
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
150 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
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.
SERVICE SIDE DETECTION
SYSTEM
If this message remains on after
continued driving, the vehicle needs
service. Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA),
Lane Change Alert (LCA), 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), Lane Change Alert
(LCA), 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"
underExterior Care 0320.
Ride Control System
Messages
SERVICE LEVELING SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a
problem with the automatic rear level
control. See Automatic Level Control
0 219. Have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
This message displays if there is a
problem with the StabiliTrak system.
See Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0216.
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a
problem with the Magnetic Ride
Control system. See Magnetic Ride
Control 0219. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
This message displays when there is a
problem with the Traction Control
System (TCS). See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0216.
SPORT MODE ON
This message displays when the Sport
Mode is on. See Magnetic Ride
Control 0219.
TOUR MODE ON
This message displays when the Tour
Mode is on. See Magnetic Ride
Control 0219.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
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INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 151
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) has
been turned off. SeeTraction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0216.
TRACTION CONTROL ON
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) has
been turned on. See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0216.
Airbag System Messages
SERVICE AIRBAG
This message displays if there is a
problem with the airbag system. See
your dealer for service.
Safety Belt Messages
AUTOMATIC SEATBELT
TIGHTENING UNAVAILABLE
This message displays when the
Automatic Safety Belt Tightening
System, if equipped, becomes
unavailable. This could be caused by a
temporary condition. If the message
continues to display, see your dealer.
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.
See
Steering 0183.
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 0183.
Starting the Vehicle
Messages
PRESS BRAKE TO START
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.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
156 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Select Off or On.
Collision/Detection Systems
Select the Collision/Detection Systems
menu and the following may display:
.Alert Type
. Forward Collision System
. Go Notifier
. Park Assist
. Lane Change Assist
. Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Alert Type
This feature will set crash alerts to
beeps or seat vibrations. This setting
affects all crash alerts including
Forward Collision Alert, Lane
Departure Warning, and Park Assist
alerts. See Driver Assistance
Systems 0229.
Select Beeps or Safety Alert Seat.
Forward Collision System
This feature will turn on or off
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) and
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB).
The Off setting disables all FCA and FAB functions. With the Alert and
Brake setting, both FCA and FAB are
available. The Alert setting disables
FAB. See
Forward Automatic Braking
(FAB) 0237.
Select Off, Alert and Brake, or Alert.
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 0230.
Select Off, On, or On with Towbar
Attached.
Lane Change Assist
This allows the feature to be turned
on or off. See Side Blind Zone Alert
(SBZA) 0238.
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 0230.
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.
Select On or Off.
Easy Exit Options
This allows the feature to be turned
on or off.
Select On or Off.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 181
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 190
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Adjustable Throttle and BrakePedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Active Fuel Management
®. . . . . . . 202
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . 204
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . 212
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/ElectronicStability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Magnetic Ride Control . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Automatic Level Control . . . . . . . . . 219
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . 222
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . 229
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . 238
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . 238
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . 240
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . 245
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
DRIVING AND OPERATING 183
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 Belts070.
. 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.
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.
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.

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.