tow CADILLAC ESCALADE 2021 Owner's Guide

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
140 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Rear Climate on Startup
This setting controls the rear climate
system behavior at vehicle startup.
Mimic Front will sync the rear
settings with the front driver climate
settings.
Touch Off or Mimic Front.
Auto Defog
This setting automatically directs air
to the windshield to assist in
defogging, based on temperature and
humidity conditions.
Touch Off or On.
Auto Rear Defog
This setting automatically turns on
the rear window defogger on based on
temperature and humidity conditions.
Touch Off or On.
Ionizer
If equipped and on, this feature helps
clean the air inside the vehicle and
remove contaminants such as pollen,
odors, and dust. SeeDual Automatic
Climate Control System 0220.
Touch Off or On. Auto Air Distribution
This setting controls the way air flows
in the vehicle when using Auto
Climate Control.
Touch Direct Airflow, Normal Airflow,
or Diffuse Airflow.
Collision/Detection Systems
Touch and the following may display:
.Alert Type
.Forward Collision System
.Front Pedestrian Detection
.Intersection Stop Alert
.Adaptive Cruise Go Notifier
.Side Blind Zone Alert
.Lane Change Alert
.Seat Belt Tightening
.Park Assist
.Park Assist Towbar
.Rear Camera Park Assist Symbols
.Rear Cross Traffic Alert
.Rear Pedestrian Detection
.Super Cruise Lane Change
Alert Type
This feature sets the type of alert from
the driver assistance systems to help
avoid crashes.
Touch Beeps or Safety Alert Seat.
Forward Collision System
This setting can alert of a potential
crash with a detected vehicle ahead
and can apply brakes to help reduce a
collision’s severity.
Touch Off, Alert, or Alert and Brake.
Front Pedestrian Detection
This feature may help avoid or reduce
the harm caused by front-end crashes
with nearby pedestrians. See
Front
Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System 0317.
Touch Off, Alert, or Alert and Brake.
Intersection Stop Alert
This feature alerts the driver when the
vehicle is about to go through a red
light or when the vehicle enters an
intersection and detects a potential
crash with a vehicle crossing ahead.
Touch Off or Alert.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 141
Adaptive Cruise Go Notifier
This setting determines if an alert will
appear when Adaptive Cruise Control
brings the vehicle to a complete stop
and the vehicle ahead of you starts
moving again. SeeAdaptive Cruise
Control (Advanced) 0274.
Touch Off or On.
Side Blind Zone Alert
This setting provides side mirror alerts
to help avoid crashing into a moving
vehicle detected in the vehicle side
blind spot during a lane change.
Touch Off or On.
Lane Change Alert
This setting specifies if an alert will
display on the outside mirror to help
you avoid crashing into a vehicle in
your blind spot, or rapidly
approaching your blind spot, during a
lane change maneuver. See Lane
Change Alert (LCA) 0321.
Touch Off or On. Seat Belt Tightening
This setting automatically adjusts
your seat belts to a snug fit when
buckled. The seat belts tighten when
you first buckle up and during rough
driving or road conditions.
Touch Off or On.
Park Assist
This allows the feature to be turned
on or off. See
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing 0299.
Touch Off, On, or Alert and Brake.
Park Assist Towbar
This setting specifies if Park Assist
will work properly when a small item,
such as a hitch ball, is attached to the
vehicle hitch.
Touch Off - Not Attached or On -
Attached .
Rear Camera Park Assist Symbols
This setting enables the Rear Camera
Park Assist Symbols. See Assistance
Systems for Parking or Backing 0299.
Touch Off or On. Rear Cross Traffic Alert
This allows the Rear Cross Traffic
Alert feature to be turned on or off.
See
Assistance Systems for Parking or
Backing 0299.
Touch Off or On.
Rear Pedestrian Detection
This setting specifies if alerts will
display when the vehicle detects
pedestrians behind when in
R (Reverse). See Rear Pedestrian Alert
0 312.
