Rear air CADILLAC ESCALADE 2021 Owner's Manual

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/11/21
INTRODUCTION 5
1.Driver Information Center (DIC)
0132.
2. Air Vents 0225.
3. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn and
Lane-Change Signals 0153.
Exterior Lamp Controls 0149.
4. Tap Shift Controls (If Equipped). See Manual Mode 0255.
5. Instrument Cluster 0114.
6. Driver Monitoring Camera. See Super Cruise 0283 (If Equipped).
7. Windshield Wiper/Washer 0105.
Rear Window Wiper/Washer 0107.
8. Infotainment. See Overview0158.
9. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0152.
10. Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0220.
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
0 48 (If Equipped).
11. USB Ports. See USB Port0169.
12. Storage Compartment.
13. Infotainment Controls. See Overview 0158.
14. Hazard Warning Flashers 0153. 15.
Wireless Charging 0111.
16. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0251.
17. Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH) 0263.
Stop/Start Disable Button. See
Stop/Start System 0247.
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) 0324 (If
Equipped).
18. ENGINE START/STOP Button. See Ignition Positions 0245.
19. Steering Wheel Controls 0104.
20. Horn 0104.
21. Steering Column Adjustment. See Steering Wheel Adjustment 0104.
22. Hood Release. See Hood0365.
23. Cruise Control 0271 (If Equipped).
Adaptive Cruise Control (Advanced)
0 274 (If Equipped).
Super Cruise 0283 (If Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System
0 313 (If Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel 0104 (If
Equipped).
24. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control 0154. 25. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of
View). See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0122.
26. Trailer Brake Control. See Towing
Equipment 0338 (If Equipped).
27. Electric Parking Brake 0261.
28. Four-Wheel Drive 0256 (If
Equipped).
Four Corner Air Suspension System
0 268 (If Equipped).
Driver Mode Control 0266

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
20 KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS
3. Do the same for the otherrear door.
To open a rear door when the safety
lock is on: 1. Unlock the door by activating the inside handle, by pressing the
power door unlock switch, or by
using the remote key.
2. Open the door from the outside.
When the safety lock is enabled,
adults and older children will not be
able to open the rear door from the
inside. Cancel the safety locks to
enable the doors to open from the
inside.
To cancel the safety lock: 1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside.
2. Move the lever up to unlock. Do the same for the other door.Doors
Liftgate
{Warning
Exhaust gases can enter the vehicle
if it is driven with the liftgate or
trunk/hatch open, or with any
objects that pass through the seal
between the body and the trunk/
hatch or liftgate. Engine exhaust
contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
If the vehicle must be driven with
the liftgate or trunk/hatch open:
.Close all of the windows.
.Fully open the air outlets on or
under the instrument panel.
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that brings in
only outside air and set the fan
speed to the highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems” in the
Index.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.If the vehicle is equipped with a
power liftgate, disable the power
liftgate function.
See Engine Exhaust 0250.
Caution
To avoid damage to the liftgate or
liftgate glass, make sure the area
above and behind the liftgate is
clear before opening it.
Power Liftgate Operation
{Warning
You or others could be injured if
caught in the path of the power
liftgate. Make sure there is no one
in the way of the liftgate as it is
opening and closing.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
40 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
Seats and Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Front Seats
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Heated and Ventilated FrontSeats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Massage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Rear Seats
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Heated Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Third Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Seat Belts
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Seat Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Seat Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Seat Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Replacing Seat Belt System Parts
after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . . . . 67
When Should an AirbagInflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . 69
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . 70
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . 71
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Adding Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . 75
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Replacing Airbag System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Infants and Young Children . . . . . . 78
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . . . 82
Lower Anchors and Tethers forChildren (LATCH System) . . . . . . . 84
Replacing LATCH System Parts
After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Securing Child Restraints (With
the Seat Belt in the
Rear Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Securing Child Restraints (With the Seat Belt in the Front
Passenger Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 61
Always use the correct buckle for your
seating position.
Never route the lap or shoulder belt
over an armrest.
