2021 CADILLAC ESCALADE check engine

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
118 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
The engine coolant temperature gauge
measures the temperature of the
vehicle's engine.
This gauge displays on the
infotainment display. If show in
cluster is selected a digital value is
shown on the instrument cluster in
zone 2.
While driving under normal operating
conditions, if the needle moves into
the red area, the engine is too hot.
Pull off the road, stop the vehicle, and
turn off the engine as soon as
possible.Transmission Temperature
Gauge
Metric
EnglishThe transmission temperature gauge
shows the transmission fluid
temperature. If the gauge is reading in
the red area and/or a message appears
in the Driver Information Center
(DIC), the vehicle must be stopped
and the cause checked. One possible
cause is a low fluid level in the
transmission.
This gauge displays on the
infotainment display. If show in
cluster is selected a digital value is
shown on the instrument cluster in
zone 2.
Caution
Do not drive the vehicle while the
transmission fluid is overheating,
or the transmission can be
damaged. This could lead to costly
repairs that would not be covered
by the warranty.

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-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
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
130 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Engine Oil Pressure Light
Caution
Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. Driving with the engine oil
low can also damage the engine.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Check the
oil level as soon as possible. Add oil
if required, but if the oil level is
within the operating range and the
oil pressure is still low, have the
vehicle serviced. Always follow the
maintenance schedule for changing
engine oil.
This light should come on briefly as
the engine is started. If it does not
come on, have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer.If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle could
be low on oil and might have some
other system problem. See your dealer.
Low Fuel Warning Light
A Low Fuel Warning Light near the
fuel gauge comes on briefly when the
ignition is turned on as a check to
show it is working.
It also comes on when the fuel gauge
indicator nears empty. The light turns
off when fuel is added. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced.
Security Light
The security light should come on
briefly as the engine is started. If it
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 stays on and the engine
does not start, there could be a
problem with the theft-deterrent
system. See
Immobilizer Operation
0 31.
High-Beam On Light

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
132 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Door Ajar Light
This light comes on when a door is
open or not securely latched. Before
driving, check that all doors are
properly closed.
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The DIC is displayed in the
instrument cluster. It shows the status
of many vehicle systems.
DIC information is broken down into
three main zones:
Zone 1 :A touchscreen display to left
of the instrument cluster.
Zone 2 : Displays on the instrument
cluster to the left of the speedometer. Zone 3 :
Displays on the instrument
cluster to the right of the
speedometer.
yorz: Use the thumbwheel to
scroll to the previous or next
selection.
V: Press the thumbwheel to open a
menu or select a menu item. Press
and hold to reset certain displays.
DIC Information Display Options
Select which info display to view on
the DIC through the Settings menu,
or by selecting show in cluster in the
Vehicle Information on the infotainment display. See
Settings
0 203 or
Vehicle Information 0134.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see
the Duramax diesel supplement for
more information.
DIC Information Displays
The following is the list of all possible
DIC information displays and their
locations. Some of the information
displays may not be available for your
particular vehicle.
Zone 1
Trip 1 or Trip 2 and Average Fuel
Economy : The Trip display shows the
current distance traveled, in either
kilometers (km) or miles (mi), since
the trip odometer was last reset. To
reset the current trip, touch and hold
the touchscreen display when trip
odometer is displayed.
The Average Fuel Economy display
shows the approximate average liters
per 100 kilometers (L/100 km) or
miles per gallon (mpg). This number
is calculated based on the number of
L/100 km (mpg) recorded since the

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
188 INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
Saving Favorites
Favorites can be added from a number
of the system’s applications. Touch
the favorites icon to save content as a
favorite.
Editing Favorites
Favorites can be edited by selecting
the Edit button for the favorite and
updating the content. Tap and hold on
the Favorites item to enter Edit page.
Reorder Favorites
Touch and hold the Reorder button on
the right side on a favorite item, then
continue to hold and drag it to the
desired position in the list.
Delete Favorites
Touch the checkbox next to the
favorite and select Delete.
Delete all favorites by selecting
Delete All.
Recents
Touch Recents in the
Navigation menu.Last Parked Location
The Last Parked Location is the last
location the vehicle engine was turned
off. That location is displayed in the
first row of the Recents list. Touching
the last Parked Location shows the
Address Details view to either save the
address or drive to it. The Last Parked
Location can be deleted by entering
the Edit display. Once the Last Parked
Location is deleted, it no longer
appears in the Recents list, unless the
vehicle is started at that location
again.
Show POI Icons
Touch Search in the Navigation menu.
More than eight categories of icons
can be selected.
Smart POI Icons on Map (If
Equipped)
The smart POI icons such as fuel
stations and parking may appear
based on time, location, driver search
behavior, driving conditions, and
vehicle conditions.
Touch a smart POI icon to open the
corresponding details:
.Left side: Name and address of the
POI + ETE (Estimated Time
Enroute.)
.Right side:E
Smart Fuel Station Icons
Fuel station prices are shown if
available for nearby stations when the
vehicle is low on fuel.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 237
Traction is reduced on hard packed
snow and ice and it is easy to lose
control. Reduce vehicle speed when
driving on hard packed snow and ice.
{Warning
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds,
or rivers can be dangerous. Ice
conditions vary greatly and the
vehicle could fall through the ice;
you and your passengers could
drown. Drive your vehicle on safe
surfaces only.
Driving in Water
{Warning
Driving through rushing water can
be dangerous. Deep water can
sweep your vehicle downstream and
you and your passengers could
drown. If it is only shallow water, it
can still wash away the ground
from under your tires. Traction
could be lost, and the vehicle could
roll over. Do not drive through
rushing water.
Caution
Do not drive through standing
water if it is deep enough to cover
the wheel hubs, axles, or exhaust
pipe. Deep water can damage the
axle and other vehicle parts.
If the standing water is not too deep,
drive through it slowly. At faster
speeds, water can get into the engine
and cause it to stall. Stalling can
occur if the exhaust pipe is under
water. Do not turn off the ignition
when driving through water. If the
exhaust pipe is under water, the
engine will not start. When going
through water, the brakes get wet and
it may take longer to stop. See
“Driving on Wet Roads ”later in this
section.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has
collected on the underbody or chassis,
or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have
the brake linings cleaned and checked.
These substances can cause glazing and uneven braking. Check the body
structure, driveline, steering,
suspension, wheels, tires, and exhaust
system for damage and check the fuel
lines and cooling system for any
leakage.
More frequent maintenance service is
required. See the
Maintenance Schedule
0 442.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle
traction and affect your ability to stop
and accelerate. Always drive slower in
these types of driving conditions and
avoid driving through large puddles
and deep-standing or flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They
might not work as well in a quick
stop and could cause pulling to one
side. You could lose control of the
vehicle.
(Continued)

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).