cruise control CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2011 User Guide

Black plate (19,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-19WARNING (Continued)After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water. Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road
is wet enough and you are going
fast enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet. Other Rainy Weather Tips Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include: .
Allow extra following distance. .
Pass with caution. .
Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape. .
Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled. .
Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires on
page 10 ‑ 46 . .
Turn off cruise control.

Black plate (21,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-21.
Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane. .
Top of hills: Be alert —
something could be in your
lane (stalled car, accident). .
Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action. Winter Driving Driving on Snow or Ice Drive carefully when there is snow
or ice between the tires and the
road, creating less traction or grip.
Wet ice can occur at about 0°C
(32°F) when freezing rain begins to
fall, resulting in even less traction.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in
freezing rain until roads can be
treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently so
traction is not lost. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick, so there is even less
traction. Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 9 ‑ 45 improves vehicle
stability during hard stops on
slippery roads, but apply the brakes
sooner than when on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on
any slippery road and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in
shaded areas. The surface of a
curve or an overpass can remain
icy when the surrounding roads are
clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped,
on slippery surfaces.

Black plate (31,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-31.
Avoid making hard stops for
the first 322 km (200 miles) or
so. During this time the new
brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with
new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this
breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake
linings. .
Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. See Trailer Towing
on page 9 ‑ 74 for the trailer
towing capabilities of the
vehicle and more
information.
Following break ‐ in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased. Adjustable Throttle and
Brake Pedal The vehicle has adjustable throttle
and brake pedals that allow you to
change their positions.
The feature will not operate when
the vehicle is in R (Reverse) or
while using the cruise control.
The switch used to adjust the
pedals is located on the center
console below the climate control
system. Press the right and left arrows to
move the pedals either closer or
further from your body.
Before you start driving, fully press
the brake pedal to confirm the
adjustment is right for you. While
driving, make only small
adjustments.
The vehicle has a memory function
which allows the pedal positions
to be saved and recalled. See
“ Memory Features ” under Power
Seat Adjustment on page 3 ‑ 3 for
more information.

Black plate (43,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-43
Manual Mode Driver Shift Control (DSC)
The vehicle has Driver Shift
Control (DSC). DSC controls the
vehicle's transmission and vehicle
speed while driving down hill or
towing a trailer by allowing you to
select a desired range of gears.
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever to the
M (Manual Mode).
2. Press the plus/minus button,
to upshift or downshift selecting
the desired range of gears for
current driving conditions. The DIC display will show the
message MANUAL SHIFT on the
first line and the current gear will
be displayed on the second line.
The number displayed in the DIC
is the highest gear that can be
used. However, the vehicle can
automatically shift to lower gears as
it adjusts to driving conditions. This
means that all gears below that
number are available. When 5 (Fifth)
is selected, 1 (First) through 5 (Fifth)
gears are automatically shifted by
the vehicle, but 6 (Sixth) cannot be
used until the plus/minus button
located on the steering column
lever is used to change to the gear.
Grade Braking is not available when
the Driver Shift Control is active.
See Tow/Haul Mode on page 9 ‑ 43
for more information.
While using the DSC, Cruise
Control and the Tow/Haul Mode
can be used. Tow/Haul Mode
The vehicle has a Tow/Haul Mode.
The Tow/Haul Mode adjusts the
transmission shift pattern to reduce
shift cycling, providing increased
performance, vehicle control, and
transmission cooling when towing or
hauling heavy loads.
Press the button located on the end
of the shift lever to turn the tow/haul
on or off. When the tow/haul is on, a
light on the instrument panel cluster
will come on.
See Tow/Haul Mode Light on
page 5 ‑ 23 for more information.
Also see “ Tow Haul Mode ” under
Towing Equipment on page 9 ‑ 78 for
more information.

