Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
VEHICLE CARE 421
Warning (Continued)
damage if the hoist cable fails or if
the tire comes loose. Make sure the
tire is stored securely before
driving.
Caution
Always store the spare tire or flat
tire with the valve stem pointed up.
Stowing a tire with the valve stem
pointed down could result in
damage to the wheel.
Caution
The tire hoist is designed to be
raised and lowered with tension on
the cable. If the hoist must be
raised or lowered without a tire
attached, do so only by hand, and
at a slow pace, to avoid damaging
the mechanism. Do not use power
tools.
{Warning
An improperly stored spare tire
could come loose and cause a crash.
To avoid personal injury or property
damage, always store the spare tire
when the vehicle is parked on a
level surface.
If the vehicle has 275/60R20 or 275/
50R22 size tires, the flat tire must be
stored inside of the vehicle using the
flat tire secure strap inside the glove
box. See “Storing a Flat Tire Inside of
the Vehicle ”later in this section.
If the vehicle has 265/65R18 or 275/
55R20 size tires, store the flat tire
under the rear of the vehicle in the
spare tire carrier. Refer to the
following graphics and instructions:
1. Hoist Assembly
2. Hoist Shaft
3. Hoist Shaft Access Cover/Hole
4. Jack Handle Extension
5. Wheel Wrench
6. Spare Tire Lock
7. Hoist End of Extension Tool
8. Hoist Shaft Access Hole
9. Spare Tire (Valve Stem Pointed Up)
10.Tire/Wheel Retainer
11.Hoist Cable
1. Put the tire (9) on the ground at the rear of the vehicle with the
valve stem pointed up, and to
the rear.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
422 VEHICLE CARE
2. Tilt the tire toward the vehicle.Separate the tire/wheel retainer
from the guide pin. Pull the pin
through the center of the wheel.
Tilt the retainer down through the
center wheel opening.
Make sure the retainer is fully
seated across the underside of the
wheel.
3. Assemble the jack handleextensions (4) and wheel
wrench (5).
Caution
Use of an air wrench or other power
tools with the hoist mechanism is
not recommended and could
damage the system. Use only the
tools supplied with the hoist
mechanism.
4. Insert the open end of theextension (7) through the hole in
the rear bumper (8) (hoist shaft
access hole).
5. Raise the tire part way upward. Make sure the retainer is seated in
the wheel opening. 6. Raise the tire fully against the
underside of the vehicle by turning
the wheel wrench clockwise until
you hear two clicks or feel it skip
twice. The cable cannot be
overtightened.
7. Make sure the tire is storedsecurely. Push, pull, and then try to
turn the tire. If the tire moves, use
the wheel wrench to tighten the
cable.
Repeat this tightness check
procedure when checking the spare
tire pressure according to the
scheduled maintenance
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
424 VEHICLE CARE
4. Remove the flat tire secure strapfrom the glove box and place the
loop end of the strap through the
cargo tie-down. Place the hook end
of the strap through the loop and
pull it until the strap is fastened
securely to the tie-down.5. Route the hook end of the strapthrough the wheel, as shown.
6. Attach the hook to the other cargo tie-down in the rear of the vehicle.
7. Tighten the strap.
Full-Size Spare Tire
If this vehicle came with a full-size
spare tire, it was fully inflated when
new, however, it can lose air over
time. Check the inflation pressure
regularly. See Tire Pressure0400 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0240 for
information regarding proper tire
inflation and loading the vehicle. For instructions on how to remove, install,
or store a spare tire, see
Tire Changing
0 413.
If equipped with a temporary use
full-size spare tire, it is indicated on
the tire sidewall. See Tire Sidewall
Labeling 0395. This spare tire should
not be driven on over 112 km/h
(70 mph), or 88 km/h (55 mph) when
pulling a trailer, at the proper
inflation pressure. Repair and replace
the road tire as soon as it is
convenient, and stow the spare tire for
future use.
Caution
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive
and a different size spare tire is
installed, do not drive in four-wheel
drive until the flat tire is repaired
and/or replaced. The vehicle could
be damaged and the repairs would
not be covered by the warranty.
Never use four-wheel drive when a
different size spare tire is installed
on the vehicle.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
428 VEHICLE CARE
7. Connect one end of the redpositive (+) cable to the remote
positive (+) terminal of the vehicle
with the discharged battery.
8. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it to the positive (+)
terminal of the good battery. Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
9. Connect one end of the black negative (−) cable to the negative
(−) terminal of the good battery.
Use a remote negative (−) terminal
if the vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch
anything until the next step.
10. Connect the other end of the negative (−) cable to the remote
negative (−) terminal to the
discharged battery.
11. Start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine for a
while.
12. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it will not start
after a few tries, it probably needs
service.Caution
If the jumper cables are connected
or removed in the wrong order,
electrical shorting may occur and
damage the vehicle. The repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always connect and
remove the jumper cables in the
correct order, making sure that the
cables do not touch each other or
other metal.
Jumper Cable Removal
Reverse the sequence exactly when
removing the jumper cables.
After starting the disabled vehicle and
removing the jumper cables, allow it
to idle for several minutes.
Towing the Vehicle
Caution
Incorrectly towing a disabled
vehicle may cause damage. The
damage would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not lash or (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
hook to suspension components.
Use the proper straps around the
tires to secure the vehicle. Do not
drag a locked wheel/tire. Use tire
skates or dollies under any locked
wheel/tire while loading the vehicle.
Do not use a sling type lift to tow
the vehicle. This could damage the
vehicle.
