brake CADILLAC ESCALADE 2020 Owner's Guide

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566588) - 2020 - CRC - 4/24/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 193
Caution
A transmission hot message may
display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition can
damage the vehicle. Stop and idle
the engine to cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This message
clears when the transmission fluid
has cooled sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal driving.
If more power is needed for passing,
press the accelerator pedal down.
Use D (Drive) and Tow/Haul Mode
when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills,
or driving off-road. Shift the
transmission to a lower gear selection
if the transmission shifts too often.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See “Skidding”underLoss
of Control 0170. The vehicle has a shift stabilization
feature that adjusts the transmission
shifting to the current driving
conditions in order to reduce rapid
upshifts and downshifts. This shift
stabilization feature is designed to
determine, before making an upshift,
if the engine is able to maintain
vehicle speed by analyzing things such
as vehicle speed, throttle position, and
vehicle load. If the shift stabilization
feature determines that a current
vehicle speed cannot be maintained,
the transmission does not upshift and
instead holds the current gear.
In some cases, this could appear to be
a delayed shift, however the
transmission is operating normally.
The transmission uses adaptive shift
controls. The adaptive shift control
process continually compares key shift
parameters to pre-programmed ideal
shifts stored in the transmission’s
computer. The transmission
constantly makes adjustments to
improve vehicle performance
according to how the vehicle is being
used, such as with a heavy load or
when the temperature changes.
During this adaptive shift control process, shifting might feel different
as the transmission determines the
best settings.
When temperatures are very cold, the
transmission's gear shifting could be
delayed providing more stable shifts
until the engine warms up. Shifts
could be more noticeable with a cold
transmission. This difference in
shifting is normal.
L :
This position allows selection of a
range of gears appropriate for current
driving conditions. If equipped, see
“Range Selection Mode ”under Manual
Mode 0194.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using
only the accelerator pedal may
damage the transmission. The
repair will not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. If the vehicle is
stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes to
hold the vehicle in place.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566588) - 2020 - CRC - 4/24/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 195
Gear before shifting from D (Drive) to
L (Manual Mode)10th 9th 8th 7th 6th 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st
Range after shifting from D (Drive) to L (Manual
Mode) - Tow/Haul not engaged L7 L7 L7 L6 L5 L4 L3 L3 L2 L1
Range after shifting from D (Drive) to L (Manual
Mode) - Tow/Haul engaged L7 L7 L6 L5 L4 L3 L3 L3 L2 L1
Grade Braking is not available when
Range Selection Mode is active. See
Tow/Haul Mode 0195.
While using Range Selection Mode,
cruise control and the Tow/Haul Mode
can be used.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using
only the accelerator pedal may
damage the transmission. The
repair will not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. If the vehicle is
stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes to
hold the vehicle in place.
Tow/Haul Mode
The Tow/Haul Mode adjusts the
transmission shift pattern to reduce
shift cycling. This provides increased performance, vehicle control, and
enhanced transmission and engine
cooling when driving down steep hills
or mountain grades, towing,
or hauling heavy loads.
Turn the Tow/Haul Mode on and off
by pressing the button. When the
Tow/Haul Mode is enabled, a light on
the instrument cluster will come on.
See
Tow/Haul Mode Light 0125 and
Hill and Mountain Roads 0176.
Also see “Tow/Haul Mode ”under
Driver Mode Control 0205.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566588) - 2020 - CRC - 4/24/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 199
not be completed. With the vehicle
moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph), and
the transmission in N (Neutral),
attempt the shift again.
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 0200 or
Electric Parking Brake 0201.
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 0326.
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-
13566588) - 2020 - CRC - 4/24/19
200 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
helps prevent a braking skid and
maintain steering while braking hard.
ABS performs a system check when
the vehicle is first driven.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
may be heard while this test is going
on, and the brake pedal may move
slightly. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 124. ABS does not change the time needed
to get a foot on the brake pedal and
does not always decrease stopping
distance. If you get too close to the
vehicle ahead, there will not be
enough time to apply the brakes if
that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the
brake pedal down firmly. Hearing or
feeling ABS operate is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and braking at the
same time. In many emergencies,
steering can help even more than
braking.
