
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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38 KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS
.Use the key in the front doors. The
key cylinder is covered by a cap.
See “Driver Door Key Lock
Cylinder Access ”later in this
section.
Keyless Access
The RKE transmitter must be within
1 m (3 ft) of the liftgate or door being
opened. Press the button on the door
handle to open. See “Keyless Access
Operation ”in Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation 029.
Driver Door Key Lock Cylinder
Access (Slotted Cap Access) (In
Case of Dead Battery)
To access the driver door key lock
cylinder:
1. Pull the door handle (1) to the open position and hold it open
until cap installation is complete.
2. Insert the key (4) into the slot (3) on the bottom of the
cap (2) and lift the key upward.
3. Remove the cap (2).
4. Use the key (4) in the cylinder.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS 39
To replace the slotted cap:1. Position the bottom edge of the cap under the lower edge of the
metal piece (6). The tabs (7)
attach to metal piece (6) at the
positions (5).
2. Rotate the cap upward to install into place.
3. Check that the cap is secure.
4. Release the door handle.
Free-Turning Locks
The door key lock cylinder turns freely
when either the wrong key is used,
or the correct key is not fully inserted.
The free turning door lock feature
prevents the lock from being forced
open. To reset the lock, turn it to the
vertical position with the correct key
fully inserted. Remove the key and
insert it again. If this does not reset
the lock, turn the key halfway around
in the cylinder and repeat the reset
procedure.Power Door Locks
PressQorKon the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter. See Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
0 29.
Q:Press to lock the doors.
K:Press to unlock the doors.
Delayed Locking
This feature delays the locking of the
doors until five seconds after all doors
are closed. Delayed locking can only be turned on
when the Unlocked Door Anti-Lockout
feature has been turned off.
When
Qis pressed on the power door
lock switch while a door or the liftgate
is open, a chime will sound three
times indicating delayed locking is
active.
The doors will lock automatically
five seconds after all doors are closed.
If a door is reopened before that time,
the five-second timer will reset when
all doors are closed again.
Press
Qon the door lock switch again
or press
Qon the RKE transmitter to
lock doors immediately.
This feature can also be programmed.
See Vehicle Personalization 0152.
Automatic Door Locks
The doors will lock automatically
when all doors are closed, the ignition
is on, and the vehicle is shifted out of
P (Park).

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS 41
Doors
Liftgate
{Warning
Exhaust gases can enter the vehicle
if it is driven with the liftgate or
trunk/hatch open, or with any
objects that pass through the seal
between the body and the trunk/
hatch or liftgate. Engine exhaust
contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
If the vehicle must be driven with
the liftgate or trunk/hatch open:. Close all of the windows.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air and
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See “Climate
Control Systems” in the Index.
. If the vehicle is equipped with
a power liftgate, disable the
power liftgate function.
See Engine Exhaust 0205.
Caution
To avoid damage to the liftgate or
liftgate glass, make sure the area
above and behind the liftgate is
clear before opening it.
Power Liftgate Operation
{Warning
You or others could be injured if
caught in the path of the power
liftgate. Make sure there is no one
in the way of the liftgate as it is
opening and closing.
Caution
Driving with an open and
unsecured liftgate may result in
damage to the power liftgate
components.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
42 KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS
The switch is on the overhead console.
The vehicle must be in P (Park).
The modes are:
MAX :Opens to maximum height.
3/4 : Opens to a reduced height that
can be set from 3/4 to fully open. Use
to prevent the liftgate from opening
into overhead objects such as a garage
door or roof-mounted cargo. The
liftgate can be opened all the way
manually.
OFF : Opens manually only.
To open or close the liftgate, select
MAX or 3/4 mode and then: .
Press
btwice quickly on the RKE
transmitter until the liftgate
moves.
. Press
8on the overhead
console. The driver door must be
unlocked.
