
Black plate (40,1)Cadillac 2015i Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431501) - 2015 - CRC - 2/10/15
5-40 Instruments and Controls
entire front and/or rear of the
vehicle. For cleaning
instructions, seeExterior Care
on page 10-79.
.Heavy rain or snow is interfering
with the radar object detection or
camera performance.
This message may also be
displayed if there is a problem with
the StabiliTrak system.
FORWARD COLLISION
ALERT OFF
This message displays when the
Forward Collision Alert has been
turned off.
FRONT CAMERA BLOCKED
CLEAN WINDSHIELD
This message displays when the
camera is blocked. Cleaning the
outside of the windshield behind the
rearview mirror may correct the
issue. The Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) system will not operate.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Alert (FCA), and
the Active Emergency Braking
System may not work or may not
work as well.
LANE DEPARTURE WARNING
UNAVAILABLE
This message displays when
attempting to activate the Lane
Departure Warning (LDW) system
when it is temporarily unavailable.
The LDW system does not need
service.
This message could be due to the
camera being blocked. Cleaning the
outside of the windshield behind the
rearview mirror may correct the
issue.
REAR AUTO BRAKE/PARK
ASSIST OFF
This message displays when the
Parking Assist system has been
turned off or when there is a
temporary condition causing the
system to be disabled.
REAR AUTO BRAKE AND
PARK ASSIST UNAVAILABLE
This message displays when
attempting to activate the parking
and backing features of the Driver
Assistance System when they are
temporarily unavailable. The system
does not need service.
This can occur under the following
conditions:
.The radar is not clean. Keep the
radar sensors free of mud, dirt,
snow, ice, and slush. Clean the
entire front and/or rear of the
vehicle. For cleaning
instructions, see
Exterior Care
on page 10-79.
.Heavy rain or snow is interfering
with the radar object detection or
camera performance.
See Driver Assistance Systems on
page 9-56.

Black plate (41,1)Cadillac 2015i Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431501) - 2015 - CRC - 2/10/15
Instruments and Controls 5-41
SERVICE AUTOMATIC
COLLISION PREP
If this message displays, take the
vehicle to your dealer to repair the
system.
SERVICE DRIVER ASSIST
SYSTEM
If this message displays, take the
vehicle to your dealer to repair the
system.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC),
Forward Collision Alert (FCA),
Active Emergency Braking System,
Assistance Systems for Parking or
Backing, and/or Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) system may not
work. Do not use these systems
until the vehicle has been repaired.
SERVICE FRONT CAMERA
If this message remains on after
continued driving, the vehicle needs
service. Do not use the Lane
Departure Warning (LDW) andForward Collision Alert (FCA)
features. Take the vehicle to your
dealer.
SERVICE PARK ASSIST
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Parking Assist
system. Do not use this system to
help you park. See your dealer for
service.
SERVICE REAR AUTO BRAKE
AND PARK ASSIST
This message displays if there is a
problem with the parking and
backing features of the Driver
Assistance System. Do not use this
system to help park or back the
vehicle. See your dealer for service.
SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT OFF
This message indicates that the
driver has turned the Side Blind
Zone Alert (SBZA) system off.
SERVICE SIDE DETECTION
SYSTEM
If this message remains on after
continued driving, the vehicle needs
service. Side Blind Zone Alert
(SBZA) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA) features will not work. Take
the vehicle to your dealer.
SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM
UNAVAILABLE
This message indicates that Side
Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) and Rear
Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) are
disabled either because the sensor
is blocked and cannot detect
vehicles in the blind zone, or the
vehicle is passing through an open
area, such as the desert, where
there is insufficient data for
operation. This message may also
activate during heavy rain or due to
road spray. The vehicle does not
need service. For cleaning, see
"Washing the Vehicle" under
Exterior Care on page 10-79.

Black plate (43,1)Cadillac 2015i Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431501) - 2015 - CRC - 2/10/15
Instruments and Controls 5-43
SERVICE AUTOMATIC
SEATBELT TIGHTENING
SYSTEM
If this message displays, take the
vehicle to your dealer to repair the
Automatic Safety Belt Tightening
System, if equipped.
Security Messages
THEFT ATTEMPTED
This message displays if the vehicle
detects a tamper condition.
Service Vehicle Messages
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the vehicle. Take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
Steering System
Messages
STEERING ASSIST IS
REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE
This message may display if a
problem occurs with the electric
power steering system. If this
message appears, steering effort
may be slightly higher than normal.
The vehicle is still safe to drive.
Use caution while in reduced assist
mode. If this message is persistent
or appears repeatedly, take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
SeeSteering on page 9-4.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
This message displays when there
is a problem with electric power
steering. If this message displays
and a reduction in steering
performance or loss of power
steering assistance is noticed, see
your dealer. See Steering on
page 9-4.
Starting the Vehicle
Messages
PRESS BRAKE TO START
VEHICLE
This message is displayed when
attempting to start the vehicle
without first pressing the brake
pedal.
SERVICE KEYLESS START
SYSTEM
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the pushbutton start
system. Take the vehicle to your
dealer for service.
Tire Messages
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
SYSTEM
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS). See Tire
Pressure Monitor Operation on
page 10-48.

