
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349344) - 2018 - crc - 11/7/17
252 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle. Contact
your dealer or trailering dealer for
assistance with preparing the vehicle
for towing a trailer. Read the entire
section before towing a trailer.
For towing a disabled vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle0332. For towing
the vehicle behind another vehicle
such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0333.
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips
Driving with a Trailer
When towing a trailer:
.
Become familiar with the state
and local laws that apply to trailer
towing. These requirements vary
from state to state. .
The trailer must be equipped with
brakes adequate for the intended
use. A loaded trailer weighing
more than 900 kg (2,000 lb) must
be equipped with its own brake
system, with brakes working on all
axles. Trailer braking equipment
conforming to Canadian Standards
Association (CSA) requirement
CAN3-D313, or its equivalent, is
recommended.
. Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi) to prevent
damage to the engine, axle,
or other parts.
. Then during the first 800 km
(500 mi) of trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
. 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.
. Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control when towing. .
Turn off Parking Assist and Rear
Cross Traffic Alert (RTCA) when
towing.
. The Forward Automatic Braking
System should be set to Off when
towing. See Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) 022.
. Turn off Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
when towing. See Lane Keep Assist
(LKA) 0246.
{Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of the
vehicle and enter if the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most window
is open.
When towing a trailer:
. Do not drive with the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
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Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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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-
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VEHICLE CARE 283
The proper level is 1.0 mm to
19.0 mm (0.04 in to 0.7 in) below the
bottom of the fill hole, located on the
rear axle. Add only enough fluid to
reach the proper level.
What to Use
Refer toRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0355 to determine what
kind of lubricant to use.
Starter Switch Check
{Warning
When you are doing this inspection,
the vehicle could move suddenly.
If the vehicle moves, you or others
could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
Do not use the accelerator pedal,
and be ready to turn off the
engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service.
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control Function
Check
{Warning
When you are doing this inspection,
the vehicle could move suddenly.
If the vehicle moves, you or others
could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Apply the parking brake. Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately if the vehicle begins
to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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284 VEHICLE CARE
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{Warning
When you are doing this check, the
vehicle could begin to move. You or
others could be injured and
property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of the
vehicle in case it begins to roll. Be
ready to apply the regular brake at
once should the vehicle begin
to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping your
foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
. To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only. .
To check the P (Park) mechanism's
holding ability: With the engine
running, shift to P (Park). Then
release the parking brake followed
by the regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking.
For the proper type and size, see
Maintenance Replacement Parts 0356.
Front Wiper Blade Replacement
To replace the wiper blade assembly:
1. Pull the windshield wiper assembly away from the
windshield.
2. Lift up on the latch in the middleof the wiper blade where the
wiper arm attaches.
3. With the latch open, pull the wiper blade down toward the
windshield far enough to release
it from the J-hooked end of the
wiper arm.
4. Remove the wiper blade. Allowing the wiper blade arm to
touch the windshield when no
wiper blade is installed could
damage the windshield. Any
damage that occurs would not be

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 –

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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310 VEHICLE CARE
Tire Fill Alert (If Equipped)
This feature provides visual and
audible alerts outside the vehicle to
help when inflating an underinflated
tire to the recommended cold tire
pressure.
When the low tire pressure warning
light comes on:1. Park the vehicle in a safe, level place.
2. Set the parking brake firmly.
3. Place the vehicle in P (Park).
4. Add air to the tire that is underinflated. The turn signal
lamp will flash.
When the recommended
pressure is reached, the horn
sounds once and the turn signal
lamp will stop flashing and
briefly turn solid.
Repeat these steps for all
underinflated tires that have
illuminated the low tire pressure
warning light. If the tire is overinflated by more than
35 kPa (5 psi), the horn will sound
multiple times and the turn signal
lamp will continue to flash for
eight seconds after filling stops. To
release and correct the pressure, while
the turn signal lamp is still flashing,
briefly press the center of the valve
stem. When the recommended
pressure is reached, the horn
sounds once.
If the turn signal lamp does not flash
within 15 seconds after starting to
inflate the tire, the tire fill alert has
not been activated or is not working.
If the hazard warning flashers are on,
the tire fill alert visual feedback will
not work properly.
The TPMS will not activate the tire fill
alert properly under the following
conditions:
.
There is interference from an
external device or transmitter.
. The air pressure from the inflation
device is not sufficient to inflate
the tire. .
There is a malfunction in
the TPMS.
. There is a malfunction in the horn
or turn signal lamps.
. The identification code of the
TPMS sensor is not registered to
the system.
. The battery of the TPMS sensor
is low.
If the tire fill alert does not operate
due to TPMS interference, move the
vehicle about 1 m (3 ft) back or
forward and try again. If the tire fill
alert feature is not working, use a tire
pressure gauge.
TPMS Sensor Matching Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identification code. The identification
code needs to be matched to a new
tire/wheel position after rotating the
vehicle’s tires or replacing one or more
of the TPMS sensors. The TPMS
sensor matching process should also
be performed after replacing a spare
tire with a road tire containing the
TPMS sensor. The malfunction light
and the DIC message should go off at

