CADILLAC ESCALADE 2023 Owners Manual

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16417396) - 2023 - CRC - 5/9/22
Climate Controls 199
Y:Air is directed to the instrument panel
outlets.
[: Air is primarily directed to the floor
outlets, with some air directed to the
windshield, outboard a/c outlets, and side
window outlets.
d: Clears the windshield of fog or frost
more quickly. Air is directed to the
windshield. Press
dto turn on or off.
Changing the air delivery mode also turns
the defrost off.
A/C : Touch AC on the climate control
display to turn the automatic air
conditioning on or off. If the fan is turned
off or the outside temperature falls below
freezing, the air conditioner will not run.
Press AUTO to return to automatic operation
and the air conditioner runs as needed.
Automatic Air Recirculation : When the
AUTO indicator light is on, the air is
automatically recirculated as needed to help
quickly cool the inside of the vehicle.
@: Press to alternate between
recirculating air inside the vehicle or pulling
in outside air. The indicator light on the
button is lit when recirculation mode is active. This helps to quickly cool the air
inside the vehicle and reduce the entry of
outside air and odors.
Pressing this button cancels automatic
recirculation. Press AUTO to return to
automatic operation; recirculation runs
automatically as needed.
Manual recirculation mode is not available
when in Defrost or some air distribution
modes with air to the windshield.
Auto Defog :
The climate control system
uses a sensor to automatically detect high
humidity inside the vehicle. When high
humidity is detected, the climate control
system may adjust to outside air supply,
turn on the air conditioner, and direct more
air to the windshield. If the climate control
system does not detect possible window
fogging, it returns to normal operation. To
turn Auto Defog off or on, select Settings >
Climate > Auto Defog > Select ON or OFF.
Rear Window Defogger
K: Press to turn the rear window defogger
on or off. An indicator light on the button
comes on to show that the rear window
defogger is on. The rear window defogger only works when
the vehicle is on. The defogger turns off if
the vehicle is turned off or to
accessory mode.
To turn Auto Rear Defog off or on, select
Settings > Climate > Auto Rear Defog >
Select ON or OFF. When Auto Rear Defog is
selected, the rear window defogger turns on
automatically when the vehicle is first
started in cold weather and turns off when
the vehicle is warmed.
The heated outside rearview mirrors turn on
when the rear window defogger button is
on and help to clear fog or frost from the
surface of the mirrors.
Caution
Do not try to clear frost or other material
from the inside of the front windshield
and rear window with a razor blade or
anything else that is sharp. This may
damage the rear window defogger grid
and affect the radio's ability to pick up
stations clearly. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Driver and Passenger Heated and Cooled
Seats : Press
Ior+to heat the driver or
passenger seatback only.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16417396) - 2023 - CRC - 5/9/22
200 Climate Controls
PressJorzto heat the driver or
passenger seat cushion and seatback.
Press
Cor{to cool the driver or
passenger seat.
There are also auto heated and cooled seats,
for more information see Heated and
Ventilated Front Seats 047.
Remote Start Climate Control Operation :
The climate control system may run when
the vehicle is started remotely. The rear
defog may come on during remote start
based on cold ambient conditions. The rear
defog indicator light does not come on
during a remote start. If equipped with
heated or cooled seats, they may come on
during a remote start. See Remote Vehicle
Start 014 and
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats 047.
Sensor
The solar sensor, on top of the instrument
panel near the windshield, monitors the
solar heat.
The climate control system uses the sensor
information to adjust the temperature, fan
speed, recirculation, and air delivery mode
for best comfort.
If the sensor is covered, the automatic
climate control system may not work
properly. Afterblow Feature
If equipped, under certain conditions, the
fan may stay on or may turn on and off
several times after you turn off and lock the
vehicle. This is normal.
Rear Climate Control System
The rear climate control system is on the
rear of the center console. The settings can
be adjusted with the rear climate controls
and the rear climate display.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16417396) - 2023 - CRC - 5/9/22
Climate Controls 201
Rear Climate Controls
1. Heated Rear Seats (if equipped)
2. Air Delivery Mode Control
3. Fan Control
4. Temperature Control
5. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
O(On/Off)
Rear Climate Display
1. Temperature Setting
2. Air Delivery Mode Control
3. Fan Control
4. SYNC (Synchronized Temperatures) 5. Rear Control Lockout
6. Rear AUTO (Automatic Operation)
7. REAR
O(On/Off)
8. Temperature Control
Rear : Touch to open the rear climate
control screen. The rear climate control
settings can now be adjusted from the front
passenger area.
