2021 CADILLAC ESCALADE brake light

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
140 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Rear Climate on Startup
This setting controls the rear climate
system behavior at vehicle startup.
Mimic Front will sync the rear
settings with the front driver climate
settings.
Touch Off or Mimic Front.
Auto Defog
This setting automatically directs air
to the windshield to assist in
defogging, based on temperature and
humidity conditions.
Touch Off or On.
Auto Rear Defog
This setting automatically turns on
the rear window defogger on based on
temperature and humidity conditions.
Touch Off or On.
Ionizer
If equipped and on, this feature helps
clean the air inside the vehicle and
remove contaminants such as pollen,
odors, and dust. SeeDual Automatic
Climate Control System 0220.
Touch Off or On. Auto Air Distribution
This setting controls the way air flows
in the vehicle when using Auto
Climate Control.
Touch Direct Airflow, Normal Airflow,
or Diffuse Airflow.
Collision/Detection Systems
Touch and the following may display:
.Alert Type
.Forward Collision System
.Front Pedestrian Detection
.Intersection Stop Alert
.Adaptive Cruise Go Notifier
.Side Blind Zone Alert
.Lane Change Alert
.Seat Belt Tightening
.Park Assist
.Park Assist Towbar
.Rear Camera Park Assist Symbols
.Rear Cross Traffic Alert
.Rear Pedestrian Detection
.Super Cruise Lane Change
Alert Type
This feature sets the type of alert from
the driver assistance systems to help
avoid crashes.
Touch Beeps or Safety Alert Seat.
Forward Collision System
This setting can alert of a potential
crash with a detected vehicle ahead
and can apply brakes to help reduce a
collision’s severity.
Touch Off, Alert, or Alert and Brake.
Front Pedestrian Detection
This feature may help avoid or reduce
the harm caused by front-end crashes
with nearby pedestrians. See
Front
Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System 0317.
Touch Off, Alert, or Alert and Brake.
Intersection Stop Alert
This feature alerts the driver when the
vehicle is about to go through a red
light or when the vehicle enters an
intersection and detects a potential
crash with a vehicle crossing ahead.
Touch Off or Alert.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
142 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
.Remote Mirror Folding
.Rain Sense Wipers
.Auto Wipe in Reverse Gear
.Extended Hill Start Assist
Chime Volume
This sets the chime volume level.
Touch the controls on the
infotainment display to adjust the
volume.
Power Liftgate
This allows the driver to decide what
happens when pressing the Power
Liftgate switch. .
Touch Open Fully, Open to Custom
Height, or Off.
Hands Free Liftgate/Trunk Control
This allows the liftgate to be operated
hands free. See Liftgate020.
Touch Off, Open and Close,
or Open Only.
Reverse Tilt Mirror
When on, the driver, passenger,
or both driver and passenger outside
mirrors will tilt downward when the
vehicle is shifted into R (Reverse) to improve visibility of the ground near
the rear wheels. They may move from
their tilted position when the vehicle
is shifted out of R (Reverse) or turned
off. See
Reverse Tilt Mirrors 033.
Touch Off, On - Driver and Passenger,
On - Driver, or On - Passenger.
Remote Mirror Folding
This allows the outside mirrors to be
folded in when the remote key
Q
button is pressed and held. Pressing
Kunfolds the mirrors. See Folding
Mirrors 032.
Touch Off or On.
Rain Sense Wipers
This setting automatically turns on
the windshield wipers when moisture
is detected and the wiper switch is in
intermittent mode.
Touch Disabled or Enabled.
Auto Wipe in Reverse Gear
This setting automatically turns on
the rear window wiper when the
vehicle is shifted to R (Reverse) and
moisture is detected.
Touch Off or On. Extended Hill Start Assist
This setting prevents the vehicle from
rolling backward on a steep hill if the
brake pedal is not depressed.
Touch Extended Hold or
Standard Hold.
Lighting
Touch and the following may display:
.Ambient Lighting
.Vehicle Locator Lights
.Exit Lighting
.Left or Right Hand Traffic
.Advanced Forward Lighting
.Daytime Tail Lights
.Automatic High Beam Assist
.Surround View Lighting
Ambient Lighting
This setting provides the ability to
customize the color and intensity of
the interior accent lighting.
Touch Off or On.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
210 INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
.Enhanced Low Fuel Warning (if
equipped)–When the vehicle is low
on fuel, the low fuel light on the
instrument cluster flashes and the
DIC low fuel warning cannot be
dismissed.
.Do not tow a trailer.
Report Card
The vehicle owner must secure the
driver’s consent to record certain
vehicle data when the vehicle is driven
with a registered Teen Driver key.
There is one Report Card per vehicle.
