
Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 309
Maintenance when Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when
used to tow trailers. SeeMaintenance
Schedule 0415. 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 0350.
Trailer Towing
If equipped with a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.
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.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity for
your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring the
weight, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature, dimensions of the front of the
trailer, and how frequently the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer.
Trailering Weight Ratings
When towing a trailer, the combined weight
of the vehicle, vehicle contents, trailer, and
trailer contents must be below all of the
maximum weight ratings for the vehicle,
including:
.Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
.Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
.Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
.Gross Axle Weight Rating-Rear (GAWR-RR)
.Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight Rating
See “Weight-Distributing Hitch Adjustment”
under Towing Equipment 0313 to determine
if equalizer bars are required to obtain the
maximum trailer weight rating.
See “Trailer Brakes” underTowing
Equipment 0313 to determine if brakes are
required based on the trailer weight.
The only way to be sure the weight is not
exceeding any of these ratings is to weigh
the tow vehicle and trailer combination,
fully loaded for the trip, getting individual
weights for each of these items.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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320 Driving and Operating
Trailer Brake Control Panel
1. Manual Trailer Brake Apply Lever
2. Trailer Symbol
3. Trailer Gain Adjustment Buttons
The ITBC control panel is on the instrument
panel to the left of the steering column. The
control panel allows adjustment to the
amount of output, referred to as Trailer
Gain, available to the trailer brakes and
allows manual application of the trailer
brakes. Use the ITBC control panel and the
DIC trailer brake display page to adjust and
display power output to the trailer brakes.Trailer Brake DIC Display Page
The ITBC display page indicates:
.Trailer Gain setting
.Output to the trailer brakes
.Trailer connection
.System operational status.
To display:
.Scroll through the DIC menu pages
.Press a Trailer Gain (+) or (−) button
.Activate the Manual Trailer Brake Apply
Lever
TRAILER GAIN: Press the Trailer Gain button
to recall the current Trailer Gain setting.
Each press and release of the gain buttons
will then change the Trailer Gain setting.
Press the Trailer Gain (+) or (−) to adjust.
Press and hold to continuously adjust the
Trailer Gain. To turn the output to the
trailer off, adjust the Trailer Gain setting to
0.0. This setting can be adjusted from 0.0 to
10.0 with a trailer connected or
disconnected.
TRAILER OUTPUT: This displays anytime a
trailer with electric brakes is connected.
Output to the trailer brakes is based on the
amount of vehicle braking present and relative to the Trailer Gain setting. Output is
displayed from 0 to 100% for each gain
setting.
The Trailer Output will indicate
“- - - - - -”on
the Trailer Brake Display Page whenever the
following occur:
.No trailer is connected.
.A trailer without electric brakes is
connected, no DIC message will display
.A trailer with electric brakes has become
disconnected, a CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message displays on the DIC
.There is a fault present in the wiring to
the trailer brakes, a CHECK TRAILER
WIRING message displays on the DIC
.The ITBC system is not working due to a
fault, a SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM
message displays in the DIC
Manual Trailer Brake Apply Lever
Slide this lever left to apply the trailer
electric brakes independent of the vehicle
brakes. Use this lever to adjust Trailer Gain
to achieve the proper power output to the
trailer brakes. This lever may also be used
to request additional trailer braking at any
time. The trailer and the vehicle brake lamps

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 321
will come on when either vehicle brakes or
manual trailer brakes are applied and
properly connected.
Trailer Gain Adjustment Procedure
Trailer Gain should be set for a specific
trailering condition and it must be
readjusted anytime vehicle loading, trailer
loading, or road surface conditions change.
{Warning
Trailer brakes that are over-gained or
under-gained may not stop the vehicle
and the trailer as intended and can result
in a crash. Always follow the instructions
to set the Trailer Gain for the proper
trailer stopping performance.
To adjust Trailer Gain for each towing
condition: 1. Drive the vehicle with the trailer attached on a level road surface
representative of the towing condition
and free of traffic at about 32 to
40 km/h (20 to 25 mph) and fully apply
the Manual Trailer Brake apply lever. Adjusting Trailer Gain at speeds lower
than 32 to 40 km/h (20 to 25 mph) may
result in an incorrect gain setting.
2. Adjust the Trailer Gain, using the Trailer Gain adjustment buttons, to just below
the point of trailer wheel lock-up,
indicated by trailer wheel squeal or tire
smoke when a trailer wheel locks.