O: PressOor REAROto turn the rear
climate control system on or off. If the rear
climate control system is turned off using
REAR
Oon the rear climate display, theO
button and the temperature or air delivery
mode buttons on the rear climate controls
must be pressed within five seconds to turn
it back on.
SYNC : Touch SYNC on the rear climate
display to match the rear climate control
temperature to the front climate control
driver temperature. The SYNC button will be
lit. Press the temperature, MODE, or AUTO
button to unlink the set driver and rear
temperatures. The SYNC button turns off.
Rear Control Lockout : Touch Rear Control
Lockout on the rear climate display to lock
or unlock control of the rear climate control
system from the front climate control

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16417396) - 2023 - CRC - 5/9/22
202 Climate Controls
display. When locked the rear climate
control system cannot be adjusted from the
rear climate controls on the rear of the
center console.
Automatic Operation
Rear AUTO :Touch to turn on or off. The air
delivery and fan speed are controlled
automatically. The AUTO indicator appears
on the display on the rear of the center
console. If the Mode or fan control buttons
are manually adjusted, this cancels the
automatic operation.
Manual Operation
A«/ªAª: Touch or press the fan
controls on the rear climate display or on
the rear of the center console to increase or
decrease the airflow. Pressing
A «when
the system is off will turn the system on.
The air delivery mode remains in its
previous setting.
«/ª: Touch or press and hold the rear
temperature controls on the rear climate
display or on the rear of the center console
to adjust the rear passenger temperature.
Press
«for warmer air and pressªfor
cooler air.
Y/\/Y: Touch the desired mode on
the rear climate display or the MODE button
on the rear of the center console to change
the direction of the airflow in the rear
seating area.
MorL: If equipped, pressMorLto
heat the left or right outboard seat cushion.
See Heated Rear Seats 052.
Air Vents
Adjustable air vents are in the center and on
the side of the instrument panel.
1. Slider Knob Move the slider knob (1) to change the
direction of the airflow and to shut off the
air flow. The horizontal vanes rotate up and
down. A metallic click sounds every time
they pass through the horizontal position.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from
the air inlets at the base of the
windshield that could block the flow of
air into the vehicle.
.Clear snow off the hood to improve
visibility and help decrease moisture
drawn into the vehicle.
.When you enter a vehicle in cold
weather, press the fan up button to the
maximum fan level before driving. This
helps clear the intake ducts of snow and
moisture, and reduces the chance of
fogging the inside of the window.
.Keep the air path under the front seats
clear of objects to help circulate the air
inside of the vehicle more effectively.
.Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors
can adversely affect the performance of
the system. Check with your dealer
before adding equipment to the outside
of the vehicle.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16417396) - 2023 - CRC - 5/9/22
Climate Controls 203
Rear System Air Vents
This vehicle has four round or rectangular
air vents in the headliner above the second
and third row seats.
To open a round outlet, press on the center
vane bump. Use the center vane to rotate
the outlet and change the direction of the
airflow. Press on the center vane leading
edge to shut off the air flow.
To open a rectangular outlet, move the
slider knob and rotate the outlet barrel left
to right to change the direction of the air
flow and to shut off the air flow.
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The filter reduces the dust, pollen, and other
airborne irritants from outside air that is
pulled into the vehicle.
The filter should be replaced as part of
routine scheduled maintenance. To find out
what type of filter to use, seeMaintenance
Replacement Parts 0420.
1. Open the glove box door completely.
2. Press the sides of the glove box bin
inward to clear the stoppers and rotate
downward to lower the bin.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16417396) - 2023 - CRC - 5/9/22
204 Climate Controls
3. Unhook the string dampener to fullyremove the glove box bin.
4. Pull the lever (1) on the left side of thefilter door and slide left (2), then remove
the door. Remove the old filter.
5. Install the new air filter.
6. Reinstall the filter door.
7. Reverse the steps to reinstall the glove box.
See your dealer if additional assistance is
needed.
Service
All vehicles have a label underhood that
identifies the refrigerant used in the vehicle.
