2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE Owners Manual

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
184 DRIVING AND OPERATING
See specific vehicle steering messages
underSteering System Messages 0151.
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. The vehicle may
straighten out. Be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
DRIVING AND OPERATING 185
.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.
One of the best ways for successful
off-road driving is to control the
speed.
{Warning
When driving off-road, bouncing
and quick changes in direction can
easily throw you out of position.
This could cause you to lose control
and crash. You and your passengers
should always wear safety belts.
Before Driving Off-Road
.
Have all necessary maintenance
and service work completed.
. Fuel the vehicle, fill fluid levels,
and check inflation pressure in all
tires, including the spare,
if equipped.
. Read all the information about
four-wheel-drive vehicles in this
manual. .
Know the local laws that apply to
off-road driving.
To gain more ground clearance if
needed, it may be necessary to remove
the front fascia lower air dam.
Caution
Operating the vehicle for extended
periods without the front fascia
lower air dam installed can cause
improper airf low to the engine.
Reattach the front fascia air dam
after off-road driving.
Loading the Vehicle for Off-Road
Driving
{Warning
. Unsecured cargo on the load
floor can be tossed about
when driving over rough
terrain. You or your
passengers can be struck by
flying objects. Secure the
cargo properly.
(Continued)

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
186 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Warning (Continued)
.Keep cargo in the cargo area
as far forward and as low as
possible. The heaviest things
should be on the floor,
forward of the rear axle.
. Heavy loads on the roof raise
the vehicle's center of gravity,
making it more likely to roll
over. You can be seriously or
fatally injured if the vehicle
rolls over. Put heavy loads
inside the cargo area, not on
the roof.
For more information about loading
the vehicle, see If the Vehicle Is Stuck
0 191 and Tires 0289.
Environmental Concerns
.
Always use established trails,
roads, and areas that have been
set aside for public off-road
recreational driving and obey all
posted regulations.
. Do not damage shrubs, flowers,
trees, or grasses or disturb wildlife. .
Do not park over things that burn.
See Parking over Things That
Burn 0202.
Driving on Hills
Driving safely on hills requires good
judgment and an understanding of
what the vehicle can and cannot do.
{Warning
Many hills are simply too steep for
any vehicle. Driving up hills can
cause the vehicle to stall. Driving
down hills can cause loss of control.
Driving across hills can cause a
rollover. You could be injured or
killed. Do not drive on steep hills.
Before driving on a hill, assess the
steepness, traction, and obstructions.
If the terrain ahead cannot be seen,
get out of the vehicle and walk the hill
before driving further.
When driving on hills:
. Use a low gear and keep a firm
grip on the steering wheel.
. Maintain a slow speed. .
When possible, drive straight up
or down the hill.
. Slow down when approaching the
top of the hill.
. Use headlamps even during the
day to make the vehicle more
visible.
{Warning
Driving to the top of a hill at high
speed can cause an accident. There
could be a drop-off, embankment,
cliff, or even another vehicle. You
could be seriously injured or killed.
As you near the top of a hill, slow
down and stay alert.
. Never go downhill forward or
backward with either the
transmission or transfer case in
N (Neutral). The brakes could
overheat and you could lose
control.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
DRIVING AND OPERATING 187
{Warning
If the vehicle has the two‐speed
automatic transfer case, shifting the
transfer case to N (Neutral) can
cause your vehicle to roll even if
the transmission is in P (Park). This
is because the N (Neutral) position
on the transfer case overrides the
transmission. You or someone else
could be injured. If leaving the
vehicle, set the parking brake and
shift the transmission to P (Park).
Shift the transfer case to any
position but N (Neutral).
. When driving down a hill, keep
the vehicle headed straight down.
Use a low gear because the engine
will work with the brakes to slow
the vehicle and help keep the
vehicle under control.
{Warning
Heavy braking when going down a
hill can cause your brakes to
overheat and fade. This could cause
loss of control and you or others
could be injured or killed. Apply the
brakes lightly when descending a
hill and use a low gear to keep
vehicle speed under control.
If the vehicle stalls on a hill: 1. Apply the brakes to stop the vehicle, and then apply the
parking brake.
2. Shift into P (Park) and then restart the engine.
.If driving uphill when the
vehicle stalls, shift to
R (Reverse), release the
parking brake, and back
straight down.
. Never try to turn the vehicle
around. If the hill is steep
enough to stall the vehicle, it
is steep enough to cause it to
roll over. .
If you cannot make it up the
hill, back straight down
the hill.
. Never back down a hill in
N (Neutral) using only the
brake.
The vehicle can roll backward
quickly and you could lose
control.
. If driving downhill when the
vehicle stalls, shift to a lower
gear, release the parking
brake, and drive straight
down the hill.
3. If the vehicle cannot be restarted after stalling, set the parking
brake, shift into P (Park), and
turn the vehicle off.
3.1. Leave the vehicle and seek help.
3.2. Stay clear of the path the vehicle would take if it
rolled downhill.
. Avoid turns that take the vehicle
across the incline of the hill. A hill
that can be driven straight up or
down might be too steep to drive
across. Driving across an incline

