
Black plate (45,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Infotainment System 7-45
Vehicle Speakers
Audio from the DVD player or an
auxiliary device can be heard
through the vehicle speakers or the
wireless/wired headphones, while
the radio is tuned to one of the
six frequencies selected on the
Sound Around portion of the
system’s remote control. See
“Remote Control” later in this
section.
Only one audio source can be heard
through the vehicle’ s speakers at a
time. The audio source being used
is specified by the A/V (audio/video)
source selected on the driver side
head restraint video display screen.
To turn the RSE system audio
output to the vehicle’s speakers,
press Sound Around ON, on the
system’ s remote control. The
audio from the RSE system can be
heard through the wireless/wired
headphones and the vehicle’s
speakers at the same time. The volume on the radio can vary
when switching between the radio,
CD, DVD, MP3, or an auxiliary
device.
Wireless Headphones
The two wireless headphones
included with the Headrest DVD
RSE system will only work with the
Headrest DVD RSE system and are
marked for channel 3 and 4. The
wireless headphones must be
used within a line of sight of the
transmitter that is located above the
video display screen.
3‐4 Channel Selector:
This is
located on the right earpiece.
Either Channel 3 or 4 can be
selected with the channel
selector. The driver side monitor
is designated as Channel 3, and
the passenger side as Channel 4.
Set the channel selector switch
according to the video display
screen being viewed. The message, “To listen to this monitor tune your
headphones to Channel 3 (or 4)”
displays for five seconds then
disappears when the video display
screen is turned on.
OFF/ON (Power):
Turn the power
switch located on the earpiece to
turn the wireless headphones on or
off. Each headphone has a light to
indicate ON. If the light does not
come on, the batteries may need
to be replaced. See “Battery
Replacement” underRear Seat
Entertainment (RSE) System
(Overhead) on page 7‑32 orRear
Seat Entertainment (RSE) System
(Headrest DVD) on page 7‑42 for
more information.
The headphones shut off
automatically if the RSE system
is turned off or if the headphones
are out of range of the transmitter
for more than three minutes.

Black plate (46,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
7-46 Infotainment System
VOL0(Volume):Use to adjust
the volume on the headphones.
Notice: Do not store the
headphones in heat or direct
sunlight. This could damage the
headphones and repairs will
not be covered by the warranty.
Storage in extreme cold can
weaken the batteries. Keep the
headphones stored in a cool, dry
place.
Remote Control
To use the remote control, aim at
the remote sensor located on top
center of the video display screen
and press the desired button. Objects blocking the line-of-sight
can affect the function of the
remote control. Direct or very bright
light can affect the ability of the
transmitter to receive signals from
the remote control. If the remote
control does not seem to be
working, the batteries might need
to be replaced. See
“Battery
Replacement” following this section.
The remote control provided with
the Headrest DVD RSE system, is
not a universal remote control and
will not control other equipment.
Notice: Storing the remote
control in a hot area or in direct
sunlight can damage it, and the
repairs will not be covered by the
warranty. Storage in extreme cold
can weaken the batteries. Keep
the remote control stored in a
cool, dry place. Remote Control ButtonsPOWER:
Press to turn the
Headrest DVD RSE system on
and off.
SOURCE: Press to select between
Monitor 3, Monitor 4, or AV INPUT.
Any video equipment connected
to the AV inputs automatically
overrides the source selection.

Black plate (49,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Infotainment System 7-49
STOPc:Press to stop playback
of a disc.
.To resume disc playback,
press PLAY.
.To start playback from the
beginning of the disc, press
STOP, STOP, then PLAY .
ZOOM: Press to either enlarge the
viewed image by 2X, 3X, and 4X,
or reduce the image by 1/2X, 1/3X,
and 1/4X.
PBC (Playback Control): Press to
turn video CD playback control on
or off.
FR
r(Fast Reverse): Press to
fast reverse the disc. Press multiple
times to choose between 2X, 4X,
8X, 16X, and 32X speeds.
FF
[(Fast Forward): Press to
fast forward the disc. Press multiple
times to choose between 2X, 4X,
8X, 16X, and 32X speeds. PREV
g(Previous):
Press to
play the previous chapter or track.
To return to previous chapters or
tracks one at a time, press and
release multiple times until the
desired chapter or track is reached.
NEXT
l: Press to play the next
chapter or track. To go to the next
chapter or track one at a time, press
and release multiple times until the
desired chapter or track is reached.
Battery Replacement
To change batteries in the remote
control:
1. Turn the remote control face down.
2. Press down on the ridged area of the battery cover and slide
it off. 3. Install two AAA batteries into the
battery compartment.
4. Slide the cover back on until it clicks.
If the remote control is to be stored
for a long period of time, remove the
batteries and keep it in a cool, dry
place.
Using the RSE On-Screen
Display (OSD) Menus
Use the OSD setup display
menus for:
.Initial setup
.Display setup
.Parental control setup
.Adjusting the picture quality
.Setting the various outputs
.On‐screen display language

Black plate (1,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-10
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-14
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-19 Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-22
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-30
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-31
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-32
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-37
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-47
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Tire Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52

Black plate (26,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
10-26 Vehicle Care
After work is done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the
level is above the MIN but not over
the MAX mark.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid
from a sealed container. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the
reservoir.
{WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake fluid.Notice
.Using the wrong fluid
can badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For
example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can
damage brake hydraulic
system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in
the wrong kind of fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces,
the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not
to spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately.
Battery
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see
the hybrid supplement for more
information.
Refer to the replacement number
on the original battery label when
a new battery is needed. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6
for battery location.
{WARNING
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.

