Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15567102) - 2022 - CRC - 11/17/21
230 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 239
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Dynamic Fuel Management . . . . . 251
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . 252
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . 262
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Automatic VehicleHold (AVH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/ElectronicStability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Magnetic Ride Control . . . . . . . . . . . 270 Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Four Corner Air Suspension
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Adaptive Cruise Control(Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Super Cruise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . 302
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . 304
Surround Vision System . . . . . . . . . 305
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Automatic Parking Assist (APA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Rear Pedestrian Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Automatic Emergency
Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15567102) - 2022 - CRC - 11/17/21
236 DRIVING AND OPERATING
{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-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 249
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 0117. When the brake
pedal is released or the accelerator
pedal is pressed, the engine will
restart. To maintain vehicle performance,
other conditions may cause the engine
to automatically restart before the
brake pedal is released.
Auto Stops may not occur and/or Auto
Starts may occur because:
.The climate control settings require
the engine to be running to cool or
heat the vehicle interior.
.The vehicle battery needs to charge.
.The vehicle battery has recently
been disconnected.
.Minimum vehicle speed has not
been reached since the last
Auto Stop.
.The accelerator pedal is pressed.
.The engine or transmission is not at
the required operating temperature.
.The outside temperature is not in
the required operating range.
.The vehicle is shifted out of D
(Drive) to any gear other than
P (Park).
.Certain driver modes have been
selected. See
Driver Mode Control
0 267 and
Four-Wheel Drive 0257.
.The vehicle is on a steep hill or
grade.
.The driver door has been opened or
the driver seat belt has been
unbuckled.
.The hood has been opened.
.The Auto Stop has reached the
maximum allowed time.
Auto Stop Disable Switch
Uplevel Shown, Others Similar
The automatic engine Stop/Start
feature can be disabled and enabled
by pressing
h. Auto Stop/Start is
enabled each time you start the
vehicle.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15567102) - 2022 - CRC - 11/17/21
252 DRIVING AND OPERATING
The timer will reset if the vehicle is
taken out of P (Park) while it is
running.
Engine Exhaust{
Warning
Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO), which cannot be
seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
.The vehicle idles in areas with
poor ventilation (parking garages,
tunnels, deep snow that may
block underbody airf low or tail
pipes).
.The exhaust smells or sounds
strange or different.
.The exhaust system leaks due to
corrosion or damage.
.The vehicle exhaust system has
been modified, damaged,
or improperly repaired. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.There are holes or openings in
the vehicle body from damage or
aftermarket modifications that
are not completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or if
it is suspected that exhaust is
coming into the vehicle:
.Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
.Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed area
such as a garage or a building that
has no fresh air ventilation.
Running the Vehicle While
Parked
It is better not to park with the engine
running.
If the vehicle is left with the engine
running, follow the proper steps to be
sure the vehicle will not move. See
Shifting Into Park 0250 and
Engine Exhaust 0252. If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0336.
Automatic Transmission
The shift pattern is displayed in the
top of the shift lever. The selected
gear position will illuminate red on
the shift lever, while all others will be
displayed in white. If the shift is not
immediate, as in very cold conditions,
the indicator on the shift lever may
flash until it is fully engaged.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 253
The shift lever always starts from a
center position, represented by an up/
down arrow on the shift pattern. After
releasing the shift lever, it will return
to the center position.
The transmission does not operate
when the vehicle is off.
If the vehicle is in ACC/ACCESSORY,
the transmission can be shifted into
P (Park).
If the vehicle is turned off while at a
relatively high vehicle speed, the
transmission will automatically shift
to N (Neutral). Once the vehicle is
stopped, P (Park) is automatically
selected.P :This position locks the drive
wheels. Use P (Park) when starting the
engine to prevent the vehicle from
moving easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the transmission is not in
P (Park) with the parking brake set.
The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If the engine has
been left running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could
be injured. To be sure the vehicle
will not move, even when on fairly
level ground, always set the parking
brake and place the transmission
into P (Park). See Shifting Into Park
0 250 and
Electric Parking Brake 0262.
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic controlled transmission.
The shift lock release button is
designed to prevent inadvertent
shifting out of P (Park) unless the
ignition is on, the brake pedal is
applied, and the shift lock release
button is pressed.
When the vehicle is stopped, press
ENGINE START/STOP to turn off the
vehicle. The transmission will shift to
P (Park) automatically, unless the
vehicle is in N (Neutral). See “Car
Wash Mode ”later in this section.
The vehicle will not shift into P (Park)
if it is moving too fast. Stop the
vehicle and shift into P (Park).
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15567102) - 2022 - CRC - 11/17/21
254 DRIVING AND OPERATING
To shift in and out of P (Park), see
Shifting Into Park0250 and
Shifting out of Park 0251.