{Warning
The seat belt can be pinched if it is
routed under plastic trim on the
seat, such as trim around the rear
seatback folding handle or side
airbag. In a crash, pinched seat
belts might not be able to provide
adequate protection. Never allow
seat belts to be routed under plastic
trim pieces.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
All seating positions in the vehicle
have a lap-shoulder belt.
If you are using a rear seating position
with a detachable seat belt and the
seat belt is not attached, seeThird
Row Seats 055 for instructions on
reconnecting the seat belt to the
mini-buckle.
The following instructions explain
how to wear a lap-shoulder belt
properly.
1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you can sit up
straight. To see how, see “Seats”in
the Index.
2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get
twisted.
The lap-shoulder belt may lock if
you pull the belt across you very
quickly. If this happens, let the belt
go back slightly to unlock it. Then
pull the belt across you more
slowly.
If the shoulder portion of a
passenger belt is pulled out all the
way, the child restraint locking
feature may be engaged. See Child
Restraint Systems 080. If this
occurs, let the belt go back all the
way and start again. If the locking
feature stays engaged after letting

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
64 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
Do not sit on the outboard seat belt
while entering or exiting the vehicle or
at any time while sitting in the seat.
Sitting on the seat belt can damage
the webbing and hardware.
Rear Seat Belt Comfort Guides
Rear seat belt comfort guides may
provide added seat belt comfort for
older children who have outgrown
booster seats and for some adults.
When installed on a shoulder belt, the
comfort guide positions the shoulder
belt away from the neck and head.
Comfort guides are available through
your dealer for the rear outboard
seating positions. Instructions are
included with the comfort guides.
Seat Belt Use During
Pregnancy
Seat belts work for everyone,
including pregnant women. Like all
occupants, they are more likely to be
seriously injured if they do not wear
seat belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a
lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion
should be worn as low as possible,
below the rounding, throughout the
pregnancy.
The best way to protect the fetus is to
protect the mother. When a seat belt
is worn properly, it is more likely that
the fetus will not be hurt in a crash.
For pregnant women, as for anyone,
the key to making seat belts effective
is wearing them properly.
Seat Belt Extender
If the vehicle's seat belt will fasten
around you, you should use it.But if a seat belt is not long enough,
your dealer will order you an extender.
When you go in to order it, take the
heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you.
To help avoid personal injury, do not
let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. The
extender has been designed for adults.
Never use it for securing child
restraints. For more information on
the proper use and fit of seat belt
extenders see the instruction sheet
that comes with the extender.
Safety System Check
Periodically check the seat belt
reminder, seat belts, buckles, latch
plates, retractors, shoulder belt height
adjusters (if equipped), and seat belt
anchorages to make sure they are all
in working order. Look for any other
loose or damaged seat belt system
parts that might keep a seat belt
system from performing properly. See
your dealer to have it repaired. Torn,
frayed, or twisted seat belts may not
protect you in a crash. Torn or frayed
seat belts can rip apart under impact
forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, have

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 69
for the airbags to inflate and help
restrain the occupants. The vehicle
has electronic sensors that help the
airbag system determine the severity
of the impact. Deployment thresholds
can vary with specific vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are designed to inflate
in moderate to severe frontal or near
frontal crashes to help reduce the
potential for severe injuries, mainly to
the driver's or front outboard
passenger's head and chest.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should inflate is not based primarily
on how fast the vehicle is traveling.
It depends on what is hit, the
direction of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.
Frontal airbags may inflate at
different crash speeds depending on
whether the vehicle hits an object
straight on or at an angle, and
whether the object is fixed or moving,
rigid or deformable, narrow or wide.
Frontal airbags are not intended to
inflate during vehicle rollovers, rear
impacts, or many side impacts.In addition, the vehicle has advanced
technology frontal airbags. Advanced
technology frontal airbags adjust the
restraint according to crash severity.