Caution
Improper use of the tow eye can
damage the vehicle. If equipped, use
the tow eye to load a disabled
vehicle onto a flatbed tow truck
from a flat road surface, or to move
the vehicle a short distance. Use
caution and low speeds. The
transmission must be
in (N) Neutral when moving the
vehicle.
GM recommends a flatbed tow truck
to transport a disabled vehicle. Use
ramps to help reduce approach angles,
if necessary. A towed vehicle should
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
VEHICLE CARE 429
have its drive wheels off the ground.
Contact Roadside Service or a
professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed.
Front Attachment Points
The vehicle is equipped with specific
attachment points to be used to pull
the vehicle onto a flatbed car carrier
from a flat road surface. Do not use
these attachment points to pull the
vehicle from snow, mud or sand.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle, such as a motor home. The
two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are dinghy
and dolly towing. Dinghy towing is
towing the vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground. Dolly towing is towing
the vehicle with two wheels on the
ground and two wheels on a dolly.
Follow the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
instructions. See your dealer or
trailering professional for additional
advice and equipment
recommendations.
Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing:
.Before towing the vehicle, become
familiar with the local laws that
apply to recreational vehicle towing.
These laws may vary by region.
.What is the towing capacity of the
towing vehicle? Be sure to read the
tow vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
.What is the distance that will be
traveled? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
.Is the proper towing equipment
going to be used? See your dealer or
trailering professional for additional
advice and equipment
recommendations.
.Is the vehicle ready to be towed?
Just as preparing the vehicle for a
long trip, make sure the vehicle is
prepared to be towed.
Caution
Use of a shield mounted in front of
the vehicle grille could restrict
airflow and cause damage to the
transmission. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
If using a shield, only use one that
attaches to the towing vehicle.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
430 VEHICLE CARE
Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Caution
If the two-wheel-drive vehicle is
towed with all four wheels on the
ground, the drivetrain components
could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not
be towed with all four wheels on the
ground. Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Only dinghy tow four-wheel-drive
vehicles with a two speed transfer
case that has an N (Neutral) and a 4
n
setting.
{Warning
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle's
transfer case into N (Neutral) can
cause the vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in P (Park). You or
others could be injured. Set the
parking brake before shifting the
transfer case to N (Neutral).To dinghy tow:
1. Position the vehicle being towed behind the tow vehicle, facing
forward and on a level surface.
2. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
3. Apply the parking brake and start the engine.
4. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel Drive
0 256 for the proper procedure.
Check that the vehicle is in
N (Neutral) by shifting the
transmission to R (Reverse) and
then to D (Drive). There should be
no movement of the vehicle while
shifting.
5. Shift the transmission to P (Park).Caution
Failure to tow the vehicle with the
transmission in P (Park) can cause
damage to the transmission.
6. Turn off the engine.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
VEHICLE CARE 431
7. Place the vehicle in ACC/ACCESSORY mode by pressing the
start button without stepping on
the brake pedal.
8. Release the parking brake only when you are confident it is
secured to tow vehicle and will
not roll.
Before going on to the next step, be
sure to take the mechanical key
with you. It will be needed to
re-enter the vehicle after the power
is disconnected. See “Drive Door
Key Lock Cylinder Access” under
Door Locks 015.
9. Disconnect the negative battery cable at the battery and secure the
nut and bolt. Cover the negative
battery post with a non-conductive
material to prevent any contact
with the negative battery terminal.
Caution
Failure to disconnect the negative
battery cable or to have it contact
the terminals can cause damage to
the vehicle. 10. Move the steering wheel to make
sure the steering column is
unlocked.
Caution
If the steering column is locked,
vehicle damage may occur.
11. Rock the vehicle to make sure the parking brake is not set and
transfer case is in N (Neutral).
Caution
Towing the vehicle with the parking
brake set can damage it. Always
release the parking brake prior to
towing the vehicle.
Disconnecting the Towed Vehicle
Before disconnecting the towed
vehicle: 1. Park on a level surface.
2. Connect the battery.
3. Apply the brake pedal.
{Warning
The vehicle can roll when the brake
pedal is released. Always apply and
hold the brake pedal when setting
the parking brake. Make sure the
parking brake is fully engaged
before releasing the brake pedal.
4. Start the engine and shift the transfer case out of N (Neutral) to
2
m. See “Shifting out of
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel Drive
0 256. See your dealer if the
transfer case cannot be shifted out
of N (Neutral).
5. Check that the vehicle is in 2
mby
shifting the transmission to
R (Reverse) and then to D (Drive).
There should be movement of the
vehicle while shifting.
6. Shift the transmission to P (Park) and turn off the vehicle.
7. Set the parking brake.
8. Release the parking brake.
9. Disconnect the vehicle from the tow vehicle.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
432 VEHICLE CARE
10. Reset any lost presets.The outside temperature display
will default to 0 °C (32 °F) but will
reset with normal usage.
Dolly Towing
Caution
Do not tow this vehicle with two
wheels on the ground, or vehicle
damage could occur. This damage
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Dolly towing this vehicle is not
allowed with either the front or the
rear tires on the ground for two-wheel
drive or four-wheel drive, regardless of
transfer case.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.
Use a de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, and have the
locks greased after using. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0 451.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish, wash
it often and out of direct sunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based, acidic,
or abrasive cleaning agents as they
can damage the vehicle's paint,
metal, or plastic parts. If damage
occurs, it would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Approved
cleaning products can be obtained
from your dealer. Follow all
manufacturer directions regarding
correct product usage, necessary
(Continued)