2016 CADILLAC ESCALADE ABS

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369153) -
2016 - crc - 6/19/15
Introduction 3
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M:Shown when the owner
manual has additional instructions
or information.
*: Shown when the service
manual has additional instructions
or information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.”
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
0: Adjustable Pedals
9: Airbag Readiness Light
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g: Audio Steering Wheel Controls
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I: Cruise Control
`:Do Not Puncture
^:Do Not Service
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
_: Flame/Fire Prohibited
.:Fuel Gauge
+: Fuses
3:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
(: Heated Steering Wheel
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors
O: Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>: Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
_:Tow/Haul Mode
d:Traction Control/StabiliTrak®
a:Under Pressure
M: Windshield Washer Fluid

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369153) -
2016 - crc - 6/19/15
114 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 115
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 115
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 115
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 116
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 128
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 129
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 130
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 130
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 134
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 134
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
StabiliTrak®OFF Light . . . . . . . . 135
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 136
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 137
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 137
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 138
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 138
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . . 141
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Battery Voltage and Charging Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Brake System Messages . . . . . 145
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . . 146
Cruise Control Messages . . . . . 146
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 147
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 148
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 148
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 148
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 148
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Airbag System Messages . . . . 152
Safety Belt Messages . . . . . . . . 153

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369153) -
2016 - crc - 6/19/15
Instruments and Controls 133
Electric Parking Brake
Light
The parking brake status light
comes on when the parking brake is
applied. If the light continues
flashing after the parking brake is
released, or while driving, there is a
problem with the electric parking
brake system or another system.
A message may also display in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
SeeBrake System Messages
0 145.
If the light does not come on,
or remains flashing, see your dealer.
Service Electric Parking
Brake Light
If this light comes on and stays on,
there is a problem with a system on
the vehicle that is causing the
parking brake system to work at a
reduced level. The vehicle can still
be driven, but should be taken to a
dealer as soon as possible. See
Electric Parking Brake 0218. If a
message displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), see Brake
System Messages 0145.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If the light comes on while driving,
stop as soon as it is safely possible
and turn off the vehicle. Then start
the engine again to reset the
system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the
vehicle needs service. A chime may
also sound when the light comes on
steady.
If the ABS light is the only light on,
the vehicle has regular brakes, but
the antilock brakes are not
functioning.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369153) -
2016 - crc - 6/19/15
134 Instruments and Controls
If both the ABS and the brake
system warning light are on, the
vehicle's antilock brakes are not
functioning and there is a problem
with the regular brakes. See your
dealer for service.
SeeBrake System Warning Light
0 132 andBrake System Messages
0 145.
Tow/Haul Mode Light
For vehicles with the Tow/Haul
Mode feature, this light comes on
when the Tow/Haul Mode has been
activated.
See Tow/Haul Mode 0212.
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
Light
This light is green if LKA is available
to assist.
LKA may assist by gently turning
the steering wheel if the vehicle
approaches a detected lane marking
without using the turn signal in that
direction. The LKA light will turn
amber.
This light is amber and flashes as a
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
alert, to indicate that the lane
marking has been crossed.
See Lane Keep Assist (LKA) 0244.
Vehicle Ahead Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will
display green when a vehicle is
detected ahead and amber when
you are following a vehicle ahead
much too closely.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0238.
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369153) -
2016 - crc - 6/19/15
Climate Controls 183
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter
The filter reduces the dust, pollen,
and other airborne irritants from
outside air that is pulled into the
vehicle.
The filter should be replaced as part
of routine scheduled maintenance.
SeeMaintenance Schedule 0333.
To find out what type of filter to use,
see Maintenance Replacement
Parts 0339.
1. Before opening the glove box,
remove the two lower screws
(out of view).
2. Open the glove box completely
and remove the two upper
screws.
3. Disconnect the electrical plug and remove the entire
glove box.
4. Release the two tabs holding
the service door. Open the
service door and remove the
old filter.
5. Install the new air filter.
6. Close the service door and secure the tabs.
7. Reverse the steps to reinstall the glove box.
See your dealer if additional
assistance is needed.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369153) -
2016 - crc - 6/19/15
184 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 192
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 193
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 195
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 200
Adjustable Throttle and BrakePedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Active Fuel Management
®. . . . 206
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 207
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 218
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 219
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Magnetic Ride Control . . . . . . . . 222
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Automatic Level Control . . . . . . 222
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 225
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 232
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 233
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Front Automatic Braking (FAB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 242
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 244
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369153) -
2016 - crc - 6/19/15
Driving and Operating 187
See specific vehicle steering
messages underSteering System
Messages 0153. 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
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 and then, 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.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369153) -
2016 - crc - 6/19/15
194 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
. Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident).
. Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0220.
. Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves vehicle stability during
hard stops, but the brakes
should be applied sooner than
when on dry pavement. See
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
0216.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise clear roads in shaded areas.
The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear.
Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
. Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stay with the vehicle unless there is
help nearby. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which
(Continued)