Touch Off, Alert, or Alert and Brake.
Super Cruise Lane Change
When on, the vehicle can change
lanes while Super Cruise is active. The
vehicle will only steer to change lanes
when traffic allows .
Touch Off or On.
Comfort and Convenience
Touch and the following may display:
.Chime Volume
.Power Liftgate
.Hands Free Liftgate/Trunk Control
.Reverse Tilt Mirror

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
LIGHTING 151
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder
If a door is open, a reminder chime
sounds when the headlamps or
parking lamps are manually turned on
and the ignition is off. To turn off the
chime, turn the exterior lamp control
to off or AUTO and then back on,
or close and re-open the door. In the
AUTO mode, the headlamps turn off
once the ignition is off or remain on
until the headlamp delay ends (if
enabled in the DIC). See“Exit
Lighting” underVehicle Personalization
0 138.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
Push the turn signal lever away from
you and release to turn the high
beams on.
To return to low beams, push the
lever again or pull it toward you and
release.
When the high-beam headlamps are
on, this indicator light on the
instrument cluster will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use the
high-beam headlamps to signal a
driver in front of you that you want to
pass. It works even if the headlamps
are in the automatic position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever
toward you, then release it.
The high beam headlamps will stay on
as long as you hold the lever toward
you. The high-beam indicator on the
instrument cluster will come on.
Release the lever to return to normal
operation.
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
DRL can make it easier for others to
see the front of the vehicle during the
day. Fully functional DRL are required
on all vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system comes on when the
following conditions are met:
.The ignition is on.
.The exterior lamp control is
in AUTO.
.The light sensor determines it is
daytime.
When the DRL system is on, only the
DRL are on. The taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, instrument panel lights, and
other lamps will not be on.
When it begins to get dark, the
automatic headlamp system switches
from DRL to the headlamps.
To turn off the DRL, turn the exterior
lamp control to
Oand then release.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, off
will only work when the vehicle is
parked.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
LIGHTING 153
Hazard Warning Flashers
|:Press to make the front and rear
turn signal lamps flash on and off.
Press again to turn the flashers off.
When the hazard warning flashers are
on, the vehicle's turn signals will
not work.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
An arrow on the instrument cluster
flashes in the direction of the turn or
lane change.
Move the turn signal lever all the way
up or down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever for less than
one second until the arrow starts to
flash to signal a lane change. This
causes the turn signals to
automatically flash three times. It will
flash six times if Tow/Haul Mode is
active. Holding the turn signal lever
for more than one second will cause
the turn signals to flash until the
lever is released.
The lever returns to its starting
position whenever it is released. If after signaling a turn or a lane
change the arrows flash rapidly or do
not come on, a signal bulb could be
burned out.
Replace any burned out bulbs. If a
bulb is not burned out, check the fuse.
See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers 0385.
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for more
than 1.2 km (0.75 mi), a chime sounds
at each flash of the turn signal. The
message TURN SIGNAL ON will also
appear in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). To turn the chime and
message off, move the turn signal
lever to the off position.
Cornering Lamps
If equipped with cornering lamps, they
automatically come on when all of the
following occur:
.The low-beam headlamps are on.
.The turn signals are activated or the
steering wheel is at a turning angle.
.The vehicle speed is below 40 km/h
(25 mph) .

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM 159
.Press and hold to access the
Apple CarPlay or Android Now
Playing View, if connected.
If the current audio source is
the radio, the Apple CarPlay
or Android Auto Now Playing
View with the audio source
plays the radio.
3.n(Power/Volume) Knob
.Press to turn the power on.
.Press and hold when the
system is on to turn the
power off and display
the time.
.Press to mute/unmute the
system when on.
.Turn to decrease or increase
the volume.
4.6(Phone)
.Press to access the
phone menu.
.Press and hold to access the
Apple CarPlay or Android
Auto Phone View,
if connected.
5.T(Vehicle Information)
.Press to access the vehicle
information.
