2021 CADILLAC ESCALADE brakes

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 261
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost
Vehicles equipped with electric brake
boost have hydraulic brake circuits
that are electronically controlled when
the brake pedal is applied during
normal operation. The system
performs routine tests and turns off
within a few minutes after the vehicle
is turned off. Noise may be heard
during this time. If the brake pedal is
pressed during the tests or when the
electric brake boost system is off, a
noticeable change in pedal force and
travel may be felt. This is normal.
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
helps prevent a braking skid and
maintain steering while braking hard.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 125.
ABS does not change the time needed
to get a foot on the brake pedal and
does not always decrease stopping
distance. If you get too close to the
vehicle ahead, there will not be
enough time to apply the brakes if
that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the
brake pedal down firmly. Hearing and
feeling ABS operate is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and braking at the
same time. In many emergencies,
steering can help even more than
braking.
Electric Parking Brake
The Electric Parking Brake (EPB) can
always be applied, even if the vehicle
is off. In case of insufficient electrical
power, the EPB cannot be applied or
released. To prevent draining the
battery, avoid unnecessary repeated
cycles of the EPB.
The system has a red parking brake
status light and an amber service
parking brake warning light. See
Electric Parking Brake Light 0124 and
Service Electric Parking Brake Light
0 125. There are also parking
brake-related Driver Information
Center (DIC) messages.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 263
Brake Assist
Brake Assist detects rapid brake pedal
applications due to emergency braking
situations and provides additional
braking to activate the Antilock Brake
System (ABS) if the brake pedal is not
pushed hard enough to activate ABS
normally. Minor noise, brake pedal
pulsation, and/or pedal movement
during this time may occur. Continue
to apply the brake pedal as the driving
situation dictates. Brake Assist
disengages when the brake pedal is
released.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
Do not rely on the HSA feature.
HSA does not replace the need to
pay attention and drive safely. You
may not hear or feel alerts or
warnings provided by this system.
Failure to use proper care when
driving may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. SeeDefensive
Driving 0231. When the vehicle is stopped on a
grade, Hill Start Assist (HSA)
temporarily prevents the vehicle from
rolling in an unintended direction
during the transition from brake pedal
release to accelerator pedal apply. The
brakes release when the accelerator
pedal is applied or automatically
release after a few seconds. The brakes
may also release under other
conditions. Do not rely on HSA to
hold the vehicle.
HSA is available when the vehicle is
facing uphill in a forward gear,
or when facing downhill in
R (Reverse). The vehicle must come to
a complete stop on a grade for HSA to
activate.
Automatic Vehicle
Hold (AVH)
{Warning
Do not rely on this feature. It does
not replace the need to pay
attention and drive safely. You may
not hear or feel alerts or warnings
provided by this system. Failure to
use proper care when driving may
result in injury, death, or vehicle
damage.
When Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH)
is turned on and the vehicle is braked
to a stop, AVH prevents the vehicle

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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264 DRIVING AND OPERATING
from moving during the transition
from brake pedal release to accelerator
pedal apply. The brakes release when
the accelerator pedal is applied. The
brakes may also release under other
conditions. Do not rely on AVH to
hold the vehicle.
If the accelerator pedal is not applied
within a few minutes, the Electric
Parking Brake will apply. The parking
brake will also apply if the driver door
is opened or the driver seat belt is
unfastened while AVH is holding the
vehicle.
AVH can be turned on by pressing
AUTO HOLD. The indicator light on
the switch will come on. The AVH
light on the instrument panel will
come on while AVH is actively holding
the vehicle. SeeAutomatic Vehicle Hold
(AVH) Light 0125.Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
These systems help limit wheel spin
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses any of the
drive wheels are spinning or beginning
to lose traction. When this happens,
TCS applies the brakes to the spinning
wheels and reduces engine power to
limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure to one or more of the
vehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path. Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is also on automatically when
the vehicle is started. See
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) 0347.
If cruise control is being used and
traction control or StabiliTrak/ESC
begins to limit wheel spin, cruise
control will disengage. Cruise control
may be turned back on when road
conditions allow.
Both systems come on automatically
when the vehicle is started and begins
to move. The systems may be heard or
felt while they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This is
normal and does not mean there is a
problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary to
turn TCS off if the vehicle gets stuck
in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0240 and “Turning
the Systems Off and On ”later in this
section.
When the transfer case (if equipped)
is in Four-Wheel Drive Low, the TCS
and StabiliTrak/ESC are automatically

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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272 DRIVING AND OPERATING
If the Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control system begins to
limit wheel spin while using cruise
control, the cruise control
automatically disengages. SeeTraction
Control/Electronic Stability Control
0 264. If a collision alert occurs when
cruise control is activated, cruise
control is disengaged. See Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) System 0313.
When road conditions allow you to
safely use it again, the cruise control
can be turned back on.