Data is only recorded when a
registered Teen Driver key is used to
operate the vehicle.
The Report Card data is collected from
the time Teen Driver is activated or
the last time the Report Card was
reset. The following items may be
recorded:
.Distance Driven –the total distance
driven.
.Maximum Speed –the maximum
vehicle speed detected.
.Overspeed Warnings –the number
of times the speed warning setting
was exceeded.
.Wide Open Throttle –the number
of times the accelerator pedal was
pressed nearly all the way down.
.Forward Collision Alerts –the
number of times the driver was
notified when approaching a vehicle
ahead too quickly and at potential
risk for a crash.
.Forward Automatic Braking, also
called Automatic Emergency
Braking (if equipped) –the number
of times the vehicle detected that a
forward collision was imminent and
applied the brakes.
.Reverse Automatic Braking (if
equipped) –the number of times
the vehicle detected that a rearward
collision was imminent and applied
the brakes.
.Traction Control –the number of
times the Traction Control System
activated to reduce wheel spin or
loss of traction.
.Stability Control –the number of
events which required the use of
electronic stability control.
.Antilock Braking System Active –
The number of Antilock Brake
System activations.
.Tailgating Alerts –the number of
times the driver was alerted for
following a vehicle ahead too
closely.
Report Card Data
Cumulative Data is saved for all trips
until the Report Card is reset or until
the maximum count is exceeded.
If the maximum count is exceeded for
a Report Card line item, that item will
no longer be updated in the Report
Card until it is reset. Each item will
report a maximum of 1,000 counts.
The distance driven will report a
maximum of 64 374 km (40,000 mi).
To delete Report Card data, do one of
the following:
.From the Report Card display, touch
Reset.
.Touch Clear All Teen Keys and PIN
from the Teen Driver menu. This
will also unregister any Teen Driver
keys and delete the PIN.
Forgotten PIN
See your dealer to reset the PIN.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 235
{Warning
Many hills are simply too steep for
any vehicle. Driving up hills can
cause the vehicle to stall. Driving
down hills can cause loss of control.
Driving across hills can cause a
rollover. You could be injured or
killed. Do not drive on steep hills.
Before driving on a hill, assess the
steepness, traction, and obstructions.
If the terrain ahead cannot be seen,
get out of the vehicle and walk the hill
before driving further.
When driving on hills:
.Use a low gear and keep a firm grip
on the steering wheel.
.Maintain a slow speed.
.When possible, drive straight up or
down the hill.
.Slow down when approaching the
top of the hill.
.Use headlamps even during the day
to make the vehicle more visible.
{Warning
Driving to the top of a hill at high
speed can cause a crash. There
could be a drop-off, embankment,
cliff, or even another vehicle. You
could be seriously injured or killed.
As you near the top of a hill, slow
down and stay alert.
.Never go downhill forward or
backward with either the
transmission or transfer case in
N (Neutral). The brakes could
overheat and you could lose control.
{Warning
If the vehicle has the two-speed
automatic or electronic transfer
case, shifting the transfer case to
N (Neutral) can cause your vehicle
to roll even if the transmission is in
P (Park). This is because the
N (Neutral) position on the transfer
case overrides the transmission.
You or someone else could be
injured. If leaving the vehicle, set
the parking brake and shift the (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
transmission to P (Park). Shift the
transfer case to any position but
N (Neutral).
.When driving down a hill, keep the
vehicle headed straight down. Use a
low gear because the engine will
work with the brakes to slow the
vehicle and help keep the vehicle
under control.
{Warning
Heavy braking when going down a
hill can cause your brakes to
overheat and fade. This could cause
loss of control and you or others
could be injured or killed. Apply the
brakes lightly when descending a
hill and use a low gear to keep
vehicle speed under control.
If the vehicle stalls on a hill: 1. Apply the brakes to stop the vehicle, and then apply the parking
brake.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
238 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Warning (Continued)
After driving through a large puddle
of water or a car/vehicle wash,
lightly apply the brake pedal until
the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can
build up under the vehicle's tires so
they actually ride on the water. This
can happen if the road is wet enough
and you are going fast enough. When
the vehicle is hydroplaning, it has
little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping equipment
in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper tread
depth. SeeTires0393.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving on
flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, and cooling system.
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the vehicle
on a long downhill slope can cause
brake overheating, can reduce brake
performance, and could result in a
loss of braking. Shift the
transmission to a lower gear to let
the engine assist the brakes on a
steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or
with the ignition off is dangerous.
This can cause overheating of the
brakes and loss of steering assist.
Always have the engine running
and the vehicle in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the center line.
.Be alert on top of hills; something
could be in your lane (e.g., stalled
car, crash).

