warning light CADILLAC ESCALADE 2021 Owner's Guide

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
DRIVING AND OPERATING 245
Caution (Continued)
.Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. SeeTrailer Towing 0334
for the trailer towing capabilities
of the vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
Ignition Positions
Vehicles equipped with Keyless Access
have pushbutton starting. The Remote Key must be in the
vehicle for the system to operate.
If the pushbutton start is not working,
the vehicle may be near a strong radio
antenna signal causing interference to
the Keyless Access system. See
Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
0 7.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition
must be on or in Service Mode, and
the brake pedal must be applied.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the vehicle
off in an emergency.
Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF (No
Indicator Lights) : When the vehicle
is stopped, press ENGINE START/
STOP once to turn the engine off.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the
ignition will turn off, and Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) 0248. If the vehicle is not in P (Park), the
ignition will return to ACC/
ACCESSORY and display the message
SHIFT TO PARK in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). When the
vehicle is shifted into P (Park), the
ignition system will turn off.
The vehicle may have an electric
steering column lock. The lock is
activated when the ignition is turned
off and either front door is opened.
A sound may be heard as the lock
actuates or releases. The steering
column lock may not release with the
wheels turned off center. If this
happens, the vehicle may not start.
Move the steering wheel from left to
right while attempting to start the
vehicle. If this does not work, the
vehicle needs service.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes
repeatedly. This may deplete power
assist, requiring increased brake
pedal force.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 247
Starting Procedure
1. The remote key must be in thevehicle. Press ENGINE START/
STOP with the brake pedal applied.
When the engine begins cranking,
let go of the button.
The idle speed will go down as the
engine gets warm. Do not race the
engine immediately after starting
it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the oil
to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.
When the low fuel warning light is
on and the FUEL LEVEL LOW
message is displayed in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), press the
ENGINE START/STOP position to
continue engine cranking.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by trying to start
the engine immediately after
cranking has ended, can overheat
and damage the cranking motor,
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
and drain the battery. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to let
the cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds, especially in
very cold weather (below −18 °C or
0 °F), it could be flooded with too
much gasoline. Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there while
pressing ENGINE START/STOP for
up to a maximum of 15 seconds.
Wait at least 15 seconds between
each try, to allow the cranking
motor to cool down. When the
engine starts, let go of the button
and accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the
same thing. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Do not
race the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Stop/Start System
If equipped and enabled, the Stop/
Start system will shut off the engine
to help conserve fuel. It has
components designed for the
increased number of starts.
{Warning
The automatic engine Stop/Start
feature causes the engine to shut
off while the vehicle is still on. Do
not exit the vehicle before shifting
to P (Park). The vehicle may restart
and move unexpectedly. Always
shift to P (Park), and then turn the
ignition off before exiting the
vehicle.
Auto Engine Stop/Start
When the brakes are applied and the
vehicle is at a complete stop, the
engine may turn off. When stopped,
the tachometer displays AUTO STOP.
See Tachometer 0116. When the brake
pedal is released or the accelerator
pedal is pressed, the engine will
restart.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 257
Driving on clean, dry pavement in 4m
or 4nmay:
.Cause a vibration to be felt in the
steering system.
.Cause tires to wear faster.
{Warning
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
0 248.
Caution
Extended high-speed operation in 4
nmay damage or shorten the life of
the drivetrain.
An engagement noise and bump is
normal when shifting between 4
nand
4
mor N (Neutral), with the engine
running. Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction
Control and StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) off. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0264.
Automatic Transfer Case
Two-Speed Transfer Case
If equipped, the transfer case controls
are used to shift into and out of
four-wheel drive.
To shift the transfer case, press the
desired button. The graphic in the
instrument cluster will flash while a shift is in progress. The graphic
displayed will change to indicate the
setting requested.
When the shift is complete the
graphic will stop flashing. The DIC
message turns off once the shift is
complete. If the transfer case cannot
complete a shift request, it will go
back to its last chosen setting.
The settings are:
N (Neutral) :
Use only when the
vehicle needs to be towed. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0429. See
Towing the Vehicle 0428.
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) : Use for
driving on most streets and highways.
The front axle is not engaged. This
setting provides the best fuel
economy.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel
Drive) : Use when road surface
conditions are variable. When driving
in AUTO, the front axle is engaged,
and the vehicle's power is sent to the
front and rear wheels automatically
based on driving conditions. This
setting provides slightly lower fuel
economy than 2
m.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 261
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost
Vehicles equipped with electric brake
boost have hydraulic brake circuits
that are electronically controlled when
the brake pedal is applied during
normal operation. The system
performs routine tests and turns off
within a few minutes after the vehicle
is turned off. Noise may be heard
during this time. If the brake pedal is
pressed during the tests or when the
electric brake boost system is off, a
noticeable change in pedal force and
travel may be felt. This is normal.
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
helps prevent a braking skid and
maintain steering while braking hard.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 125.
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 and
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.
