CADILLAC ESCALADE 2021 Owner's Manual

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
410 VEHICLE CARE
SeeBuying New Tires 0408 and
Accessories and Modifications 0364.
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires by
treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This
applies only to vehicles sold in the
United States. The grades are
molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform
Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
system does not apply to deep
tread, winter tires, compact spare
tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) standards.
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must
Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements In Addition To
These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half
(1½) times as well on the
government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences
in road characteristics and
climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest
to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's
ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled
conditions on specified
government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance. Warning: The
traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.

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Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing
the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability
to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature
can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on
the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade
for this tire is established for a tire
that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessiveloading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance
The tires and wheels were aligned and
balanced at the factory to provide the
longest tire life and best overall
performance. Adjustments to wheel
alignment and tire balancing are not
necessary on a regular basis. Consider
an alignment check if there is unusual
tire wear or the vehicle is significantly
pulling to one side or the other. Some
slight pull to the left or right,
depending on the crown of the road
and/or other road surface variations
such as troughs or ruts, is normal.
If the vehicle is vibrating when driving
on a smooth road, the tires and
wheels may need to be rebalanced.
See your dealer for proper diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent,
cracked, or badly rusted or corroded.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the
wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the wheel leaks
air, replace it. Some aluminum wheels
can be repaired. See your dealer if any
of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of
wheel that is needed.
Each new wheel should have the same
load-carrying capacity, diameter,
width, offset, and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
Replace wheels, wheel bolts, wheel
nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) sensors with new GM original
equipment parts.
{Warning
Using the wrong replacement
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts
can be dangerous. It could affect
the braking and handling of the
vehicle. Tires can lose air, and
cause loss of control, causing a
crash. Always use the correct wheel,
wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for
replacement.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Caution
The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake
cooling, speedometer or odometer
calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance,
and tire or tire chain clearance to
the body and chassis.
Used Replacement Wheels
{Warning
Replacing a wheel with a used one
is dangerous. How it has been used
or how far it has been driven may
be unknown. It could fail suddenly
and cause a crash. When replacing
wheels, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{Warning
Do not use tire chains. There is not
enough clearance. Tire chains used
on a vehicle without the proper(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
amount of clearance can cause
damage to the brakes, suspension,
or other vehicle parts. The area
damaged by the tire chains could
cause loss of control and a crash.
Use another type of traction device
only if its manufacturer
recommends it for the vehicle's tire
size combination and road
conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slowly
and readjust or remove the traction
device if it contacts the vehicle. Do
not spin the wheels. If traction
devices are used, install them on
the rear tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while driving, especially if the tires are
maintained properly. If air goes out of
a tire, it is much more likely to leak
out slowly. But if there ever is a
blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do: If a front tire fails, the flat tire creates
a drag that pulls the vehicle toward
that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering
wheel firmly. Steer to maintain lane
position, and then gently brake to a
stop, well off the road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and may
require the same correction as used in
a skid. Stop pressing the accelerator
pedal and steer to straighten the
vehicle. It may be very bumpy and
noisy. Gently brake to a stop, well off
the road, if possible.
{Warning
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has been
driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash. Never
attempt to re-inflate a tire that has
been driven on while severely
underinflated or flat. Have your
(Continued)

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Warning (Continued)
dealer or an authorized tire service
center repair or replace the flat tire
as soon as possible.
{Warning
Lifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the appropriate
safety equipment and training. If a
jack is provided with the vehicle, it
is designed only for changing a flat
tire. If it is used for anything else,
you or others could be badly injured
or killed if the vehicle slips off the
jack. If a jack is provided with the
vehicle, only use it for changing a
flat tire.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place, well off the road,
if possible. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. See Hazard Warning
Flashers 0153.
{Warning
Changing a tire can be dangerous.
The vehicle can slip off the jack and
roll over or fall causing injury or
death. Find a level place to change
the tire. To help prevent the vehicle
from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Shift the vehicle to P (Park).
3. For vehicles with four-wheel drive with an N (Neutral)
transfer case position, be sure
the transfer case is in a drive
gear —not in N (Neutral).
4. Turn off the engine and do not restart while the vehicle is
raised.
5. Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle.
6. Place wheel blocks, if equipped, on both sides of the tire at the
opposite corner of the tire
being changed. When the vehicle has a flat tire (2),
use the following example as a guide
to assist in the placement of the
wheel blocks (1), if equipped.
1. Wheel Block (If Equipped)
2. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to use the jack and change a tire.
Tire Changing
Before changing a flat tire, see
“Hands-Free Operation
”under Liftgate
0 20.
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools
The equipment needed to change a
flat tire is stored in the rear of the
vehicle. The jacking tools are under

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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the load floor, secured with velcro
straps. The jack is behind a door in
the trim panel on the driver side.
1. Pull to open the trim panel door.
The third row driver side seat
may need to be folded to access
the trim panel door.
2. Turn the jack knobcounterclockwise to release the
jack and wheel blocks from the
bracket. If equipped, remove the
wheel blocks from the jack and
place the wheel blocks on both
sides of the tire at the opposite
corner of the tire being changed.
See If a Tire Goes Flat 0412 for
more information on the
placement of the wheel blocks.
Place the jack and wheel blocks
near the tire being changed.Short Wheel Base Shown, Extended Wheel Base Similar
3. Lift the load floor. Remove the
jacking tools and place them near
the tire being changed.

