Page 433 of 538

Black plate (65,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-65
Tire Chains
{WARNING
Do not use tire chains. There is
not enough clearance. Tire chains
used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes,
suspension, or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the
tire chains could cause loss of
control and a crash. Use another
type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for
the vehicle's tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive
slowly and readjust or remove the
traction device if it contacts the
vehicle. Do not spin the wheels.
If traction devices are used, install
them on the rear tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow out,
especially if the tires are maintained
properly. SeeTires on page 10‑46.
If air goes out of a tire, it is much
more likely to leak out slowly. But if
there is ever a blowout, here are a
few tips about what to expect and
what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction as
used in a skid. Stop pressing the
accelerator pedal and steer to
straighten the vehicle. It may be
very bumpy and noisy. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road,
if possible.{WARNING
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has
been driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely underinflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon as
possible.
Page 441 of 538

Black plate (73,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-73
15. Replace the air only hose (F)and the power plug (C) back in
its original location.
16. Place the equipment in the original storage location in the
vehicle.
Removal and Installation of the
Sealant Canister
To remove the sealant canister:
1. Unlock the air only hose (F) fromthe tire sealant canister (B) by
pulling up on the lever.
2. Pull the air only hose (F) from the tire sealant canister (B).
3. Unwrap the sealant/air hose (G) from the compressor (A).
4. Turn the tire sealant canister (B)
so the inflator filling hose is
aligned with the slot in the
compressor.
5. Lift the tire sealant canister (B) from the compressor and
replace with a new sealant
canister. See your dealer for
more information. To install a new sealant canister:
1. Align the sealant/air hose (G)
with the slot in the air
compressor.
2. Push the tire sealant canister (B) down and turn it clockwise.
3. Wrap the sealant/air hose (G) around the air compressor
channel to stow it in its original
location.
4. Push the air only hose (F) onto the sealant canister inlet and
push the lever down.
Page 444 of 538
Black plate (76,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
10-76 Vehicle Care
To access the spare tire:
A. Hoist Assembly
B. Hoist Shaft
C. Hoist Shaft Access Cover/Hole
D. Jack Handle Extensions
E. Wheel Wrench
F. Hoist Cable
G. Tire/Wheel Retainer
H. Spare Tire (Valve StemPointed Down) I. Hoist Shaft Access Hole
J. Hoist End of Extension Tool
K. Spare Tire Lock
1. To reach the hoist shaft access
cover (C), remove the hitch
cover by turning the two
fasteners located at the bottom
of the cover counterclockwise
and then pull the cover down
and rotate it towards you.
2. Open the hoist shaft accesscover on the bumper to access
the spare tire lock. 3. To remove the spare tire lock
insert the ignition key, turn it
clockwise and then pull the
lock out.
4. Assemble the two jack handle
extensions (D) and wheel
wrench (E), as shown.
Page 445 of 538

Black plate (77,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-77
5. Insert the open end of theextension (J) through the hole in
the rear bumper (I) (hoist shaft
access hole).
Be sure the hoist end (J) of the
extension connects to the hoist
shaft. The ribbed square end of
the extension is used to lower
the spare tire.
6. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the spare tire to the ground.
Continue to turn the wheel
wrench until the spare tire can
be pulled out from under the
vehicle. If the spare tire does not lower to
the ground, the secondary latch
is engaged causing the tire not
to lower. See
Secondary Latch
System on page 10‑85 for more
information.
7. Use the wheel wrench hook to pull the hoist cable closer to
assist in reaching the spare tire.
8. Tilt the tire toward the vehicle
with some slack in the cable to
access the tire/wheel retainer.
Separate the retainer from the
guide pin by sliding the retainer
up the pin while pressing down
on the latch.
Page 448 of 538

Black plate (80,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
10-80 Vehicle Care
5. Remove all of the wheel nuts.
6. Take off the flat tire.
{WARNING
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
7. Remove any rust or dirt from thewheel bolts, mounting surfaces,
and spare wheel.
{WARNING
Never use oil or grease on bolts
or nuts because the nuts might
come loose. The vehicle's wheel
could fall off, causing a crash.
8. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end of the nuts
toward the wheel after mounting
the spare tire.
9. Tighten each wheel nut by hand. Then use the wheel wrench to
tighten the nuts until the wheel is
held against the hub.
10. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the vehicle. Lower the jack
completely.
Page 450 of 538

Black plate (82,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
10-82 Vehicle Care
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools
{WARNING
Storing a jack, a tire, or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in
the proper place.
Notice: Storing an aluminum
wheel with a flat tire under your
vehicle for an extended period
of time or with the valve stem
pointing up can damage the
wheel. Always stow the wheel
with the valve stem pointing
down and have the wheel/tire
repaired as soon as possible.
Store the tire under the rear of the
vehicle in the spare tire carrier.
A. Hoist Assembly
B. Hoist Shaft
C. Hoist Shaft Access Cover/Hole
D. Jack Handle Extensions
E. Wheel Wrench
F. Hoist Cable
G. Tire/Wheel Retainer
H. Spare Tire/Flat Tire (Valve Stem Pointed Down) I. Hoist Shaft Access Hole
J. Hoist End of Extension Tool
K. Spare Tire Lock
1. Put the tire (H) on the ground at
the rear of the vehicle with the
valve stem pointed down and to
the rear.
2. Tilt the tire toward the vehicle.Separate the tire/wheel retainer
from the guide pin. Pull the pin
through the center of the wheel.
Tilt the retainer down and
through the center wheel
opening.
Page 454 of 538
Black plate (86,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
10-86 Vehicle Care
A. Jack
B. Wheel Blocks
7. Place the bottom edge of the jack (A) on the wheel blocks (B),
separating them so that the jack
is balanced securely.8. Attach the jack handle,extension, and wheel wrench to
the jack and place it (with the
wheel blocks) under the vehicle
toward the front of the rear
bumper.9. Position the center lift point ofthe jack under the center of the
spare tire.
10. Turn the wrench clockwise to raise the jack until it lifts the
end fitting.
Page 461 of 538

Black plate (93,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-93
Towing
Towing the Vehicle
Notice:To avoid damage, the
disabled vehicle should be
towed with all four wheels off
the ground. Care must be taken
with vehicles that have low
ground clearance and/or special
equipment. Always flatbed on a
car carrier.
Consult your dealer or a
professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed.
See Roadside Service (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑8 orRoadside
Service (Mexico) on page 13‑10.
To tow the vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes,
such as behind a motor home, see
“Recreational Vehicle Towing” in this
section.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see
the hybrid supplement for more
information.
Recreational vehicle towing
means towing the vehicle behind
another vehicle –such as behind
a motorhome. The two most
common types of recreational
vehicle towing are known as “dinghy
towing” (towing the vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground) and
“dolly towing” (towing the vehicle
with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known
as a “dolly”). Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing:.What is the towing capacity
of the towing vehicle? Be
sure to read the tow
vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
.What is the distance that will be
travelled? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
.Is the proper towing equipment
going to be used? See your
dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and
equipment recommendations.
.Is the vehicle ready to be
towed? Just as preparing the
vehicle for a long trip, make sure
the vehicle is prepared to be
towed.