2021 CADILLAC ESCALADE Owner's Manual

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
120 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Front Passenger Seat Belt
Reminder Light
The vehicle may have a front
passenger seat belt reminder light
near the passenger airbag status
indicator. SeePassenger Sensing
System 071.
When the vehicle is started, this light
flashes and a chime may come on to
remind passengers to fasten their
seat belt.
Then the light stays on solid until the
belt is buckled. This cycle continues
several times if the front passenger
remains or becomes unbuckled while
the vehicle is moving.
If the front passenger seat belt is
buckled, neither the chime nor the
light comes on. The front passenger seat belt reminder
light and chime may come on if an
object is put on the seat such as a
briefcase, handbag, grocery bag,
laptop, or other electronic device. To
turn off the reminder light and/or
chime, remove the object from the
seat or buckle the seat belt.
Second and Third Row
Passenger Seat Belt Reminder
Light
The vehicle may have second and
third row passenger seat belt reminder
lights.
When the vehicle is started, these
lights come on solid to remind rear
passengers to fasten their seat belt.
Then each light may stay on solid or
flash, and a chime may come on if the
rear passenger remains unbuckled,
or becomes unbuckled, when thevehicle is moving. An X indicates the
seat belt is not buckled. A check mark
indicates the seat belt is buckled.
If the all rear passenger seat belts are
buckled, neither the chime nor the
lights come on.
For information on the front seat belt
reminder lights, see "Driver Seat Belt
Reminder Light" and "Front Passenger
Seat Belt Reminder Light" listed
previously.
The rear passenger seat belt reminder
light and chime may come on if an
object is put on the seat such as a
briefcase, handbag, grocery bag,
laptop, or other electronic device. To
turn off the reminder light and/or
chime, remove the object from the
seat or buckle the seat belt.
Airbag Readiness Light
This light shows if there is an
electrical problem with the airbag
system. It is located on the center
stack, below the infotainment screen.
The system check includes the airbag
sensor(s), the passenger sensing
system, the pretensioners, the airbag
modules, the wiring, and the crash

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 121
sensing and diagnostic module. For
more information on the airbag
system, seeAirbag System 065.
The airbag readiness light comes on
for several seconds when the vehicle is
started. If the light does not come on
then, have it fixed immediately.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started or
comes on while driving, it means
the airbag system might not be
working properly. The airbags in the
vehicle might not inflate in a crash,
or they could even inflate without a
crash. To help avoid injury, have
the vehicle serviced right away.
If there is a problem with the airbag
system, a Driver Information Center
(DIC) message may also come on.
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger sensing
system. See Passenger Sensing System
0 71 for important safety information.
The overhead console has a passenger
airbag status indicator.
United States and Canada
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator will
light ON and OFF, and the symbols for
on and off, for several seconds as a
system check. Then, after several more
seconds, the status indicator will light
either ON or OFF, and the symbol for
on or off, to let you know the status of
the front outboard passenger frontal
airbag. If the word ON, and the on symbol,
are lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag is
allowed to inflate.
If the word OFF, and the off symbol,
are lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the passenger
sensing system has turned off the
front outboard passenger frontal
airbag.
If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, if there are
no lights at all, or if the airbag
readiness light is on, there may be a
problem with the lights or the
passenger sensing system. See your
dealer for service right away.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have
(Continued)

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
122 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Warning (Continued)
the vehicle serviced right away. See
Airbag Readiness Light0120 for
more information, including
important safety information.
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on
briefly when the ignition is turned on,
but the engine is not running, as a
check to show the light is working.
It should go out when the engine is
started.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there may be a problem
with the electrical charging system.
Have it checked by your dealer.
Driving while this light is on could
drain the battery. When this light comes on, or is
flashing, the Driver Information
Center (DIC) also displays a message.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio and
air conditioner. Find a safe place to
stop the vehicle.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
If equipped with a diesel engine, see
the Duramax Diesel Supplement.
This light is part of the vehicle’s
emission control on-board diagnostic
system. It is located on the center
stack, below the infotainment screen.
If this light is on while the engine is
running, a malfunction has been
detected and the vehicle may require
service. The light should come on to
show that it is working when the
ignition is in Service Mode. See
Ignition Positions
0245.
Malfunctions are often indicated by
the system before any problem is
noticeable. Being aware of the light
and seeking service promptly when it
comes on may prevent damage.
Caution
If the vehicle is driven continually
with this light on, the emission
control system may not work as
well, the fuel economy may be
lower, and the vehicle may not run
smoothly. This could lead to costly
repairs that might not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Modifications to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake,
or fuel system, or the use of
replacement tires that do not meet
(Continued)