The refrigerant system should only be
serviced by trained and certified technicians.
The air conditioning evaporator should never
be repaired or replaced by one from a
salvage vehicle. It should only be replaced
by a new evaporator to ensure proper and
safe operation. During service, all refrigerants should be
reclaimed with proper equipment. Venting
refrigerants directly to the atmosphere is
harmful to the environment and may also
create unsafe conditions based on
inhalation, combustion, frostbite, or other
health-based concerns.
The air conditioning system requires periodic
maintenance. See
Maintenance Schedule
0 415.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16417396) - 2023 - CRC - 5/11/22
Driving and Operating 205
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . 206
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . 222
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . 224
Dynamic Fuel Management . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . 225
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Manual Mode (V-Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH) . . . . . . . . . 237
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic StabilityControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Magnetic Ride Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Four Corner Air Suspension System . . . 243
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Adaptive Cruise Control (Advanced) . . . 248
Super Cruise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Surround Vision System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Automatic Parking Assist (APA) . . . . . . . . 282
Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) . . . . . . 284
Rear Pedestrian Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . 287
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Night Vision System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . 294
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Traffic Sign Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Surround Vision Recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16417396) - 2023 - CRC - 5/11/22
206 Driving and Operating
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . 304
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Trailering App . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 334
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.
.Become familiar with vehicle features
before driving, such as programming
favorite radio stations and adjusting
climate control and seat settings. Program
all trip information into any navigation
device prior to driving.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16417396) - 2023 - CRC - 5/11/22
Driving and Operating 207
.Wait until the vehicle is parked to
retrieve items that have fallen to the
floor.
.Stop or park the vehicle to tend to
children.
.Keep pets in an appropriate carrier or
restraint.
.Avoid stressful conversations while
driving, whether with a passenger or on a
cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too long or
too often could cause a crash resulting in
injury or death. Focus your attention on
driving.
Refer to the infotainment section for more
information on using that system and the
navigation system, if equipped, including
pairing and using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always expect the
unexpected.” The first step in driving
defensively is to wear the seat belt. See
Seat Belts 055.
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers)
are going to be careless and make
mistakes. Anticipate what they may do
and be ready.
.Allow enough following distance between
you and the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Impaired Driving
Death and injury associated with impaired
driving is a global tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs and then
driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and judgment
can be affected by even a small amount
of alcohol or drugs. You can have a
serious —or even fatal —collision if you
drive after drinking or taking drugs.
Do not drive while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs, or ride with a driver
who has been drinking or is impaired by
drugs. Find alternate transportation
home; or if you are with a group,
designate a driver who will remain sober.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating are
important factors in helping to control a
vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time. Deciding to push the brake
pedal is perception time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is about
three-quarters of a second. In that time, a
vehicle moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels
20 m (66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind include:
.Keep enough distance between you and
the vehicle in front of you.
.Avoid needless heavy braking.
.Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is
being driven, brake normally but do not
pump the brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the engine
stops, there will be some power brake assist
but it will be used when the brake is

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16417396) - 2023 - CRC - 5/11/22
208 Driving and Operating
applied. Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Steering
Caution
To avoid damage to the steering system,
do not drive over curbs, parking barriers,
or similar objects at speeds greater than
3 km/h (1 mph). Use care when driving
over other objects such as lane dividers
and speed bumps. Damage caused by
misuse of the vehicle is not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle is equipped with an electric
power steering system, which reduces the
amount of effort needed to steer the
vehicle. It does not have power steering
fluid. Regular maintenance is not required.
If the vehicle experiences a system
malfunction and loses power steering,
greater steering effort may be required.
Power steering assist also may be reduced if
you turn the steering wheel as far as it can
turn and hold it there with force for an
extended period of time.
See your dealer if there is a problem.
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable speed.
.Reduce speed before entering a curve.
.Maintain a reasonable steady speed
through the curve.
.Wait until the vehicle is out of the curve
before accelerating gently into the
straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when steering
around a problem may be more effective
than braking.
.Holding both sides of the steering wheel
allows you to turn 180 degrees without
removing a hand.
.Antilock Brake System (ABS) allows
steering while braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop off the
edge of a road onto the shoulder while
driving. Follow these tips:1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer the
vehicle so that it straddles the edge of
the pavement.