transmission CADILLAC ESCALADE 2019 Owner's Guide

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460268) - 2019 - crc - 9/14/18
214 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking is only
enabled while the Tow/Haul Mode is
selected and the vehicle is not in the
Range Selection Mode. See“Tow/Haul
Mode ”listed previously and Manual
Mode 0212. Tow/Haul Mode Grade
Braking assists in maintaining desired
vehicle speeds when driving on
downhill grades by using the engine
and transmission to slow the vehicle.
To disable or enable Tow/Haul Grade
Braking within the current ignition
cycle, press and hold the Tow/Haul
button for five seconds. When the
button is released, the requested mode
change is made. A DIC message is
displayed.
See Towing Equipment 0265.
For other forms of grade braking, see
Automatic Transmission 0209 and
Cruise Control 0225.
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive
If equipped, four-wheel drive engages
the front axle for extra traction.
Caution
Do not drive on clean, dry
pavement in 4
mand 4n(if
equipped) for an extended period of
time. These conditions may cause
premature wear on the vehicle’s
powertrain.
Driving on clean, dry pavement in 4
m
or 4nmay:
. Cause a vibration to be felt in the
steering system.
. Cause tires to wear faster.
. Make the transfer case harder to
shift, and cause it to run noisier.
{Warning
If equipped with four-wheel drive,
the vehicle will be free to roll if the
transfer case is in N (Neutral), even
when the shift lever is in P (Park).
Be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear —2
m, 4m, or 4n—not
in N (Neutral). See Shifting Into Park
0 206.
Caution
Extended high-speed operation in 4
nmay damage or shorten the life of
the drivetrain.
Engagement noise and bump when
shifting between 4
nand 4mor from
N (Neutral), with the engine running,
is normal.
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction
Control and StabiliTrak/ESC off. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0221.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460268) - 2019 - crc - 9/14/18
216 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Shifting Into 4mor AUTO
Turn the knob to the 4
mor AUTO
position at any speed, except from 4
n.
The indicator light will flash while
shifting and will remain on when the
shift is completed.
Shifting Into 2
m
Turn the knob to 2mat any speed,
except when shifting from 4
n. The
indicator light will flash while shifting
and will remain on when the shift is
completed.
Shifting Into 4
n
When 4nis engaged, keep vehicle
speed below 72 km/h (45 mph).
To shift:
1. The ignition must be on and the vehicle must be stopped or
moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph)
with the transmission in
N (Neutral). It is best for the
vehicle to be moving
1.6 to 3.2 km/h (1 to 2 mph). 2. Turn the knob to 4
n. Wait for
the 4
nindicator light to stop
flashing before shifting the
transmission into gear.
Caution
Shifting the transmission into gear
before the requested mode indicator
light has stopped flashing could
damage the transfer case.
If the transmission is in gear and/or
moving more than 5 km/h (3 mph), the
4
nindicator light will flash for
30 seconds and the shift will not be
completed. After 30 seconds the
transfer case will shift to 4
m. Turn the
knob to 4
mto display the indicator.
With the vehicle moving less than
5 km/h (3 mph), and the transmission
in N (Neutral), attempt the shift again.
Shifting Out of 4
n
To shift: 1. The vehicle must be stopped or
moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph)
with the transmission in
N (Neutral) and the ignition on.
It is best for the vehicle to be
moving 1.6 to 3.2 km/h
(1 to 2 mph).
2. Turn the knob to 4
m, AUTO, or
2
m. Wait for the 4m, AUTO, or
2
mindicator light to stop
flashing before shifting the
transmission into gear.
Caution
Shifting the transmission into gear
before the requested mode indicator
light has stopped flashing could
damage the transfer case.
If the transmission is in gear and/or
moving more than 5 km/h (3 mph), the
4
m, AUTO, or 2mindicator light will
flash for 30 seconds but the shift will
not be completed. With the vehicle
moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph), and
the transmission in N (Neutral),
attempt the shift again.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 217
Shifting Into N (Neutral)
To shift into N (Neutral):1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2. Set the parking brake and press and hold the brake pedal.
See Parking Brake 0218 or
Electric Parking Brake 0219.
3. Start the vehicle or turn the ignition on.
4. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
5. Shift the transfer case to 2
m.
6. Turn the transfer case knob clockwise to N (Neutral) until it
stops and hold it there until the
N (Neutral) light starts to flash.
This will take at least 10 seconds.
Then slowly release the knob to
the 4
nposition. The N (Neutral)
light will come on when the
transfer case shift to N (Neutral)
is complete. 7. With the engine running, verify
that the transfer case is in
N (Neutral) by shifting the
transmission to R (Reverse), then
shift the transmission to
D (Drive). There should be no
movement of the vehicle while
shifting the transmission.
