2013 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT Owners Manual

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 4/5/12
Storage 4-3
E. Water drainage area aroundboth sides of the box and the
tailgate side
F. Rear drains
G. Cargo floor
H. Cargo mat
Maintenance and Cleaning
To ensure that the water
management system performs
properly, be sure that the Midgate,
tailgate, and cover system are fully
closed and that all parts are clean
and not blocked with debris. Follow
the instructions given next in this
section for the proper procedures on
cleaning each item.
Top Drain Grates –Removal
and Cleaning
The top drain grates are located
near the rear window on both sides
of the vehicle. Clean the grates and
drains if there is a blockage.
To remove each drain grate, do the
following:
1. Remove the cargo panels. See
Cargo Cover Panels on
page 4‑5 for more information.
2. Grasp the edges of the grate
and pull it out from the vehicle.
Flush the drain with clean water.
To replace the drain grate:
1. Line up the clips on the vehiclewith the slots in the grate and
firmly push the grate down.

Black plate (4,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 4/5/12
4-4 Storage
2. Do not force the grate. If it doesnot clip into place, realign the
clips with the holes and try
again.
Side Rail Channels
The side rail channels are located
on top of both sides of the cargo
area. Flush them out with clean
water if debris collects inside
of them.
Carefully load cargo into the cargo
area, so that the rails do not get
damaged.
Midgate Drain Grate Removal
and Cleaning
The removable Midgate drain grate
is located near the base of the
Midgate.
After hauling dirt, wood chips,
pebbles etc. the Midgate drain
should be flushed with water. First
remove the drain grate:
1. Lower the Midgate. SeeMidgate
®on page 2‑8 for more
information.
2. Pull up on the rear side of the drain grate, tilt it toward the front
of the vehicle, and pull it out.
Reverse the procedure to reinstall
the drain grate.
Cargo Area Floor Drains

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 4/5/12
Storage 4-5
The cargo mat has cut outs for the
four cargo-area floor drains located
under the cargo mat near the sides
of the cargo area.
Periodically flush the drains through
the cut outs to clear debris and
allow water to drain from the cargo
area. If the cargo area is extremely
dirty, lift up the edges of the cargo
floor mat or take the whole mat out
and flush the drains with water.Additional Storage
Features
Cargo Cover Panels
For vehicles with a three-piece
cargo cover system, the cargo
panels can be removed and stored
in the cargo area of the vehicle.
{WARNING
Improperly stored cargo cover
panels could be thrown about the
vehicle during a collision or
sudden maneuver. Someone
could be injured. If a panel is
removed, always store it in the
proper storage location. When
putting it back, always make sure
that it is securely reattached.
Notice: Exceeding the weight
limit of 113 kg (250 lbs) can
damage the cargo covers, and the
repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not put
anything on top of the cargo
covers over the weight limit.
To remove a cargo panel(s):
1. Lower the tailgate. See
Tailgate
on page 2‑14 for more
information on the tailgate.
The panels are embossed on
the upper center portion with the
numbers 1, 2 and 3. There are
also numbered labels on the
bottom of the panels. The
numbers on the top and bottom
of the panels will be used as

Black plate (6,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 4/5/12
4-6 Storage
reference when removing,
storing and reinstalling the
panels.
2. Unlock the cargo panel 3 bypulling forward on the driver side
and passenger side cargo panel
latches, located on the bottom of
each cargo panel.
3. Remove cargo panel 2 in the same way and set it aside.
Remove as many cargo panels
as needed. 4. To remove cargo panel 1, unlock
the two rear latches, lift the
cover slightly and pull rearward.
After each cargo panel has been
removed, store them within the
cargo storage area using the cargo
panel storage system.
Cargo Panel Storage System
The three cargo panels can be
stored in the cargo area using the
storage strap system. Always use
the storage strap system to store
the cargo panels while driving.
To store the panels:
1. Secure the storage strap system in the cargo storage area by
attaching the six clips included
on the cargo strap system to the
tie down locations on either side
of the storage area.
Before storing the cargo panels,
make sure that the latches on
the cargo panels are in the
locked position. The latches are
locked when they are parallel to
the front and back edge of the
panel.

Black plate (7,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 4/5/12
Storage 4-7
Use the following instructions for
the proper storage sequence
and location for each panel:
1.1. Secure clip (A) on thestorage strap.
1.2. Secure clip (B) on the storage strap.
1.3. Place the remaining primary straps (C) on top of the lid
and tray at the top of the
cargo area.2. Starting with cargo panel 1, loadthe cargo panel with the latches
facing up toward the side of the
cargo box.
Do the same for cargo panel 2
then panel 3. Make sure to store
panel 2 with the latches facing
down and panel 3 with latches
facing up toward the side of the
cargo box.3. Place the primary straps overthe three cargo covers (A).
Fasten the four strap clips (B).

Black plate (8,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 4/5/12
4-8 Storage
4. Tighten all straps by pulling onthe free end of each strap.
5. Close both cross locks at thecenter of the strap system to
tightly secure.
Panels 3, 2, 1 Loaded
Reinstalling the Cargo Cover
Panels
The strap system can remain
attached to the side of the cargo
area while it is not in use, or it can
be stored inside the top box storage
compartment. See Top-Box Storage
on page 4‑2 for more information.
To reinstall a cargo panel:
1. Starting with cargo panel 1,
place the latches in the unlocked
position. Place cargo panel 1 on
the cargo area rails while
holding the back of the cargo
panel up.

Black plate (9,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 4/5/12
Storage 4-9
Driver Side Shown, PassengerSide Similar
2. Place the cover on the cargo box within 10 cm (4 in) of the
Midgate and lower the rear of
the panel within 5‐8 cm (2‐3 in)
from the top of the cargo box.
Push the cover forward making
sure that the guide block
engages the retainer bracket
opening. Continue to push
forward until the panel is fully
seated against the Midgate.
Then lower the rear of the cover to engage the striker pegs (A) to
align with the striker
assembly (B).
3. The driver side cargo cover
panel latch must lock in place
before the passenger side latch
can be locked. If this procedure
is not followed exactly, the cargo
cover panels might not correctly
lock in place. Push the driver
side latch toward the front of the
vehicle to lock the cover in
position. A click sounds when each latch locks. Lock the
remaining passenger side latch
on panel 1.
4. Install cargo cover 2 followed by 3 next. Place the latches in
the unlocked position. Place the
cargo cover panel on the cargo
area rails while holding the back
of the cargo panel up.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger
Side Similar
5. Push the panel forward until it is snug against the other panel and
then let the back of the panel

Black plate (10,1)Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 4/5/12
4-10 Storage
down making sure that the
pegs (A) align with the
receivers (B).
6. Push the latches toward the front of the vehicle, starting with
the driver side latch, to lock the
panel in place. A click sounds
when each latch locks correctly.
Folding and Storage of Straps
Fold the straps for storing inside the
top-box storage compartment:
1. Extend the six strap ends on aflat surface.
2. Fold the four primary strap endstoward the center as shown.
3. Take the short strap and wrap itaround the folded webbing,
forming a package.
4. Take the storage strap and wrapit around the package. Finally,
attach the hooks to the webbing
and place the straps inside the
top-box storage compartment.
Cargo Tie-Downs
Cargo tie downs in the rear cargo
area can be used to secure cargo.