If the brakes are applied, cruise
control disengages.J: Press to turn the system on and
off. A white indicator appears in the
instrument cluster when cruise is
turned on.
RES+ : If there is a set speed in
memory, press the control up briefly
to resume that speed or press and
hold to accelerate. If the cruise control
is already active, use to increase
vehicle speed.
SET− :Press the control down briefly
to set the speed and activate cruise
control. If the cruise control is already
active, use to decrease vehicle speed.
*: Press to disengage cruise control
without erasing the set speed from
memory.
Setting Cruise Control
If
Jis on when not in use, SET− or
RES+ could get pressed and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep
Joff
when cruise is not being used.
To set cruise control:
1. Press
J.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release SET−. 4. Remove your foot from the
accelerator.
When the cruise control has been set
to the desired speed, a green cruise
control indicator appears on the
instrument cluster and a cruise set
speed message appears on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) and
Head-Up Display (HUD), if equipped.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a desired
speed and then the brakes are applied
or
*is pressed, the cruise control is
disengaged without erasing the set
speed from memory.
Once the vehicle speed reaches about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more, press RES+
up briefly. The vehicle returns to the
previous set speed.
Increasing Speed While Cruise
Control is at a Set Speed
If the cruise control system is already
activated:
.Press and hold RES+ up until the
vehicle accelerates to the desired
speed, then release it.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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274 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Adaptive Cruise Control
(Advanced)
If equipped, Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC) allows the cruise control set
speed and following gap to be
selected. Read this entire section
before using this system. The
following gap is the following time (or
distance) between your vehicle and a
vehicle detected directly ahead in your
path, moving in the same direction.
If no vehicle is detected in your path,
ACC works like regular cruise control.
ACC uses camera and radar sensors.
SeeRadio Frequency Statement 0467.
If a vehicle is detected in your path,
ACC can speed up the vehicle or apply
limited, moderate braking to maintain
the selected following gap. To
disengage ACC, apply the brake. If the
Traction Control System (TCS) or
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) activates while ACC is engaged,
ACC may automatically disengage. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0264. When road conditions
allow ACC to be safely used, ACC can
be turned back on. Turning off the TCS or StabiliTrak/
ESC system will disengage the cruise
control.
ACC can reduce the need for you to
frequently brake and accelerate,
especially when used on expressways,
freeways, and interstate highways.
When used on other roads, you may
need to take over the control of
braking or acceleration more often.
{Warning
ACC has limited braking ability and
may not have time to slow the
vehicle down enough to avoid a
collision with another vehicle you
are following. This can occur when
vehicles suddenly slow or stop
ahead, or enter your lane. Also see
“Alerting the Driver”
in this section.
Complete attention is always
required while driving and you
should be ready to take action and
apply the brakes. See Defensive
Driving 0231.
{Warning
ACC will not detect or brake for
children, pedestrians, animals,
or other objects.
Do not use ACC when:
.On winding and hilly roads or
when the sensors are blocked by
snow, ice, or dirt. The system
may not detect a vehicle ahead.
Keep the entire front of the
vehicle clean.
.Visibility is low, such as in fog,
rain, or snow conditions. ACC
performance is limited under
these conditions.
.On slippery roads where fast
changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip.
.When towing a trailer.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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276 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Warning (Continued)
feature. If ACC is not active, the
vehicle will not automatically brake
for other vehicles, which could
cause a crash if the brakes are not
applied manually. You and others
could be seriously injured or killed.
Setting Adaptive Cruise Control
If
5is on when not in use, it could
get pressed and go into ACC when not
desired. Keep
5off when cruise is not
being used.
Select the set speed desired for ACC.
This is the vehicle speed when no
vehicle is detected in its path.
While the vehicle is moving, ACC will
not set at a speed less than 5 km/h
(3 mph), although the minimum
allowable set speed is 25 km/h
(15 mph).
To set ACC while moving:
1. Press
5.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release SET–. 4. Remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal.
After ACC is set, it may immediately
apply the brakes if a vehicle ahead is
detected closer than the selected
following gap.
ACC can also be set while the vehicle
is stopped if ACC is on and the brake
pedal is applied.
The ACC indicator displays on the
instrument cluster and Head-Up
Display (HUD), if equipped. When ACC
is turned on, the indicator will be lit
white. When ACC is active, the
indicator will turn green.
Be mindful of speed limits,
surrounding traffic speeds, and
weather conditions when selecting the
set speed. Resuming a Set Speed
If ACC is set at a desired speed and
then the brakes are applied, ACC is
disengaged without erasing the set
speed from memory.
To begin using ACC again, press RES+
up briefly.
.If the vehicle is moving more than
5 km/h (3 mph), it returns to the
previous set speed.
.If the vehicle is stopped with the
brake pedal applied, press RES+ and
release the brake pedal. ACC will
hold the vehicle until RES+ or the
accelerator pedal is pressed.
