
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 213
Shifting Into 4mor 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 on 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). 2. Turn the knob to 4
n. Wait for
the 4
nindicator light to stop
flashing before shifting the
transmission into gear.
Caution
Shifting the transmission into gear
before the requested mode indicator
light has stopped flashing could
damage the transfer case.
If the transmission is in gear and/or
moving more than 5 km/h (3 mph), the
4
nindicator light will flash for
30 seconds and not complete the shift.
After 30 seconds the transfer case will
shift to 4
m. Turn the knob to 4mto
display the indicator. With the vehicle
moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph), and
the transmission in N (Neutral),
attempt the shift again.
Shifting Out of 4
n
To shift: 1. The vehicle must be stopped or
moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph)
with the transmission in
N (Neutral) and the ignition on.
It is best for the vehicle to be
moving 1.6 to 3.2 km/h
(1 to 2 mph).
2. Turn the knob to 4
m, AUTO, or
2
m. Wait for the 4m, AUTO, or
2
mindicator light to stop
flashing before shifting the
transmission into gear.
Caution
Shifting the transmission into gear
before the requested mode indicator
light has stopped flashing could
damage the transfer case.
If the transmission is in gear and/or
moving more than 5 km/h (3 mph), the
4
m, AUTO, or 2mindicator light will
flash for 30 seconds but will not
complete the shift. With the vehicle
moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph), and
the transmission in N (Neutral),
attempt the shift again.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
DRIVING AND OPERATING 221
Tow/Haul is most useful under the
following conditions:
.When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load through rolling
terrain
. When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in stop-and-go
traffic
. When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in busy
parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is
desired
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
when lightly loaded or with no trailer
at all will not cause damage. However,
there is no benefit to the selection of
Tow/Haul when the vehicle is
unloaded. Such a selection when
unloaded may result in unpleasant
engine and transmission driving
characteristics and reduced fuel
economy. Tow/Haul is recommended
only when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load.
When selected, the Tow/Haul
indicator will display in the
instrument cluster.Magnetic Ride Control
The Magnetic Ride Control monitors
the suspension system.
Based on road conditions, steering
wheel angle, and vehicle speed, the
system automatically adjusts to
provide the best handling while
providing a smooth ride. The Tour and
Sport Modes will feel similar on a
smooth road.
Tour : Use for normal city and
highway driving. This setting provides
a smooth, soft ride.
8Sport : Use where road conditions
or personal preference demand more
control. This setting provides more
“feel,” or response to road conditions.
6Snow/Ice : Use when more
traction is needed during slippery
conditions.
The vehicle is normally in Tour Mode.
Sport Mode and Snow/Ice Mode are
engaged when the Magnetic Ride
Control MODE button on the center
stack is pressed. Press the button to
select the desired mode.
The Driver Information Center (DIC)
briefly displays the appropriate
message on vehicle startup or when a
new mode is selected.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
224 DRIVING AND OPERATING
.To increase vehicle speed in small
increments, press +RES up briefly.
For each press, the vehicle goes
about 1.6 km/h (1 mph) faster.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster 0130.
The increment value used depends on
the units displayed.
Reducing Speed While Cruise
Control is at a Set Speed
If the cruise control system is already
activated:
. Press and hold SET− down until
the desired lower speed is reached,
then release it.
. To decrease the vehicle speed in
small increments, press SET−
down briefly. For each press, the
vehicle goes about 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) slower.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster 0130.
The increment value used depends on
the units displayed. Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase
the vehicle speed. When you take your
foot off the pedal, the vehicle will slow
down to the previous set cruise speed.
While pressing the accelerator pedal
or shortly following the release to
override cruise, briefly applying the
SET−
control will result in cruise set
to the current vehicle speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on
hills depends on the vehicle speed, the
load, and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, pressing
the accelerator pedal may be
necessary to maintain vehicle speed.
When going downhill, Cruise Grade
Braking helps maintain the driver
selected speed.
Cruise Grade Braking is enabled when
the vehicle is started and cruise
control is active. It is not enabled in
Range Selection Mode. It assists in
maintaining driver selected speed when driving on downhill grades by
using the engine and transmission to
slow the vehicle.
To disable and enable Cruise Grade
Braking for the current ignition cycle,
press and hold the Tow/Haul button
for five seconds. A Driver Information
Center (DIC) message displays.
For other forms of Grade Braking, see
Automatic Transmission
0206 and
Tow/Haul Mode 0210.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise
control:
. Step lightly on the brake pedal.
. Press
*.
. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
. To turn off cruise control,
press
J.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is erased
from memory if
Jis pressed or if
the ignition is turned off.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
254 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
beforestarting down a long or steep
downgrade. If the transmission is not
shifted down, the brakes might get hot
and no longer work well.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing, use the Tow/Haul Mode
to prevent damage to the engine or
transmission. See Tow/Haul Mode
0 210.
When towing at high altitude on steep
uphill grades, consider the following:
Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes.
If the engine is turned off immediately
after towing at high altitude on steep
uphill grades, the vehicle may show
signs similar to engine overheating. To
avoid this, let the engine run while
parked, preferably on level ground,
with the transmission in P (Park) for a
few minutes before turning the engine
off. If the overheat warning comes on,
see Engine Overheating 0276.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both the
vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the
wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park). 5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more often
when pulling a trailer. See
Maintenance Schedule 0347. Things
that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission
fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system, and brake system. It is
a good idea to inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch
nuts and bolts are tight.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
388 INDEX
AutomaticDoor Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Forward Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Level Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Automatic Transmission Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Shift Lock Control FunctionCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Axle, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Axle, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
B
Battery Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Battery - North America . . . . . .280, 329
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . . . . . 284
Brake
Parking, Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Pedal and Adjustable Throttle . . . 198
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Brakes (cont'd)
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 Automatic Forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Bulb Replacement Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
C
Cadillac Premium Care Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . .264, 280, 329, Back Cover
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . 359
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Carbon Monoxide (cont'd)
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Cargo
Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . . . . . 3
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Charging Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Check Engine Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . . . . 98
Lower Anchors and Tethersfor Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111, 113
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Child-View Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
INDEX 395
S
Safety Defects ReportingCanadian Government . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . . . . . 368
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
How to Wear Seat Belts
Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Seats Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Heated, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . 61
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . 60
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Second Row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Third Row Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Securing Child Restraints . . . . .111, 113
Security
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Vehicle Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Service
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Maintenance, General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Parts Identification Label . . . . . . . . 358
Publications Ordering Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . . . 368
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Services Special Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Servicing the Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Shift Lock Control Function Check, Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . 244
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change . . . . 168
Special Application Services . . . . . . . 352
Specifications and Capacities . . . . . . 359
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Sport Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
StabiliTrak
OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Start Assist, Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Heated Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Steps Power Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Storage Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Storage Areas
Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Sunglasses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
396 INDEX
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
StrutsGas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Sunglass Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
System Forward Collision Alert (FCA) . . . . 240
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172, 375
Roof Rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Systems Driver Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . . . . 365
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Third-Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Throttle, Adjustable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
All-Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
All-Terrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318 Tires (cont'd)
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Full-Size Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Low Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305, 307
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . 308
Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . 307
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Terminology and Definitions . . . . 303
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . 316
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Towing
Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 Towing (cont'd)
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . 260
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Transmission Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Transportation Program, Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . 168
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . 316
Universal Remote System . . . . . . . . . . 160 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163