See
“ Trailer Brakes ” under Trailer Towing
on page 9 ‑ 16 for more information. Door Ajar Messages HOOD OPEN If the hood is not fully closed or
there is a problem with the hood
switch, this message will be
displayed. Close the hood to clear
the message. If the HOOD OPEN
message continues to be displayed
after verifying the hood is closed,
you should have the hood switch
serviced. Failure to service the hood
switch properly can result in an Auto
Start condition.
Auto Stops will be disabled when
this message is displayed. If the
vehicle is in Auto Stop mode when
this message appears, the engine
will instantly start.
Page 26 of 90

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.
Page 28 of 90

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.