Parking Brake
Set the parking brake by holding the
regular brake pedal down, then
pushing down the parking brake
pedal.
If the ignition is on, the brake system
warning light will come on. See
Brake
System Warning Light 0123.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566588) - 2020 - CRC - 4/24/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 201
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system and
cause premature wear or damage to
brake system parts. Make sure that
the parking brake is fully released
and the brake warning light is off
before driving.
To release the parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down, then push
down momentarily on the parking
brake pedal until you feel the pedal
release. Slowly pull your foot up off
the parking brake pedal. If the parking
brake is not released when you begin
to drive, a DIC message will appear
and a chime will sound warning you
that the parking brake is still on.
Electric Parking Brake
This vehicle may have an Electric
Parking Brake (EPB). The EPB can
always be activated, even if the
ignition is off. To prevent draining the
battery, avoid repeated cycles of the
EPB system when the engine is not
running.
The system has a
Yor PARK
Electric Parking Brake light, and a
8
Service Parking Brake light. See
Electric Parking Brake Light 0124 and
Service Electric Parking Brake Light
0 124. Before leaving the vehicle, check for
the
Yor PARK light to ensure that
the parking brake is applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Lift up the EPB switch momentarily.
The
Yor PARK light will flash and
then stay on once the EPB is fully
applied. If the
Yor PARK light
flashes continuously, then the EPB is
only partially applied or there is a
problem with the EPB. A DIC message
will display. Release the EPB and try
to apply it again. If the light does not
come on, or keeps flashing, have the
vehicle serviced. Do not drive the
vehicle if the
Yor PARK light is
flashing. See your dealer. See Electric
Parking Brake Light 0124.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566588) - 2020 - CRC - 4/24/19
202 DRIVING AND OPERATING
If the8light is on, press the EPB
switch and hold it. Continue to hold
the switch until the
Yor PARK light
remains on. If the
8light remains on,
see your dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the vehicle
is moving, the vehicle will decelerate
as long as the switch is pulled. If the
switch is pulled until the vehicle
comes to a stop, the EPB will remain
applied.
The vehicle may automatically apply
the EPB in some situations when the
vehicle is not moving. This is normal,
and is done to periodically check the
correct operation of the EPB system.
If the EPB fails to apply, block the rear
wheels to prevent vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Turn the ignition on or to ACC/ ACCESSORY.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Press the EPB switch momentarily. The EPB is released when the
Yor
PARK light is off.
If the
8light is on, release the EPB by
pressing and holding the EPB switch.
Continue to hold the switch until
the
Yor PARK light is off. If either
light stays on after release is
attempted, see your dealer.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system and
cause premature wear or damage to
brake system parts. Make sure that
the parking brake is fully released
and the brake warning light is off
before driving.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to drive
away. Avoid rapid acceleration when
the EPB is applied, to preserve parking
brake lining life.
Brake Assist
Brake Assist detects rapid brake pedal
applications due to emergency braking
situations and provides additional
braking to activate the Antilock Brake
System (ABS) if the brake pedal is not
pushed hard enough to activate ABS
normally. Minor noise, brake pedal
pulsation, and/or pedal movement
during this time may occur. Continue
to apply the brake pedal as the driving
situation dictates. Brake Assist
disengages when the brake pedal is
released.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
Do not rely on the HSA feature.
HSA does not replace the need to
pay attention and drive safely. You
may not hear or feel alerts or
warnings provided by this system.
Failure to use proper care when
driving may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. See Defensive
Driving 0168.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566588) - 2020 - CRC - 4/24/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 203
When the vehicle is stopped on a
grade, Hill Start Assist (HSA)
temporarily prevents the vehicle from
rolling in an unintended direction
during the transition from brake pedal
release to accelerator pedal apply. The
brakes release when the accelerator
pedal is applied or automatically
release after a few seconds. The brakes
may also release under other
conditions. Do not rely on HSA to
hold the vehicle.
HSA is available when the vehicle is
facing uphill in a forward gear,
or when facing downhill in
R (Reverse). The vehicle must come to
a complete stop on a grade for HSA to
activate.Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak®, an
electronic stability control system.