6. Primary Knob
.Turn to highlight a feature.
Press to activate the
highlighted feature.
.Move right/left or up/down to
change the highlighted area
on the display screen.
7.{(Home Page)
.Press to access the Home
Page. See“Home Page ”later in
this section.
.Press and hold to access the
Apple CarPlay or Android
Auto Phone Home screen,
if connected.
8.0(Back)
.Press to return to the previous
display in a menu.
Home Page
The Home Page is where vehicle
application icons or cards are
accessed. Some applications are
disabled when the vehicle is moving.
Swipe left or right across the display
or use the MFC to move the home
page. Move the knob right/left to
change the page or touch on one of the page count indicators at the
bottom of the screen to jump to a
specific page.
Managing Home Page Icons/Cards
1. Touch and hold any of the Home Page icons/cards to enter edit
mode. Edit mode is not available
when the vehicle is moving.
2. Continue holding the icon/card and drag it to the desired position.
3. Release your finger to drop the icon in the desired position.
4. To move an application to another page, drag the icon to the edge of
the display toward the desired
page. Cards must stay on the
first page.
5. Continue dragging and dropping application icons as desired.
6. Application cards on the first page can be replaced, moved or deleted
based on user preference while in
edit mode.
7. Touch Done to save changes or Cancel to not save and exit
edit mode.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM 167
SiriusXM with 360L
SiriusXM with 360L interface has
enhanced in-vehicle listening
experience for subscribers. The
experience now offers more categories
and system learned recommendations
toward discovering more personalized
content.
To use the full SiriusXM 360L
program, including streaming content
and listening recommendations,
OnStar Connected Access is required.
Connected vehicle services vary by
model and require a complete working
electrical system, cell reception, and
GPS signal. An active connected plan
is required.
Reference the SiriusXM user guide for
use and subscription information.
Finding a Channel
Seeking a Channel
From the SiriusXM active source page,
touch
SCH or CHTto seek for the
previous or next channel. Touch
H
to save the channel as a favorite.
Browsing Categories
Touch
(to show the following
categories:
.For You
.Music
.Sports
.News
.Talk
Touching a category will show the
channels associated with that
category. Direct Tune
Access Direct Tune by touching)to
bring up the keypad. Navigate through
all channels using
SCH or CHTon
the Direct Tune display. Directly enter
a channel using the keypad and touch
GO. When a new channel is entered,
the information about that channel
displays on the right side. This
information will update with each new
channel. Touch
Hto save the
channel as a favorite.
Favorites
From the active audio source page,
choose
qFavorites from the list at
the left side to display a list of audio
favorites.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM 179
A flashing light indicates the
headphones are not in range. Move
them closer to the forward overhead
screen until the light stops flashing.
If the light does not come on, check
the batteries. Intermittent sound or
static can also indicate weak batteries.
See“Battery Replacement ”later in this
section.
Turn the headphones off when they
are not in use.
Press the center of the right side of
the headphone to change the channel.
Channel 1 will provide audio
associated with screen 1 and channel 2
will provide audio associated with
screen 2.
Infrared transmitters are on the top of
the right seatback video screen. The
headphones shut off automatically to
save the battery power if the RSI
system is off or if the headphones are
out of range of the transmitters for
more than three minutes. Moving too
far forward or stepping out of the
vehicle can cause the headphones to
lose the signal or have static.
Use the volume control on the
headphones to adjust the volume. For best audio performance, wear the
headphones as indicated with L (Left)
and R (Right) on the ear pads. Do not
let anything cover the ear pads.
Caution
Do not store the headphones in
heat or direct sunlight. This could
damage the headphones and repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Storage in extreme cold
can weaken the batteries. Keep the
headphones stored in a cool, dry
place.
If the foam ear pads become worn or
damaged, the pads can be replaced
separately. To purchase replacement
ear pads, call 1-888-293-3332 or
contact your dealer.
