2021 CADILLAC ESCALADE airbag

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/11/21
2 INTRODUCTION
Helm, Incorporated
Attention: Customer Service
47911 Halyard Drive
Plymouth, MI 48170
USA
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about
the vehicle, use the Index in the back
of the manual. It is an alphabetical
list of what is in the manual and the
page number where it can be found.
Danger, Warning, and
Caution
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means“Do not,”
“Do not do this,” or“Do not let this
happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or information relating to a specific
component, control, message, gauge,
or indicator.
M:
Shown when the owner’s manual
has additional instructions or
information.
*: Shown when the service manual
has additional instructions or
information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.”
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that
may be found on the vehicle and what
they mean. See the features in this
manual for information.
u: Air Conditioning System
G:Air Conditioning Refrigerant Oil
9:Airbag Readiness Light
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
$:Brake System Warning Light
9:Dispose of Used Components
Properly

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
40 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
Seats and Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Front Seats
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Heated and Ventilated FrontSeats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Massage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Rear Seats
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Heated Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Third Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Seat Belts
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Seat Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Seat Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Seat Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Replacing Seat Belt System Parts
after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . . . . 67
When Should an AirbagInflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . 69
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . 70
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . 71
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Adding Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . 75
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Replacing Airbag System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Infants and Young Children . . . . . . 78
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . . . 82
Lower Anchors and Tethers forChildren (LATCH System) . . . . . . . 84
Replacing LATCH System Parts
After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Securing Child Restraints (With
the Seat Belt in the
Rear Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Securing Child Restraints (With the Seat Belt in the Front
Passenger Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 59
Why Seat Belts Work
When riding in a vehicle, you travel as
fast as the vehicle does. If the vehicle
stops suddenly, you keep going until
something stops you. It could be the
windshield, the instrument panel,
or the seat belts!
When you wear a seat belt, you and
the vehicle slow down together. There
is more time to stop because you stop
over a longer distance and, when worn
properly, your strongest bones take
the forces from the seat belts. That is
why wearing seat belts makes such
good sense.
Questions and Answers About
Seat Belts
Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicleafter a crash if I am wearing a
seat belt?
A: You could be— whether you are
wearing a seat belt or not. Your
chance of being conscious during
and after a crash, so you can
unbuckle and get out, is much
greater if you are belted.
Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have to wear seat belts?
A: Airbags are supplemental systems
only. They work withseat belts —
not instead of them. Whether or
not an airbag is provided, all
occupants still have to buckle up to
get the most protection.
Also, in nearly all states and in all
Canadian provinces, the law
requires wearing seat belts.
How to Wear Seat Belts
Properly
Follow these rules for everyone's
protection. There are additional things to know
about seat belts and children,
including smaller children and infants.
If a child will be riding in the vehicle,
see
Older Children 077 or
Infants and Young Children 078.
Review and follow the rules for
children in addition to the following
rules.
It is very important for all occupants
to buckle up. Statistics show that
unbelted people are hurt more often
in crashes than those who are wearing
seat belts.
There are important things to know
about wearing a seat belt properly.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 61
Always use the correct buckle for your
seating position.
Never route the lap or shoulder belt
over an armrest.
{Warning
The seat belt can be pinched if it is
routed under plastic trim on the
seat, such as trim around the rear
seatback folding handle or side
airbag. In a crash, pinched seat
belts might not be able to provide
adequate protection. Never allow
seat belts to be routed under plastic
trim pieces.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
All seating positions in the vehicle
have a lap-shoulder belt.
If you are using a rear seating position
with a detachable seat belt and the
seat belt is not attached, seeThird
Row Seats 055 for instructions on
reconnecting the seat belt to the
mini-buckle.
The following instructions explain
how to wear a lap-shoulder belt
properly.
1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you can sit up
straight. To see how, see “Seats”in
the Index.
2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get
twisted.
The lap-shoulder belt may lock if
you pull the belt across you very
quickly. If this happens, let the belt
go back slightly to unlock it. Then
pull the belt across you more
slowly.
If the shoulder portion of a
passenger belt is pulled out all the
way, the child restraint locking
feature may be engaged. See Child
Restraint Systems 080. If this
occurs, let the belt go back all the
way and start again. If the locking
feature stays engaged after letting

