Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460268) - 2019 - crc - 9/14/18
244 DRIVING AND OPERATING
{Warning
FCA is a warning system and does
not apply the brakes. When
approaching a slower-moving or
stopped vehicle ahead too rapidly,
or when following a vehicle too
closely, FCA may not provide a
warning with enough time to help
avoid a crash. It also may not
provide any warning at all. FCA
does not warn of pedestrians,
animals, signs, guardrails, bridges,
construction barrels, or other
objects. Be ready to take action and
apply the brakes. SeeDefensive
Driving 0187.
FCA can be disabled with either the
FCA steering wheel control or,
if equipped, through vehicle
personalization. See “Collision/
Detection Systems” underVehicle
Personalization 0155.
Detecting the Vehicle Ahead
FCA warnings will not occur unless
the FCA system detects a vehicle
ahead. When a vehicle is detected, the
vehicle ahead indicator will display
green. Vehicles may not be detected
on curves, highway exit ramps,
or hills, due to poor visibility; or if a
vehicle ahead is partially blocked by
pedestrians or other objects. FCA will
not detect another vehicle ahead until
it is completely in the driving lane.
{Warning
FCA does not provide a warning to
help avoid a crash, unless it detects
a vehicle. FCA may not detect a
vehicle ahead if the FCA sensor is
blocked by dirt, snow, or ice, or if
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the windshield is damaged. It may
also not detect a vehicle on winding
or hilly roads, or in conditions that
can limit visibility such as fog, rain,
or snow, or if the headlamps or
windshield are not cleaned or in
proper condition. Keep the
windshield, headlamps, and FCA
sensors clean and in good repair.
Collision Alert
When your vehicle approaches
another detected vehicle too rapidly,
the red FCA display will flash on the
windshield. Also, eight rapid
high-pitched beeps will sound from
the front, or both sides of the Safety
Alert Seat will pulse five times. When
this Collision Alert occurs, the brake
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 245
system may prepare for driver braking
to occur more rapidly which can cause
a brief, mild deceleration. Continue to
apply the brake pedal as needed.
Cruise control may be disengaged
when the Collision Alert occurs.
Tailgating Alert
The vehicle ahead indicator will
display amber when you are following
a vehicle ahead much too closely.
Selecting the Alert Timing
The Collision Alert control is on the
steering wheel. Press
[to set the
FCA timing to Far, Medium, Near,
or on some vehicles, Off. The first
button press shows the current setting
on the Driver Information Center
(DIC). Additional button presses will
change this setting. The chosen
setting will remain until it is changed
and will affect the timing of both the
Collision Alert and the Tailgating
Alert features. The timing of both
alerts will vary based on vehicle speed.
The faster the vehicle speed, the
farther away the alert will occur. Consider traffic and weather
conditions when selecting the alert
timing. The range of selectable alert
timing may not be appropriate for all
drivers and driving conditions.
If your vehicle is equipped with
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC),
changing the FCA timing setting
automatically changes the ACC
following gap setting (Far, Medium,
or Near).
Unnecessary Alerts
FCA may provide unnecessary alerts
for turning vehicles, vehicles in other
lanes, objects that are not vehicles,
or shadows. These alerts are normal
operation and the vehicle does not
need service.
Cleaning the System
If the FCA system does not seem to
operate properly, this may correct the
issue:
.
Clean the outside of the
windshield in front of the rearview
mirror.
. Clean the entire front of the
vehicle.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460268) - 2019 - crc - 9/14/18
250 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
If equipped, LKA may help avoid
crashes due to unintentional lane
departures. It may assist by gently
turning the steering wheel if the
vehicle approaches a detected lane
marking without using a turn signal in
that direction. It may also provide a
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
system alert as the lane marking is
crossed. The LKA system will not
assist or provide an LDW alert if it
detects that you are actively steering.
Override LKA by turning the steering
wheel. LKA uses a camera to detect
lane markings between 60 km/h (37
mph) and 180 km/h (112 mph).
{Warning
The LKA system does not
continuously steer the vehicle.
It may not keep the vehicle in the
lane or give a Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) alert, even if a lane
marking is detected.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
The LKA and LDW systems
may not:
. Provide an alert or enough
steering assist to avoid a lane
departure or crash.
. Detect lane markings under
poor weather or visibility
conditions. This can occur if
the windshield or headlamps
are blocked by dirt, snow,
or ice, if they are not in
proper condition, or if the sun
shines directly into the
camera.
. Detect road edges.
. Detect lanes on winding or
hilly roads.
If LKA only detects lane markings
on one side of the road, it will only
assist or provide an LDW alert
when approaching the lane on the
side where it has detected a lane
marking. Even with LKA and LDW, (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
you must steer the vehicle. Always
keep your attention on the road and
maintain proper vehicle position
within the lane, or vehicle damage,
injury, or death could occur. Always
keep the windshield, headlamps,
and camera sensors clean and in
good repair. Do not use LKA in bad
weather conditions.
{Warning
Using LKA while towing a trailer or
on slippery roads could cause loss
of control of the vehicle and a
crash. Turn the system off.
How the System Works
The LKA camera sensor is on the
windshield ahead of the rearview
mirror.
To turn LKA on and off, press
A
on the center stack.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 251
LKA Indicator Light
When on, the LKA indicator is green if
LKA is available to assist and provide
LDW alerts. It may assist by gently
turning the steering wheel and display
amber if the vehicle approaches a
detected lane marking without using a
turn signal in that direction. It may
also provide an LDW alert by flashing
amber as the lane marking is crossed.