8. Turn the engine off, and the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.
9. Place the transmission shift lever in P (Park). See Recreational
Vehicle Towing 0346.
10. Turn the ignition off.
Shifting Out of N (Neutral)
To shift out of N (Neutral): 1. Set the parking brake.
2. Press and hold ENGINE START/ STOP for five seconds with your
foot off the brake to place the
vehicle in Service Mode. 3. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
4. Turn the transfer case knob to the desired setting.
After the transfer case has
shifted out of N (Neutral), the
N (Neutral) light will go out.
5. Release the parking brake.
6. Start the engine and shift the transmission to the desired gear.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460268) - 2019 - crc - 9/14/18
224 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Tow/Haul is most useful under the
following conditions:
.When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load through rolling
terrain
. When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in stop-and-go
traffic
. When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in busy
parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is
desired
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
when lightly loaded or with no trailer
at all will not cause damage. However,
there is no benefit to the selection of
Tow/Haul when the vehicle is
unloaded. Such a selection when
unloaded may result in unpleasant
engine and transmission driving
characteristics and reduced fuel
economy. Tow/Haul is recommended
only when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load.
When selected, the Tow/Haul
indicator will display in the
instrument cluster.Magnetic Ride Control
The Magnetic Ride Control monitors
the suspension system.
Based on road conditions, steering
wheel angle, and vehicle speed, the
system automatically adjusts to
provide the best handling while
providing a smooth ride. The Tour and
Sport Modes will feel similar on a
smooth road.
Tour : Use for normal city and
highway driving. This setting provides
a smooth, soft ride.
8Sport : Use where road conditions
or personal preference demand more
control. This setting provides more
“feel,” or response to road conditions.
6Snow/Ice : Use when more
traction is needed during slippery
conditions.
The vehicle is normally in Tour Mode.
Sport Mode and Snow/Ice Mode are
engaged when the Magnetic Ride
Control MODE button on the center
stack is pressed. Press the button to
select the desired mode.
The Driver Information Center (DIC)
briefly displays the appropriate
message on vehicle startup or when a
new mode is selected.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 227
.To increase vehicle speed in small
increments, press +RES up briefly.
For each press, the vehicle goes
about 1 km/h (1 mph) faster.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster 0133.
The increment value used depends on
the units displayed.
Reducing Speed While Cruise
Control is at a Set Speed
If the cruise control system is already
activated:
. Press and hold SET− down until
the desired lower speed is reached,
then release it.
. To decrease the vehicle speed in
small increments, press SET−
down briefly. For each press, the
vehicle goes about 1 km/h (1 mph)
slower.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster 0133.
The increment value used depends on
the units displayed. Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase
the vehicle speed. When you take your
foot off the pedal, the vehicle will slow
down to the previous set cruise speed.
While pressing the accelerator pedal
or shortly following the release to
override cruise, briefly applying the
SET−
control will result in cruise set
to the current vehicle speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on
hills depends on the vehicle speed, the
load, and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, pressing
the accelerator pedal may be
necessary to maintain vehicle speed.
When going downhill, Cruise Grade
Braking helps maintain the driver
selected speed.
Cruise Grade Braking is enabled when
the vehicle is started and cruise
control is active. It is not enabled in
Range Selection Mode. It assists in
maintaining driver selected speed when driving on downhill grades by
using the engine and transmission to
slow the vehicle.
To disable and enable Cruise Grade
Braking for the current ignition cycle,
press and hold the Tow/Haul button
for five seconds. A Driver Information
Center (DIC) message displays.
For other forms of Grade Braking, see
Automatic Transmission
0209 and
Tow/Haul Mode 0213.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise
control:
. Step lightly on the brake pedal.
. Press
*.
. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
. To turn off cruise control,
press
J.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is erased
from memory if
Jis pressed or if
the ignition is turned off.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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256 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Warning (Continued)
inadequate for the load, the vehicle
may not stop as expected. You and
others could be seriously injured.
The vehicle may also be damaged,
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Pull a trailer only if all the steps in
this section have been followed. Ask
your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer
with the vehicle.
Driving with a Trailer
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 areimportant for your safety and that of
your passengers. Read this section
carefully before pulling a trailer.
When towing a trailer:
.
Become familiar with and follow
all state and local laws that apply
to trailer towing. These
requirements vary from state to
state.
. State laws may require the use of
extended side view mirrors. Even if
not required, you should install
extended side view mirrors if your
visibility is limited or restricted
while towing.
. Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi) of vehicle
use to prevent damage to the
engine, axle, or other parts.
. It is recommended to perform the
first oil change before heavy
towing.
. During the first 800 km (500 mi) of
trailer towing, do not drive over
80 km/h (50 mph) and do not
make starts at full throttle. .