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 123
Caution (Continued)
the original tire specifications, can
cause this light to come on. This
could lead to costly repairs not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
This could also affect the vehicle’s
ability to pass an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications0364.
If the light is f lashing : A
malfunction has been detected that
could damage the emission control
system and increase vehicle
emissions. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
To help prevent damage, reduce
vehicle speed and avoid hard
accelerations and uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the amount
of cargo being hauled as soon as
possible.
If the light continues to flash, find a
safe place to park. Turn the vehicle off
and wait at least 10 seconds before
restarting the engine. If the light is still flashing, follow the previous
guidelines and see your dealer for
service as soon as possible.
If the light is on steady :
A
malfunction has been detected.
Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Check the following:
.If fuel has been added to the vehicle
using the capless fuel funnel
adapter, make sure that it has been
removed. See “Filling the Tank with
a Portable Gas Can ”under Filling the
Tank 0327. The diagnostic system
can detect if the adapter has been
left installed in the vehicle, allowing
fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips with
the adapter removed may turn off
the light.
.Poor fuel quality can cause
inefficient engine operation and
poor driveability, which may go
away once the engine is warmed up.
If this occurs, change the fuel
brand. It may require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to turn
the light off. See Recommended Fuel
0 326. If the light remains on, see your
dealer.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
If the vehicle requires an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test, the test
equipment will likely connect to the
vehicle's Data Link Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument
panel to the left of the steering wheel.
Connecting devices that are not used
to perform an Emissions Inspection/
Maintenance test or to service the
vehicle may affect vehicle operation.
See
Add-On Electrical Equipment 0360.
See your dealer if assistance is needed.
The vehicle may not pass
inspection if:
.The light is on when the engine is
running.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
124 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
.The light does not come on when
the ignition is in Service Mode.
.Critical emission control systems
have not been completely
diagnosed. If this happens, the
vehicle would not be ready for
inspection and might require
several days of routine driving
before the system is ready for
inspection. This can happen if the
12-volt battery has recently been
replaced or run down, or if the
vehicle has been recently serviced.
See your dealer if the vehicle will not
pass or cannot be made ready for
the test.
Brake System Warning
Light
MetricEnglish This light should come on briefly
when the vehicle is turned on. It is
located on the center stack, below the
infotainment screen. If it does not
come on then, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a
problem.
If the light comes on and stays on at
start up, there is a brake problem.
Have the brake system inspected
right away.
If the light comes on while driving,
pull off the road and stop carefully.
The brake system has electric brake
boost. Vehicle speed may be limited
when the brake system warning light
comes on. The brake pedal might be
harder to push, or the brake pedal
may go closer to the floor. It could
take longer to stop. If the light is still
on, have the vehicle towed for service.
See
Towing the Vehicle 0428.
{Warning
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
on can lead to a crash. If the light is
still on after the vehicle has been
pulled off the road and carefully
stopped, have the vehicle towed for
service.
Electric Parking Brake
Light
MetricEnglish
This light comes on when the parking
brake is applied. If the light continues
flashing after the parking brake is
released, or while driving, there is a
problem with the Electric Parking
Brake system. A message may also
display in the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
If the light does not come on,
or remains flashing, see your dealer.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 125
Service Electric Parking
Brake Light
This light should come on briefly
when the vehicle is turned on. If it
does not come on, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn if there is a
problem.
If this light stays on or comes on
while driving, there is a problem with
the Electric Parking Brake (EPB). Take
the vehicle to a dealer as soon as
possible. In addition to the parking
brake, other safety functions that
utilize the EPB may also be degraded.
A message may also display in the
Driver Information Center (DIC). See
Electric Parking Brake0261.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
This warning light should come on
briefly when the vehicle is turned on.
It is located on the center stack, below
the infotainment screen. If the light
does not come on, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn if there is a
problem.
If the light comes on while driving,
safely stop as soon as it is possible
and turn off the vehicle. Then turn on
the vehicle again to reset the system.
If the ABS warning light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the
vehicle needs service. A chime may
also sound when the light stays on.
If the ABS warning light is the only
light on, the vehicle has regular
brakes, but ABS is not functioning. If both the ABS warning light and the
brake system warning light are on,
ABS is not functioning and there is a
problem with the regular brakes. See
your dealer for service.
See
Brake System Warning Light 0124.
Automatic Vehicle Hold
(AVH) Light
This light comes on when AVH is
actively holding the vehicle. See
Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH) 0263.
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
Light

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
126 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
After the vehicle is started, this light
turns off and stays off if LKA has not
been turned on or is unavailable.
If available, this light is white if LKA
is turned on but not ready to assist.
This light is green if LKA is turned on
and ready to assist.
LKA may assist by gently turning the
steering wheel if the vehicle
approaches a detected lane marking.
The LKA light is amber when
assisting.
This light flashes amber as a Lane
Departure Warning (LDW) alert, to
indicate that the lane marking has
been unintentionally crossed.
LKA will not assist or alert if the turn
signal is active in the direction of the
lane departure, or if LKA detects that
you are accelerating, braking,
or actively steering.
SeeLane Keep Assist (LKA) 0324.Automatic Emergency
Braking (AEB) Disabled
Light
This indicator will display when
Automatic Emergency Braking or
Front Pedestrian Braking has been
turned off or is currently unavailable
due to malfunction.
See Automatic Emergency Braking
(AEB) 0315.
See Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System 0317.
Vehicle Ahead Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will display
green when a vehicle is detected
ahead and amber when you are
following a vehicle ahead much too
closely.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0313.
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will display
amber when a nearby pedestrian is
detected in front of the vehicle.
See Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System 0317.

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INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 127
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly when the
vehicle is turned on. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
turns off.
The traction off light comes on when
the Traction Control System (TCS) has
been turned off. If StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is
turned off, TCS is also turned off. To
turn TCS and ESC off and on, see
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control0264.
If TCS is off, wheel spin is not limited
unless necessary to help protect the
driveline from damage. Adjust driving
accordingly.
StabiliTrak OFF Light
This light comes on briefly when the
vehicle is turned on. It is located on
the center stack, below the
infotainment screen. If the light does
not come on, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer. If the system is
working normally, the indicator light
then turns off.
This light comes on when the
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) system is turned off.
If StabiliTrak/ESC is off, the Traction
Control System (TCS) is also off. To
turn ESC off and on, see Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control
0 264.
If ESC and TCS are off, the systems do
not assist in controlling the vehicle.
Adjust driving accordingly.
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak Light
This light comes on briefly when the
vehicle is turned on. It is located on
the center stack, below the
infotainment screen.
If the light does not come on, have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally, the
indicator light turns off.
If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS and potentially the StabiliTrak/
ESC system are not fully operational
and may not assist in maintaining
control. Adjust driving accordingly.
If the condition persists, see your
dealer as soon as possible. A Driver
Information Center (DIC) message
may display.