Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/11/21
INTRODUCTION 5
1.Driver Information Center (DIC)
0132.
2. Air Vents 0225.
3. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn and
Lane-Change Signals 0153.
Exterior Lamp Controls 0149.
4. Tap Shift Controls (If Equipped). See Manual Mode 0255.
5. Instrument Cluster 0114.
6. Driver Monitoring Camera. See Super Cruise 0283 (If Equipped).
7. Windshield Wiper/Washer 0105.
Rear Window Wiper/Washer 0107.
8. Infotainment. See Overview0158.
9. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0152.
10. Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0220.
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
0 48 (If Equipped).
11. USB Ports. See USB Port0169.
12. Storage Compartment.
13. Infotainment Controls. See Overview 0158.
14. Hazard Warning Flashers 0153. 15.
Wireless Charging 0111.
16. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0251.
17. Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH) 0263.
Stop/Start Disable Button. See
Stop/Start System 0247.
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) 0324 (If
Equipped).
18. ENGINE START/STOP Button. See Ignition Positions 0245.
19. Steering Wheel Controls 0104.
20. Horn 0104.
21. Steering Column Adjustment. See Steering Wheel Adjustment 0104.
22. Hood Release. See Hood0365.
23. Cruise Control 0271 (If Equipped).
Adaptive Cruise Control (Advanced)
0 274 (If Equipped).
Super Cruise 0283 (If Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System
0 313 (If Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel 0104 (If
Equipped).
24. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control 0154. 25. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of
View). See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0122.
26. Trailer Brake Control. See Towing
Equipment 0338 (If Equipped).
27. Electric Parking Brake 0261.
28. Four-Wheel Drive 0256 (If
Equipped).
Four Corner Air Suspension System
0 268 (If Equipped).
Driver Mode Control 0266
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS 9
S:PressStwice to start the engine
from outside the vehicle using the
remote key. See Remote Vehicle Start
0 14.
Keyless Access Operation
The Keyless Access system allows for
doors and the liftgate to be accessed
without removing the remote key from
your pocket, purse, briefcase, etc. The
remote key must be within 1 m (3 ft)
of the liftgate or door being opened.
If the vehicle has this feature, there
will be a button on the outside door
handles.
Keyless Access can be programmed to
unlock all doors on the first door
handle press from the driver door
button. Keyless unlocking can be
turned off. See Vehicle Personalization
0 138.
If equipped with memory seats,
remote keys 1 and 2 are linked to
seating positions of memory 1 or 2.
See Memory Seats 045. Keyless Unlocking/Locking from the
Driver Door
Driver Door Unlock Touchpad Shown,
Passenger Similar
When the doors are locked and the
remote key is within 1 m (3 ft) of the
door handle, touching the driver door
handle inside touchpad will unlock
the driver door. Touching the driver
door handle outside sensor will lock
the doors.
Driver Door Lock Sensor Shown, Passenger Similar
If equipped with remote folding
mirror, touching the driver door
handle sensor may fold and unfold the
mirrors. See Folding Mirrors 032.
Keyless Unlocking/Locking from the
Passenger Doors
When the doors are locked and the
remote key is within 1 m (3 ft) of the
door handle, touching the door handle
inside touchpad of the passenger door
will unlock all doors. Touching the
door handle outside sensor will lock
the doors.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
16 KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS
.Pull the front door handle once to
unlock and open it. Pull the rear
door handle once to unlock it and
again to open it.
To lock or unlock the doors from
outside the vehicle:
.PressQorKon the remote key.
.Use the mechanical key in the
driver door. The key cylinder is
covered by a cap. See “Driver Door
Key Lock Cylinder Access” later in
this section.
Keyless Access
The remote key must be within 1 m
(3 ft) of the liftgate or door being
opened or locked. To unlock and open
any door, press the touchpad on the
inside grip area of the outside door
handle. Touch the sensor on the front
outside door handle to lock. See
“Keyless Access Operation ”in Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
0 7.
