light CADILLAC ESCALADE 2021 Owner's Manual

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/11/21
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . . . . . . 6
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Instruments and Controls . . . . . . . . 103
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . 441
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 454
Customer Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 458
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . . . . . . 468
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 471
Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 476
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 479
Introduction
The names, logos, emblems, slogans,
vehicle model names, and vehicle
body designs appearing in this manual
including, but not limited to, GM, the
GM logo, CADILLAC, the CADILLAC
Emblem, and ESCALADE are
trademarks and/or service marks of
General Motors LLC, its subsidiaries,
affiliates, or licensors.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name“General Motors
of Canada Company ”for Cadillac
Motor Car Division wherever it
appears in this manual.
This manual describes features that
may or may not be on the vehicle
because of optional equipment that
was not purchased on the vehicle, model variants, country specifications,
features/applications that may not be
available in your region, or changes
subsequent to the printing of this
owner’s manual, including changes in
standard or optional content.
If the vehicle has the Duramax diesel
engine, see the Duramax diesel
supplement for additional and specific
information on this engine.
Refer to the purchase documentation
relating to your specific vehicle to
confirm the features.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Canadian Vehicle Owners
A French language manual can be
obtained from your dealer, at
www.helminc.com, or from:
Propriétaires Canadiens
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce
guide en français auprès du
concessionnaire ou à l'adresse
suivante:
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 84266974 C Third Printing©2021 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 8/11/21
2 INTRODUCTION
Helm, Incorporated
Attention: Customer Service
47911 Halyard Drive
Plymouth, MI 48170
USA
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about
the vehicle, use the Index in the back
of the manual. It is an alphabetical
list of what is in the manual and the
page number where it can be found.
Danger, Warning, and
Caution
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means“Do not,”
“Do not do this,” or“Do not let this
happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or information relating to a specific
component, control, message, gauge,
or indicator.
M:
Shown when the owner’s manual
has additional instructions or
information.
*: Shown when the service manual
has additional instructions or
information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.”
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that
may be found on the vehicle and what
they mean. See the features in this
manual for information.
u: Air Conditioning System
G:Air Conditioning Refrigerant Oil
9:Airbag Readiness Light
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
$:Brake System Warning Light
9:Dispose of Used Components
Properly

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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

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14 KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS
3. Lift the battery with a flat object.
4. Remove the battery.
5. Insert the new battery, positiveside toward the back cover. Replace
with a CR2032 or equivalent
battery.
6. Push together the remote key.
7. Reinsert the mechanical key.
Remote Vehicle Start
This feature allows the engine to be
started from outside the vehicle.
S: This button on the remote key is
for remote start. The climate control system will use
the previous settings during a remote
start. The rear window defogger may
come on during remote start based on
cold ambient conditions. The rear
defog indicator light does not come on
during remote start.
If equipped, the heated and ventilated
front seats may also come on when
the vehicle personalization setting is
enabled. See
Heated and Ventilated
Front Seats 048.
If equipped with a remote start heated
steering wheel, it may come on during
a remote start. See Heated Steering
Wheel 0104.
Laws in some local communities may
restrict the use of remote starters. For
example, some laws may require a
person using remote start to have the
vehicle in view. Check local
regulations for any requirements.
If your vehicle is low on fuel, do not
use the remote start feature. The
vehicle may run out of fuel.
The remote key range may be shorter
while the vehicle is running. Other conditions can affect the
performance of the remote key. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
0
7.
You are allowed multiple starts
totaling 30 minutes of engine run
time. The maximum run time of a
single start is 15 minutes, and it will
shut off automatically. You could do
three 10 minute starts, if you
manually shut off after 10 minutes.
The last 10 minute start would shut
off automatically as your total
30 minutes will have been used.
Starting the Engine Using Remote
Start
1. Press
Stwice on the remote key.
The turn signal lamps will flash.
The lamps flash to confirm the
request to remote start the vehicle
has been received. During the
remote start, the doors will be
locked and the parking lamps will
remain on as long as the engine is
running.
2. The engine will shut off after 15 minutes or after the remainder
of the 30 minute total running
time is used, unless you stop the

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18 KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS
way closed and latches. Pull the
handle during a soft-close to cancel
the cinching and re-open the door.
Power Door Locks
PressQorKon the remote key. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation 07.
Q:Press to lock the doors. The
indicator light in the switch will
illuminate when locked.
K: Press to unlock the doors.
The fuel door is also locked or
unlocked using these features. Security Status indicator
A light on the upper surface of the
driver's door trim is used to indicate
vehicle security status.
This light will be OFF any time the
ignition is ON, except momentarily
when vehicle doors are locking.
Solid :
Indicates securing with doors
closed.
Fast Flash : Indicates securing with
doors open.
Slow Flash : Indicates battery
conserving secured state.
No light : Indicates unsecured state.

