brakes CADILLAC ESCALADE 2010 3.G User Guide

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), anadvanced electronic braking system that helps preventa braking skid.
When the engine is started and the vehicle begins todrive away, ABS checks itself. A momentary motor orclicking noise might be heard while this test is going on.This is normal.
If there is a problem withABS, this warning lightstays on. SeeAntilockBrake System (ABS)Warning Lightonpage 4!34.
Along with ABS, the vehicle has a Dynamic RearProportioning (DRP) system. If there is a DRP problem,both the brake and ABS warning lights come onaccompanied by a 10!second chime. The lights andchime will come on each time the ignition is turned onuntil the problem is repaired. See your dealer/retailerfor service.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slamon the brakes and continue braking. Here is whathappens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down.If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, thecomputer will separately work the brakes at each frontwheel and at both rear wheels.
ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, asrequired, faster than any driver could. This can help thedriver steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the computer keepsreceiving updates on wheel speed and controls brakingpressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time needed toget a foot up to the brake pedal or always decreasestopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle infront of you, there will not be enough time to apply thebrakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Alwaysleave enough room up ahead to stop, even with ABS.
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Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedaldown firmly and let antilock work. The brakes mightvibrate or some noise might be heard, but this isnormal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and brake at the sametime. In many emergencies, steering can help morethan even the very best braking.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a Brake Assist feature designed toassist the driver in stopping or decreasing vehiclespeed in emergency driving conditions. This featureuses the stability system hydraulic brake control moduleto supplement the power brake system under conditionswhere the driver has quickly and forcefully applied thebrake pedal in an attempt to quickly stop or slow downthe vehicle. The stability system hydraulic brake controlmodule increases brake pressure at each corner of thevehicle until the ABS activates. Minor brake pedalpulsations or pedal movement during this time is normaland the driver should continue to apply the brake pedalas the driving situation dictates The Brake Assistfeature will automatically disengage when the brakepedal is released or brake pedal pressure is quicklydecreased.
StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle has a vehicle stability enhancement systemcalled StabiliTrak. It is an advanced computer controlledsystem that assists the driver with directional control ofthe vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the computer sensesa discrepancy between the intended path and thedirection the vehicle is actually traveling. StabiliTrakselectively applies braking pressure at any one of thevehicle's brakes to assist the driver with keeping thevehicle on the intended path.
When the vehicle is started and begins to move, thesystem performs several diagnostic checks to insurethere are no problems. The system may be heard or feltwhile it is working. This is normal and does not meanthere is a problem with the vehicle. The system shouldinitialize before the vehicle reaches 20 mph (32 km/h).In some cases, it may take approximately two miles ofdriving before the system initializes.
If cruise control is being used when StabiliTrakactivates, the cruise control automatically disengages.The cruise control can be re-engaged when roadconditions allow. SeeCruise Control on page 4!8.
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It is recommended to leave the system on for normaldriving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn thesystem off if the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice orsnow, and you want to“rock”the vehicle to attempt tofree it. It may also be necessary to turn off the systemwhen driving in extreme off-road conditions where highwheel spin is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck inSand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 6!30.
Traction Control Operation
The traction control system is part of the StabiliTraksystem. Traction control limits wheel spin by reducingengine power to the wheels (engine speedmanagement) and by applying brakes to each individualwheel (brake-traction control) as necessary.
The traction control system is enabled automaticallywhen the vehicle is started. It will activate and theStabiliTrak light will flash if it senses that any of thewheels are spinning or beginning to lose tractionwhile driving. If traction control is turned off, only thebrake-traction control portion of traction control willwork. The engine speed management will be disabled.In this mode, engine power is not reduced automaticallyand the driven wheels can spin more freely. This cancause the brake-traction control to activate constantly.
Notice:If the wheel(s) of one axle is allowed to spinexcessively while the StabiliTrak, ABS and brakewarning lights and any relevant DIC messages aredisplayed, the transfer case could be damaged.The repairs would not be covered by the vehiclewarranty. Reduce engine power and do not spin thewheel(s) excessively while these lights andmessages are displayed.
The traction control system may activate on dry orrough roads or under conditions such as heavyacceleration while turning or abrupt upshifts/downshiftsof the transmission. When this happens, a reduction inacceleration may be noticed, or a noise or vibration maybe heard. This is normal.
If cruise control is being used when the systemactivates, the StabiliTrak light will flash and cruisecontrol will automatically disengage. Cruise control maybe reengaged when road conditions allow. SeeCruiseControl on page 4!8.
StabiliTrak may also turn off automatically if itdetermines that a problem exists with the system.If the problem does not clear itself after restarting thevehicle, see your dealer/retailer for service.
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Steering
Power Steering
If the vehicle is a Two!mode Hybrid, see the Two!modeHybrid manual for more information.
If power steering assist is lost because the engine stopsor the system is not functioning, the vehicle can besteered but it will take more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tiresand the road surface, the angle at which the curve isbanked, and vehicle speed. While in a curve, speed isthe one factor that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed, do it before enteringthe curve, while the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you can drive through thecurve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait toaccelerate until out of the curve, and then accelerategently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effectivethan braking. For example, you come over a hill andfind a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pullsout from nowhere, or a child darts out from betweenparked cars and stops right in front of you. Theseproblems can be avoided by braking—if you can stopin time. But sometimes you cannot stop in time becausethere is no room. That is the time for evasiveaction—steering around the problem.