Black plate (44,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
9-44 Driving and Operating The Tow/Haul Mode works with
the Autoride ®
feature, if the vehicle
has this, to enhance the ride when
trailering or with a loaded vehicle.
See Continuous Damping Control
(CDC) on page 9 ‑ 50 .
Grade Braking The Grade Braking shift modes can
be activated by pressing the button
on the end of the shift control lever.
While in Range Selection Mode,
Grade Braking is deactivated
allowing the driver to select a
desired range of gears.
Grade Braking is only active while
the Tow/Haul Mode is selected and
you are not in the Range Selection
Mode. See “ Tow/Haul Mode ” listed
previously and Manual Mode on
page 9 ‑ 43 for more information on the Range Selection Mode. Grade
Braking assists in maintaining
desired vehicle speeds when driving
on downhill grades by automatically
implementing a shift schedule that
utilizes the engine and transmission
to slow the vehicle. This reduces
wear on the braking system and
increases control of the vehicle.
Grade Braking monitors vehicle
speed, acceleration, engine torque
and brake pedal usage. Using this
information, it detects when the
vehicle is on a downhill grade and
the driver desires to slow the vehicle
by pressing the brake.
Also see Towing Equipment on
page 9 ‑ 78 for more information. Cruise Grade Braking Cruise Grade Braking assists
when driving on a downhill grade.
It maintains vehicle speed by
automatically implementing a shift
schedule that uses the engine and
the transmission to slow the vehicle.
Cruise Grade Braking operates
while Cruise Control is engaged
in Tow/Haul Mode to assist in
maintaining vehicle speed under
loaded vehicle conditions. It utilizes
vehicle acceleration and deviation
from desired speed to determine
the correct gear for the operating
condition. If vehicle speed is above
the desired speed the transmission
will downshift to slow the vehicle.
If vehicle speed is near or below
desired speed the trans will upshift,
allowing vehicle speed to increase.
While in the Range Selection
Mode, Cruise Grade Braking is not
available.
See “ Range Selection Mode ” under
Manual Mode on page 9 ‑ 43 .

Black plate (47,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-47
Brake Assist This vehicle has a brake assist
feature designed to assist the driver
in stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time
is normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal
as the driving situation dictates.
The brake assist feature will
automatically disengage when
the brake pedal is released or
brake pedal pressure is quickly
decreased. Ride Control Systems StabiliTrak ®
System The vehicle has a vehicle stability
enhancement system called
StabiliTrak. It is an advanced
computer-controlled system that
assists the driver with directional
control of the vehicle in difficult
driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the
computer senses a discrepancy
between the intended path and
the direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any one
of the vehicle's brakes to assist the
driver with keeping the vehicle on
the intended path.
When the vehicle is started
and begins to move, the system
performs several diagnostic checks
to insure there are no problems. The system may be heard or felt
while it is working. This is normal
and does not mean there is a
problem with the vehicle. The
system should initialize before the
vehicle reaches 32 km/h (20 mph).
In some cases, it may take
approximately 3.2 km (2 mi) of
driving before the system initializes.
If cruise control is being used when
StabiliTrak activates, the cruise
control automatically disengages.
The cruise control can be
re-engaged when road conditions
allow. See Cruise Control on
page 9 ‑ 51 .
If the system fails to turn on or
activate, the StabiliTrak light along
with one of the following messages
will be displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC):
TRACTION CONTROL OFF,
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL,
STABILITRAK OFF, SERVICE
STABILITRAK.

Black plate (49,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-49Traction Control Operation The traction control system is
part of the StabiliTrak system.
Traction control limits wheel
spin by reducing engine power
to the wheels (engine speed
management) and by applying
brakes to each individual wheel
(brake-traction control) as
necessary.
The traction control system is
enabled automatically when the
vehicle is started. It will activate and
the StabiliTrak light will flash if it
senses that any of the wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose
traction while driving. If traction
control is turned off, only the
brake-traction control portion of
traction control will work. The
engine speed management will be
disabled. In this mode, engine
power is not reduced automatically
and the driven wheels can spin
more freely. This can cause the
brake-traction control to activate
constantly. Notice: If the wheel(s) of one axle
is allowed to spin excessively
while the StabiliTrak ®
, ABS, brake
warning lights, and any relevant
DIC messages are displayed, the
transfer case could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Reduce
engine power and do not spin the
wheel(s) excessively while these
lights and messages are
displayed.
The traction control system may
activate on dry or rough roads or
under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or
abrupt upshifts/downshifts of the
transmission. When this happens, a
reduction in acceleration may be
noticed, or a noise or vibration may
be heard. This is normal. If cruise control is being used when
the system activates, the StabiliTrak
light will flash and cruise control will
automatically disengage. Cruise
control may be reengaged when
road conditions allow. See Cruise
Control on page 9 ‑ 51 .
StabiliTrak may also turn off
automatically if it determines
that a problem exists with the
system. If the problem does not
clear itself after restarting the
vehicle, see your dealer for service.
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.

