Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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212 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Automatic Transfer Case
If equipped, use the transfer case knob
next to the steering wheel to shift into
and out of four-wheel drive.
All of the lights will blink on then off
momentarily when the ignition is
turned on. The light that remains on
will indicate the state of the
transfer case.
If the indicator mark on the switch
does not match up with the light then
that likely means the switch was
moved when the ignition was off.The indicator mark on the switch
must line up with the indicator light
before a shift can be commanded. To
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
cannot 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 0333
or Towing the Vehicle 0332.
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 0218.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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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-
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248 DRIVING AND OPERATING
system does not need service. Clean
the outside of the windshield behind
the rearview mirror.
LKA assistance and/or LDW alerts
may occur due to tar marks, shadows,
cracks in the road, temporary or
construction lane markings, or other
road imperfections. This is normal
system operation; the vehicle does not
need service. Turn LKA off if these
conditions continue.Fuel
GM recommends the use of TOP
TIER®detergent gasoline to keep the
engine cleaner and reduce engine
deposits. See www.toptiergas.com for a
list of TOP TIER detergent gasoline
marketers and applicable countries.
Do not use any fuel labeled E85 or
FlexFuel. Do not use gasoline with
ethanol levels greater than 15% by
volume.
Premium unleaded gasoline meeting
ASTM specification D4814 with a
posted octane rating of 93 is highly
recommended for best performance and fuel economy. Unleaded gasoline
with an octane rated as low as 87 can
be used. Using unleaded gasoline
rated below 93 octane, however, will
lead to reduced acceleration and fuel
economy. If knocking occurs, use a
gasoline rated at 93 octane as soon as
possible, otherwise, the engine could
be damaged. If heavy knocking is
heard when using gasoline with a
93 octane rating, the engine needs
service.
Prohibited Fuels
Caution
Do not use fuels with any of the
following conditions; doing so may
damage the vehicle and void its
warranty:
. For vehicles which are not
FlexFuel, fuel labeled greater
than 15% ethanol by volume,
such as mid-level ethanol
blends (16 –50% ethanol),
E85, or FlexFuel.
(Continued)
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 249
Caution (Continued)
.Fuel with any amount of
methanol, methylal, and
aniline. These fuels can
corrode metal fuel system
parts or damage plastic and
rubber parts.
. Fuel containing metals such
as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT), which can damage
the emissions control system
and spark plugs.
. Fuel with a posted octane
rating of less than the
recommended fuel. Using this
fuel will lower fuel economy
and performance, and may
decrease the life of the
emissions catalyst.
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that meet California specifications. See the
underhood emission control label.
If this fuel is not available in states
adopting California Emissions
Standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control
system performance may be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp could
turn on and the vehicle may not pass
a smog-check test. See
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light)
0 137. If this occurs, return to your
authorized dealer for diagnosis. If it is
determined that the condition is
caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico post
fuel octane ratings in anti-knock index
(AKI). For fuel not to use in a foreign
country, see “Prohibited Fuels” inFuel
0 248.
Fuel Additives
To keep fuel systems clean, TOP TIER
detergent gasoline is recommended.
See Fuel 0248.
If TOP TIER detergent gasoline is not
available, one bottle of GM Fuel
System Treatment Cleaner added to
the fuel tank at every engine oil
change, can help. GM Fuel System
Treatment Cleaner is the only gasoline
additive recommended by General
Motors. It is available at your dealer.
Filling the Tank
{Warning
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn
violently and can cause injury or
death. . To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the
fuel pump island.
. Turn off the engine when
refueling.
(Continued)
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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250 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Warning (Continued)
.Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away
from fuel.
. Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended.
. Do not use a cell phone while
refueling.
. Do not reenter the vehicle
while pumping fuel.
. Keep children away from the
fuel pump and never let
children pump fuel.
. Fuel can spray out if the
refueling nozzle is inserted
too quickly. This spray can
happen if the tank is nearly
full, and is more likely in hot
weather. Insert the refueling
nozzle slowly and wait for any
hiss noise to stop prior to
beginning to flow fuel.
Locate the fuel door. The fuel gauge
has an arrow to indicate the side of
the vehicle the fuel door is on. To
open the fuel door, push and release
the rearward center edge of the door.
The vehicle has a capless refueling
system and does not have a fuel cap.