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
188 DRIVING AND OPERATING
puts more weight on the downhill
wheels, which could cause a
downhill slide or a rollover.
. Surface conditions can be a
problem. Loose gravel, muddy
spots, or even wet grass can cause
the tires to slip sideways, downhill.
If the vehicle slips sideways, it can
hit something that will trip it —a
rock, a rut, etc. —and roll over.
. Hidden obstacles can make the
steepness of the incline more
severe. If a rock is driven across
with the uphill wheels, or if the
downhill wheels drop into a rut or
depression, the vehicle can tilt
even more.
. If an incline must be driven
across, and the vehicle starts to
slide, turn downhill. This should
help straighten out the vehicle and
prevent the side slipping.{Warning
Getting out of the vehicle on the
downhill side when stopped across
an incline is dangerous. If the
vehicle rolls over, you could be
crushed or killed. Always get out on
the uphill side of the vehicle and
stay well clear of the rollover path.
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow,
or Ice
Use a low gear when driving in mud
—the deeper the mud, the lower the
gear. Keep the vehicle moving to avoid
getting stuck.
Traction changes when driving on
sand. On loose sand, such as on
beaches or sand dunes, the tires tend
to sink into the sand. This affects
steering, accelerating, and braking.
Drive at a reduced speed and avoid
sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
Traction is reduced on hard packed
snow and ice and it is easy to lose
control. Reduce vehicle speed when
driving on hard packed snow and ice.
{Warning
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds,
or rivers can be dangerous. Ice
conditions vary greatly and the
vehicle could fall through the ice;
you and your passengers could
drown. Drive your vehicle on safe
surfaces only.
Driving in Water
{Warning
Driving through rushing water can
be dangerous. Deep water can
sweep your vehicle downstream and
you and your passengers could
drown. If it is only shallow water, it
can still wash away the ground
from under your tires. Traction
could be lost, and the vehicle could
roll over. Do not drive through
rushing water.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
DRIVING AND OPERATING 189
Caution
Do not drive through standing
water if it is deep enough to cover
the wheel hubs, axles, or exhaust
pipe. Deep water can damage the
axle and other vehicle parts.
If the standing water is not too deep,
drive slowly through it. At faster
speeds, water splashes and the vehicle
can stall. When going through water,
the brakes get wet and it may take
longer to stop. See “Driving on Wet
Roads” later in this section.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has
collected on the underbody or chassis,
or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have
the brake linings cleaned and checked.
These substances can cause glazing
and uneven braking. Check the body
structure, steering, suspension,
wheels, tires, and exhaust system for
damage and check the fuel lines and
cooling system for any leakage. More frequent maintenance service is
required. See the
Maintenance
Schedule 0329.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle
traction and affect your ability to stop
and accelerate. Always drive slower in
these types of driving conditions and
avoid driving through large puddles
and deep-standing or flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They
might not work as well in a quick
stop and could cause pulling to one
side. You could lose control of the
vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle
of water or a car/vehicle wash,
lightly apply the brake pedal until
the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can
build up under the vehicle's tires so
they actually ride on the water. This
can happen if the road is wet enough
and you are going fast enough. When
the vehicle is hydroplaning, it has
little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
. Pass with caution.
. Keep windshield wiping equipment
in good shape.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
190 DRIVING AND OPERATING
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper tread
depth. See Tires0289.
. Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving on
flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the vehicle
on a long downhill slope can cause
brake overheating, can reduce brake
performance, and could result in a
loss of braking. Shift the
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
transmission to a lower gear to let
the engine assist the brakes on a
steep downhill slope.
{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 0216.
. 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) 0212.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise
clear roads in shaded areas. The

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
DRIVING AND OPERATING 191
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
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. 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 cannot be seen or
smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side that
is away from the wind, to
bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set the
fan speed to the highest
setting. See “Climate Control
Systems.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0203.
To save fuel, run the engine for short
periods to warm the vehicle and then
shut the engine off and partially close
the window. Moving about to keep
warm also helps. If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle speed.
This keeps the battery charged to
restart the vehicle and to signal for
help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible, to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels
to free the vehicle when stuck in sand,
mud, ice, or snow. See
“Rocking the
Vehicle to Get It Out ”later in this
section.
The Traction Control System (TCS)
can often help to free a stuck vehicle.
See Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0216. If TCS cannot free the
vehicle, see “Rocking the Vehicle to
Get it Out ”following.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or
others could be injured. The vehicle
can overheat, causing an engine
(Continued)