
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
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 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
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
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)

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
DRIVING AND OPERATING 195
weight of the driver, passengers,
and cargo should never exceed the
vehicle's capacity weight.
Certification/Tire Label
Label Example
A vehicle specific Certification/
Tire label is attached to the
B-pillar. The label may show the
size of the vehicle's original tires
and the inflation pressures needed
to obtain the gross weight
capacity of the vehicle. This is
called Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). The GVWR
includes the weight of the vehicle,
all occupants, fuel, and cargo.The Certification/Tire label may
also show the maximum weights
for the front and rear axles, called
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
To find out the actual loads on
the front and rear axles, weigh the
vehicle at a weigh station. Your
dealer can help with this. Be sure
to spread the load equally on both
sides of the center line.
The warranty does not cover parts
or components that fail because of
overloading.
The label will help determine how
much cargo and installed
equipment the vehicle can carry.
Using heavier suspension
components to get added
durability might not change the
weight ratings. Ask your dealer to
help load the vehicle properly.
{Warning
Things you put inside the
vehicle can strike and injure
people in a sudden stop or turn,
or in a crash.
.Put things in the cargo
area of the vehicle. Try to
spread the weight evenly.
.Never stack heavier things,
like suitcases, inside the
vehicle so that some of
them are above the tops of
the seats.
.Do not leave an unsecured
child restraint in the
vehicle.
.When you carry something
inside the vehicle, secure it
whenever you can.
.Do not leave a seat folded
down unless you need to.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
202 DRIVING AND OPERATING
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting 0312.
To shift out of P (Park): 1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of
P (Park):
1. Ease the pressure on the shift lever.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, push the shift lever all the
way into P (Park).
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you are still having a problem
shifting, then have the vehicle
serviced soon.Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the vehicle
and ignite. Do not park over papers,
leaves, dry grass, or other things
that can burn.
Active Fuel Management®
This system allows the engine to
operate on either all or half of its
cylinders, depending on the driving
conditions.
When less power is required, such as
cruising at a constant vehicle speed,
the system will operate in the half
cylinder mode, allowing the vehicle to
achieve better fuel economy. When
greater power demands are required,
such as accelerating from a stop,
passing, or merging onto a freeway,
the system will maintain full-cylinder
operation.
Extended Parking
It is better not to park with the
vehicle running. If the vehicle is left
while running, follow the proper steps
to be sure the vehicle will not move
and there is adequate ventilation. See
Shifting Into Park 0200 and Engine
Exhaust 0203.
If the vehicle is left in P (Park) while
running and the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter is outside the
vehicle, the vehicle will turn off after
one hour.
If the vehicle is left in P (Park) while
running and the RKE transmitter is
inside, the vehicle will run for two
hours. At the end of the second hour,
the vehicle will turn off.
The timer will reset if the vehicle is
taken out of P (Park) while it is
running.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
DRIVING AND OPERATING 205
use N (Neutral) only. Also, use
N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being
towed.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into
a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine running
at high speed may damage the
transmission. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Be sure the engine is not running at
high speed when shifting the
vehicle.D :
This position is for normal driving.
It provides the best fuel economy.
If you need more power for passing,
and you are:
. Going less than about 55 km/h
(35 mph), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
. Going about 55 km/h (35 mph) or
more, push the accelerator all the
way down.
By doing this, the vehicle shifts
down to the next gear and has
more power.
Use D (Drive) and Tow/Haul Mode
when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills,
or driving off-road. Shift the
transmission to a lower gear selection
if the transmission shifts too often.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See “Skidding”underLoss
of Control 0184.
The vehicle has a shift stabilization
feature that adjusts the transmission
shifting to the current driving
conditions in order to reduce rapid
upshifts and downshifts. This shift stabilization feature is designed to
determine, before making an upshift,
if the engine is able to maintain
vehicle speed by analyzing things such
as vehicle speed, throttle position, and
vehicle load. If the shift stabilization
feature determines that a current
vehicle speed cannot be maintained,
the transmission does not upshift and
instead holds the current gear.
In some cases, this could appear to be
a delayed shift, however the
transmission is operating normally.
The transmission uses adaptive shift
controls. The adaptive shift control
process continually compares key shift
parameters to pre-programmed ideal
shifts stored in the transmission’s
computer. The transmission
constantly makes adjustments to
improve vehicle performance
according to how the vehicle is being
used, such as with a heavy load or
when the temperature changes.
During this adaptive shift control
process, shifting might feel different
as the transmission determines the
best settings.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
210 DRIVING AND OPERATING
command a shift rotate the transfer
case switch to the new desired
position. The light will blink meaning
that the shift is in progress. When the
shift is completed the new position
will be illuminated. If the transfer case
can not complete a shift command, it
will go back to its last chosen setting.
The settings are:
N (Neutral) :Use only when the
vehicle needs to be towed. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0316 or
Towing the Vehicle 0315.
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) : Use for
driving on most streets and highways.
The front axle is not engaged. This
setting provides the best fuel
economy.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel
Drive) : Use when road surface
traction conditions are variable. When
driving in AUTO, the front axle is
engaged, and the vehicle's power is
sent to the front and rear wheels
automatically based on driving
conditions. This setting provides
slightly lower fuel economy than 2
m. Do not use AUTO mode, if equipped,
to park on a steep grade with poor
traction such as ice, snow, mud,
or gravel. In AUTO mode only the rear
wheels will hold the vehicle from
sliding when parked. If parking on a
steep grade, use 4
mto keep all four
wheels engaged.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High) : Use
this position when extra traction is
needed, such as when driving on
snowy or icy roads, when off-roading,
or when plowing snow.
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low) : This
setting engages the front axle and
delivers extra torque. Choose 4
nwhen
driving off-road in deep sand, deep
mud, or deep snow, and while
climbing or descending steep hills.
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction
Control and StabiliTrak off. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0216. Shifting Into 4
mor AUTO
Turn the knob to the 4
mor AUTO
position at any speed, except from 4
n.
The indicator light will flash while
shifting and will remain on when the
shift is completed.
Shifting Into 2
m
Turn the knob to 2mat any speed,
except when shifting from 4
n. The
indicator light will flash while shifting
and will remain on when the shift is
completed.
Shifting Into 4
n
When 4nis engaged, keep vehicle
speed below 72 km/h (45 mph).
To shift:
1. The ignition must be in ON/RUN and the vehicle must be stopped
or moving less than
5 km/h (3 mph) with the
transmission in N (Neutral). It is
best for the vehicle to be moving
1.6 to 3.2 km/h (1 to 2 mph).