. Press the touch pad on the
underside of the liftgate handle
after unlocking all doors. A locked
vehicle can be opened if the RKE
transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft) of
the touch pad.
.
Presslon the bottom edge of
the liftgate next to the latch to
close. Press any liftgate button, the touch
pad, or
bon the RKE transmitter
while the liftgate is moving to stop it.
Pressing any liftgate button or
pressing
btwice quickly on the RKE
transmitter restarts the operation in
the reverse direction. Pressing the
touch pad on the liftgate handle will
restart the motion, but only in the
opening direction.
Caution
Manually forcing the liftgate to
open or close during a power cycle
can damage the vehicle. Allow the
power cycle to complete.
The power liftgate may be temporarily
disabled in extremely low
temperatures, or after repeated power
cycling over a short period of time.
If this occurs, the liftgate can still be
operated manually. Select OFF on the
liftgate switch.
If the vehicle is shifted out of P (Park)
while the power function is in
progress, the liftgate will continue to

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS 43
completion. If the vehicle is
accelerated before the liftgate has
completed moving, the liftgate may
stop or reverse direction. Check for
Driver Information Center (DIC)
messages and make sure the liftgate is
closed and latched before driving.
Falling Liftgate Detection
If the power liftgate automatically
closes after a power opening cycle, it
indicates that the system is reacting
to excess weight on the liftgate or a
possible support strut failure. Remove
any excess weight. If the liftgate
continues to automatically close after
opening, see your dealer for service
before using the power liftgate.
Interfering with the power liftgate
motion or manually closing the
liftgate too quickly after power
opening may resemble a support strut
failure. This could also activate the
falling liftgate detection feature. Allow
the liftgate to complete its operation
and wait a few seconds before
manually closing the liftgate.Obstacle Detection Features
If the liftgate encounters an obstacle
during a power open or close cycle,
the liftgate will automatically reverse
direction and move a short distance
away from the obstacle. After
removing the obstruction, the power
liftgate operation can be used again.
If the liftgate encounters multiple
obstacles on the same power cycle,
the power function will deactivate.
After removing the obstructions,
manually close the liftgate. This will
allow normal power operation
functions to resume.
If the vehicle is locked while the
liftgate is closing, and an obstacle
prevents the liftgate from completely
closing, the horn will sound as an
alert that the liftgate did not close.
Pinch sensors are on the side edges of
the liftgate. If an object is caught
between the liftgate and the vehicle
and presses against a sensor, the
liftgate will reverse direction and stop
at a partially open position. The
liftgate will remain open until it is
activated again or closed manually.
Setting the 3/4 Mode
To change the position the liftgate
stops at when opening:1. Select MAX or 3/4 mode and open the liftgate.
2. Stop the liftgate movement at the desired height by pressing
any liftgate button. Manually
adjust the liftgate position if
needed.
3. Press and hold
lon the
bottom edge of the liftgate next
to the latch on the outside of the
liftgate until the turn signals
flash and a beep sounds. This
indicates the setting has been
recorded.
The liftgate cannot be set below a
minimum programmable height.
If there is no light flash or sound,
then the height adjustment may be
too low.
Manual Operation
Select OFF to manually operate the
liftgate.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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44 KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS
Caution
Attempting to move the liftgate too
quickly and with excessive force
may result in damage to the
vehicle.
Operate the liftgate manually with a
smooth motion and moderate speed.
The system includes a feature which
limits the manual closing speed to
protect the components.
To open the liftgate, pressKon the
power door lock switch or press
Kon
the RKE transmitter twice to unlock all doors. Press the touch pad (1) on
the underside of the liftgate handle
and lift up.
Press the button (2) above the license
plate to open the liftglass, or press
c
twice quickly on the RKE transmitter.
Do not leave the liftglass open when
raising the liftgate.
There will be a delay in the release of
the liftglass if there is an attempt to
open it while the rear wiper is in
motion.