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KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS 23
The liftgate cannot be set below a
minimum programmable height.
If there is no light flash or sound,
then the height adjustment may be
too low.
Manual Operation
Select OFF to manually operate the
liftgate.
Caution
Attempting to move the liftgate too
quickly and with excessive force
may result in damage to the
vehicle.
Operate the liftgate manually with a
smooth motion and moderate speed.
The system includes a feature which
limits the manual closing speed to
protect the components.
To open the liftgate, pressKon the
power door lock switch or press
Kon
the remote key twice to unlock all
doors, then press the emblem. Once
opened, raise the liftgate using the
handle on the interior bottom edge.
Press the button above the license
plate to open the liftglass, or press
c
twice quickly on the remote key. Do
not leave the liftglass open when
raising the liftgate.
There will be a delay in the release of
the liftglass if there is an attempt to
open it while the rear wiper is in
motion.
Use the pull cup to lower and close
the liftgate. Do not press the emblem
while closing the liftgate. This will
cause the liftgate to be unlatched.

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Power Assist Steps
{Warning
To avoid personal injury or property
damage, before entering or exiting
the vehicle, be sure the power assist
step is fully extended. Do not step
on the power assist step while it is
moving. Never place hands or other
body parts between the extended
power assist step and the vehicle.
If equipped, the power assist steps will
deploy when the door is opened and
automatically retract three seconds
after the door is closed. The power
assist steps will retract immediately if
the vehicle starts moving.
Disable the power assist steps before
jacking or placing any object under
the vehicle. Too much ice buildup
may prevent deployment of the power
assist steps. Check the step position
before exiting the vehicle. If this
happens, disable the power assist
steps, clear the ice, then enable the
assist steps and confirm normal
function prior to use. Keep hands, children, pets, objects,
and clothing clear of the power assist
steps when in motion. The steps will
reverse direction if they encounter an
obstruction when opening or closing.
Remove the obstruction, then open
and close the door on the same side
to complete the motion of the assist
steps. If the obstruction is not cleared,
the assist steps remain extended while
driving.
To extend or retract both power assist
steps for cleaning, see
Vehicle
Personalization 0138.
Enable/Disable
To enable or disable the power assist
steps, see Vehicle Personalization
0 138.
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
the vehicle impossible to steal.
Vehicle Alarm System
The indicator light, on the driver door
near the window, indicates the status
of the system. See Power Door Locks
0 18
Arming the Alarm System
1. Turn off the vehicle.
2. Lock the vehicle in one of
three ways:
.Use the remote key.
.Use the Keyless Access system.
.With a door open, pressQon
the interior of the door.

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KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS 29
3. After 30 seconds the alarm systemwill arm, and the indicator light
will begin to slowly flash. Pressing
Qon the remote key a second time
will bypass the 30-second delay
and immediately arm the alarm
system.
The vehicle alarm system will not arm
if the doors are locked with the
mechanical key.
If the driver door is opened without
first unlocking with the remote key,
the horn will chirp and the lights will
flash to indicate pre-alarm. If the
vehicle is not started, or the door is
not unlocked by pressing
Kon the
remote key during the 10-second
pre-alarm, the alarm will be activated.
The alarm will also be activated if a
passenger door, the liftgate, or the
hood is opened without first
disarming the system. When the
alarm is activated, the turn signals
flash and the horn sounds for about
30 seconds. The alarm system will
then re-arm to monitor for the next
unauthorized event.
Disarming the Alarm System
To disarm the alarm system or turn
off the alarm if it has been activated:
.PressKon the remote key.
.Unlock the vehicle using the Keyless
Access system.
.Start the vehicle.
To avoid setting off the alarm by
accident:
.Lock the vehicle after all occupants
have exited.
.Always unlock a door with the
remote key, or use the Keyless
Access system.
Unlocking the driver door with the
mechanical key will not disarm the
system or turn off the alarm.
How to Detect a Tamper
Condition
IfKis pressed on the remote key and
the horn chirps three times, an alarm
occurred previously while the alarm
system was armed.
If the alarm has been activated, a
message will appear on the DIC.
Power Sounder, Inclination
Sensor, and Intrusion Sensor
In addition to the standard
theft-deterrent system features, this
system may also have a power
sounder, inclination sensor, and
intrusion sensor.
The power sounder provides an
audible alarm which is distinct from
the vehicle’s horn. It has its own
power source, and can sound an alarm
if the vehicle’s battery is
compromised.
The inclination sensor can set off the
alarm if it senses movement of the
vehicle, such as a change in vehicle
orientation.
The intrusion sensor monitors the
vehicle interior, and can activate the
alarm if it senses unauthorized entry
into the vehicle’s interior. Do not
allow passengers or pets to remain in
the vehicle when the intrusion sensor
is activated.
Before arming the theft-deterrent
system and activating the intrusion
sensor:

