CADILLAC ESCALADE 2010 3.G Owners Manual

{WARNING:
Heavy braking when going down a hill can cause
your brakes to overheat and fade. This could
cause loss of control and a serious accident.
Apply the brakes lightly when descending a
hill and use a low gear to keep vehicle speed
under control.
Things not to do when driving down a hill:
.When driving downhill, avoid turns that take youacross the incline of the hill. A hill that is not toosteep to drive down might be too steep to driveacross. The vehicle could roll over.
.Never go downhill with the transmission inN (Neutral), called free-wheeling. The brakes willhave to do all the work and could overheatand fade.
Vehicles are much more likely to stall when going uphill,but if it happens when going downhill:
1. Stop the vehicle by applying the regular brakesand apply the parking brake.
2. Shift to P (Park) and, while still braking, restartthe engine.
3. Shift back to a low gear, release the parking brake,and drive straight down.
4. If the engine will not start, get out and get help.
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Driving Across an Incline
An off-road trail will probably go across the incline of ahill. To decide whether to try to drive across the incline,consider the following:
{WARNING:
Driving across an incline that is too steep
will make your vehicle roll over. You could be
seriously injured or killed. If you have any doubt
about the steepness of the incline, do not drive
across it. Find another route instead.
.A hill that can be driven straight up or downmight be too steep to drive across. When goingstraight up or down a hill, the length of the wheelbase—the distance from the front wheels to therear wheels—reduces the likelihood the vehiclewill tumble end over end. But when driving acrossan incline, the narrower track width—the distancebetween the left and right wheels—might notprevent the vehicle from tilting and rolling over.Driving across an incline puts more weight on thedownhill wheels which could cause a downhill slideor a rollover.
.Surface conditions can be a problem. Loosegravel, muddy spots, or even wet grass cancause the tires to slip sideways, downhill. If thevehicle slips sideways, it can hit something thatwill trip it—a rock, a rut, etc.—and roll over.
.Hidden obstacles can make the steepness of theincline even worse. If you drive across a rock withthe uphill wheels, or if the downhill wheels dropinto a rut or depression, the vehicle can tilteven more.
For these reasons, carefully consider whether to try todrive across an incline. Just because the trail goesacross the incline does not mean you have to drive it.The last vehicle to try it might have rolled over.
If you feel the vehicle starting to slide sideways, turndownhill. This should help straighten out the vehicle andprevent the side slipping. The best way to prevent thisis to“walk the course”first, so you know what thesurface is like before driving it.
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Stalling on an Incline
{WARNING:
Getting out on the downhill (low) side of a vehicle
stopped across an incline is dangerous. If the
vehicle rolls over, you could be crushed or killed.
Always get out on the uphill (high) side of the
vehicle and stay well clear of the rollover path.
If the vehicle stalls when crossing an incline, be sureyou, and any passengers, get out on the uphill side,even if the door there is harder to open. If you get outon the downhill side and the vehicle starts to roll over,you will be right in its path.
If you have to walk down the slope, stay out of the paththe vehicle will take if it does roll over.
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow, or Ice
When you drive in mud, snow, or sand, the wheelsdo not get good traction. Acceleration is not asquick, turning is more difficult, and braking distancesare longer.
It is best to use a low gear when in mud—thedeeper the mud, the lower the gear. In really deep mud,keep the vehicle moving so it does not get stuck.
When driving on sand, wheel traction changes.On loosely packed sand, such as on beaches orsand dunes, the tires will tend to sink into the sand.This affects steering, accelerating, and braking.Drive at a reduced speed and avoid sharp turns orabrupt maneuvers.
Hard packed snow and ice offer the worst tire traction.On these surfaces, it is very easy to lose control. Onwet ice, for example, the traction is so poor that you willhave difficulty accelerating. And, if the vehicle does getmoving, poor steering and difficult braking can cause itto slide out of control.
{WARNING:
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds, or rivers can be
dangerous. Underwater springs, currents under
the ice, or sudden thaws can weaken the ice. Your
vehicle could fall through the ice and you and your
passengers could drown. Drive your vehicle on
safe surfaces only.
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Driving in Water
{WARNING:
Driving through rushing water can be dangerous.
Deep water can sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers could drown. If it is
only shallow water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires, and you could lose
traction and roll the vehicle over. Do not drive
through rushing water.
Heavy rain can mean flash flooding, and flood watersdemand extreme caution.
Find out how deep the water is before driving throughit. Do not try it if it is deep enough to cover the wheelhubs, axles, or exhaust pipe—you probably will not getthrough. Deep water can damage the axle and othervehicle parts.
If the water is not too deep, drive slowly through it.At faster speeds, water splashes on the ignition systemand the vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur if youget the tailpipe under water. If the tailpipe is underwater, you will never be able to start the engine. Whengoing through water, remember that when the brakesget wet, it might take longer to stop. SeeDriving in Rainand on Wet Roads on page 6!25.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collectedon the underbody, chassis, or under the hood.These accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake liningscleaned and checked. These substances can causeglazing and uneven braking. Check the body structure,steering, suspension, wheels, tires, and exhaust systemfor damage and check the fuel lines and cooling systemfor any leakage.