Trailer wheel lock-up may not occur if
towing a heavily loaded trailer. In this
case, adjust the Trailer Gain to the
highest allowable setting for the towing
condition.
3. Readjust Trailer Gain any time vehicle loading, trailer loading, or road surface
conditions change or if trailer wheel
lock-up is noticed at any time while
towing.
Other ITBC-Related DIC Messages
TRAILER BRAKES CONNECTED: This message
will briefly display when a trailer with
electric brakes is first connected to the
vehicle. This message will automatically turn
off in about 10 seconds. This message can
be acknowledged before it automatically
turns off. CHECK TRAILER WIRING: This message will
display if:
.The ITBC system first determines
connection to a trailer with electric brakes
and then the trailer harness becomes
disconnected from the vehicle.
If the disconnect occurs while the vehicle
is stationary, this message will
automatically turn off in about
30 seconds. This message will also turn
off if it is acknowledged or if the trailer
harness is reconnected.
If the disconnect occurs while the vehicle
is moving, this message will continue
until the vehicle is turned off. This
message will also turn off if it is
acknowledged or if the trailer harness is
reconnected.
.There is an electrical fault in the wiring to
the trailer brakes. This message will
continue as long as there is an electrical
fault in the trailer wiring. This message
will also turn off if it is acknowledged.
To determine whether the electrical fault is
on the vehicle side or trailer side of the
trailer wiring harness connection: 1. Disconnect the trailer wiring harness from the vehicle.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 327
.Maintenance
.Cameras
Upon entry, the most recent items will be
shown.
Connections
1. Trailer Electrical Diagnostics
2. Light Test Start Button
Connections: OK
If a trailer connection is detected without
any faults, the view will display NO FAULTS
DETECTED.
Trailer Connections Status
When a trailer is connected, the Trailering
App System detects the trailer connection
using the Stop/Turn Signal lighting circuits
and alerts the driver by requesting a trailer
profile setup through the Trailering App System on the infotainment screen. The
Trailer Detection Alert setting must be
enabled for the alert to display when a
trailer is connected. When a trailer is
connected and the vehicle is off, the
Trailering App System will periodically pulse
the lighting circuits of the trailer to verify it
is still connected. The trailer lights may
periodically flash as a result of this trailer
connection detection. These flashes may be
more visible in dark ambient light
environments. The flashing or flickering
lights are a normal condition and the
Trailering App System has built-in
protections to prevent the battery from
draining. When Theft Alert is also enabled
the frequency and pattern of this flashing
will change.
If a connected trailer becomes disconnected,
a message about the trailer disconnect will
appear on the DIC immediately (if vehicle is
on) or the next time the vehicle is started (if
trailer was disconnected while vehicle is off).
Check your trailer connection if needed.
Connection Problem
If any of the trailer connections are lost, a
message about the connection issue will
appear on the Driver Information Center
(DIC). The infotainment display will also
show the connection issue in the Connection
Status view.
If a trailer connection is not detected, the
Trailering App will not display the
Connection Status screen.
Connection Trailer Lighting Faults Detected
The Trailering App System monitors for
electrical faults on the trailer lights.
A message about the lighting issue will
appear on the DIC. The infotainment display
will also show the lighting issue in the
Connection Status view. Repair your trailer
lights if needed. A trailer lighting issue is
not covered by your GM warranty.
Diagnose View
Touch Diagnose to see more information
about the connection problem.
This view will display the names of the
trailer connector pins, a graphic of the trailer
connector, and a graphic of the back of the
trailer.
Any connector pin that failed will be amber
color, and the location of the corresponding
connection will be highlighted on the
graphic of the back of the trailer.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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330 Driving and Operating
Custom Checklist Items
For each of the Trailer Profile checklists,
there is an option to create custom items to
view in the checklist. The custom item will
appear at the bottom of the checklist.
Guest Trailer and No Trailer Connected
If Guest Trailer Profile is active or if no
trailer is connected, the checklist will show
all of the checklists associated with Custom
Trailer Profiles in addition to default
checklists.
Trailers View
Touch the Trailers tab to view, activate,
create, edit, or delete Trailer Profiles.
If a trailer is connected, touch the Trailer
Profile name to activate a Trailer Profile.
There can be up to five Custom Trailer
Profiles on the vehicle.
