2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE warning

Black plate (85,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-85
Secondary Latch System
This vehicle has an
underbody-mounted tire hoist
assembly equipped with a
secondary latch system. It is
designed to stop the spare tire
from suddenly falling off your
vehicle. For the secondary latch to
work, the spare must be installed
with the valve stem pointing down.
See“Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools” underTire Changing on
page 10‑74.
{WARNING
Before beginning this procedure
read all the instructions. Failure to
read and follow the instructions
could damage the hoist assembly
and you and others could get
hurt. Read and follow the
instructions listed next. To release the spare tire from the
secondary latch:
1. Check under the vehicle to see if
the cable end is visible. If the
cable is not visible proceed to
Step 6.
2. If it is visible, first try to tighten the cable by turning the wheel
wrench clockwise until you hear
two clicks or feel it skip twice.
You cannot overtighten the
cable. 3. Loosen the cable by turning
the wrench counterclockwise
three or four turns.
4. Repeat this procedure at least two times. If the spare tire
lowers to the ground, continue
with Step 5 under “Removing the
Spare Tire and Tools” underTire
Changing on page 10‑74.
5. If the spare does not lower, turn the wrench counterclockwise
until approximately 15 cm (6 in)
of cable is exposed.
6. Stand the wheel blocks on their shortest ends, with the backs
facing each other.

Black plate (87,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-87
11. Continue raising the jack untilthe spare tire stops moving
upward and is held firmly in
place. The secondary latch has
released and the spare tire is
balancing on the jack.
12. Lower the jack by turning the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. Keep
lowering the jack until the
spare tire slides off the jack or
is hanging by the cable.
{WARNING
Someone standing too close
during the procedure could be
injured by the jack. If the spare
tire does not slide off the jack
completely, make sure no one is
behind you or on either side of
you as you pull the jack out from
under the spare. 13. Disconnect the jack handle
from the jack and carefully
remove the jack. Use one hand
to push against the spare while
firmly pulling the jack out from
under the spare tire with the
other hand.
If the spare tire is hanging
from the cable, insert the hoist
end of extension, and wheel
wrench into the hoist shaft hole
in the bumper and turn the
wheel wrench counterclockwise
to lower the spare the rest of
the way.
14. Turn the wheel wrench in the hoist shaft hole in the bumper
clockwise to raise the cable
back up if the cable is hanging
under the vehicle. Have the hoist assembly inspected
as soon as you can. You will not be
able to store a spare or flat tire
using the hoist assembly until it has
been inspected and/or replaced.
To continue changing the flat tire,
see
“Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire” underTire
Changing on page 10‑74.
Full-Size Spare Tire
If this vehicle came with a full-size
spare tire, it was fully inflated
when new, however, it can lose
air over time. Check the inflation
pressure regularly. See Tire
Pressure on page 10‑52 and
Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑15
for information regarding proper tire
inflation and loading the vehicle. For
instructions on how to remove,
install, or store a spare tire, see Tire
Changing on page 10‑74.

Black plate (88,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
10-88 Vehicle Care
After installing the spare tire
on the vehicle, stop as soon as
possible and check that the spare is
correctly inflated. The spare tire is
made to perform well at speeds
up to 112 km/h (70 mph) at the
recommended inflation pressure, so
you can finish your trip.
Have the damaged or flat road tire
repaired or replaced and installed
back onto the vehicle as soon as
possible so the spare tire will be
available in case it is needed again.
Do not mix tires and wheels of
different sizes, because they will not
fit. Keep the spare tire and its wheel
together.Jump Starting
For more information about the
vehicle battery, seeBattery on
page 10‑26.
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see the
hybrid supplement for more
information.
If the vehicle's battery has run
down, you may want to use another
vehicle and some jumper cables to
start your vehicle. Be sure to use
the following steps to do it safely.
{WARNING
Batteries can hurt you. They can
be dangerous because:
.They contain acid that can
burn you.
.They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
.They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you.
Notice: Ignoring these steps
could result in costly damage to
the vehicle that would not be
covered by the warranty.
Trying to start the vehicle by
pushing or pulling it will not
work, and it could damage the
vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery with a
negative ground system.
Notice: Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump
starting. If the other vehicle does
not have a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles
can be damaged.

