Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
66 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
.A seat-mounted side impact airbag
for the front outboard passenger
.A roof-rail airbag for the driver and
for the second and third row
passengers seated directly behind
the driver
.A roof-rail airbag for the front
outboard passenger and the second
and third row passengers seated
directly behind the front outboard
passenger
All vehicle airbags have the word
AIRBAG on the trim or on a label near
the deployment opening.
For frontal airbags, the word AIRBAG
is on the center of the steering wheel
for the driver and on the instrument
panel for the front outboard
passenger.
For the front center airbag, the word
AIRBAG is on the inboard side of the
driver seatback.
For seat-mounted side impact airbags,
the word AIRBAG is on the side of the
seatback or side of the seat closest to
the door.
For roof-rail airbags, the word AIRBAG
is on the ceiling or trim. Airbags are designed to supplement
the protection provided by seat belts.
Even though today's airbags are also
designed to help reduce the risk of
injury from the force of an inflating
bag, all airbags must inflate very
quickly to do their job.
Here are the most important things to
know about the airbag system:
{Warning
You can be severely injured or
killed in a crash if you are not
wearing your seat belt, even with
airbags. Airbags are designed to
work with seat belts, not replace
them. Also, airbags are not designed
to inflate in every crash. In some
crashes seat belts are the only
restraint. See
When Should an
Airbag Inflate? 068.
Wearing your seat belt during a
crash helps reduce your chance of
hitting things inside the vehicle or
being ejected from it. Airbags are
“supplemental restraints” to the
seat belts. Everyone in the vehicle (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
should wear a seat belt properly,
whether or not there is an airbag
for that person.
{Warning
Because airbags inflate with great
force and faster than the blink of an
eye, anyone who is up against,
or very close to any airbag when it
inflates can be seriously injured or
killed. Do not sit unnecessarily
close to any airbag, as you would be
if sitting on the edge of the seat or
leaning forward. Seat belts help
keep you in position before and
during a crash. Always wear a seat
belt, even with airbags. The driver
should sit as far back as possible
while still maintaining control of
the vehicle. The seat belts and the
front outboard passenger airbags
are most effective when you are
sitting well back and upright in the
seat with both feet on the floor.
(Continued)
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 67
Warning (Continued)
Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the front center
armrest or console in vehicles with
a front center airbag.
Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the door or side
windows in seating positions with
seat-mounted side impact airbags
and/or roof-rail airbags.
{Warning
Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag when it
inflates can be seriously injured or
killed. Always secure children
properly in the vehicle. To read
how, seeOlder Children 077 or
Infants and Young Children 078.
There is an airbag readiness light on
the center stack below the
infotainment screen, which shows the
airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag
electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. See Airbag
Readiness Light 0120.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the
center of the steering wheel.
The front outboard passenger frontal
airbag is in the passenger side
instrument panel.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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68 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
The front center airbag is in the
inboard side of the driver seatback.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger SideSimilar
The driver and front outboard
passenger seat-mounted side impact
airbags are in the side of the
seatbacks closest to the door.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger Side Similar
The roof-rail airbags for the driver,
front outboard passenger, and second
and third row outboard passengers are
in the ceiling above the side windows.
{Warning
If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the airbag
might not inflate properly or it
might force the object into that
person causing severe injury or
even death. The path of an inflating
airbag must be kept clear. Do not (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
put anything between an occupant
and an airbag, and do not attach or
put anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other airbag
covering.
Do not use seat or console
accessories that block the inflation
path of a seat-mounted side impact
airbag or the front center airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof of
a vehicle with roof-rail airbags by
routing a rope or tie-down through
any door or window opening. If you
do, the path of an inflating roof-rail
airbag will be blocked.
When Should an Airbag
Inflate?
This vehicle is equipped with airbags.
SeeAirbag System 065. Airbags are
designed to inflate if the impact
exceeds the specific airbag system's
deployment threshold. Deployment
thresholds are used to predict how
severe a crash is likely to be in time
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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70 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near
frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering
wheel or the instrument panel. In
moderate to severe side collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the
inside of the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection
provided by seat belts by distributing
the force of the impact more evenly
over the occupant's body.
Rollover capable roof-rail airbags are
designed to help contain the head and
chest of occupants in the outboard
seating positions in the first, second,
and third rows. The rollover capable
roof-rail airbags are designed to help
reduce the risk of full or partial
ejection in rollover events, although
no system can prevent all such
ejections.
But airbags would not help in many
types of collisions, primarily because
the occupant's motion is not toward
those airbags. SeeWhen Should an
Airbag Inflate? 068. Airbags should never be regarded as
anything more than a supplement to
seat belts.What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates?
After frontal and seat-mounted side
impact airbags inflate, they quickly
deflate, so quickly that some people
may not even realize the airbags
inflated. The front center airbag and
roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inflated for some time after
they inflate. Some components of the
airbag module may be hot for several
minutes. For location of the airbags,
see
Where Are the Airbags? 067.
The parts of the airbag that come into
contact with you may be warm, but
not too hot to touch. There may be
some smoke and dust coming from
the vents in the deflated airbags.
Airbag inflation does not prevent the
driver from seeing out of the
windshield or being able to steer the
vehicle, nor does it prevent people
from leaving the vehicle.
{Warning
When an airbag inflates, there may
be dust in the air. This dust could
cause breathing problems for
people with a history of asthma or
other breathing trouble. To avoid
this, everyone in the vehicle should
get out as soon as it is safe to do
so. If you have breathing problems
but cannot get out of the vehicle
after an airbag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or a
door. If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
on the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers, and shut off the fuel
system after the airbags inflate. The
feature may also activate, without
airbag inflation, after an event that
exceeds a predetermined threshold.
After turning the ignition off and then
on again, the fuel system will return
to normal operation; the doors can be
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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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-
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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,
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 103
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . 104
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . 104
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . 104
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . 105
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . 107
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . 116
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Transmission Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . 120
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Brake System Warning Light . . . . 124
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . 124
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . 125
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Disabled Light . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . 126
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 126
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Driver Mode Control Light . . . . . . . 128 Four Corner Air Suspension
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . 130
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 130
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Vehicle Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . . . . . 135
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Engine Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . 138
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . 138
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . . . . 138
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . . . . . . 145
Universal Remote System Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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104 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment
To adjust the power tilt and
telescoping steering wheel:
Press the control to move the steering
wheel up and down or forward and
rearward.
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving.
Steering Wheel Controls
The infotainment system can be
operated by using the steering wheel
controls. SeeSteering Wheel Controls
0 160.
Heated Steering Wheel
(:If equipped, press to turn the
heated steering wheel on or off. An
indicator next to the button is lit
when the feature is turned on.
The steering wheel takes about
three minutes to start heating. Automatic Heated Steering Wheel
If equipped with remote start, the
heated steering wheel may turn on
during a remote start along with the
heated seats when it is cold outside.
The heated steering wheel indicator
may come on in remote start.
If equipped with auto heated seats,
the heated steering wheel will turn on
when the auto heated seat is
activated. The heated steering wheel
indicator will display the state of the
steering wheel heat.
See
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
0 48 and
Vehicle Personalization 0138.
Horn
To sound the horn, pressaon the
steering wheel.