Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
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.
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
128 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
The light flashes when the TCS and/or
the StabiliTrak/ESC system is actively
working.
SeeTraction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0264.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the system
is working normally the indicator light
goes off.
Caution
The engine coolant temperature
warning light indicates that the
vehicle has overheated. Driving with
this light on can damage the engine
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
and it may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. SeeEngine
Overheating 0375.
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens, pull over and turn off
the engine as soon as possible. See
Engine Overheating 0375.
Driver Mode Control Light
This light comes on when Sport Mode
is selected.
This light comes on when Snow Mode
is selected.
This light comes on when Off-Road
Mode is selected.
This light comes on when the Tow/
Haul Mode is selected.
Four Corner Air Suspension
Light
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 139
To access the vehicle
personalization menu:1. Touch the Settings icon on the Home Page of the infotainment
display.
2. Touch Vehicle to display a list of available options.
3. Touch to select the desired feature setting.
4. Touch the options on the infotainment display to disable or
enable a setting.
The menu may contain the following:
Valet Mode
This will lock the infotainment system
and steering wheel controls. It may
also limit access to vehicle storage
locations, if equipped.
To enable valet mode: 1. Enter a four-digit code on the keypad.
2. Select Enter to go to the confirmation screen.
3. Re-enter the four-digit code. Touch Lock or Unlock to lock or
unlock the system. Touch Back to go
back to the previous menu.
Teen Driver
See
Teen Driver 0207.
Rear Seat Reminder
This allows for a chime and a message
when the rear door has been opened
before or during operation of the
vehicle.
Touch Off or On.
Climate
Touch and the following may display:
.Auto Fan Speed
.Auto Cooled Seats
.Auto Heated Seats
.Rear Climate On Startup
.Auto Defog
.Auto Rear Defog
.Ionizer
.Auto Air Distribution Auto Fan Speed
This setting controls the amount of
airf low when the climate control is set
to Auto.
Touch Low, Medium, or High.
Auto Cooled Seats
This feature will automatically turn on
seat cooling at vehicle start up when
the cabin temperature is significantly
warmer than desired. See
Heated and
Ventilated Front Seats 048.
Touch Off or On.
Auto Heated Seats
This feature will automatically turn on
seat heating at vehicle start up when
the cabin temperature is significantly
cooler than desired. See Heated and
Ventilated Front Seats 048.
If equipped with Auto Heated Steering
Wheel, this feature will turn on when
the Auto Heated Seats turn on.
Touch Off or On.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
220 CLIMATE CONTROLS
Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems
Dual Automatic Climate ControlSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Rear Climate Control System . . . . 224
Air Vents
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment Air Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Climate Control Systems
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
The climate control buttons on the center stack and on the climate control
display are used to adjust the heating, cooling, and ventilation.
Center Stack Climate Controls
1. ON/OFF
2. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
3. Air distribution
4. Driver temperature
5. Fan Control
6. Passenger Temperature
7. Max Defrost 8. Rear Window Defogger
9. Air Conditioning
10. Recirculation
11. Sync
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
332 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving without a trailer. This can help
to avoid heavy braking and sudden
turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. The combination of
the vehicle and trailer will not
accelerate as quickly and is much
longer than the vehicle alone. It is
necessary to go much farther beyond
the passed vehicle before returning to
the lane. Pass on level roadways.
Avoid passing on hills if possible.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. To move the trailer to
the left, move that hand to the left. To
move the trailer to the right, move
that hand to the right. Always back up
slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making TurnsCaution
Turn more slowly and make wider
arcs when towing a trailer to
prevent damage to your vehicle.
Making very sharp turns could
cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when
towing, so trailer will not go over soft
shoulders, over curbs, or strike road
signs, trees, or other objects. Always
signal turns well in advance. Do not
steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes may
overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions. When towing at higher altitudes,
engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at lower altitudes.
If the engine is turned off immediately
after towing at high altitude on steep
uphill grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating. To
avoid this, let the engine run,
preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine off.
If the overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating
0375.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer
on a level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your
trailer on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the
wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
334 DRIVING AND OPERATING
5. Gradually release the brake pedalto allow the chocks to absorb the
load of the trailer.
6. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
7. Release the brake pedal.
Pulling the Trailer from the Water 1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine and shift into a gear.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Let up on the brake pedal.
5. Drive slowly until the tires are clear of the chocks.
6. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
7. Slowly pull the trailer from the water.
8. Once the vehicle and trailer have been driven from the sloped part of
the boat ramp, the vehicle can be
shifted from four-wheel-drive high.
Shift into the drive mode that is
appropriate for the road conditions.Caution
If the vehicle tires begin to spin and
the vehicle begins to slide toward
the water, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal and apply the
brake pedal. Seek help to have the
vehicle towed up the ramp.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more often
when used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule 0442. It is
especially important to check the
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system, and brake system
before and during each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling when Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine Overheating
0 375.
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To tow a trailer
correctly, follow the directions in
this section and see your dealer for
important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Trailering is different than just driving
the vehicle by itself. Trailering means
changes in handling, acceleration,
braking, durability, and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used
properly.
The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips
and safety rules. Many of these are
important for your safety and that of
your passengers. Read this section
carefully before pulling a trailer.