Driver Door Key Lock Cylinder
Access (In Case of Dead Battery)
To access the driver door key lock
cylinder and unlatch the door: 1. Remove the mechanical key from the remote key.2. Insert the mechanical key into theslot at the bottom of the handle
and push upward all the way until
the cover frees. Do not pry or pull
on the key.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS 29
3. After 30 seconds the alarm systemwill arm, and the indicator light
will begin to slowly flash. Pressing
Qon the remote key 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
mechanical key.
If the driver door is opened without
first unlocking with the remote key,
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
remote key 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:
.PressKon the remote key.
.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
remote key, or use the Keyless
Access system.
Unlocking the driver door with the
mechanical key will not disarm the
system or turn off the alarm.
How to Detect a Tamper
Condition
IfKis pressed on the remote key 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.
The power sounder provides an
audible alarm which is distinct from
the vehicle’s horn. It has its own
power source, and can sound an alarm
if the vehicle’s battery is
compromised.
The inclination sensor can set off the
alarm if it senses movement of the
vehicle, such as a change in vehicle
orientation.
The intrusion sensor monitors the
vehicle interior, and can activate the
alarm if it senses unauthorized entry
into the vehicle’s interior. Do not
allow passengers or pets to remain in
the vehicle when the intrusion sensor
is activated.
Before arming the theft-deterrent
system and activating the intrusion
sensor:
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
30 KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS
.Make sure all doors and windows
are completely closed.
.Secure any loose items such as a
sunshades.
.Make sure there are no obstructions
blocking the sensors in the front
overhead console.
.Close DVD screens before leaving
the vehicle.
Intrusion and Inclination
Sensors Disable Switch
It is recommended that the intrusion
and inclination sensors be deactivated
if pets are left in the vehicle or the
vehicle is being transported.With the vehicle off, press
oin the
front overhead console to turn off the
feature.
The indicator light may come on
momentarily, or a message may
display on the instrument cluster,
indicating that these sensors have
been disabled until the next time the
alarm system is armed.
Steering Column Lock
If equipped, the steering column lock
is a theft-deterrent device. This
feature locks the steering column
when the vehicle is turned off and the
driver door is opened, or when the
driver door is opened and then the
vehicle is turned off. The steering
column unlocks when the vehicle is
turned on.
The Driver Information Center (DIC)
may display one of these messages:
.A message to service the steering
column lock indicates that an issue
has been detected with the column
lock feature and the vehicle should
be serviced.
.A message that the steering column
is locked indicates that the engine
is running, but the steering column
is still locked. It is normal for the
column to be locked during a
remote start, but the column should
unlock after the brake pedal is
pressed and the vehicle is started.
No message will display during a
remote start.
.A message that the steering wheel
must be turned and the vehicle
must be started again indicates that
the column lock mechanism is
bound, the column locking device
was unable to unlock the steering
column, and the vehicle did not
start. If this happens, immediately
turn the steering wheel from side to
side to unbind the column lock.
If this does not unlock the steering
column, turn the vehicle off and
open the driver door to reset the
system. Then turn the vehicle on
and immediately turn the steering
wheel side to side for about
15 seconds. In some cases, it may
take significant force to unbind the
column.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 69
for the airbags to inflate and help
restrain the occupants. The vehicle
has electronic sensors that help the
airbag system determine the severity
of the impact. Deployment thresholds
can vary with specific vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are designed to inflate
in moderate to severe frontal or near
frontal crashes to help reduce the
potential for severe injuries, mainly to
the driver's or front outboard
passenger's head and chest.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should inflate is not based primarily
on how fast the vehicle is traveling.
It depends on what is hit, the
direction of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.
Frontal airbags may inflate at
different crash speeds depending on
whether the vehicle hits an object
straight on or at an angle, and
whether the object is fixed or moving,
rigid or deformable, narrow or wide.
Frontal airbags are not intended to
inflate during vehicle rollovers, rear
impacts, or many side impacts.In addition, the vehicle has advanced
technology frontal airbags. Advanced
technology frontal airbags adjust the
restraint according to crash severity.