Black plate (10,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
11-10 Service and Maintenance
Battery
The battery supplies power to
start the engine and operate any
additional electrical accessories.
.To avoid break‐down or failure
to start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
.Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion‐free.
Belts
.Belts may need replacing if
they squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
.Trained dealer technicians
can inspect the belts and
recommend replacement when
necessary. Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
.Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping.
.Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s
systems and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13
for GM
approved fluids..Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
.Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi‐point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed.

Black plate (9,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Customer Information 13-9
Cadillac and General Motors of
Canada Limited reserve the right to
limit services or payment to an
owner or driver if they decide the
claims are made too often, or the
same type of claim is made many
times.
Cadillac Owner Privileges™
.Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel for the
vehicle to get to the nearest
service station.
.Lock‐Out Service:Service to
unlock the vehicle if you are
locked out. A remote unlock may
be available if you have OnStar.
For security reasons, the driver
must present identification
before this service is given.
.Emergency Tow From a Public
Road or Highway: Tow to the
nearest Cadillac dealer for
warranty service, or if the vehicle
was in a crash and cannot be
driven. Assistance is also given
when the vehicle is stuck in the
sand, mud, or snow.
.Flat Tire Change: Service to
change a flat tire with spare
tire. The spare tire, if equipped,
must be in good condition and
properly inflated. It is your
responsibility for the repair or
replacement of the tire if it is not
covered by the warranty.
.Battery Jump Start: Service to
jump start a dead battery.
.Trip Routing Service: Detailed
maps of North America are
provided when requested either
with the most direct route or the
most scenic route. Additional
travel information is also
available. Allow three weeks for
delivery.
.Trip Interruption Benefits
and Service: If your trip is
interrupted due to a warranty
failure, incidental expenses
may be reimbursed during the
5 years/160 000 km (100,000 mi)
Powertrain warranty period.
Items considered are hotel,
meals, and rental car.
Cadillac Technician Roadside
Service (U.S. only)
Cadillac's exceptional Roadside
Service is more than an auto club
or towing service. It provides every
Cadillac owner in the United States
with the advantage of contacting
a Cadillac advisor and, where
available, a Cadillac trained dealer
technician who can provide on-site
service.
A dealer technician will travel to
your location within a 30 mile
radius of a participating Cadillac
dealership. If beyond this radius, we
will arrange to have your car towed
to the nearest Cadillac dealership.
Each technician travels with a
specially equipped service vehicle
complete with the necessary
Cadillac parts and tools required
to handle most roadside repairs.

Black plate (11,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Customer Information 13-11
This program expires two years
from the date of the invoice for
the vehicle, regardless of vehicle
mileage and changes in vehicle
ownership.
For more information about the
renewal of this program at the end
of its term, contact the Cadillac
Customer Assistance Center at
01-800-466-0805.
Services Provided
.Flat Tire Change: If unable to
change a flat tire, Roadside
Assistance will provide towing
service to the nearest authorized
Cadillac dealership. It is the
owner's responsibility for the
repair or replacement of the tire.
This service is limited to the
transfer of the vehicle to the
repair facility.
.Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel for the
vehicle to get to the nearest
service station.
.Lock-Out Service: Service to
unlock the vehicle if you are
locked out.
.Battery Jump Start: Service to
jump start a dead battery.
.*Emergency Messages:
Transmission of urgent phone
messages.
.*Emergency Calls: Call for
emergency services.
.*Dealership Location
Assistance: Information
regarding addresses and
telephone numbers for Cadillac
dealers.
.Emergency Towing: Tow to the
nearest dealer for warranty
service if the vehicle cannot be
driven.
If the vehicle is involved in an
accident during the commission
of a crime, administrative
violation, or breach of traffic
regulations, Roadside
Assistance will not provide
service. When the vehicle is notaccessible to be towed, all
maneuvers required to access it
will be at the owner's expense.
If the vehicle is in another city
outside of your residence,
Roadside Assistance is limited
to moving the vehicle to the
nearest dealer. If you would like
the vehicle moved to a different
dealer, you will be asked to
cover the difference in cost at
the time of the move.
If the vehicle cannot be received
by the nearest Cadillac dealer
due to scheduling conflicts, the
vehicle will be taken to a safe
place where it will remain for up
to 48 hours until it can be taken
to the dealer. If the storage costs
exceed the amount authorized,
the owner is responsible to pay
the difference at the time of
service. Contact Roadside
Assistance for more information
on authorized amounts.