The vehicle requires more frequent service due tooff-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule foradditional information.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day drivingbecause some drivers are likely to be impaired—byalcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or byfatigue.
Night driving tips include:
.Drive defensively.
.Do not drink and drive.
.Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the insiderearview mirror.
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.Slow down and keep more space between you andother vehicles because headlamps can only lightup so much road ahead.
.Watch for animals.
.When tired, pull off the road.
.Do not wear sunglasses.
.Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
.Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicleclean—inside and out.
.Keep your eyes moving, especially during turnsor curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.But, as we get older, these differences increase.A 50-year-old driver might need at least twice as muchlight to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction andaffect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always driveslower in these types of driving conditions and avoiddriving through large puddles and deep!standing orflowing water.
{WARNING:
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not
work as well in a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
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 your
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 underyour vehicle's tires so they actually ride on the water.This can happen if the road is wet enough and youare going fast enough. When your vehicle ishydroplaning, 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.
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Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather drivingtips 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.SeeTires on page 7!58.
.Turn off cruise control.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider havingit serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
.Windshield Washer Fluid:Reservoir full?Windows clean—inside and outside?
.Wiper Blades:In good shape?
.Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All levels checked?
.Lamps:Do they all work and are lenses clean?
.Tires:Are treads good? Are tires inflated torecommended pressure?
.Weather and Maps:Safe to travel?Have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundingswhile driving. If you become tired or sleepy, find a safeplace to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep interior temperature cool.
.Keep your eyes moving—scan the roadahead and to the sides.
.Check the rearview mirror and vehicleinstruments often.
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Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is differentthan driving on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for driving inthese conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires, coolingsystem, and transmission.
.Going down steep or long hills, shift to alower gear.
{WARNING:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could get so
hot that they would not work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down 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. The brakes will have to
do all the work of slowing down and they could
get so hot that they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or even none going
down a hill. You could crash. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle in gear when
going downhill.
.Stay in your own lane. Do not swing wide or cutacross the center of the road. Drive at speeds thatlet you stay in your own lane.
.Top of hills: Be alert—something could be in yourlane (stalled car, accident).
.Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocksarea, winding roads, long grades, passing orno-passing zones) and take appropriate action.
SeeOff-Road Drivingon page 6!13for informationabout driving off-road.
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Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between thetires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet icecan occur at about 0°C (32°F) when freezing rainbegins to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoiddriving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can betreated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerategently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quicklycauses the wheels to spin and makes the surface underthe tires slick, so there is even less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate toofast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surfaceunder the tires even more.
TheStabiliTrak®Systemo n p a g e 6!6improves theability to accelerate on slippery roads, but slow downand adjust your driving to the road conditions. Whendriving through deep snow, turn off the traction controlpart of the StabiliTrak®System to help maintain vehiclemotion at lower speeds.
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS)o n p a g e 6!5improves vehicle stability during hard stops on aslippery roads, but apply the brakes sooner than whenon dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery roadand watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur onotherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surfaceof a curve or an overpass can remain icy when thesurrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steeringmaneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped, on slippery surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a serious situation. Staywith the vehicle unless there is help nearby. If possible,use theRoadside Serviceo n p a g e 9!8. To get helpand keep everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on theHazard Warning Flashersonp a g e 4!3.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
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{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 the snow:
.Clear away snow from around the base of
your vehicle, especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
.Check again from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there.
.Open a window about 5 cm (two inches) on
the side of the vehicle 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 a setting
that circulates the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest setting.
See Climate Control System in the Index.
(Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
For more information about carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust on page 3!41.
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill you.
You cannot see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking the exhaust.
Run the engine for short periods only as needed tokeep warm, but be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only short periods asneeded to warm the vehicle and then shut the engineoff and close the window most of the way to save heat.Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feelreally uncomfortable from the cold. Moving about tokeep warm also helps.
If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and thenwhen you run the engine, push the accelerator pedalslightly so the engine runs faster than the idle speed.This keeps the battery charged to restart the vehicleand to signal for help with the headlamps. Do this aslittle as possible to save fuel.
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If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free thevehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 6!30.
If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often helpto free a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle's tractionsystem in the Index. If stuck too severely for the tractionsystem to free the vehicle, turn the traction system offand use the rocking method.
{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
55 km/h (35 mph) as shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire chains on the vehicle,seeTire Chains on page 7!78.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the areaaround the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stabilitysystem. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and aforward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stopspinning before shifting gears. Release the acceleratorpedal while shifting, and press lightly on the acceleratorpedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinningthe wheels in the forward and reverse directions causesa rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that doesnot get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might needto be towed out. Recovery hooks can be used, if thevehicle has them. If the vehicle does need to betowed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 6!38.
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