Electric Parking Brake
The Electric Parking Brake (EPB) can
always be applied, even if the vehicle
is off. In case of insufficient electrical
power, the EPB cannot be applied or
released. To prevent draining the
battery, avoid unnecessary repeated
cycles of the EPB.
The system has a red parking brake
status light and an amber service
parking brake warning light. See
Electric Parking Brake Light 0124 and
Service Electric Parking Brake Light
0 125. There are also parking
brake-related Driver Information
Center (DIC) messages.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
262 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Before leaving the vehicle, check the
red parking brake status 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. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
The red parking brake status light will
flash and then stay on once the EPB is
fully applied. If the red parking brake
status 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 red parking
brake status light is flashing. See your
dealer.
If the amber service parking brake
warning light is on, press the EPB
switch. Continue to hold the switch
until the red parking brake status light remains on. If the amber service
parking brake warning light is on, see
your dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the vehicle
is moving, the vehicle will decelerate
as long as the switch is pressed. If the
switch is pressed 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,
or at the request of other safety
functions that utilize the EPB.
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 red
parking brake status light is off. If the amber service parking brake
warning light is on, release the EPB by
pressing and holding the EPB switch.
Continue to hold the switch until the
red parking brake status 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.
If you are towing a trailer and parking
on a hill, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips 0330.
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.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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268 DRIVING AND OPERATING
for better control at lower speeds and
over rough terrain. This mode
modifies accelerator pedal mapping,
transmission shift pattern, ride height,
suspension, steering, AWD, Electronic
Limited-Slip Differential (eSLD), ESC
performance and TCS performance.
When the vehicle comes to a stop on
an upward grade, Automatic Vehicle
Hold is engaged until the driver
presses the accelerator pedal. Stop/
Start and cruise control are disabled
in Terrain Mode.
Active Braking during lift throttle will
be engaged. This feature automatically
applies light braking to simulate
heavy engine braking of
four-wheel-dive low. It also applies
light braking in D (Drive) until the
vehicle is at idle speeds. In M1 and
M2 light braking will typically bring
the vehicle to a stop. Active Braking
during lift throttle will also reduce
trailer braking.
Terrain Mode will automatically exit
to Tour Mode if the brake
temperatures become too hot,electronic parking brake becomes
inoperable or the vehicle cannot
perform braking or vehicle hold.
For more information on off-road
driving, see
Off-Road Driving 0234 and
Hill and Mountain Roads 0238.
Magnetic Ride Control
This vehicle may have a semi-active
damping system called Magnetic Ride
Control. With this feature, improved
vehicle ride and handling is provided
under a variety of passenger and
loading conditions.
Locking Rear Axle
Vehicles with a locking rear axle can
give more traction on snow, mud, ice,
sand, or gravel. It works like a
standard axle most of the time, but
when traction is low, this feature will
allow the rear wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle.
Four Corner Air Suspension
System
The Four Corner Air Suspension
feature provides full time load leveling
capability along with the benefit of
adjusting ride height for increased
convenience and capability.
{Warning
To help avoid personal injury or
death, make sure the area
underneath the vehicle and inside
the wheel wells is clear when
lowering the vehicle.
{Warning
To help avoid personal injury or
death, always select the lowest ride
height for the current driving
conditions. Higher ride heights raise
the vehicle's center of gravity,
increasing the chance of a rollover
during extreme maneuvers.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
280 DRIVING AND OPERATING
In some cases, when ACC is
temporarily unavailable, regular cruise
control may be used. See“Switching
Between ACC and Regular Cruise
Control ”previously in this section.
Always consider driving conditions
before using either cruise control
system.
Notification to Resume ACC
ACC will maintain a following gap
behind a detected vehicle and slow
your vehicle to a stop behind that
vehicle.
If the stopped vehicle ahead has
driven away and ACC has not
resumed, the vehicle ahead indicator
will flash as a reminder to check
traffic ahead before proceeding. In
addition, the left and right sides of the
Safety Alert Seat will pulse three
times, or three beeps will sound. See
“Alert Type ”and “Adaptive Cruise Go
Notifier” in“Collision/Detection
Systems” underVehicle Personalization
0 138.
When the vehicle ahead drives away,
ACC resumes automatically if the stop
was brief. If necessary, press RES+ or
the accelerator pedal to resume ACC. If stopped for more than two minutes
or if the driver door is opened and the
driver seat belt is unbuckled, the ACC
automatically applies the Electric
Parking Brake (EPB) to hold the
vehicle. The EPB status light will turn
on. See
Electric Parking Brake 0261.
To release the EPB, press the
accelerator pedal.
A DIC warning message may display
indicating to shift to P (Park) before
exiting the vehicle. See Vehicle
Messages 0138.
{Warning
If ACC has stopped the vehicle, and
if ACC is disengaged, turned off,
or canceled, the vehicle will no
longer be held at a stop. The vehicle
can move. When ACC is holding the
vehicle at a stop, always be
prepared to manually apply the
brakes.
{Warning
Leaving the vehicle without placing
it in P (Park) can be dangerous. Do
not leave the vehicle while it is
being held at a stop by ACC. Always
place the vehicle in P (Park) and
turn off the ignition before leaving
the vehicle.
