CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2010 Owners Manual
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Black plate (29,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
{ 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 to
keep warm, but be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only short periods as
needed to warm the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of the way to save heat.
Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feel
really uncomfortable from the cold. Moving about to
keep warm also helps.
If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and then
when you run 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.
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Black plate (30,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the
vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 6 ‑ 30 .
If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often help to
free a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle's traction
system in the Index. If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the traction system off
and 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,
see Tire Chains on page 7 ‑ 78 . Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area
around the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stability
system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a
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. Recovery hooks can be used, if the
vehicle has them. If the vehicle does need to be towed
out, see Towing Your Vehicle on page 6 ‑ 38 .
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Black plate (31,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Recovery Hooks
{ WARNING: These hooks, when used, are under a lot of force.
Always pull the vehicle straight out. Never pull on
the hooks at a sideways angle. The hooks could
break off and you or others could be injured from
the chain or cable snapping back.
Notice: Never use recovery hooks to tow the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged and it
would not be covered by warranty.
For vehicles with recovery hooks at the front of the
vehicle, you can use them if you are stuck off-road and
need to be pulled to some place where you can
continue driving.
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Page 424 of 620
Black plate (32,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Loading the Vehicle It is very important to know how much weight your
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 your vehicle show how
much weight it was designed to carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and the Certification/Tire
label.
{ WARNING: Do not load the vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts
on the vehicle can break, and it can change
the way the vehicle handles. These could
cause you to lose control and crash. Also,
overloading can shorten the life of the
vehicle. Tire and Loading Information Label
Label Example
A vehicle specific Tire and Loading Information
label is attached to the center pillar (B-pillar).
With the driver's door open, you will find the label
attached below the door lock post (striker).
The tire and loading information label shows the
number of occupant seating positions (A), and the
maximum vehicle capacity weight (B) in kilograms
and pounds.
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Black plate (33,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
The Tire and Loading Information label also
shows the size of the original equipment tires (C)
and the recommended cold tire inflation
pressures (D). For more information on tires and
inflation see Tires
on page 7 ‑ 58 and Inflation - Tire
Pressure
on page 7 ‑ 65 .
There is also important loading information on the
vehicle Certification/Tire label. It tells you the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front
and rear axles. See “ Certification/Tire Label ” later
in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 1.
Locate the statement “ The combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs ” on your vehicle's placard.2.
Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
3.
Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs. 4.
The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “ XXX ” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be five 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400 − 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).5.
Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4. 6.
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle. See
Towing a Trailer
on page 6 ‑ 42 for important
information on towing a trailer, towing safety
rules and trailering tips.
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Black plate (34,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Example 1
Item Description Total
A Vehicle Capacity
Weight for
Example 1 = 1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
B Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 150 lbs
(68 kg) × 2 = 300 lbs (136 kg)
C Available Occupant
and Cargo Weight = 700 lbs (317 kg ) Example 2
Item Description Total
A Vehicle Capacity
Weight for
Example 2 = 1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
B Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 150 lbs
(68 kg) × 5 = 750 lbs (136 kg)
C Available Cargo
Weight = 250 lbs (113 kg)
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Black plate (35,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Example 3
Item Description Total
A Vehicle Capacity
Weight for
Example 3 = 1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
B Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 200 lbs
(91 kg) × 5 = 1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
C Available Cargo
Weight = 0 lbs (0 kg)
Refer to your vehicle's tire and loading information
label for specific information about your vehicle's
capacity weight and seating positions. The combined weight of the driver, passengers,
and cargo should never exceed your vehicle's
capacity weight.
Certification/Tire Label
A vehicle specific Certification/Tire label is
attached to the rear edge of the driver's door.
The label shows the size of your vehicle's original
tires and the inflation pressures needed to obtain
the gross weight capacity of your vehicle. This is
called Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
The GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle,
all occupants, fuel, and cargo.
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Black plate (36,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
The Certification/Tire label also tells you the
maximum weights for the front and rear axles,
called Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). To find
out the actual loads on your front and rear axles,
you need to go to a weigh station and weigh your
vehicle. Your dealer can help you with this. Be
sure to spread out your load equally on both sides
of the center line.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the
GAWR for either the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should
spread it out.
{ WARNING: Do not load the vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts
on the vehicle can break, and it can change
the way the vehicle handles. These could
cause you to lose control and crash. Also,
overloading can shorten the life of the
vehicle.
Your warranty does not cover parts or
components that fail because of overloading.
The label will help you decide how much cargo
and installed equipment your truck can carry.
Using heavier suspension components to get
added durability might not change your weight
ratings. Ask your dealer to help you load your
vehicle the right way.
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Black plate (37,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
If you put things inside your vehicle — like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything
else — they will go as fast as the vehicle goes.
If you have to stop or turn quickly, or if there is a
crash, they will keep going.
{ WARNING: Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn,
or in a crash. .
Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight evenly. .
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that some
of them are above the tops of the seats. .
Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle. .
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can. .
Do not leave a seat folded down unless
you need to. There is also important loading information for
off-road driving in this manual. See “ Loading Your
Vehicle for Off-Road Driving ” under Off-Road
Driving on page 6 ‑ 13 .
Add-On Equipment When you carry removable items, you may need
to put a limit on how many people you can carry
inside your vehicle. Be sure to weigh your vehicle
before you buy and install the new equipment. Notice :
Overloading the vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Do not overload the vehicle.
Remember not to exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) of the front or rear axle.
Automatic Level Control The automatic level control rear suspension
comes as a part of the Road Sensing Suspension.
See Road Sensing Suspension
on page 6 ‑ 9 .
This type of level control is fully automatic and will
provide a better leveled riding position as well as
better handling under a variety of passenger and
loading conditions. An air compressor connected
to the rear shocks will raise or lower the rear of
the vehicle to maintain proper vehicle height.
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Black plate (38,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
The system is activated when the ignition key is
turned to RUN and will automatically adjust
vehicle height thereafter. The system may exhaust
(lower vehicle height) for up to 10 minutes after
the ignition key has been turned to LOCK. You
may hear the air compressor operating when the
height is being adjusted.
If a weight-distributing hitch is being used, it is
recommended to allow the shocks to inflate,
thereby leveling the vehicle prior to adjusting the
height. See “ Weight distributing Hitches and
Weight Carrying Hitches ” under Towing a Trailer
on page 6 ‑ 42 .
Towing Towing Your Vehicle To avoid damage, the disabled vehicle should be towed
with all four wheels off the ground. Consult your dealer
or a professional towing service if the disabled vehicle
must be towed. See Roadside Service on page 9 ‑ 8 .
To tow the vehicle behind another vehicle for
recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “ Recreational Vehicle Towing ” following. Recreational Vehicle Towing If the vehicle has a two – mode hybrid engine, see the
Two – mode Hybrid manual for more information.
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle
behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “ dinghy towing ” (towing the vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and “ dolly towing ”
(towing the vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “ dolly ” ).
Here are some important things to consider before
recreational vehicle towing: .
What is the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure to read the tow vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations. .
What is the distance that will be travelled? Some
vehicles have restrictions on how far and how long
they can tow. .
Is the proper towing equipment going to be used?
See your dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment
recommendations. .
Is the vehicle ready to be towed? Just as preparing
the vehicle for a long trip, make sure the vehicle is
prepared to be towed. See Before Leaving on a
Long Trip on page 6 ‑ 26 .
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