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 239
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. SeeTires0402.
.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-
15567102) - 2022 - CRC - 11/17/21
240 DRIVING AND OPERATING
.Pay attention to special road signs
(e.g., falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or IceCaution
To avoid damage to the wheels and
brake components, always clear
snow and ice from inside the
wheels and underneath the vehicle
before driving.
Snow or ice between the tires and the
road creates less traction or grip, so
drive carefully. Wet ice can occur at
about 0 °C (32 °F) when freezing rain
begins to fall. Avoid driving on wet ice
or in freezing rain until roads can be
treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0265.
.The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves vehicle stability during
hard stops, but the brakes should be
applied sooner than when on dry
pavement. See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0262.
.Allow greater following distance and
watch for slippery spots. Icy patches
can occur on otherwise clear roads
in shaded areas. The surface of a
curve or an overpass can remain icy
when the surrounding roads are
clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
.Turn off cruise control.
Cold Weather Mode
In very low temperatures, a cold
weather message may display on the
Driver Information Center (DIC). The
engine speed, transmission shift
patterns, and cabin fan speed may
operate differently to enable the
vehicle to warm up quicker. You can
manually override the cabin fan speed
in cold weather mode.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby. If possible,
use Roadside Service. See Roadside
Service 0475. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may cause
exhaust gases to get inside. Engine
exhaust contains carbon monoxide
(CO), which cannot be seen or
smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
.Clear snow from the base of the
vehicle, especially any blocking
the exhaust pipe.
(Continued)
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15567102) - 2022 - CRC - 11/17/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 241
Warning (Continued)
.Open a window about 5 cm (2 in)
on the vehicle side that is away
from the wind, to bring in
fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on or
under the instrument panel.
.Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air inside
the vehicle and set the fan speed
to the highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0252.
To save fuel, run the engine for short
periods to warm the vehicle and then
shut the engine off and partially close
the window. Moving about to keep
warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle speed.
This keeps the battery charged to
restart the vehicle and to signal for
help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible, to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels
to free the vehicle when stuck in sand,
mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method. See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0265.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or
others could be injured. The vehicle
can overheat, causing an engine
compartment fire or other damage.
Spin the wheels as little as possible
and avoid going above 56 km/h
(35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right
to clear the area around the front
wheels. Turn off any traction system.
Shift back and forth between
R (Reverse) and a low forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as
possible. To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release
the accelerator pedal while shifting,
and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in
gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing the Vehicle
0439.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can carry.
This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the
weight of all occupants, cargo, and
all nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it was
designed to carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and the
Certification/Tire label.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15567102) - 2022 - CRC - 11/17/21
246 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Caution (Continued)
.Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. SeeTrailer Towing 0340
for the trailer towing capabilities
of the vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
On new vehicles, the various
mechanical and electrical systems
experience a “break-in”period during
the first 6 400 km (4,000 mi) of
routine driving. As the vehicle is
driven, the mechanical systems adjust
to provide optimal fuel economy and
transmission shift performance.
Electrical systems will adapt and
calibrate during the break-in period.
A one-time occurrence of clicks and
similar vehicle noises is normal during
this process.
Normal driving charges the vehicle’s
battery to achieve the best operation
of the vehicle, including fuel economy
and the Stop/Start System. See Stop/
Start System 0249.
Ignition Positions
Vehicles equipped with Keyless Access
have pushbutton starting.
The Remote Key must be in the
vehicle for the system to operate.
If the pushbutton start is not working,
the vehicle may be near a strong radio
antenna signal causing interference to
the Keyless Access system. See Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
0 7.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition
must be on or in Service Mode, and
the brake pedal must be applied.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the vehicle
off in an emergency.
Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF (No
Indicator Lights) : When the vehicle
is stopped, press ENGINE START/
STOP once to turn the engine off.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the
ignition will turn off, and Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) 0250.
If the vehicle is not in P (Park),
the ignition will return to
ACC/ACCESSORY and display the
message SHIFT TO PARK in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). When the
vehicle is shifted into P (Park), the
ignition system will turn off.
The vehicle may have an electric
steering column lock. The lock is
activated when the ignition is turned
off and either front door is opened.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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248 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Starting the Engine
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see
the Duramax diesel supplement.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change the
way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. See
Add-On Electrical Equipment0367.
Shift the vehicle into P (Park) or
N (Neutral). To restart the engine
when the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
Starting Procedure
1. The remote key must be in the vehicle. Press ENGINE START/
STOP with the brake pedal applied.
When the engine begins cranking,
let go of the button.
The idle speed will go down as the
engine gets warm. Do not race the
engine immediately after starting
it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the oil
to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.
When the low fuel warning light is
on and the FUEL LEVEL LOW
message is displayed in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), press the
ENGINE START/STOP position to
continue engine cranking.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by trying to start
the engine immediately after
cranking has ended, can overheat
and damage the cranking motor,
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
and drain the battery. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to let
the cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds, especially in
very cold weather (below −18 °C or
0 °F), it could be flooded with too
much gasoline. Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there while
pressing ENGINE START/STOP for
up to a maximum of 15 seconds.
Wait at least 15 seconds between
each try, to allow the cranking
motor to cool down. When the
engine starts, let go of the button
and accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the
same thing. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Do not
race the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15567102) - 2022 - CRC - 11/17/21
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.