The front center airbag is designed to
inflate in moderate to severe side
crashes depending upon the location
of the impact, when either side of the
vehicle is struck. In addition, the front
center airbag is designed to inflate
when the sensing system predicts that
the vehicle is about to roll over on its
side. The front center airbag is not
designed to inflate in frontal impacts,
near frontal impacts, or rear impacts.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags are
designed to inflate in moderate to
severe side crashes depending on the
location of the impact. Seat-mounted
side impact airbags are not designed
to inflate in frontal impacts, near
frontal impacts, rollovers, or rear
impacts. A seat-mounted side impact
airbag is designed to inflate on the
side of the vehicle that is struck.
Roof-rail airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe side
crashes depending on the location of
the impact. In addition, these roof-railairbags are designed to inflate during
a rollover or in a severe frontal
impact. Roof-rail airbags are not
designed to inflate in rear impacts.
Both roof-rail airbags will inflate when
either side of the vehicle is struck,
if the sensing system predicts that the
vehicle is about to roll over on its
side, or in a severe frontal impact.
In any particular crash, no one can
say whether an airbag should have
inflated simply because of the vehicle
damage or the repair costs.
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the
airbag causing the bag to break out of
the cover. The inflator, the airbag, and
related hardware are all part of the
airbag module.
For airbag locations, see
Where Are the
Airbags? 067.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 71
locked, the interior lamps can be
turned off, and the hazard warning
flashers can be turned off using the
controls for those features. If any of
these systems are damaged in the
crash they may not operate as normal.
{Warning
A crash severe enough to inflate the
airbags may have also damaged
important functions in the vehicle,
such as the fuel system, brake and
steering systems, etc. Even if the
vehicle appears to be drivable after
a moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could make
it difficult to safely operate the
vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.
In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the front outboard
passenger airbag.
.Airbags are designed to inflate only
once. After an airbag inflates, you
will need some new parts for the
airbag system. If you do not get
them, the airbag system will not be
there to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly other
parts. The service manual for the
vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
.The vehicle has a crash sensing and
diagnostic module which records
information after a crash. See
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
0 469 and
Event Data Recorders 0469.
.Let only qualified technicians work
on the airbag systems. Improper
service can mean that an airbag
system will not work properly. See
your dealer for service.
Passenger Sensing System
The vehicle has a passenger sensing
system for the front outboard
passenger position. The passenger
airbag status indicator will light on
the overhead console when the vehicle
is started.
United States and Canada
The words ON and OFF, and the
symbols for on and off, will be visible
during the system check. When the
system check is complete, either the
word ON or OFF, and the symbol for
on or off, will be visible. See Passenger
Airbag Status Indicator 0121.
The passenger sensing system turns
off the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag under certain
conditions. No other airbag is affected
by the passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works
with sensors that are part of the front
outboard passenger seat and seat belt.
The sensors are designed to detect the
presence of a properly seated
occupant and determine if the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
should be allowed to inflate or not.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 75
massagers can affect how well the
passenger sensing system operates.
We recommend that you not use seat
covers or other aftermarket equipment
except when approved by GM for your
specific vehicle. SeeAdding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 075 for
more information about modifications
that can affect how the system
operates.
The ON indicator may be lit if an
object, such as a briefcase, handbag,
grocery bag, laptop, or other electronic
device, is put on an unoccupied seat.
If this is not desired, remove the
object from the seat.
{Warning
Stowing articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle should
be serviced. There are parts of the
airbag system in several places around
the vehicle. Your dealer and the
service manual have information
about servicing the vehicle and the
airbag system. To purchase a service
manual, see Publication Ordering
Information 0467.
{Warning
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the battery
is disconnected, an airbag can still
inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an
airbag when it inflates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the airbag system.
Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the
person performing work for you is
qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Adding accessories that change the
vehicle's frame, bumper system,
height, front end, or side sheet metal
may keep the airbag system from
working properly.
The operation of the airbag system
can also be affected by changing,
including improperly repairing or
replacing, any parts of the following:
.Airbag system, including airbag
modules, front or side impact
sensors, sensing and diagnostic
module, airbag wiring, or front
center console
.Front seats, including stitching,
seams or zippers
.Seat belts
.Steering wheel, instrument panel,
overhead console, ceiling trim,
or pillar garnish trim
.Inner door seals, including speakers
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about the location of
the airbag modules and sensors,