Additionally, there may be three
beeps, or the driver seat may pulse
three times, on the right or left,
depending on the lane departure
direction.
Take Steering
The LKA system does not
continuously steer the vehicle. If LKA
does not detect active driver steering,
an alert, chime, or DIC message may
be provided. Steer the vehicle to
dismiss.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
The system performance may be
affected by:
. Close vehicles ahead.
. Sudden lighting changes, such as
when driving through tunnels.
. Banked roads.
. Roads with poor lane markings,
such as two-lane roads.
If the LKA system is not functioning
properly when lane markings are
clearly visible, cleaning the windshield
may help.
A camera blocked message may
display if the camera is blocked.
Cleaning the outside of the windshield
behind the rearview mirror may
correct the issue. Some driver
assistance systems may have reduced
performance or not work at all. An
LKA or LDW unavailable message may
display if the systems are temporarily
unavailable. This message could be
due to a blocked camera. The LKA 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.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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258 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. The combination of
the vehicle and trailer will not
accelerate as quickly and is much
longer than the vehicle alone. It is
necessary to go much farther beyond
the passed vehicle before returning to
the lane. Pass on level roadways.
Avoid passing on hills if possible.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. To move the trailer to
the left, move that hand to the left. To
move the trailer to the right, move
that hand to the right. Always back up
slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making TurnsCaution
Turn more slowly and make wider
arcs when towing a trailer to
prevent damage to your vehicle. (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
Making very sharp turns could
cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when
towing, so trailer will not go over soft
shoulders, over curbs, or strike road
signs, trees, or other objects. Always
signal turns well in advance. Do not
steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes may
overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency.
The vehicle 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 at higher altitudes,
engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at lower altitudes.
If the engine is turned off immediately after towing at high altitude on steep
uphill grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating. To
avoid this, let the engine run,
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
0289.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer
on a level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your
trailer 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.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 259
3. When the wheel chocks are inplace, gradually release the brake
pedal to allow the chocks to
absorb the load of the trailer.
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. .Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Launching and Retrieving a Boat
Backing the Trailer into the Water
{Warning
.Have all passengers get out of
the vehicle before backing
onto the sloped part of the
ramp. Lower the driver and
passenger side windows
before backing onto the ramp.
This will provide a means of
escape in the unlikely event
the vehicle slides into the
water.
. If the boat launch surface is
slippery, have the driver
remain in the vehicle with the
brake pedal applied while the
boat is being launched. The
boat launch can be especially
slippery at low tide when part
of the ramp was previously
submerged at high tide. Do
not back onto the ramp to
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
launch the boat if you are not
sure the vehicle can maintain
traction.
. Do not move the vehicle if
someone is in the path of the
trailer. Some parts of the
trailer might be underwater
and not visible to people who
are assisting in launching
the boat.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer
before backing the trailer into the
water to prevent damage to the
electrical circuits on the trailer.
Reconnect the wiring to the trailer
after removing the trailer from the
water. If the trailer has electric brakes
that can function when the trailer is
submerged, it might help to leave the
electrical trailer connector attached to
maintain trailer brake functionality
while on the boat ramp.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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260 DRIVING AND OPERATING
To back the trailer into the water:1. If equipped, place the vehicle in four-wheel-drive high.
2. Slowly back down the boat ramp until the boat is floating, but no
further than necessary.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet.
4. Have someone place chocks under the front wheels of the
vehicle.
5. Gradually release the brake pedal to allow the chocks to absorb the
load of the trailer.
6. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park). If equipped with a
manual transmission, turn off
the engine and move the shift
lever into 1 (First) gear.
7. Release the brake pedal.
Pulling the Trailer from the Water 1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine and shift into a gear. 3. Release the parking brake.
4. Let up on the brake pedal.
5. Drive slowly until the tires are
clear of the chocks.
6. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
7. Slowly pull the trailer from the water.
8. Once the vehicle and trailer have been driven from the sloped part
of the boat ramp, the vehicle can
be shifted from four-wheel-drive
high. Shift into the drive mode
that is appropriate for the road
conditions.
Caution
If the vehicle tires begin to spin and
the vehicle begins to slide toward
the water, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal and apply the
brake pedal. Seek help to have the
vehicle towed up the ramp.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more often
when used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule 0360. It is
especially important to check the
automatic transmission fluid, engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before and
during each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling when Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine Overheating
0 289.
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
(Continued)
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 263
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
Escalade 2WD Short Wheelbase 3.233 765 kg (8,300 lb) 6 350 kg (14,000 lb)
Escalade 4WD Short Wheelbase 3.233 674 kg (8,100 lb) 6 350 kg (14,000 lb)
Escalade 2WD Long Wheelbase 3.233 674 kg (8,100 lb) 6 350 kg (14,000 lb)
Escalade 4WD Long Wheelbase with
20 inch wheels 3.23
3 583 kg (7,900 lb) 6 350 kg (14,000 lb)
Escalade 4WD Long Wheelbase with
22 inch wheels 3.23
3 538 kg (7,800 lb) 6 350 kg (14,000 lb)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and trailer
including any passengers, cargo, equipment, and conversions. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be exceeded.
Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight
Rating
The Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight
Rating is the allowable trailer tongue
weight that the vehicle can support
using a conventional trailer hitch.
It may be necessary to reduce the
overall trailer weight to stay within
the maximum trailer tongue weight
rating while still maintaining the
correct trailer load balance.