Black plate (50,1)Cadillac 2015i Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431501) - 2015 - CRC - 2/10/15
5-50 Instruments and Controls
capability of the Auto Collision
Preparation feature. With the Alert
and Brake setting, both Forward
Collision Alert as well as the
automatic braking capability of the
Auto Collision Preparation feature
are available. The Alert setting
disables most automatic braking
functions of the Auto Collision
Preparation feature. Some
last-second automatic braking
capability is still provided with the
Alert setting, but it is much less
likely to be triggered by most driving
conditions. Off disables all Forward
Collision Alert and automatic
braking capabilities of the Auto
Collision Preparation feature.
Select Off, Alert and Brake, or Alert.
See”Automatic Collision
Preparation (ACP) System” inActive
Emergency Braking System on
page 9-64.
Go Notifier
This feature will give a reminder that
Adaptive Cruise Control provides
when it has brought the vehicle to a complete stop behind another
stopping vehicle, and then that
vehicle drives on.
Select Off or On.
Park Assist
If equipped, this allows the feature
to be turned on or off. See
Assistance Systems for Parking or
Backing on page 9-56.
Select Off, On, or On with Towbar
Attached.
Side Blind Zone Alert
This allows the feature to be turned
on or off. See
Side Blind Zone Alert
(SBZA) on page 9-66.
Select Off or On.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
This allows the feature to be turned
on or off. See Assistance Systems
for Parking or Backing on
page 9-56.
Select Off or On.Comfort and Convenience
Select the Comfort and
Convenience menu and the
following may display:
.Auto Memory Recall
.Easy Exit Options
.Chime Volume
.Reverse Tilt Mirror
.Auto Mirror Folding
.Auto Wipe in Reverse Gear
Auto Memory Recall
This allows the feature to be turned
on or off. See Memory Seats on
page 3-7.
Select On or Off.
Easy Exit Options
This allows the feature to be turned
on or off. See Memory Seats on
page 3-7.
Select On or Off.

Black plate (1,1)Cadillac 2015i Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431501) - 2015 - CRC - 2/10/15
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . 9-10
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 9-11
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-13
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-19
Adjustable Throttle and BrakePedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Active Fuel Management
®. . . 9-27
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-28
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . 9-39
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . 9-41
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Magnetic Ride Control . . . . . . . 9-44
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Automatic Level Control . . . . . 9-44
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . 9-48
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . 9-56
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-62
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-62
Active Emergency Braking System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-66
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . 9-66
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-68

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac 2015i Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431501) - 2015 - CRC - 2/10/15
Driving and Operating 9-3
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.
See the infotainment manual for
information on that system or the
navigation system, if equipped,
including pairing and using a cell
phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the safety belt. See Safety Belts on
page 3-18.
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes.
Anticipate what they might do
and be ready.
.Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in
front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious —or even
fatal —collision if you drive after
drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating
are important factors in helping to
control a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a second.
In that time, a vehicle moving at
100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
.Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
.Avoid needless heavy braking.
.Keep pace with traffic.

Black plate (4,1)Cadillac 2015i Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431501) - 2015 - CRC - 2/10/15
9-4 Driving and Operating
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
This vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time, power
assist may be reduced.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel, and is
held in that position for an extended
period of time, power steering assist
may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See specific vehicle steering
messages under
Steering System
Messages on page 5-43. See your
dealer if there is a problem.
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
.Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
.Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve.
.Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking.
.Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
allows steering while braking.
Off-Road Recovery

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac 2015i Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431501) - 2015 - CRC - 2/10/15
Driving and Operating 9-5
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator andthen, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge.
3. Turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not
rolling.
.Steering or Cornering Skid —
too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force.
.Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go.
The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues
—such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
Four-wheel-drive vehicles can be
used for off-road driving. Vehicles
without four-wheel drive and
vehicles not equipped with All
Terrain (AT) or On-Off Road (OOR)
tires must not be driven off-road
except on a level, solid surface. For
more contact information about the
original equipment tires, see the
Limited Warranty and Owner
Assistance Information manual.