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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30 KEYS, DOORS, AND WINDOWS
.Make sure all doors and windows
are completely closed.
.Secure any loose items such as a
sunshades.
.Make sure there are no obstructions
blocking the sensors in the front
overhead console.
.Close DVD screens before leaving
the vehicle.
Intrusion and Inclination
Sensors Disable Switch
It is recommended that the intrusion
and inclination sensors be deactivated
if pets are left in the vehicle or the
vehicle is being transported.With the vehicle off, press
oin the
front overhead console to turn off the
feature.
The indicator light may come on
momentarily, or a message may
display on the instrument cluster,
indicating that these sensors have
been disabled until the next time the
alarm system is armed.
Steering Column Lock
If equipped, the steering column lock
is a theft-deterrent device. This
feature locks the steering column
when the vehicle is turned off and the
driver door is opened, or when the
driver door is opened and then the
vehicle is turned off. The steering
column unlocks when the vehicle is
turned on.
The Driver Information Center (DIC)
may display one of these messages:
.A message to service the steering
column lock indicates that an issue
has been detected with the column
lock feature and the vehicle should
be serviced.
.A message that the steering column
is locked indicates that the engine
is running, but the steering column
is still locked. It is normal for the
column to be locked during a
remote start, but the column should
unlock after the brake pedal is
pressed and the vehicle is started.
No message will display during a
remote start.
.A message that the steering wheel
must be turned and the vehicle
must be started again indicates that
the column lock mechanism is
bound, the column locking device
was unable to unlock the steering
column, and the vehicle did not
start. If this happens, immediately
turn the steering wheel from side to
side to unbind the column lock.
If this does not unlock the steering
column, turn the vehicle off and
open the driver door to reset the
system. Then turn the vehicle on
and immediately turn the steering
wheel side to side for about
15 seconds. In some cases, it may
take significant force to unbind the
column.

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To keep the steering column from
binding, straighten the front wheels
before turning off the vehicle.
Immobilizer
SeeRadio Frequency Statement 0467.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to be
manually armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically
immobilized when the vehicle is
turned off.
The immobilization system is
disarmed when the ignition is turned
on or to ACC/ACCESSORY and a valid
remote key is present in the vehicle.
The security light, in the instrument
cluster, comes on if there is a problem
with arming or disarming the
theft-deterrent system.
The system has one or more remote
keys matched to an immobilizer
control unit in the vehicle. Only a
correctly matched remote key will
start the vehicle. If the remote key is
ever damaged, you may not be able to
start your vehicle.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light may come on briefly.
If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on, there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.
If the vehicle will not change ignition
modes (ACC/ACCESSORY, on, off), and
the remote key appears to be
undamaged, try another remote key.
Or, you may try placing the remote
key in the backup location. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation 07.
If the ignition modes will not change
with the other remote key or in the
backup location, the vehicle needs service. If the ignition does change
modes, the first remote key may be
faulty. See your dealer.
It is possible for the immobilizer
system to learn new or replacement
remote keys. Up to eight remote keys
can be programmed for the vehicle. To
program additional remote keys, see
“Programming Remote Keys to the
Vehicle
”under Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation 07.
Do not leave the remote key or device
that disarms or deactivates the
theft-deterrent system in the vehicle.
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors
{Warning
A convex mirror can make things,
like other vehicles, look farther
away than they really are. If you cut
too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on the right.
Check the inside mirror or glance
over your shoulder before changing
lanes.