2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE towing

Black plate (96,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
10-96 Vehicle Care
3. Firmly set the parking brake.See Parking Brake on
page 9‑35.
4. Put the transmission in P (Park).
5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's
instructions.
6. Use an adequate clamping device designed for towing to
ensure that the front wheels are
locked into the straight position.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
Notice: Do not use petroleum
based, acidic, or abrasive
cleaning agents as they can
damage the vehicle's paint,
metal, or plastic parts. If damage
occurs, it would not be covered
by the vehicle's warranty.
Approved cleaning products
can be obtained from your
dealer. Follow all manufacturer
directions regarding correct
product usage, necessary safety
precautions, and appropriate
disposal of any vehicle care
product. Notice:
Avoid using high
pressure washes closer than
30 cm (12 in) to the surface of the
vehicle. Use of power washers
exceeding 8,274 kPa (1,200 psi)
can result in damage or removal
of paint and decals.
Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after, to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water
spotting.
Finish Care
Application of aftermarket clearcoat
sealant/wax materials is not
recommended. If painted surfaces
are damaged, see your dealer to
have the damage assessed and
repaired. Foreign materials such
as calcium chloride and other salts,
ice melting agents, road oil and tar,
tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals
from industrial chimneys, etc., can

Black plate (2,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
11-2 Service and Maintenance
Your dealer recognizes the
importance of providing
competitively priced maintenance
and repair services. With trained
technicians, the dealer is the place
for routine maintenance such as oil
changes and tire rotations and
additional maintenance items like
tires, brakes, batteries, and wiper
blades.
Notice:Damage caused by
improper maintenance can lead
to costly repairs and may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Maintenance intervals, checks,
inspections, recommended fluids,
and lubricants are important to
keep the vehicle in good working
condition.
The Tire Rotation and Required
Services are the responsibility of the
vehicle owner. It is recommended to
have your dealer perform these
services every 12 000 km/7,500 mi. Proper vehicle maintenance helps to
keep the vehicle in good working
condition, improves fuel economy,
and reduces vehicle emissions.
Because of the way people use
vehicles, maintenance needs
vary. There may need to be
more frequent checks and
services. The Additional Required
Services
‐Normal are for
vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. See Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑15.
.Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits.
.Use the recommended fuel.
See Recommended Fuel on
page 9‑51. Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services
‐Normal chart.
The Additional Required
Services ‐Severe are for
vehicles that are:
.Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
.Frequently towing a trailer.
.Used for high speed or
competitive driving.
.Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services ‐Severe chart.

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 (10,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
13-10 Customer Information
Services Not Included in
Roadside Service
.Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws.
.Legal fines.
.Mounting, dismounting,
or changing of snow tires,
chains, or other traction devices.
.Towing or services for vehicles
driven on a non-public road or
highway.
Services Specific to
Canadian‐Purchased Vehicles
.Fuel delivery:Reimbursement
is approximately $5 Canadian.
Diesel fuel delivery may be
restricted. Propane and other
fuels are not provided through
this service.
.Lock-Out Service: Vehicle
registration is required.
.Trip Routing Service: Limit of
six requests per year.
.Trip Interruption Benefits and
Service: Pre-authorization,
original detailed receipts, and a
copy of the repair orders are
required. Once authorization has
been received, the Roadside
Service advisor will help you
make arrangements and explain
how to receive payment.
.Alternative Service: If
assistance cannot be provided
right away, the Roadside Service
advisor may give you permission
to get local emergency road
service. You will receive
payment, up to $100, after
sending the original receipt to
Roadside Service. Mechanical
failures may be covered,
however any cost for parts and
labor for repairs not covered by
the warranty are the owner
responsibility.
Roadside Service
(Mexico)
As a new owner, your vehicle is
automatically enrolled in the
Roadside Assistance program.
The services are available at no
cost under the terms and conditions
of the program. The Roadside
Assistance program is not part
of, or included, in the coverage
provided by the new vehicle limited
warranty.
Roadside Assistance provides
assistance to the driver and
passengers while driving the
vehicle within your city of residence
or on any passable road in Mexico,
the United States, and Canada.
Services are subject to the
limitations described in the following
pages. Program coverage varies by
country.
Roadside Assistance is available
24 hours a day, 365 days of
the year.

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.