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 245
Caution (Continued)
.Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. SeeTrailer Towing 0334
for the trailer towing capabilities
of the vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
Ignition Positions
Vehicles equipped with Keyless Access
have pushbutton starting. The Remote Key must be in the
vehicle for the system to operate.
If the pushbutton start is not working,
the vehicle may be near a strong radio
antenna signal causing interference to
the Keyless Access system. See
Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
0 7.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition
must be on or in Service Mode, and
the brake pedal must be applied.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the vehicle
off in an emergency.
Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF (No
Indicator Lights) : When the vehicle
is stopped, press ENGINE START/
STOP once to turn the engine off.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the
ignition will turn off, and Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) 0248. If the vehicle is not in P (Park), the
ignition will return to ACC/
ACCESSORY and display the message
SHIFT TO PARK in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). When the
vehicle is shifted into P (Park), the
ignition system will turn off.
The vehicle may have an electric
steering column lock. The lock is
activated when the ignition is turned
off and either front door is opened.
A sound may be heard as the lock
actuates or releases. The steering
column lock may not release with the
wheels turned off center. If this
happens, the vehicle may not start.
Move the steering wheel from left to
right while attempting to start the
vehicle. If this does not work, the
vehicle needs service.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes
repeatedly. This may deplete power
assist, requiring increased brake
pedal force.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
246 DRIVING AND OPERATING
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral).This can be done while the vehicle
is moving. After shifting to
N (Neutral), firmly apply the brakes
and steer the vehicle to a safe
location.
3. Come to a complete stop.
4. Hold the brake pedal down and shift to P (Park). The shift lever
must be in P (Park) to turn the
ignition off.
5. Continue to hold the brake pedal down.
6. Set the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0261.
7. Press ENGINE START/STOP once to turn the ignition off.
8. Release the brake pedal.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over,
and must be shut off while driving,
press and hold ENGINE START/STOP
for longer than two seconds, or press
twice in five seconds.
ACC/ACCESSORY (Amber Indicator
Light) : This mode allows some
electrical accessories to be used when
the engine is off. With the ignition off, pressing the
button one time without the brake
pedal applied will place the ignition
system in ACC/ACCESSORY.
The ignition will switch from ACC/
ACCESSORY to off after five minutes
to prevent battery rundown.
ON/RUN/START (Green Indicator
Light) :
This mode is for driving and
starting. With the ignition off, and the
brake pedal applied, pressing the
button once will turn the ignition on.
Once engine cranking begins, release
the button. Engine cranking will
continue until the engine starts. See
Starting the Engine 0246.
Service Mode
This power mode is available for
service and diagnostics, and to verify
the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as may be
required for emission inspection
purposes. With the vehicle off, and the
brake pedal not applied, pressing and
holding the button for more than
five seconds will place the vehicle in
Service Mode. The instruments and
audio systems will operate as they do
when the ignition is on, but the vehicle will not be able to be driven.
The engine will not start in Service
Mode. Press the button again to turn
the ignition off.
Starting the Engine
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see
the Duramax diesel supplement.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change the
way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. See
Add-On Electrical Equipment
0360.
Shift the vehicle into P (Park) or
N (Neutral). To restart the engine
when the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 247
Starting Procedure
1. The remote key must be in thevehicle. Press ENGINE START/
STOP with the brake pedal applied.
When the engine begins cranking,
let go of the button.
The idle speed will go down as the
engine gets warm. Do not race the
engine immediately after starting
it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the oil
to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.
When the low fuel warning light is
on and the FUEL LEVEL LOW
message is displayed in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), press the
ENGINE START/STOP position to
continue engine cranking.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by trying to start
the engine immediately after
cranking has ended, can overheat
and damage the cranking motor,
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
and drain the battery. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to let
the cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds, especially in
very cold weather (below −18 °C or
0 °F), it could be flooded with too
much gasoline. Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there while
pressing ENGINE START/STOP for
up to a maximum of 15 seconds.
Wait at least 15 seconds between
each try, to allow the cranking
motor to cool down. When the
engine starts, let go of the button
and accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the
same thing. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Do not
race the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Stop/Start System
If equipped and enabled, the Stop/
Start system will shut off the engine
to help conserve fuel. It has
components designed for the
increased number of starts.
{Warning
The automatic engine Stop/Start
feature causes the engine to shut
off while the vehicle is still on. Do
not exit the vehicle before shifting
to P (Park). The vehicle may restart
and move unexpectedly. Always
shift to P (Park), and then turn the
ignition off before exiting the
vehicle.
Auto Engine Stop/Start
When the brakes are applied and the
vehicle is at a complete stop, the
engine may turn off. When stopped,
the tachometer displays AUTO STOP.
See Tachometer 0116. When the brake
pedal is released or the accelerator
pedal is pressed, the engine will
restart.