The front center airbag is designed to
inflate in moderate to severe side
crashes depending upon the location
of the impact, when either side of the
vehicle is struck. In addition, the front
center airbag is designed to inflate
when the sensing system predicts that
the vehicle is about to roll over on its
side. The front center airbag is not
designed to inflate in frontal impacts,
near frontal impacts, or rear impacts.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags are
designed to inflate in moderate to
severe side crashes depending on the
location of the impact. Seat-mounted
side impact airbags are not designed
to inflate in frontal impacts, near
frontal impacts, rollovers, or rear
impacts. A seat-mounted side impact
airbag is designed to inflate on the
side of the vehicle that is struck.
Roof-rail airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe side
crashes depending on the location of
the impact. In addition, these roof-railairbags are designed to inflate during
a rollover or in a severe frontal
impact. Roof-rail airbags are not
designed to inflate in rear impacts.
Both roof-rail airbags will inflate when
either side of the vehicle is struck,
if the sensing system predicts that the
vehicle is about to roll over on its
side, or in a severe frontal impact.
In any particular crash, no one can
say whether an airbag should have
inflated simply because of the vehicle
damage or the repair costs.
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the
airbag causing the bag to break out of
the cover. The inflator, the airbag, and
related hardware are all part of the
airbag module.
For airbag locations, see
Where Are the
Airbags? 067.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
72 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly
secured in a rear seat in the correct
child restraint for their weight
and size.
Whenever possible, children aged
12 and under should be secured in a
rear seating position.
Never put a rear-facing child seat in
the front. This is because the risk to
the rear-facing child is so great, if the
airbag inflates.
{Warning
A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured or
killed if the passenger frontal airbag
inflates. This is because the back of
the rear-facing child restraint would
be very close to the inflating airbag.
A child in a forward-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured or
killed if the passenger frontal airbag
inflates and the passenger seat is in
a forward position.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Even if the passenger sensing
system has turned off the passenger
frontal airbag, no system is fail-safe.
No one can guarantee that an
airbag will not deploy under some
unusual circumstance, even though
the airbag is turned off.
Never put a rear-facing child
restraint in the front seat, even if
the airbag is off. If securing a
forward-facing child restraint in the
front outboard passenger seat,
always move the seat as far back as
it will go. It is better to secure child
restraints in the rear seat. Consider
using another vehicle to transport
the child when a rear seat is not
available.
If the vehicle does not have a rear seat
that will accommodate a rear-facing
child restraint, a rear-facing child
restraint should not be installed in the
vehicle, even if the airbag is off. The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag if:.The front outboard passenger seat
is unoccupied.
.The system determines an infant is
present in a child restraint.
.A front outboard passenger takes
his/her weight off of the seat for a
period of time.
When the passenger sensing system
has turned off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag, the OFF
indicator will light and stay lit as a
reminder that the airbag is off. See
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
0 121.
The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn on the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
anytime the system senses that a
person of adult size is sitting properly
in the front outboard passenger seat.
When the passenger sensing system
has allowed the airbag to be enabled,
the ON indicator will light and stay lit
as a reminder that the airbag is active.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 73
For some children, including children
in child restraints, and for very small
adults, the passenger sensing system
may or may not turn off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag,
depending upon the person's seating
posture and body build. Everyone in
the vehicle who has outgrown child
restraints should wear a seat belt
properly—whether or not there is an
airbag for that person.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have
the vehicle serviced right away. See
Airbag Readiness Light 0120 for
more information, including
important safety information.
If the On Indicator Is Lit for a
Child Restraint
The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag if
the system determines that an infant is present in a child restraint. If a
child restraint has been installed and
the ON indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items from the seat such as blankets, cushions,
seat covers, seat heaters, or seat
massagers.
4. Reinstall the child restraint following the directions provided
by the child restraint manufacturer
and refer to Securing Child
Restraints (With the Seat Belt in the
Front Passenger Seat) 094 or
Securing Child Restraints (With the
Seat Belt in the Rear Seat) 091.
Make sure the seat belt retractor is
locked by pulling the shoulder belt
all the way out of the retractor
when installing the child restraint,
even if the child restraint is
equipped with a seat belt lock off.