These systems help limit wheel spin
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses any of the
drive wheels are spinning or beginning
to lose traction. When this happens,
TCS applies the brakes to the spinning
wheels and reduces engine power to
limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the vehicle
senses a difference between the
intended path and the direction the
vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies braking
pressure to any one of the vehicle
wheel brakes to assist the driver in
keeping the vehicle on the intended
path. Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is also on automatically when the
vehicle is started. See
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) 0251.
If cruise control is being used and
traction control or StabiliTrak begins
to limit wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road conditions
allow.
Both systems come on automatically
when the vehicle is started and begins
to move. The systems may be heard or
felt while they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This is
normal and does not mean there is a
problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary to
turn TCS off if the vehicle gets stuck
in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0178 and “Turning
the Systems Off and On ”later in this
section.
When the transfer case (if equipped)
is in Four-Wheel Drive Low, the
stability system is automatically
disabled,
gcomes on, and the

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566588) - 2020 - CRC - 4/24/19
204 DRIVING AND OPERATING
appropriate message will appear on
the DIC. Both traction control and
StabiliTrak are automatically disabled
in this condition.
The indicator light for both systems is
in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin
. Flash when StabiliTrak is activated
. Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to indicate
that the system is inactive and is not
assisting the driver in maintaining
control. The vehicle is safe to drive,
but driving should be adjusted
accordingly. If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on and
stays on, the vehicle may need more
time to diagnose the problem. If the
condition persists, see your dealer.
Turning the Systems Off and On
The button for TCS and StabiliTrak is
on the center stack.
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is off.
The vehicle driveline could be
damaged. To turn off only TCS, press and
release
g. The traction off lighti
displays in the instrument cluster. The
appropriate message will display in
the DIC. To turn TCS on again, press
and release
g. The traction off light
idisplayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
g
is pressed, the system will not turn off
until the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold
guntil the traction
off light
iand the StabiliTrak OFF
light
gcome on and stay on in the
instrument cluster, then release. The
appropriate message will display in
the DIC.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak on again,
press and release
g. The traction
off light
iand the StabiliTrak OFF
light
gin the instrument cluster
turn off.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566588) - 2020 - CRC - 4/24/19
208 DRIVING AND OPERATING
If the Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control system begins to
limit wheel spin while using cruise
control, the cruise control
automatically disengages. SeeTraction
Control/Electronic Stability Control
0 203. If a collision alert occurs when
cruise control is activated, cruise
control is disengaged. See Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) System 0226.
When road conditions allow you to
safely use it again, the cruise control
can be turned back on.
If the brakes are applied, cruise
control disengages.J: Press to turn the system on and
off. A white indicator appears in the
instrument cluster when cruise is
turned on.
+RES : If there is a set speed in
memory, press the control up briefly
to resume that speed or press and
hold to accelerate. If the cruise control
is already active, use to increase
vehicle speed.
SET− :Press the control down briefly
to set the speed and activate cruise
control. If the cruise control is already
active, use to decrease vehicle speed.
*: Press to disengage cruise control
without erasing the set speed from
memory.
Setting Cruise Control
If
Jis on when not in use, SET− or
+RES could get pressed and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep
Joff
when cruise is not being used.
To set cruise control:
1. Press
J.
2. Get up to the desired speed. 3. Press and release SET−.
4. Remove your foot from the
accelerator.
When the cruise control has been set
to the desired speed, a green cruise
control indicator appears on the
instrument cluster and a cruise set
speed message appears on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) and
Head-Up Display (HUD), if equipped.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a desired
speed and then the brakes are applied
or
*is pressed, the cruise control is
disengaged without erasing the set
speed from memory.
Once the vehicle speed reaches about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more, press +RES
up briefly. The vehicle returns to the
previous set speed.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13566588) - 2020 - CRC - 4/24/19
DRIVING AND OPERATING 209
Increasing Speed While Cruise
Control is at a Set Speed
If the cruise control system is already
activated:
.Press and hold +RES up until the
vehicle accelerates to the desired
speed, then release it.
. 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 0115.
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 0115.
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
0191 and
Tow/Haul Mode 0195.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise
control:
. Step lightly on the brake pedal.
. Press
*.