traction control CADILLAC ESCALADE 2017 4.G User Guide

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 135
StabiliTrak®OFF Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
This light comes on when the
StabiliTrak system is turned off.
If StabiliTrak is off, the Traction
Control System (TCS) is also off.
If StabiliTrak and TCS are off, the
system does not assist in controlling
the vehicle. Turn on the TCS and the
StabiliTrak systems, and the warning
light turns off.
SeeTraction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0216.
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak®Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally, the
indicator light turns off.
If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS and potentially the StabiliTrak
system have been disabled. A Driver
Information Center (DIC) message
may display. Check the DIC messages
to determine which feature(s) is no
longer functioning and whether the
vehicle requires service. See Ride
Control System Messages 0150.
If the light is on and flashing, the TCS
and/or the StabiliTrak system is
actively working. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0216.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the system
is working normally the indicator light
goes off.
Caution
The engine coolant temperature
warning light indicates that the
vehicle has overheated. Driving with
this light on can damage the engine
and it may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. See Engine
Overheating 0266.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
148 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Lamp Messages
AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL
ON/OFF
This message is displayed when the
exterior lamp control is in AUTO and
the lights have turned on or off. See
Automatic Headlamp System0167.
XXX TURN INDICATOR FAILURE
When one of the turn signals is out,
this message displays to show which
bulb needs to be replaced. See Bulb
Replacement 0276 and Replacement
Bulbs 0277.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message is displayed if the turn
signal has been left on. Turn off the
turn signal.
Object Detection System
Messages
24 GHz RADARS OFF
This message displays when driving in
certain areas where there may be
radar interference. Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC), Forward Collision Alert (FCA), and Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) may not work or may
not work as well. The vehicle does not
need service.
FORWARD COLLISION
SYSTEM OFF
This message displays when Forward
Automatic Braking (FAB) has been
turned off. See
Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) 0237.
FORWARD COLLISION SYSTEM
REDUCED
This message displays when Forward
Automatic Braking (FAB) has been set
to the Alert setting. This setting
disables most FAB functions. See
Forward Automatic Braking
(FAB) 0237.
FORWARD COLLISION SYSTEM
UNAVAILABLE
This message displays when Forward
Automatic Braking (FAB) has been
unavailable for some time. The FAB
System does not need service. This
message can display under the
following conditions: .
The front of the vehicle or
windshield is not clean. Keep
these areas clean and free of mud,
dirt, snow, ice, and slush. For
cleaning instructions, see Exterior
Care 0320.
. Heavy rain or snow is interfering
with the object detection
performance.
This message may also be displayed if
there is a problem with the StabiliTrak
system. See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0216.
FORWARD COLLISION ALERT OFF
This message displays when the
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) has
been turned off.
FRONT CAMERA BLOCKED CLEAN
WINDSHIELD
This message displays when the
camera is blocked. Cleaning the
outside of the windshield behind the
rearview mirror may correct the issue.
The Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and the
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
150 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
SERVICE PARK ASSIST
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Parking Assist
system. Do not use this system to
help you park. See your dealer for
service.
SERVICE REAR AUTO BRAKE AND
PARK ASSIST
This message displays if there is a
problem with the parking and backing
features of the Driver Assistance
System. Do not use this system to
help park or back the vehicle. See your
dealer for service.
SERVICE SIDE DETECTION
SYSTEM
If this message remains on after
continued driving, the vehicle needs
service. Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA),
Lane Change Alert (LCA), and Rear
Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) features
will not work. Take the vehicle to your
dealer.
SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM
UNAVAILABLE
This message indicates that Side Blind
Zone Alert (SBZA), Lane Change Alert
(LCA), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA) are disabled either because the
sensor is blocked and cannot detect
vehicles in the blind zone, or the
vehicle is passing through an open
area, such as the desert, where there
is insufficient data for operation. This
message may also activate during
heavy rain or due to road spray. The
vehicle does not need service. For
cleaning, see "Washing the Vehicle"
underExterior Care 0320.
Ride Control System
Messages
SERVICE LEVELING SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a
problem with the automatic rear level
control. See Automatic Level Control
0 219. Have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
This message displays if there is a
problem with the StabiliTrak system.
See Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0216.
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a
problem with the Magnetic Ride
Control system. See Magnetic Ride
Control 0219. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
This message displays when there is a
problem with the Traction Control
System (TCS). See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0216.