Black plate (90,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
10-90 Vehicle Care
The remote negative (−) terminal
is a stud located on the right
front of the engine, where the
negative battery cable attaches.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑6 for more
information on the location of the
remote positive (+) and remote
negative (−) terminals.
{WARNING
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Using an open flame near a
battery can cause battery gas to
explode. People have been hurt
doing this, and some have been
blinded. Use a flashlight if you
need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You do not need to add
water to the battery installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there. If it is low,
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
add water to take care of that
first. If you do not, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{WARNING
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or missing
insulation. If they do, you could
get a shock. The vehicles could
be damaged too.

Black plate (102,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
10-102 Vehicle Care
Instrument Panel, Leather,
Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces
Use a soft microfiber cloth
dampened with water to remove
dust and loose dirt. For a more
thorough cleaning, use a soft
microfiber cloth dampened with a
mild soap solution.
Notice:Soaking or saturating
leather, especially perforated
leather, as well as other interior
surfaces, may cause permanent
damage. Wipe excess moisture
from these surfaces after
cleaning and allow them to dry
naturally. Never use heat, steam,
spot lifters or spot removers. Do
not use cleaners that contain
silicone or wax-based products.
Cleaners containing these
solvents can permanently change
the appearance and feel of leather
or soft trim and are not
recommended. Do not use cleaners that increase
gloss, especially on the instrument
panel. Reflected glare can decrease
visibility through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Notice:
Use of air fresheners
may cause permanent damage
to plastics and painted surfaces.
If an air freshener comes in
contact with any plastic or
painted surface in the vehicle,
blot immediately and clean with a
soft cloth dampened with a mild
soap solution. Damage caused
by air fresheners would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Speaker Covers
Vacuum around a speaker cover
gently, so that the speaker will not
be damaged. Clean spots with just
water and mild soap.
Wood Panels
Use a clean cloth moistened in
warm, soapy water (use mild dish
washing soap). Dry the wood
immediately with a clean cloth.
Keep belts clean and dry.
{WARNING
Do not bleach or dye safety belts.
It may severely weaken them. In
a crash, they might not be able
to provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with mild
soap and lukewarm water.

Black plate (103,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-103
Floor Mats
{WARNING
If a floor mat is the wrong size or
is not properly installed, it can
interfere with the pedals.
Interference with the pedals can
cause unintended acceleration
and/or increased stopping
distance which can cause a crash
and injury. Make sure the floor
mat does not interfere with the
pedals.Use the following guidelines for
proper floor mat usage.
.The original equipment floor
mats were designed for the
vehicle. If the floor mats need
replacing, it is recommended
that GM certified floor mats be
purchased. Non-GM floor mats
may not fit properly and may
interfere with the pedals. Always
check that the floor mats do not
interfere with the pedals.
.Use the floor mat with the
correct side up. Do not turn
it over.
.Do not place anything on top of
the driver side floor mat.
.Use only a single floor mat on
the driver side.
.Do not place one floor mat on
top of another.

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Service and Maintenance 11-3
{WARNING
Performing maintenance work
can be dangerous and can
cause serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools,
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. SeeDoing Your Own
Service Work on page 10‑4.
Cadillac Premium
Care Maintenance
Your vehicle comes with
the Cadillac Premium Care
Maintenance. It is a maintenance
program that covers select
maintenance services during
the first 4 years or 80 000 km
(50,000 mi), whichever comes first.
Cadillac Premium Care
Maintenance covers routine
maintenance services, when
scheduled in accordance with the
owner manual, including:
.Oil changes based on the
vehicle's oil life monitor system.
.Tire rotation every 12 000 km
(7,500 mi).
.Engine air cleaner filter
replacement.
.Passenger compartment air filter
replacement.
.Multi‐point vehicle inspection
(MPVI) performed by a qualified
technician.
Cadillac requires that all Cadillac
Premium Care Maintenance
services be performed by a Cadillac
authorized service dealer.

Black plate (1,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
INDEX i-1
A
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Active Fuel Management
®. . . . . 9-27
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-68
Additional Information, OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Adjustments Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . 10-14
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7
Airbag Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-42
How Does an Airbag
Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33 Airbag System (cont'd)
What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . 3-29
Airbags Passenger Status Indicator . . . 5-14
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Servicing Airbag-EquippedVehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Alarm System Anti-theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . 9-34, 10-27
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Antenna Rear Side Window . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
Anti-theft Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Alarm System Messages . . . . . 5-36
Antilock Brake
System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19 Appearance Care
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-96
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-99
Armrest Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Audio Players CD/DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
MP3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-28
Audio System Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
Rear Seat (RSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-56
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . . 7-3
Automatic Dimming Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Level Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . 9-29 Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Shift Lock ControlFunction Check . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Auxiliary Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-30
Axle, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Axle, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28