ACC Override
If using the accelerator pedal while
ACC is active, the ACC indicator turns
blue on the instrument cluster and in
the HUD (if equipped) indicating ACC
braking will not occur. ACC will
resume operation when the
accelerator pedal is not being pressed.
{Warning
The ACC will not automatically
apply the brakes if your foot is
resting on the accelerator pedal.
You could crash into a vehicle
ahead of you.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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284 DRIVING AND OPERATING
An active Super Cruise service plan is
required to use Super Cruise.
{Warning
Super Cruise does not perform all
aspects of driving, nor does it do
everything a driver can do. Super
Cruise only steers to maintain
vehicle position in the current lane
or, under some circumstances, to
change lanes. Super Cruise can only
be used with Adaptive Cruise
Control.
Super Cruise does:
.Not prevent crashes or warn of
possible crashes.
.Not steer to avoid stopped or
slow-moving vehicles,
cross-traffic, construction
barriers or cones, motorcycles,
children, pedestrians, animals,
or other objects on the road.
.Not steer in response to vehicles
or objects next to your vehicle,
including vehicles attempting to
enter your lane.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Not respond to traffic lights, stop
signs, or other traffic control
devices.
.Not respond to crossing traffic.
.Not make turns.
.Not steer to merge onto or to
exit highways.
.Not detect, steer to avoid,
or steer through construction
zones.
.Not function on surface streets.
.Not respond to crossing or
oncoming traffic.
.Not function in city driving
conditions.
{Warning
Some state and local laws may
require hands to be kept on the
steering wheel at all times. Only
remove your hands from the
steering wheel if Super Cruise is
engaged, it is safe to do so, and it is
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
permitted by state and local laws.
Failure to do so may result in a
crash involving serious injury or
death.
{Warning
Failure to supervise the driving task
and to respond appropriately, even
while Super Cruise is operating, can
cause a crash. Super Cruise may not
respond as you would to all driving
situations and may not maintain
lane position under all conditions.
It is extremely important to pay
attention to the operation of the
vehicle, even while using Super
Cruise. Do not use a hand-held
device while driving, even with
Super Cruise engaged. To prevent
serious injury or death:
.Always remain properly seated in
the driver seat with your seat
belt fastened.(Continued)

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 285
Warning (Continued)
.Never remove your hands from
the steering wheel when Super
Cruise is not operating.
.Always make sure traffic
conditions are safe before using
Super Cruise.
.Always keep the entire vehicle
and the sensors clean. Sensors
are on the front, sides, and rear
of the vehicle.
.Always observe posted speed
limits. Only use Super Cruise at
or below the posted speed limit.
Super Cruise should not be used in
complex or uncertain driving
conditions, including:
.Not in construction zones.
.Not when approaching or exiting
toll plazas.
.Not when approaching an
intersection that is controlled
with a traffic light, stop sign,
or other traffic control device. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Not when lane markings are not
present or cannot be detected.
For example, there is too much
glare, weather conditions are
poor, or lanes are poorly marked.
.Not on slippery or icy roads.
.Not in adverse weather
conditions, including rain, sleet,
fog, ice, or snow.
.Not on winding or hilly roads.
.Not for city driving.
.Not during heavy or emergency
braking.
.Not on surface streets.
.Not on a road shoulder, service
drive, or under an elevated
freeway.
.Not when towing a trailer.
.Not in a highway exit lane. When Super Cruise is Available
Super Cruise Indicator
Super Cruise is designed to operate
only when:
.ACC is on. See Adaptive Cruise
Control (Advanced) 0274.
.Teen Driver is not active.
.The GPS detects the vehicle is on a
compatible highway.
.Both the camera and the radar
sensors are functioning and not
covered, obstructed, or damaged.
.The Driver Attention System (DAS)
detects the driver's head and eyes
are directed toward the road.
.The lane markings are clearly visible
and able to be detected by the
system.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
286 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Poor Conditions
Poor ConditionsUsing Super Cruise
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death:
.Always check that Super Cruise
is available
^before
pressing
].
.Only remove your hands from
the steering wheel if the steering
wheel light bar,
^, and\are
green. Super Cruise may not
begin steering immediately, even
when Super Cruise is available
and
]has been pressed.
To engage:
.PressJto turn on ACC. Make sure
the white
\indicator displays in
the instrument cluster. See Adaptive
Cruise Control (Advanced) 0274.
.When Super Cruise is available, the
white
^will display in the
instrument cluster.
.Press]. ACC will set the speed at
the current vehicle speed. If ACC
has a previously set speed, it may
resume at that speed.
.Super Cruise, when engaged, will
change Forward Collision System
customization to Alert and Brake.
When engaged and not steering the
vehicle, the steering wheel light bar
flashes blue, and
^will be blue. The
driver is in control of steering and
Super Cruise is not steering the
vehicle.
When the vehicle is positioned in the
center of the lane, the steering wheel
light bar and
^display will turn
green, indicating Super Cruise is
steering the vehicle.