SPORT MODE ON
This message displays when the Sport
Mode is on. See Magnetic Ride
Control 0219.
TOUR MODE ON
This message displays when the Tour
Mode is on. See Magnetic Ride
Control 0219.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 151
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) has
been turned off. SeeTraction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0216.
TRACTION CONTROL ON
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) has
been turned on. See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0216.
Airbag System Messages
SERVICE AIRBAG
This message displays if there is a
problem with the airbag system. See
your dealer for service.
Safety Belt Messages
AUTOMATIC SEATBELT
TIGHTENING UNAVAILABLE
This message displays when the
Automatic Safety Belt Tightening
System, if equipped, becomes
unavailable. This could be caused by a
temporary condition. If the message
continues to display, see your dealer.
SERVICE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT
TIGHTENING SYSTEM
If this message displays, take the
vehicle to your dealer to repair the
Automatic Safety Belt Tightening
System, if equipped.
Security Messages
THEFT ATTEMPTED
This message displays if the vehicle
detects a tamper condition.
Service Vehicle Messages
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message is displayed if there is a
problem with the vehicle. Take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
Steering System Messages
STEERING ASSIST IS REDUCED
DRIVE WITH CARE
This message may display if a problem
occurs with the electric power steering
system. If this message appears,
steering effort may be slightly higher
than normal. The vehicle is still safe to drive. Use caution while in reduced
assist mode. If this message is
persistent or appears repeatedly, take
the vehicle to your dealer for service.
See
Steering 0183.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
This message displays when there is a
problem with electric power steering.
If this message displays and a
reduction in steering performance or
loss of power steering assistance is
noticed, see your dealer. See
Steering 0183.
Starting the Vehicle
Messages
PRESS BRAKE TO START
This message is displayed when
attempting to start the vehicle
without first pressing the brake pedal.
SERVICE KEYLESS START
SYSTEM
This message is displayed if there is a
problem with the pushbutton start
system. Take the vehicle to your
dealer for service.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 181
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 190
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Adjustable Throttle and BrakePedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Active Fuel Management
®. . . . . . . 202
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . 204
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . 212
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/ElectronicStability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Magnetic Ride Control . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Automatic Level Control . . . . . . . . . 219
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . 222
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . 229
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . 238
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . 238
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . 240
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . 245
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
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182 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . 252
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 252
Driving Information
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and
can take your focus from the task of
driving. Exercise good judgment and
do not let other activities divert your
attention away from the road. Many
local governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep your
eyes on the road, keep your hands on
the steering wheel, and focus your
attention on driving.
.Do not use a phone in demanding
driving situations. Use a
hands-free method to place or
receive necessary phone calls.
. Watch the road. Do not read, take
notes, or look up information on
phones or other electronic devices.
. Designate a front seat passenger
to handle potential distractions. .
Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings. Program
all trip information into any
navigation device prior to driving.
. Wait until the vehicle is parked to
retrieve items that have fallen to
the floor.
. Stop or park the vehicle to tend to
children.
. Keep pets in an appropriate carrier
or restraint.
. Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.

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DRIVING AND OPERATING 185
.Slow down and adjust your driving
according to weather conditions.
Stopping distance can be longer
and vehicle control can be affected
when traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other material
on the road. Learn to recognize
warning clues —such as enough
water, ice, or packed snow on the
road to make a mirrored surface
— and slow down when you have
any doubt.
. Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking, including
reducing vehicle speed by shifting
to a lower gear. Any sudden
changes could cause the tires to
slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid
only the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
Four-wheel-drive vehicles can be used
for off-road driving. Vehicles without
four-wheel drive and vehicles not
equipped with All Terrain (AT) or
On-Off Road (OOR) tires must not be
driven off-road except on a level, solid
surface. For more contact information about the original equipment tires, see
the Limited Warranty and Owner
Assistance Information manual.
One of the best ways for successful
off-road driving is to control the
speed.
{Warning
When driving off-road, bouncing
and quick changes in direction can
easily throw you out of position.
This could cause you to lose control
and crash. You and your passengers
should always wear safety belts.
Before Driving Off-Road
.
Have all necessary maintenance
and service work completed.