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Use the following tools:
1. Jack
2. Wheel Blocks
3. Jack Handle
4. Jack Handle Extensions
5. Wheel Wrench
To access the spare tire, refer to the
following graphics and instructions:
1. Hoist Assembly
2. Hoist Shaft
3. Hoist Shaft Access Cover/Hole
4. Jack Handle Extension
5. Wheel Wrench
6. Spare Tire Lock
7. Hoist End of Extension Tool
8. Hoist Shaft Access Hole
9. Spare Tire (Valve StemPointed Up)
10.Tire/Wheel Retainer
11.Hoist Cable
1. Open the hoist shaft access cover (3) on the bumper to access
the spare tire lock (6).
2. To remove the spare tire lock (6), insert the mechanical key, turn it
clockwise and then pull it
straight out.

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3. Assemble the jack handleextensions (4) and wheel
wrench (5), as shown.
4. Insert the open end of theextension (7) through the hole in
the rear bumper (8) (hoist shaft
access hole).
Be sure the hoist end of the
extension (7) connects to the hoist
shaft. The ribbed square end of the
extension is used to lower the
spare tire.
5. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire to the ground. Continue
to turn the wheel wrench until the
spare tire can be pulled out from
under the vehicle.
6. Pull the spare tire out from under the vehicle.
7. Tilt the tire toward the vehicle withsome slack in the cable to access
the tire/wheel retainer.
Tilt the retainer and pull it and the
cable and spring through the
center of the wheel.
8. Put the spare tire near the flat tire.

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Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. Do a safety check beforeproceeding. See If a Tire Goes Flat
0 412 for more information.
2. If the vehicle has a center cap that
covers the wheel fasteners, place
the chisel end of the wheel wrench
in the slot on the wheel and gently
pry the cap out.
If the wheel has a bolt-on hub cap,
loosen the plastic nut caps by
turning the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. The plastic nut
caps will be retained in the hub cap
after it is removed from the wheel.
3. Use the wheel wrench to loosen allthe wheel nuts. Turn the wheel
wrench counterclockwise to loosen
the wheel nuts. Do not remove the
wheel nuts yet.
{Warning
To avoid personal injury and
vehicle damage, disable the power
assist steps before using a jack or
placing an object under the vehicle.
See Power Assist Steps 028.
Caution
Only raise the vehicle from the
jacking locations shown. Raising
the vehicle from the rear could
damage the frame or other
components. The damage may not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Vehicle Jacking Locations
4. Position the jack lift head as shown, at the jacking location
nearest the flat tire. The jack must
not be used in any other position.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Some Examples of Where Not to Jack
{Warning
Getting under a vehicle when it is
lifted on a jack is dangerous. If the
vehicle slips off the jack, you could
be badly injured or killed. Never get
under a vehicle when it is
supported only by a jack.
{Warning
Raising the vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can damage
the vehicle and even make the
vehicle fall. To help avoid personal
injury and vehicle damage, be sure
to fit the jack lift head into the
proper location before raising the
vehicle.
{Warning
The jack has a feature to limit its
travel to prevent overextension.
When the height limit is reached,
an increase in resistance if felt
when attempting to raise the jack(Continued)

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Warning (Continued)
farther. Raising the jack past the
height limit can damage the jack
pin and cause the jack to lock into
an overextended position or not
lower fully. Do not attempt to force
the jack higher once the height
limit is reached.
5. Raise the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench clockwise in the jack.
Raise the vehicle far enough off the
ground so there is enough room for
the spare tire to fit under the
wheel well.
6. Remove all of the wheel nuts. 7. Remove the flat tire.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on
the parts to which it is fastened,
can cause wheel nuts to become
loose over time. The wheel
could come off and cause a
crash. When changing a wheel,
remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches
to the vehicle. In an emergency,
a cloth or paper towel can be
used; however, use a scraper or
wire brush later to remove all
rust or dirt.
8. Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting surfaces,
and spare wheel.
9. Place the spare tire on the wheel-mounting surface.
{Warning
Never use oil or grease on bolts or
nuts because the nuts might come
loose. The vehicle's wheel could fall
off, causing a crash.
10. Reinstall the wheel nuts. Tighten each nut by hand. Then use the
wheel wrench to tighten the nuts
until the wheel is held against
the hub.