Service Shift Lever Message
If the message SERVICE SHIFTER SEE
OWNER’S MANUAL appears in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), the
shift lever needs service. Have the
vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
If the vehicle is automatically shifting
into P (Park), check to see if the
P (Park) button on top of the shift
lever is stuck. To operate the vehicle,
hold the shift lever in the desired gear,
R (Reverse) or D (Drive), until vehicle
speed exceeds 15 km/h (10 mph), then
release the shift lever.
R : Use this gear to back up.
If the vehicle is shifted from either
R (Reverse) to D (Drive) or L (Low),
or L (Low) or D (Drive) to R (Reverse)
while the speed is too high, the
vehicle will shift to N (Neutral).
Reduce the vehicle speed and try the
shift again. To shift into R (Reverse):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press and hold shift lock release button on the side of the shift
lever.
3. From the center position, move the shift lever forward through the first
detent to the end of travel. R is
illuminated in red.
4. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
To shift out of R (Reverse): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse) can
be used to rock the vehicle back and
forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand
without damaging the transmission.
See If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0241.
N : In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart the engine when the vehicle is
already moving, use N (Neutral) only.{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into
a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine running
at high speed may damage the
transmission. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Be sure the engine is not running at
high speed when shifting the
vehicle.
The vehicle is not designed to stay in
N (Neutral) for more than
five minutes. It may automatically
shift into P (Park). N (Neutral) is not
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15567102) - 2022 - CRC - 11/17/21
256 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Car Wash Mode (Engine On–Driver
Out of Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
with the engine on and the vehicle
unoccupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Open the door.
4. Shift to N (Neutral), then release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, repeat
Steps 2–4.
6. Exit the vehicle and close the door. The vehicle is now ready for the
car wash.
7. The vehicle may automatically shift to P (Park) upon re-entry.
Caution
A transmission hot message may
display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition can
damage the vehicle. Stop and idle
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
the engine to cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This message
clears when the transmission fluid
has cooled sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal driving.
If more power is needed for passing,
press the accelerator pedal down.
To shift into D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. From the center position, move the shift lever back.
.If the vehicle is in P (Park) press
the shift lock release button
while pulling the shift
lever back.
.D will illuminate in red.
.After releasing the shift lever, it
will return to the center
position.
To shift out of D (Drive): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear. 3. After releasing the shift lever, it
will return to the center position.
Downshifting the transmission on a
slippery road could result in skidding.
See “Skidding” underLoss of Control
0 234.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using
only the accelerator pedal may
damage the transmission. The
repair will not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. If the vehicle is
stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes to
hold the vehicle in place.
Manual Mode
Electronic Range Select (ERS)
Caution
Driving with the engine at a high
rpm without upshifting while using
Tap Shift, could damage the vehicle.
Always upshift when necessary
while using Tap Shift.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 257
Electronic Range Select (ERS),
or Manual Mode, allows manual
selection of gear positions. Use this
mode when driving downhill or
towing a trailer to limit the top gear
and vehicle speed. The shift position
indicator within the Driver
Information Center (DIC) displays a
number next to the L indicating the
highest available gear.
To enter ERS/Manual Mode:1. With the vehicle in D (Drive), pull back the shift lever to activate
L (Low). The L will illuminate red,
and the D will turn white. 2. Tap the left steering wheel control
to reduce the highest gear
available, or the right control to
increase the highest gear available.
3. To exit, pull back the shift lever a second time. The D will illuminate
red, and the L will turn white.
When shifting to L (Low), the
transmission shifts to a preset lower
gear range. The highest gear available
while in this range will be displayed
next to the L (Low) in the DIC. See
Driver Information Center (DIC) 0133.
All gears below are available to use.
For example, when 4 (Fourth) is
shown next to the L, 1 (First) through
4 (Fourth) gears are shifted
automatically. To shift to 5 (Fifth)
gear, tap the right steering wheel
control or shift into D (Drive).
L (Low) prevents shifting to a lower
gear range if the engine speed is too
high. If the vehicle speed is not
reduced within the allotted time, the
lower gear range shift will not
complete. Slow the vehicle, then tap
the left steering wheel control to the
desired lower gear range. Cruise control can be used while
in ERS.
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive
If equipped, four-wheel drive engages
the front axle for extra traction.
Four-wheel drive engages the front
axle for extra traction.
Caution
Do not drive on clean, dry
pavement in 4
mand 4n(if
equipped) for an extended period
of time. These conditions may
cause premature wear on the
vehicle’s powertrain.
Driving on clean, dry pavement in 4
m
or 4nmay:
.Cause a vibration to be felt in the
steering system.
.Cause tires to wear faster.