The Custom Trailer Profiles and Guest Trailer
are in order of the most frequently used.
The Accessory/No Trailer profile is shown
below the Custom Trailer Profiles and Guest
Trailer Profile.All personalization features are based on the
settings for each driver in vehicle
personalization. The list of Trailer Profiles is
based on vehicle personalization settings.
Guest Trailer
If the Guest Trailer Profile is the active
Trailer Profile, trailer detection, connections
status, theft, and the Tow/Haul reminder
alerts can be sent. The system will not track
total mileage or fuel economy, but the
system will track trip mileage and fuel
economy if the Guest Trailer Profile is active.
The Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System
or maintenance reminders cannot be set up
for a Guest Trailer Profile. The Guest Trailer
Profile cannot be edited.
Touch
pto learn more about the Guest
Trailer option.
Accessory/No Trailer
If the Accessory/No Trailer Profile is active,
alerts will not be sent and the system will
not track mileage or fuel economy. The
Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System or
maintenance reminders cannot be set up for
the Accessory/No Trailer Profile. The
Accessory/No Trailer profile cannot be
edited. No Trailer Connected
When there is no trailer connected, Trailer
Profiles cannot be activated but most
options can be edited.
Trailer Brake Gain Memory
The system can memorize the brake gain
setting of a Trailer Profile or a Guest Trailer
Profile. When a Trailer Profile or Guest
Trailer Profile is selected, and a brake gain
setting is set for that Trailer Profile, a quick
notice will appear to indicate that the
system has recalled that profile’s brake gain
setting.
If a Trailer Profile is already active and the
brake gain setting had been set for that
Trailer Profile, the quick notice will trigger
whenever the vehicle is turned on.
If there was an error in setting the brake
gain for a Trailer Profile, there will be a
notification. This pop-up will not appear if
the Guest Trailer Profile is active or if there
is no trailer connected.
Trailer brake gain should be set for a specific
trailering condition and must be adjusted
anytime vehicle loading, trailer loading,
or road surface conditions change.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 331
Editing a Trailer Profile
Trailer Profile View
Touch to edit any of the following options
in the Trailer Profile view:
.Trailer Name
.Towing Assistance Setup, if equipped
.Tire Pressure Setup, if equipped
.Trailer Maintenance
.Edit Mileage
.Reset Average Fuel Economy
Touch Save to save the new value to the
Trailer Profile. Touching Back will still save
the previously entered information.
Trailer Name
Touch to edit the Trailer Profile’s name. Use
at least one character and no spaces.
Touch Save.
Towing Assistance Setup
A trailer should be connected to complete
this portion of profile setup.
Touch to set up towing assistance features
for the Trailer Profile. See "Towing
Assistance" for details on the setup. Tire Pressure Setup
Touch to set up the Trailer Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TTPMS) for the Trailer
Profile. See
“Trailer Tire Pressure Setup”
previously in this section for details on the
setup. Also, touch Tire Pressure Setup if the
trailer tires were rotated or if the tire
pressure sensors in the tires were replaced
for this Trailer Profile. The vehicle will need
to relearn the tire sensors and their
locations.
If TTPMS had been set up previously, the
Select Number of Sensors screen will appear
after touching Tire Pressure Setup. If the
number of sensors has changed, select the
number and touch Next.
If a new number of sensors is selected, the
Relearn Sensors pop-up will appear. Touch
Cancel to go back or touch Relearn to
overwrite the current sensors and begin the
relearning process. See “Trailer Tire Pressure
Setup” previously in this section.
If number of sensors has not changed, touch
Next and the Learn sensors screen will
appear. On the Learn Sensors screen. Touch Relearn
to overwrite the current sensors and begin
the relearning process. See
“Trailer Tire
Pressure Setup” previously in this section.
On the Learn Sensors screen, touch Next to
go to the Edit Recommended Tire Pressure
screen.
On the Edit Recommended Tire Pressure
screen, touch a number on the keypad to
change the recommended tire pressure for
the trailer’s tires. This will change the
number at which the vehicle displays alerts
related to trailer tire pressure. Touch Done
to return to the Trailer Profile view.
Trailer Maintenance
Touch to view a list of maintenance
reminders for the Trailer Profile.
Touch a reminder to view, reset, delete,
or edit it.