Black plate (51,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-51An air compressor connected to
the rear shocks will raise or lower
the rear of the vehicle to maintain
proper vehicle height. The system
is activated when the ignition
key is turned to ON/RUN and will
automatically adjust vehicle height
thereafter. The system may exhaust
(lower vehicle height) for up to
ten minutes after the ignition key
has been turned off. You may hear
the air compressor operating when
the height is being adjusted.
If a weight ‐ distributing hitch is being
used, it is recommended to allow
the shocks to inflate, thereby
leveling the vehicle prior to adjusting
the hitch. Cruise Control
{ WARNINGCruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
With cruise control, a speed of
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more can
be maintained without keeping your
foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below about 40 km/h (25 mph). When the brakes are applied, cruise
control is turned off.
This vehicle has a Hydra ‐ Matic
6 ‐ speed automatic transmission,
see Grade Braking and Cruise
Grade Braking under Tow/Haul
Mode on page 9 ‑ 43 for an
explanation of how cruise control
interacts with the Range Selection
Mode, tow/haul and grade braking
systems.
This vehicle has StabiliTrak and
when the system begins to limit
wheel spin, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. See
StabiliTrak ®
System on page 9 ‑ 47 .
When road conditions allow the
cruise control to be safely used
again, it can be turned back on.

Black plate (52,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
9-52 Driving and Operating
Cruise Control Shown With
Heated Steering Wheel Button
(If Equipped)
The cruise control buttons are
located on left side of the steering
wheel. I (On/Off): Press to turn the
system on or off. The indicator light
is on when cruise control is on and
turns off when cruise control is off.
+ RES (Resume/Accelerate):
Press briefly to make the vehicle
resume to a previously set speed,
or press and hold to accelerate.
SET − (Set/Coast): Press to set
the speed and activate cruise
control or make the vehicle
decelerate.
[ (Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.
Setting Cruise Control
If the cruise button is on when not in
use, it could get bumped and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep the
cruise control switch off when cruise
is not being used. The cruise control light on the
instrument panel cluster comes on
after the cruise control has been set
to the desired speed.
1. Press the
I button.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press the SET − button located
on the steering wheel and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the
accelerator.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied, the cruise control is
disengaged without erasing the set
speed from memory.
Once the vehicle speed reaches
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more,
press the +RES button on the
steering wheel. The vehicle returns
to the previous set speed and stays
there.

Black plate (53,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-53Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated, .
Press and hold the +RES button
on the steering wheel until the
desired speed is reached, then
release it. .
To increase vehicle speed in
small amounts, press the +RES
button. Each time this is done,
the vehicle goes about 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated, .
Press and hold the SET – button
on the steering wheel until the
desired lower speed is reached,
then release it. .
To slow down in small amounts,
press the SET – button on the
steering wheel briefly. Each time
this is done, the vehicle goes
about 1.6 km/h (1 mph) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal,
the vehicle will slow down to the
previous set cruise speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work
on hills depends upon the vehicle
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills,
you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the
vehicle speed. When going
downhill, you might have to brake
or shift to a lower gear to keep the
vehicle speed down. When the
brakes are applied the cruise
control is disengaged. Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise
control: .
To disengage cruise control,
step lightly on the brake pedal. .
Press
[ on the steering wheel. .
To turn off the cruise control,
press
I on the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory by pressing
the
I button or if the ignition is
turned off.