Black plate (13,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Customer Information 13-13
Services Not Included in Roadside
Assistance
Roadside Assistance does not
cover or reimburse services for the
following:
.Events caused by fraud or bad
faith by the driver.
.Vehicle immobilization
situations due to a major force
or unforeseen circumstances,
such as natural phenomena
of an extraordinary nature,
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions,
and other cyclonic storms.
.Vehicle immobilization situations
arising from car accidents
caused by the driver of the
vehicle or third parties. This
means any occurrence that
causes physical injury to the
occupants and/or the vehicle
caused by external forces.
.Acts of terrorism, riot or uproar,
armed forces or police actions
which prevent timely delivery of
assistance services.
.Food service, beverages,
telephone calls, or other extra
costs. Accommodation costs
apply only to Mexico per the
terms and conditions of the
Roadside Assistance program.
.Any damage to the vehicle
without intent, derived from the
services provided.
.Cost of towing a trailer when
choosing a Cadillac dealer that
is nearest to the temporary
storage facility for the disabled
vehicle.
.Cost of all maneuvers required
to access the vehicle when it is
not available to be towed.
.Cost of fuel provided.
Routine vehicle repair costs are
not covered by the Roadside
Assistance program. For more
information, see your new vehicle
warranty. Contacting Roadside Assistance
Roadside Assistance services are
of no cost to you and available
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Costs are only incurred in situations
that exceed the limits of the
program, some of which are listed
previously in this section.
To contact Roadside Assistance by
phone, use the following numbers:
Mexico
01-800-466-0805
United States
1-866-466-8906
Canada
1-800-268-6800
E-mail
[email protected]
Cadillac reserves the right to make
any changes or discontinue the
Roadside Assistance program at
any time without notification.

Black plate (17,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Customer Information 13-17
Move the vehicle only if its position
puts you in danger, or you are
instructed to move it by a police
officer.
Give only the necessary information
to police and other parties involved
in the crash.
For emergency towing see
Roadside Service (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑8orRoadside
Service (Mexico) on page 13‑10.
Gather the following information:
.Driver name, address, and
telephone number.
.Driver license number.
.Owner name, address, and
telephone number.
.Vehicle license plate number.
.Vehicle make, model, and
model year.
.Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN).
.Insurance company and policy
number.
.General description of the
damage to the other vehicle.
Choose a reputable repair facility
that uses quality replacement parts.
See “Collision Parts” earlier in this
section.
If the airbag has inflated, see What
Will You See after an Airbag
Inflates? on page 3‑34.
Managing the Vehicle Damage
Repair Process
In the event that the vehicle requires
damage repairs, GM recommends
that you take an active role in its
repair. If you have a pre-determined
repair facility of choice, take the
vehicle there, or have it towed
there. Specify to the facility that any
required replacement collision parts
be original equipment parts, either
new Genuine GM parts or recycled
original GM parts. Remember,
recycled parts will not be covered by
the GM vehicle warranty. Insurance pays the bill for the repair,
but you must live with the repair.
Depending on your policy limits,
your insurance company may
initially value the repair using
aftermarket parts. Discuss this with
the repair professional, and insist
on Genuine GM parts. Remember,
if the vehicle is leased, you may
be obligated to have the vehicle
repaired with Genuine GM parts,
even if your insurance coverage
does not pay the full cost.
If another party's insurance
company is paying for the repairs,
you are not obligated to accept a
repair valuation based on that
insurance company's collision
policy repair limits, as you have no
contractual limits with that company.
In such cases, you can have control
of the repair and parts choices as
long as the cost stays within
reasonable limits.

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
INDEX i-3
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . 13-15
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Compressor Kit, TireSealant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-67
Configure Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-81
Connections, OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . 14-4
Continuous Damping Control (CDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Coolant
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine TemperatureGauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15 Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1 Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . 13-6
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5, 13-6
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-6
Customer Information Service PublicationsOrdering Information . . . . . . 13-18
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1, 13-3
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . 13-15
Danger, Warnings, andCautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . 13-20
Database Coverage Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-97
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Destination, Navigation . . . . . . . . 7-66
Devices, Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-30
Diagnostics, OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9 Door
Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . 12-3
Drive Systems All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . 9-34, 10-27
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Driving
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-57
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . 1-22
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 9-12
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-12