The vehicle can perform very well in emergencieslike these. First, apply the brakes. SeeBrakingonp a g e 6!4. It is better to remove as much speed aspossible from a collision. Then steer around theproblem, to the left or right depending on thespace available.
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Passing
Passing another vehicle on a two-lane road can bedangerous. To reduce the risk of danger while passing:
.Look down the road, to the sides, and tocrossroads for situations that might affect asuccessful pass. If in doubt, wait.
.Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, andlines that could indicate a turn or an intersection.Never cross a solid or double!solid line on yourside of the lane.
.Do not get too close to the vehicle you wantto pass. Doing so can reduce your visibility.
.Wait your turn to pass a slow vehicle.
.When you are being passed, ease to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about whathappens when the three control systems—brakes,steering, and acceleration—do not have enoughfriction where the tires meet the road to do what thedriver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying tosteer and constantly seek an escape route or areaof less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.Defensive drivers avoid most skids by takingreasonable care suited to existing conditions, andby not overdriving those conditions. But skids arealways possible.
The three types of skids correspond to the vehicle'sthree control systems. In the braking skid, the wheelsare not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, toomuch speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slipand lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid,too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoidonly the acceleration skid. If the traction control systemis off, then an acceleration skid is best handled byeasing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off theaccelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you wantthe vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,the vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for asecond skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, slowdown and adjust your driving to these conditions. It isimportant to slow down on slippery surfaces becausestopping distance will be longer and vehicle controlmore limited.
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While driving on a surface with reduced traction, tryyour best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shiftingto a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause thetires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slipperyuntil the vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warningclues—such as enough water, ice, or packed snow onthe road to make a mirrored surface—and slow downwhen you have any doubt.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only thebraking skid.
Off-Road Driving
Vehicles with all!wheel drive can be used for off!roaddriving. Vehicles without all!wheel drive and vehicleswith 22!inch tire/wheel assemblies should not be drivenoff-road except on a level, solid surface.
Many of the vehicle design features that help make thevehicle more responsive on paved roads during poorweather conditions also help make it better suited foroff!road use than conventional passenger vehicles.The vehicle does not have features usually thought tobe necessary for extended or severe off!road use suchas special underbody shielding and transfer case lowgear range.
The airbag system is designed to work properly under awide range of conditions, including off!road usage.Always wear your safety belt and observe safe drivingspeeds, especially on rough terrain.
Drinking and driving can be very dangerous on anyroad and this is certainly true for off-road driving.At the very time you need special alertness and drivingskills, your reflexes, perceptions, and judgment can beaffected by even a small amount of alcohol. You couldhave a serious—or even fatal—accident if you drinkand drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking.
Off-roading can be great fun but has some definitehazards. The greatest of these is the terrain itself. Whenoff-road driving, traffic lanes are not marked, curves arenot banked, and there are no road signs. Surfaces canbe slippery, rough, uphill, or downhill.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers. Failure tooperate the vehicle correctly off!road could result in lossof vehicle control or vehicle rollover.
Off-roading involves some new skills. That is why it isvery important that you read these driving tips andsuggestions to help make off-road driving safer andmore enjoyable.
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.If the engine has stopped running, you need torestart it. With the brake pedal pressed and theparking brake still applied, shift the transmissionto P (Park) and restart the engine. Then, shift toR (Reverse), release the parking brake, andslowly back down the hill as straight as possiblein R (Reverse).
.While backing down the hill, put your left handon the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock positionso you can tell if the wheels are straight and canmaneuver as you back down. It is best to backdown the hill with the wheels straight rather thanin the left or right direction. Turning the wheel toofar to the left or right will increase the possibilityof a rollover.
Things not to do if the vehicle stalls, or is about to stall,when going up a hill:
.Never attempt to prevent a stall by shifting intoN (Neutral) to rev-up the engine and regain forwardmomentum. This will not work. The vehicle can rollbackward very quickly and could go out of control.
.Never try to turn around if about to stall whengoing up a hill. If the hill is steep enough to stallthe vehicle, it is steep enough to cause it to rollover. If you cannot make it up the hill, back straightdown the hill.
If, after stalling, you try to back down the hill and decideyou just cannot do it, set the parking brake, put yourtransmission in P (Park), and turn off the engine. Leavethe vehicle and go get some help. Exit on the uphill sideand stay clear of the path the vehicle would take if itrolled downhill.
Driving Downhill
When off-roading takes you downhill, consider:
.How steep is the downhill? Will I be able tomaintain vehicle control?
.What is the surface like? Smooth? Rough?Slippery? Hard-packed dirt? Gravel?
.Are there hidden surface obstacles? Ruts? Logs?Boulders?
.What is at the bottom of the hill? Is there a hiddencreek bank or even a river bottom with largerocks?
If you decide you can go down a hill safely, try to keepthe vehicle headed straight down. Use a low gear soengine drag can help the brakes so they do not have todo all the work. Descend slowly, keeping the vehicleunder control at all times.
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{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 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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