When the retractor lock is set, the
belt can be tightened but not
pulled out of the retractor. 5. If, after reinstalling the child
restraint and restarting the vehicle,
the ON indicator is still lit, turn the
vehicle off. Then slightly recline the
vehicle seatback and adjust the
seat cushion, if adjustable, to make
sure that the vehicle seatback is
not pushing the child restraint into
the seat cushion.
Also make sure the child restraint
is not trapped under the vehicle
head restraint. If this happens,
adjust the head restraint. See Head
Restraints 041.
6. Restart the vehicle.
The passenger sensing system may or
may not turn off the airbag for a child
in a child restraint depending upon
the child’s size. It is better to secure
child restraints in a rear seat. Consider
using another vehicle to transport the
child when a rear seat is not available.
Never put a rear-facing child restraint
in the front seat, even if the ON
indicator is not lit.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/10/21
SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 79
child restraints. Neither the vehicle’s
seat belt system nor its airbag system
is designed for them.
Children who are not restrained
properly can strike other people,
or can be thrown out of the vehicle.
{Warning
Never hold an infant or a child
while riding in a vehicle. Due to
crash forces, an infant or a child
will become so heavy it is not
possible to hold it during a crash.
For example, in a crash at only
40 km/h (25 mph), a 5.5 kg (12 lb)
infant will suddenly become a
110 kg (240 lb) force on a person's
arms. An infant or child should be
secured in an appropriate child
restraint.
{Warning
Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag when it
inflates can be seriously injured or
killed. Never put a rear-facing child
restraint in the front passenger
seat. Secure a rear-facing child
restraint in a rear seat.
It is also better to secure a
forward-facing child restraint in a
rear seat. If a forward-facing child
restraint must be secured in the(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
front passenger seat, always move
the front passenger seat as far back
as it will go.
If a child restraint is installed in the
second row center seat, move the
second row seat to the rearward
position, whenever possible, to
minimize contact with the front
center airbag.
Child restraints are devices used to
restrain, seat, or position children in
the vehicle and are sometimes called
child seats or car seats.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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82 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
When securing an add-on child
restraint, refer to the following:1. Instruction labels provided on the child restraint
2. Instruction manual provided with the child restraint
3. This vehicle owner's manual
The child restraint instructions are
important, so if they are not available,
obtain a replacement copy from the
manufacturer.
Keep in mind that an unsecured child
restraint can move around in a
collision or sudden stop and injure
people in the vehicle. Be sure to
properly secure any child restraint in
the vehicle —even when no child is
in it.
In some areas Certified Child
Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs)
are available to inspect and
demonstrate how to correctly use and
install child restraints. In the U.S.,
refer to the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA)
website to locate the nearest child
safety seat inspection station. For
CPST availability in Canada, check with Transport Canada or the
Provincial Ministry of Transportation
office.
Securing the Child Within the
Child Restraint
{Warning
A child can be seriously injured or
killed in a crash if the child is not
properly secured in the child
restraint. Secure the child properly
following the instructions that
came with that child restraint.
Where to Put the Restraint
According to accident statistics,
children and infants are safer when
properly restrained in an appropriate
child restraint secured in a rear
seating position.
Whenever possible, children aged
12 and under should be secured in a
rear seating position.
The vehicle is equipped with a front
center airbag in the inboard side of
the driver seat. Even with a front
center airbag, a child restraint can be
installed in any second row seating
position.
Never put a rear-facing child restraint
in the front. This is because the risk
to the rear-facing child is so great if
the airbag deploys.
{Warning
A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured or
killed if the front passenger airbag
inflates. This is because the back of
the rear-facing child restraint would
be very close to the inflating airbag.
A child in a forward-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured or
killed if the front passenger airbag
inflates and the passenger seat is in
a forward position.
Even if the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
passenger frontal airbag, no system
is fail-safe. No one can guarantee
that an airbag will not deploy under
some unusual circumstance, even
though it is turned off.
(Continued)