. Fuel the vehicle, fill fluid levels,
and check inflation pressure in all
tires, including the spare,
if equipped.
. Read all the information about
four-wheel-drive vehicles in this
manual. .
Know the local laws that apply to
off-road driving.
To gain more ground clearance if
needed, it may be necessary to remove
the front fascia lower air dam.
Caution
Operating the vehicle for extended
periods without the front fascia
lower air dam installed can cause
improper airf low to the engine.
Reattach the front fascia air dam
after off-road driving.
Loading the Vehicle for Off-Road
Driving
{Warning
. Unsecured cargo on the load
floor can be tossed about
when driving over rough
terrain. You or your
passengers can be struck by
flying objects. Secure the
cargo properly.
(Continued)

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
186 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Warning (Continued)
.Keep cargo in the cargo area
as far forward and as low as
possible. The heaviest things
should be on the floor,
forward of the rear axle.
. Heavy loads on the roof raise
the vehicle's center of gravity,
making it more likely to roll
over. You can be seriously or
fatally injured if the vehicle
rolls over. Put heavy loads
inside the cargo area, not on
the roof.
For more information about loading
the vehicle, see If the Vehicle Is Stuck
0 191 and Tires 0289.
Environmental Concerns
.
Always use established trails,
roads, and areas that have been
set aside for public off-road
recreational driving and obey all
posted regulations.
. Do not damage shrubs, flowers,
trees, or grasses or disturb wildlife. .
Do not park over things that burn.
See Parking over Things That
Burn 0202.
Driving on Hills
Driving safely on hills requires good
judgment and an understanding of
what the vehicle can and cannot do.
{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 an accident. 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.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
2017 - crc - 8/24/16
188 DRIVING AND OPERATING
puts more weight on the downhill
wheels, which could cause a
downhill slide or a rollover.
. Surface conditions can be a
problem. Loose gravel, muddy
spots, or even wet grass can cause
the tires to slip sideways, downhill.
If the vehicle slips sideways, it can
hit something that will trip it —a
rock, a rut, etc. —and roll over.
. Hidden obstacles can make the
steepness of the incline more
severe. If a rock is driven across
with the uphill wheels, or if the
downhill wheels drop into a rut or
depression, the vehicle can tilt
even more.
. If an incline must be driven
across, and the vehicle starts to
slide, turn downhill. This should
help straighten out the vehicle and
prevent the side slipping.{Warning
Getting out of the vehicle on the
downhill side when stopped across
an incline is dangerous. If the
vehicle rolls over, you could be
crushed or killed. Always get out on
the uphill side of the vehicle and
stay well clear of the rollover path.
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow,
or Ice
Use a low gear when driving in mud
—the deeper the mud, the lower the
gear. Keep the vehicle moving to avoid
getting stuck.
Traction changes when driving on
sand. On loose sand, such as on
beaches or sand dunes, the tires tend
to sink into the sand. This affects
steering, accelerating, and braking.
Drive at a reduced speed and avoid
sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
Traction is reduced on hard packed
snow and ice and it is easy to lose
control. Reduce vehicle speed when
driving on hard packed snow and ice.
{Warning
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds,
or rivers can be dangerous. Ice
conditions vary greatly and the
vehicle could fall through the ice;
you and your passengers could
drown. Drive your vehicle on safe
surfaces only.
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. Traction
could be lost, and the vehicle could
roll over. Do not drive through
rushing water.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10293077) -
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 189
Caution
Do not drive through standing
water if it is deep enough to cover
the wheel hubs, axles, or exhaust
pipe. Deep water can damage the
axle and other vehicle parts.
If the standing water is not too deep,
drive slowly through it. At faster
speeds, water splashes and the vehicle
can stall. When going through water,
the brakes get wet and it may take
longer to stop. See “Driving on Wet
Roads” later in this section.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has
collected on the underbody or chassis,
or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have
the brake linings cleaned and checked.
These substances can cause glazing
and uneven braking. Check the body
structure, steering, suspension,
wheels, tires, and exhaust system for
damage and check the fuel lines and
cooling system for any leakage. More frequent maintenance service is
required. See the
Maintenance
Schedule 0329.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle
traction and affect your ability to stop
and accelerate. Always drive slower in
these types of driving conditions and
avoid driving through large puddles
and deep-standing or flowing 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 the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.