Use the pull cup to lower and close
the liftgate. Do not press the touch
pad while closing the liftgate. This will
cause the liftgate to be unlatched.
The RKE transmitter must be within
1 m (3 ft) of the liftgate to
automatically unlock it. See
Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
0 29.
The liftgate has an electric latch.
If the battery is disconnected or has
low voltage, the liftgate will not open.
The liftgate will resume operation
when the battery is reconnected and
charged.
Hands-Free Operation
The liftgate may be operated with a
kicking motion under the rear bumper.
The liftgate will not operate if the RKE
transmitter is not within 1 m (3 ft).
The hands-free feature will not work
while the liftgate is moving. To stop
the liftgate while in motion use one of
the liftgate switches.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS 45
Length of Kick Zone
To operate, move your foot in a
forward kicking motion under the
center of the rear bumper, then pull
it back.
Caution
Splashing water may cause the
liftgate to open. Keep the RKE
transmitter away from the rear
bumper detection area or turn the
liftgate mode to OFF when cleaning
or working near the rear bumper to
avoid accidental opening.
. Do not sweep your foot side
to side.
. Do not keep your foot under the
bumper; the liftgate will not
activate.
. Do not touch the liftgate until it
has stopped moving.
. This feature may be temporarily
disabled under some conditions.
If the liftgate does not respond to
the kick, open or close the liftgate by another method or start the
vehicle. The feature will be
re-enabled.
When closing the liftgate using this
feature, there will be a short delay.
The rear lights will flash and a chime
will sound. Step away from the liftgate
before it starts moving.
Power Assist Steps
{Warning
Never place hands or other body
parts between the deployed power
assist steps and the vehicle. You or
others could be seriously injured.
{Warning
Never step on a moving assist step.
You or others could be seriously
injured.
Disable the assist steps before jacking
or placing any object under the
vehicle.

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Fast Flash :Vehicle is unsecured.
A door, the liftgate or the hood
is open.
Slow Flash : Alarm system is armed.
Arming the Alarm System
1. Turn off the vehicle.
2. Lock the vehicle in one of
three ways:
.Use the RKE transmitter.
. Use the Keyless Access
system.
. With a door open, press
Q
on the interior of the door.
3. After 30 seconds, the alarm system will arm and the
indicator light will begin to
slowly flash. Pressing
Qon the
RKE transmitter a second time
will bypass the 30-second delay
and immediately arm the alarm
system.
The vehicle alarm system will not arm
if the doors are locked with the key. If the driver door is opened without
first unlocking with the RKE
transmitter, the horn will chirp and
the lights will flash to indicate
pre-alarm. If the vehicle is not started,
or the door is not unlocked by
pressing
Kon the RKE transmitter
during the 10-second pre-alarm, the
alarm will be activated.
The alarm will also be activated if a
passenger door, the liftgate, or the
hood is opened without first
disarming the system. When the
alarm is activated, the turn signals
flash and the horn sounds for about
30 seconds. The alarm system will
then re-arm to monitor for the next
unauthorized event.
Disarming the Alarm System
To disarm the alarm system or turn
off the alarm if it has been activated:
. Press
Kon the RKE transmitter.
. Unlock the vehicle using the
Keyless Access system.
. Start the vehicle. To avoid setting off the alarm by
accident:
.
Lock the vehicle after all
occupants have exited.
. Always unlock a door with the
RKE transmitter, or use the
Keyless Access system.
Unlocking the driver door with the
key will not disarm the system or
turn off the alarm.
How to Detect a Tamper
Condition
IfKis pressed on the RKE
transmitter and the horn chirps three
times, an alarm occurred previously
while the alarm system was armed.
If the alarm has been activated, a
message will appear on the DIC.
Power Sounder, Inclination
Sensor and Intrusion Sensor
In addition to the standard
theft-deterrent system features, this
system may also have a power
sounder, inclination sensor and
intrusion sensor.