A green ACC indicator and the set
speed display on the instrument
cluster. The vehicle ahead indicator
may be flashing if a vehicle ahead was
present and moved. See “Approaching
and Following a Vehicle ”later in this
section.
Once ACC has resumed, if there is no
vehicle ahead, if the vehicle ahead is
beyond the selected following gap,
or if the vehicle has exited a sharp
curve, then the vehicle speed will
increase to the set speed.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 279
ACC automatically slows the vehicle
down and adjusts vehicle speed to
follow the vehicle in front at the
selected following gap. The vehicle
speed increases or decreases to follow
the vehicle in front of you, but will
not exceed the set speed. It may apply
limited braking, if necessary. When
braking is active, the brake lamps will
come on. The automatic braking may
feel or sound different than if the
brakes were applied manually. This is
normal.
Passing a Vehicle While Using ACC
If the set speed is high enough, and
the left turn signal is used to pass a
vehicle ahead in the selected following
gap, ACC may assist by gradually
accelerating the vehicle prior to the
lane change.
{Warning
When using ACC to pass a vehicle
or perform a lane change, the
following distance to the vehicle
being passed may be reduced. ACC
may not apply sufficient(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
acceleration or braking when
passing a vehicle or performing a
lane change. Always be ready to
manually accelerate or brake to
complete the pass or lane change.
Stationary or Very Slow-Moving
Objects
{Warning
ACC may not detect and react to
stopped or slow-moving vehicles
ahead of you. For example, the
system may not brake for a vehicle
it has never detected moving. This
can occur in stop-and-go traffic or
when a vehicle suddenly appears
due to a vehicle ahead changing
lanes. Your vehicle may not stop
and could cause a crash. Use
caution when using ACC. Your
complete attention is always
required while driving and you
should be ready to take action and
apply the brakes. Irregular Objects Affecting ACC
ACC may have difficulty detecting the
following objects:
.Vehicles with cargo extending from
the back end.
.Non-standard shaped vehicles, such
as vehicle transport, vehicles with a
side car fitted, or horse carriages.
.Objects that are close to the front of
your vehicle.
ACC Automatically Disengages
ACC may automatically disengage and
the driver will need to manually apply
the brakes to slow the vehicle if:
.The sensors are blocked.
.The Traction Control System (TCS)
or Stabilitrack/ESC has activated or
been disabled.
.There is a fault in the system.
.The radar falsely reports blockage
when driving in a desert or remote
area with no other vehicles or
roadside objects. A DIC message
may display to indicate that ACC is
temporarily unavailable.
The ACC active symbol will turn white
when ACC is no longer active.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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280 DRIVING AND OPERATING
In some cases, when ACC is
temporarily unavailable, regular cruise
control may be used. See“Switching
Between ACC and Regular Cruise
Control ”previously in this section.
Always consider driving conditions
before using either cruise control
system.
Notification to Resume ACC
ACC will maintain a following gap
behind a detected vehicle and slow
your vehicle to a stop behind that
vehicle.
If the stopped vehicle ahead has
driven away and ACC has not
resumed, the vehicle ahead indicator
will flash as a reminder to check
traffic ahead before proceeding. In
addition, the left and right sides of the
Safety Alert Seat will pulse three
times, or three beeps will sound. See
“Alert Type ”and “Adaptive Cruise Go
Notifier” in“Collision/Detection
Systems” underVehicle Personalization
0 138.
When the vehicle ahead drives away,
ACC resumes automatically if the stop
was brief. If necessary, press RES+ or
the accelerator pedal to resume ACC. If stopped for more than two minutes
or if the driver door is opened and the
driver seat belt is unbuckled, the ACC
automatically applies the Electric
Parking Brake (EPB) to hold the
vehicle. The EPB status light will turn
on. See
Electric Parking Brake 0261.
To release the EPB, press the
accelerator pedal.
A DIC warning message may display
indicating to shift to P (Park) before
exiting the vehicle. See Vehicle
Messages 0138.
{Warning
If ACC has stopped the vehicle, and
if ACC is disengaged, turned off,
or canceled, the vehicle will no
longer be held at a stop. The vehicle
can move. When ACC is holding the
vehicle at a stop, always be
prepared to manually apply the
brakes.
{Warning
Leaving the vehicle without placing
it in P (Park) can be dangerous. Do
not leave the vehicle while it is
being held at a stop by ACC. Always
place the vehicle in P (Park) and
turn off the ignition before leaving
the vehicle.
ACC Override
If using the accelerator pedal while
ACC is active, the ACC indicator turns
blue on the instrument cluster and in
the HUD (if equipped) indicating ACC
braking will not occur. ACC will
resume operation when the
accelerator pedal is not being pressed.
{Warning
The ACC will not automatically
apply the brakes if your foot is
resting on the accelerator pedal.
You could crash into a vehicle
ahead of you.