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VEHICLE CARE 311
the next ignition cycle. The sensors
are matched to the tire/wheel
positions, using a TPMS relearn tool,
in the following order: driver side
front tire, passenger side front tire,
passenger side rear tire, and driver
side rear tire. See your dealer for
service or to purchase a relearn tool.
A TPMS relearn tool can also be
purchased. See Tire Pressure Monitor
Sensor Activation Tool at
www.gmtoolsandequipment.com or
call 1-800-GM TOOLS
(1-800-468-6657).
There are two minutes to match the
first tire/wheel position, and
five minutes overall to match all four
tire/wheel positions. If it takes longer,
the matching process stops and must
be restarted.
The TPMS sensor matching process is:1. Set the parking brake.
2. Place the vehicle in Service Mode. See Ignition Positions
0 199.
3. Make sure the Tire Pressure info display option is turned on. The
info displays on the DIC can be turned on and off through the
Settings menu. See
Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0145.
4. Use the five-way DIC control on the right side of the steering
wheel to scroll to the Tire
Pressure screen under the DIC
info page. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) 0145.
5. Press and hold SEL in the center of the five-way DIC control.
The horn sounds twice to signal
the receiver is in relearn mode
and the TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
message displays on the DIC
screen.
6. Start with the driver side front tire.
7. Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve stem.
Then press the button to activate
the TPMS sensor. A horn chirp
confirms that the sensor
identification code has been
matched to this tire and wheel
position. 8. Proceed to the passenger side
front tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 7.
9. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 7.
10. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in
Step 7. The horn sounds two
times to indicate the sensor
identification code has been
matched to the driver side rear
tire, and the TPMS sensor
matching process is no longer
active. The TIRE LEARNING
ACTIVE message on the DIC
display screen goes off.
11. Turn the vehicle off.
12. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure level
as indicated on the Tire and
Loading Information label.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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314 VEHICLE CARE
aging. This area should be free of
grease, gasoline, or other substances
that can deteriorate rubber.
Parking for an extended period can
cause flat spots on the tires that may
result in vibrations while driving.
When storing a vehicle for at least a
month, remove the tires or raise the
vehicle to reduce the weight from the
tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for the vehicle. The
original equipment tires installed
were designed to meet General
Motors Tire Performance Criteria
Specification (TPC Spec) system
rating. When replacement tires are
needed, GM strongly recommends
buying tires with the same TPC
Spec rating.
GM's exclusive TPC Spec system
considers over a dozen critical
specifications that impact the
overall performance of the vehicle,
including brake systemperformance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire pressure
monitoring performance. GM's
TPC Spec number is molded onto
the tire's sidewall near the tire
size. If the tires have an all-season
tread design, the TPC Spec
number will be followed by MS for
mud and snow. See
Tire Sidewall
Labeling 0301 for additional
information.
GM recommends replacing worn
tires in complete sets of four.
Uniform tread depth on all tires
will help to maintain the
performance of the vehicle.
Braking and handling performance
may be adversely affected if all the
tires are not replaced at the same
time. If proper rotation and
maintenance have been done, all
four tires should wear out at
about the same time. See Tire
Rotation 0312 for information on
proper tire rotation. However, if it is necessary to replace only one
axle set of worn tires, place the
new tires on the rear axle.
{Warning
Tires could explode during
improper service. Attempting to
mount or dismount a tire could
cause injury or death. Only your
dealer or authorized tire service
center should mount or
dismount the tires.
{Warning
Mixing tires of different sizes,
brands, or types may cause loss
of control of the vehicle,
resulting in a crash or other
vehicle damage. Use the correct
size, brand, and type of tires on
all wheels.
(Continued)