Battery Replacement
To change the batteries: 1. Loosen the screw to the battery door on the left side of the
headphones.
2. Slide the battery door open.
3. Replace the two AAA batteries. 4. Replace the battery door and
tighten the screw.
Remove the batteries if the
headphones will not be used for a
long time.
RSI Troubleshooting
No power : The ignition might not be
on or in ACC/ACCESSORY.
There is no sound from the
headphones with the indicator light
on : If the batteries are good, make
sure the headphones are programmed
to the correct screen and on the
correct channel for the screen being
viewed.
Sometimes the wireless headphone
audio cuts out or buzzes : Check for
obstructions, low batteries, reception
range, and interference from cell
phone towers or from cellular
telephone use in the vehicle. Check
that the headphones are on correctly
using the L (Left) and R (Right) on the
headphones. Check that the
headphones are positioned properly
with the headband across the top of
the head.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
210 INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
.Enhanced Low Fuel Warning (if
equipped)–When the vehicle is low
on fuel, the low fuel light on the
instrument cluster flashes and the
DIC low fuel warning cannot be
dismissed.
.Do not tow a trailer.
Report Card
The vehicle owner must secure the
driver’s consent to record certain
vehicle data when the vehicle is driven
with a registered Teen Driver key.
There is one Report Card per vehicle.
Data is only recorded when a
registered Teen Driver key is used to
operate the vehicle.
The Report Card data is collected from
the time Teen Driver is activated or
the last time the Report Card was
reset. The following items may be
recorded:
.Distance Driven –the total distance
driven.
.Maximum Speed –the maximum
vehicle speed detected.
.Overspeed Warnings –the number
of times the speed warning setting
was exceeded.
.Wide Open Throttle –the number
of times the accelerator pedal was
pressed nearly all the way down.
.Forward Collision Alerts –the
number of times the driver was
notified when approaching a vehicle
ahead too quickly and at potential
risk for a crash.
.Forward Automatic Braking, also
called Automatic Emergency
Braking (if equipped) –the number
of times the vehicle detected that a
forward collision was imminent and
applied the brakes.
.Reverse Automatic Braking (if
equipped) –the number of times
the vehicle detected that a rearward
collision was imminent and applied
the brakes.
.Traction Control –the number of
times the Traction Control System
activated to reduce wheel spin or
loss of traction.
.Stability Control –the number of
events which required the use of
electronic stability control.
.Antilock Braking System Active –
The number of Antilock Brake
System activations.
.Tailgating Alerts –the number of
times the driver was alerted for
following a vehicle ahead too
closely.
Report Card Data
Cumulative Data is saved for all trips
until the Report Card is reset or until
the maximum count is exceeded.
If the maximum count is exceeded for
a Report Card line item, that item will
no longer be updated in the Report
Card until it is reset. Each item will
report a maximum of 1,000 counts.
The distance driven will report a
maximum of 64 374 km (40,000 mi).
To delete Report Card data, do one of
the following:
.From the Report Card display, touch
Reset.
.Touch Clear All Teen Keys and PIN
from the Teen Driver menu. This
will also unregister any Teen Driver
keys and delete the PIN.
Forgotten PIN
See your dealer to reset the PIN.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 229
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 238
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Dynamic Fuel Management . . . . . 250
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . 251
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . 261
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Automatic VehicleHold (AVH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/ElectronicStability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266 Magnetic Ride Control . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Four Corner Air Suspension
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Adaptive Cruise Control(Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Super Cruise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . 298
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Rear Pedestrian Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Night Vision System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . 321
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . 321
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . 324
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
230 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . 327
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . 329
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . 347
Trailering App . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 360
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage.
Here are some driving tips to get the
best fuel economy possible:
.Set the climate controls to the
desired temperature after the engine
is started, or turn them off when
not required.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt
stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
.When road and weather conditions
are appropriate, use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed limits or
drive more slowly when conditions
require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a
single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the
same TPC Spec number molded into
the tire's sidewall near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
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.