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 65
it replaced immediately. If a belt is
twisted, it may be possible to untwist
by reversing the latch plate on the
webbing. If the twist cannot be
corrected, ask your dealer to fix it.
Make sure the seat belt reminder light
is working. SeeSeat Belt Reminders
0 119.
Keep seat belts clean and dry. See Seat
Belt Care 065.
Seat Belt Care
Keep belts clean and dry.
Seat belts should be properly cared for
and maintained.
Seat belt hardware should be kept dry
and free of dust or debris. As
necessary, exterior hard surfaces and
seat belt webbing may be lightly
cleaned with mild soap and water.
Ensure there is not excessive dust or
debris in the mechanism. If dust or
debris exists in the system please see
the dealer. Parts may need to be
replaced to ensure proper
functionality of the system.
{Warning
Do not bleach or dye seat belt
webbing. It may severely weaken
the webbing. In a crash, they might
not be able to provide adequate
protection. Clean and rinse seat belt
webbing only with mild soap and
lukewarm water. Allow the webbing
to dry.
Replacing Seat Belt
System Parts after a Crash
{Warning
A crash can damage the seat belt
system in the vehicle. A damaged
seat belt system may not properly
protect the person using it,
resulting in serious injury or even
death in a crash. To help make sure
the seat belt systems are working
properly after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as
possible. After a minor crash, replacement of
seat belts may not be necessary. But
the seat belt assemblies that were
used during any crash may have been
stressed or damaged. See your dealer
to have the seat belt assemblies
inspected or replaced.
New parts and repairs may be
necessary even if the seat belt system
was not being used at the time of the
crash.
Have the seat belt pretensioners
checked if the vehicle has been in a
crash, or if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start the vehicle or
while you are driving. See
Airbag
Readiness Light 0120.
Airbag System
The vehicle has the following airbags:
.A frontal airbag for the driver
.A frontal airbag for the front
outboard passenger
.A front center airbag for the driver
and front outboard passenger
.A seat-mounted side impact airbag
for the driver

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
66 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
.A seat-mounted side impact airbag
for the front outboard passenger
.A roof-rail airbag for the driver and
for the second and third row
passengers seated directly behind
the driver
.A roof-rail airbag for the front
outboard passenger and the second
and third row passengers seated
directly behind the front outboard
passenger
All vehicle airbags have the word
AIRBAG on the trim or on a label near
the deployment opening.
For frontal airbags, the word AIRBAG
is on the center of the steering wheel
for the driver and on the instrument
panel for the front outboard
passenger.
For the front center airbag, the word
AIRBAG is on the inboard side of the
driver seatback.
For seat-mounted side impact airbags,
the word AIRBAG is on the side of the
seatback or side of the seat closest to
the door.
For roof-rail airbags, the word AIRBAG
is on the ceiling or trim. Airbags are designed to supplement
the protection provided by seat belts.
Even though today's airbags are also
designed to help reduce the risk of
injury from the force of an inflating
bag, all airbags must inflate very
quickly to do their job.
Here are the most important things to
know about the airbag system:
{Warning
You can be severely injured or
killed in a crash if you are not
wearing your seat belt, even with
airbags. Airbags are designed to
work with seat belts, not replace
them. Also, airbags are not designed
to inflate in every crash. In some
crashes seat belts are the only
restraint. See
When Should an
Airbag Inflate? 068.
Wearing your seat belt during a
crash helps reduce your chance of
hitting things inside the vehicle or
being ejected from it. Airbags are
“supplemental restraints” to the
seat belts. Everyone in the vehicle (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
should wear a seat belt properly,
whether or not there is an airbag
for that person.
{Warning
Because airbags inflate with great
force and faster than the blink of an
eye, anyone who is up against,
or very close to any airbag when it
inflates can be seriously injured or
killed. Do not sit unnecessarily
close to any airbag, as you would be
if sitting on the edge of the seat or
leaning forward. Seat belts help
keep you in position before and
during a crash. Always wear a seat
belt, even with airbags. The driver
should sit as far back as possible
while still maintaining control of
the vehicle. The seat belts and the
front outboard passenger airbags
are most effective when you are
sitting well back and upright in the
seat with both feet on the floor.
(Continued)

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 67
Warning (Continued)
Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the front center
armrest or console in vehicles with
a front center airbag.
Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the door or side
windows in seating positions with
seat-mounted side impact airbags
and/or roof-rail airbags.
{Warning
Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag when it
inflates can be seriously injured or
killed. Always secure children
properly in the vehicle. To read
how, seeOlder Children 077 or
Infants and Young Children 078.
There is an airbag readiness light on
the center stack below the
infotainment screen, which shows the
airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag
electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. See Airbag
Readiness Light 0120.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the
center of the steering wheel.
The front outboard passenger frontal
airbag is in the passenger side
instrument panel.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
68 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
The front center airbag is in the
inboard side of the driver seatback.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger SideSimilar
The driver and front outboard
passenger seat-mounted side impact
airbags are in the side of the
seatbacks closest to the door.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger Side Similar
The roof-rail airbags for the driver,
front outboard passenger, and second
and third row outboard passengers are
in the ceiling above the side windows.
{Warning
If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the airbag
might not inflate properly or it
might force the object into that
person causing severe injury or
even death. The path of an inflating
airbag must be kept clear. Do not (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
put anything between an occupant
and an airbag, and do not attach or
put anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other airbag
covering.
Do not use seat or console
accessories that block the inflation
path of a seat-mounted side impact
airbag or the front center airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof of
a vehicle with roof-rail airbags by
routing a rope or tie-down through
any door or window opening. If you
do, the path of an inflating roof-rail
airbag will be blocked.
When Should an Airbag
Inflate?
This vehicle is equipped with airbags.
SeeAirbag System 065. Airbags are
designed to inflate if the impact
exceeds the specific airbag system's
deployment threshold. Deployment
thresholds are used to predict how
severe a crash is likely to be in time