Reset Reminder
Touch Maintenance Complete in the
reminder view to reset the reminder. On the
pop-up, touch Reset to reset the time and
mileage values for the reminder. Touch
Cancel to return to the previous view and
nothing will change.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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332 Driving and Operating
Edit Reminder
Touch to edit the mileage or time settings
for the reminder. Touch Save to save the
new settings to the Trailer Profile.
Delete Reminder
Touch to delete the maintenance reminder.
On the pop-up, touch Delete to delete the
reminder or touch Cancel to return to the
previous view and nothing will change.
New Maintenance Reminder
Touch + New Maintenance Reminder to set
up a new reminder. Suggested reminders
that were previously set will have
checkmarks next to them. Suggested
reminders that have not been set will have
empty boxes next to them. The maximum
number of reminders is 50.
Edit Mileage
Touch to edit the Trailer Profile’s mileage.
Touch Reset to reset trailer mileage to zero,
or enter a new value and touch Save.
Touching back will return to the Trailer
Profile view.Effect on Maintenance Reminders
If the mileage is reset or changed, and
mileage has already accumulated, any
maintenance reminders that have been set
up will be adjusted accordingly.
Reset Average Fuel Economy
Touch to reset the average fuel economy for
the Trailer Profile. Touch Reset to change,
or touch Cancel to go back to the
previous view.
Delete/Remove Trailer
Touch to remove the Trailer Profile and all
of its settings.
On the pop-up, touch Remove to remove the
Trailer Profile from the vehicle. Touch Cancel
to dismiss the pop-up and return to the
previous view.
Remove will be displayed if there is a
connected OnStar plan active with the
vehicle. Removing a trailer profile will
remove the profile from the vehicle but the
profile will still be associated with the user
account. However, if there is not a
connected OnStar plan then the remove
button will read DELETE and the profile will
be deleted permanentlySettings View
Within the Trailering App, touch the Settings
tab to modify the following settings:
.Trailer Detection Alert
.Maintenance Alerts
.Theft Alert
.Tow/Haul Mode Reminder
.Trailer Length Indicator
Trailer Detection Alert
The Trailer Detection Alert setting will be on
by default. Turn it off to disable the Trailer
Detection pop-up from displaying when a
trailer is connected. The Guest Trailer Profile
will become the active Trailer Profile, unless
another Trailer Profile is selected manually
through the Trailering App. If this setting is
disabled while a Custom Trailer Profile is
active, that Trailer Profile will remain the
active profile until the trailer is
disconnected.
Maintenance Alerts
Touch Maintenance Alerts to view the
Maintenance Alerts settings page. These
alerts are based on the Trailer Profile, so the
settings for each Trailer Profile must be

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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342 Vehicle Care
11. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeBrake Fluid
0 353.
12. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer Fluid” underWasher
Fluid 0351.
Engine Oil
For diesel engine vehicles, see “Engine Oil”
in the Duramax diesel supplement.
To ensure proper engine performance and
long life, careful attention must be paid to
engine oil. Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect your
investment:
.Use engine oil approved to the proper
specification and of the proper viscosity
grade. See “Selecting the Right Engine
Oil” in this section.
.Check the engine oil level regularly and
maintain the proper oil level. See
“Checking Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the appropriate
time. SeeEngine Oil Life System 0344.
.Always dispose of engine oil properly. See
“What to Do with Used Oil” in this
section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly, every
650 km (400 mi), especially prior to a long
trip. The engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
See Engine Compartment Overview 0339 for
the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle may be
hot; it could burn you. Use a towel or
glove to touch the dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center (DIC)
message displays, check the oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
.To get an accurate reading, park the
vehicle on level ground. Check the engine
oil level after the engine has been off for
at least two hours. Checking the engine
oil level on steep grades or too soon after
engine shutoff can result in incorrect
readings. Accuracy improves when
checking a cold engine prior to starting.
Remove the dipstick and check the level.
.If unable to wait two hours, the engine
must be off for at least 15 minutes if the
engine is warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it with a clean paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at
the tip of the dipstick and the engine has
been off for at least 15 minutes, add 1 L
(1 qt) of the recommended oil and then
recheck the level. See
“Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for an
explanation of what kind of oil to use. For
engine oil crankcase capacity, see Capacities
and Specifications 0424.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil levels above
or below the acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful to the
engine. If the oil level is above the
operating range (i.e., the engine has so
(Continued)