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
Tow/Haul Mode is recommended
for heavier trailers. See Tow/Haul
Mode 0213. If the transmission
downshifts too often, a lower gear
may be selected using Manual
Mode. See Manual Mode 0212.
If equipped, the following driver
assistance features should be turned
off when towing a trailer:
. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
. Super Cruise Control
. Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
. Park Assist
. Automatic Parking Assist (APA)
. Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB)
If equipped, the following driver
assistance features should be turned
to alert or off when towing a trailer:
. Forward Automatic Braking
System (FAB)
. Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
. Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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258 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. The combination of
the vehicle and trailer will not
accelerate as quickly and is much
longer than the vehicle alone. It is
necessary to go much farther beyond
the passed vehicle before returning to
the lane. Pass on level roadways.
Avoid passing on hills if possible.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. To move the trailer to
the left, move that hand to the left. To
move the trailer to the right, move
that hand to the right. Always back up
slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making TurnsCaution
Turn more slowly and make wider
arcs when towing a trailer to
prevent damage to your vehicle. (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
Making very sharp turns could
cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when
towing, so trailer will not go over soft
shoulders, over curbs, or strike road
signs, trees, or other objects. Always
signal turns well in advance. Do not
steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes may
overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes,
engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at lower altitudes.
If the engine is turned off immediately after towing at high altitude on steep
uphill grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating. To
avoid this, let the engine run,
preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine off.
If the overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating
0289.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer
on a level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your
trailer on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the
wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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260 DRIVING AND OPERATING
To back the trailer into the water:1. If equipped, place the vehicle in four-wheel-drive high.
2. Slowly back down the boat ramp until the boat is floating, but no
further than necessary.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet.
4. Have someone place chocks under the front wheels of the
vehicle.
5. Gradually release the brake pedal to allow the chocks to absorb the
load of the trailer.
6. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park). If equipped with a
manual transmission, turn off
the engine and move the shift
lever into 1 (First) gear.
7. Release the brake pedal.
Pulling the Trailer from the Water 1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine and shift into a gear. 3. Release the parking brake.
4. Let up on the brake pedal.
5. Drive slowly until the tires are
clear of the chocks.
6. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
7. Slowly pull the trailer from the water.
8. Once the vehicle and trailer have been driven from the sloped part
of the boat ramp, the vehicle can
be shifted from four-wheel-drive
high. Shift into the drive mode
that is appropriate for the road
conditions.
Caution
If the vehicle tires begin to spin and
the vehicle begins to slide toward
the water, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal and apply the
brake pedal. Seek help to have the
vehicle towed up the ramp.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more often
when used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule 0360. It is
especially important to check the
automatic transmission fluid, 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
0 289.
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
(Continued)

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 269
instrument cluster will illuminate
even if the trailer is not properly
connected or the bulbs are
burned out.
Tow/Haul Mode
For instructions on how to enter Tow/
Haul mode, seeTow/Haul Mode0213.
Tow/Haul assists when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.
Tow/Haul Mode is designed to be
most effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75% of the vehicle's Gross Combined
Weight Rating (GCWR). See
“Maximum Trailer Weight ”under
Trailer Towing 0260.
Tow/Haul Mode is most useful when
towing a heavy trailer or carrying a
large or heavy load:
. through rolling terrain
. in stop-and-go traffic
. in busy parking lots
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
Mode when lightly loaded or not
towing will not cause damage;
however, it is not recommended and may result in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics
and reduced fuel economy.
Integrated Trailer Brake Control
System
The vehicle may have an Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system
for use with electric trailer brakes or
most electric over hydraulic trailer
brake systems. These instructions
apply to both types of electric trailer
brakes.
This symbol is on the Trailer Brake
Control Panel on vehicles with an
ITBC system. The power output to the
trailer brakes is proportional to the
amount of vehicle braking. This
available power output to the trailer
brakes can be adjusted to a wide
range of trailering situations.
The ITBC system is integrated with
the vehicle’s brake, anti-lock brake,
and StabiliTrak systems. In trailering
conditions that cause the vehicle’s
anti-lock brake or StabiliTrak systems
to activate, power sent to the trailer's
brakes will be automatically adjusted
to minimize trailer wheel lock-up.
This does not imply that the trailer
has StabiliTrak.
If the vehicle’s brake, anti-lock brake,
or StabiliTrak systems are not
functioning properly, the ITBC system
may not function fully or at all. Make
sure all of these systems are fully
operational to allow the ITBC system
to function properly.
The ITBC system is powered through
the vehicle's electrical system. Turning
the ignition off will also turn off the
ITBC system. The ITBC system is fully
functional only when the ignition is in
ON/RUN.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460268) - 2019 - crc - 9/14/18
276 VEHICLE CARE
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . 285
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . 293 Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . 297
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . 298
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . 300
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . 301
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . 319
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 328
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330