The filling nozzle must be fully
inserted and latched prior to starting
fuel flow.
{Warning
Overfilling the fuel tank by more
than three clicks of a standard fill
nozzle may cause:
. Vehicle performance issues,
including engine stalling and
damage to the fuel system.
. Fuel spills.
. Potential fuel fires.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Wait a few
seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the nozzle.
Clean fuel from painted surfaces as
soon as possible. See Exterior Care
0 337.
{Warning
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the nozzle.
Shut off the flow of fuel by shutting
off the pump or by notifying the
station attendant. Leave the area
immediately.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 251
Filling the Tank With a Portable
Gas Can
If the vehicle runs out of fuel and
must be filled from a portable gas can:
1. Locate the capless funneladapter from inside the vehicle.
2. Insert and latch the funnel into the capless fuel system.
{Warning
Attempting to refuel without using
the funnel adapter may cause fuel
spillage and damage the capless
fuel system. This could cause a fire
and you or others could be badly
burned and the vehicle could be
damaged. 3. Remove and clean the funnel
adapter and return to the storage
location.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{Warning
Filling a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle can cause
fuel vapors that can ignite either by
static electricity or other means.
You or others could be badly
burned and the vehicle could be
damaged. Always:
. Use approved fuel containers.
. Remove the container from
the vehicle, trunk, or pickup
bed before filling.
. Place the container on the
ground.
. Place the nozzle inside the fill
opening of the container
before dispensing fuel, and
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
keep it in contact with the fill
opening until filling is
complete.
. Fill the container no more
than 95% full to allow for
expansion.
. Do not smoke, light matches,
or use lighters while
pumping fuel.
. Avoid using cell phones or
other electronic devices.
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 255
Trailer Towing
Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
SeeNew Vehicle Break-In 0198.
Before towing a trailer, see
"Hands-Free Operation" under Liftgate
0 41.
{Warning
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly. For
example, if the trailer is too heavy
or the trailer brakes are inadequate
for the load, the vehicle may not
stop as expected. The driver and
passengers could be seriously
injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Pull a trailer only if all the
steps in this section have been
followed. Ask your dealer for advice
and information about towing a
trailer with the vehicle.
Caution
Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this
section and see your dealer for
important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of
the vehicle, see “Weight of the Trailer”
following.
Trailering is different than just driving
the vehicle by itself. Trailering means
changes in handling, acceleration,
braking, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used
properly.
The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips
and safety rules. Many of these are
important for your safety and that of
your passengers. Read this section
carefully before pulling a trailer.
Weight of the Trailer
Safe trailering requires monitoring the
weight, speed, altitude, road grades,
outside temperature, and how
frequently the vehicle is used to pull a
trailer. Take into consideration any
special equipment on the vehicle, and
the amount of tongue weight the
vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the
Trailer Tongue ”later in this section.
Trailer Weight Rating (TWR) is
calculated assuming the tow vehicle
has not only the driver but all
required trailering equipment. Weight
of additional optional equipment,
passengers, and cargo in the tow
vehicle must be subtracted from
the TWR.
Use the following chart to determine
how much the trailer can weigh, based
upon the vehicle model and options.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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VEHICLE CARE 291
FusesUsage
4 Passenger motorized seat belt
5 Suspension leveling compressor
6 4WD transfer case electronic control
7 –
8 –
10 Electric parking brake/–
11 –
12 –
13 Interior BEC LT2
14 Rear BEC 1
15 –
16 –
17 Driver motorized seat belt
18 –
19 –
20 – Fuses
Usage
21 Automatic headlamp leveling/Exhaust
solenoid
22 Fuel pump
23 Integrated chassis control module
24 Real time dampening
25 Fuel pump power module
26 Active Hydraulic Assist/ Battery
regulated voltage
control
27 –
28 Upfitter 2
30 Wiper
31 Trailer interface module
32 –
33 –
34 Reverse lamps Fuses
Usage
35 Antilock brake system valve
36 Trailer brakes
38 –
39 Right trailer stoplamp/Turn
signal lamp
40 Left trailer stoplamp/turn
signal lamp
41 Trailer parking lamps
42 Right parking lamps
43 Left parking lamps
44 Upfitter 3
45 Automatic level control/Run/Crank
46 –
47 Upfitter 4
49 Reverse lamps
50 –
52 –