towing CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2011 Owner's Guide

Black plate (87,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-87
Towing Towing the Vehicle Notice: To avoid damage, the
disabled vehicle should be
towed with all four wheels off
the ground. Care must be taken
with vehicles that have low
ground clearance and/or special
equipment. Always flatbed on a
car carrier.
Consult your dealer or a
professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed.
See Roadside Service (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13 ‑ 7 or Roadside
Service (Mexico) on page 13 ‑ 10 .
To tow the vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes,
such as behind a motor home, see
“ Recreational Vehicle Towing ” in this
section. Recreational Vehicle
Towing If the vehicle is a hybrid, see
the hybrid supplement for more
information.
Recreational vehicle towing
means towing the vehicle behind
another vehicle – such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common
types of recreational vehicle towing
are known as “ dinghy towing ”
(towing the vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground) and “ dolly
towing ” (towing the vehicle with
two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known
as a “ dolly ” ). Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing: .
What is the towing capacity
of the towing vehicle? Be
sure to read the tow
vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations. .
What is the distance that will be
travelled? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow. .
Is the proper towing equipment
going to be used? See your
dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and
equipment recommendations. .
Is the vehicle ready to be
towed? Just as preparing the
vehicle for a long trip, make sure
the vehicle is prepared to be
towed.

Black plate (88,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-88 Vehicle Care All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Dinghy and Dolly Towing
Notice: Towing an all-wheel-drive
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground, or even with only two of
its wheels on the ground, will
damage drivetrain components.
Do not tow an all-wheel-drive
vehicle with any of its wheels on
the ground.
All-wheel-drive vehicles are not
designed to be towed with any
wheels on the ground. If the vehicle
must be towed, see Towing Your
Vehicle previously. Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Dinghy Towing
Notice: If a two-wheel-drive
vehicle is towed with all
four wheels on the ground, the
transmission could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle
with all four wheels on the
ground.

Black plate (89,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-89Two-wheel-drive vehicles should
not be towed with all four wheels
on the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions
for internal lubrication while being
towed.
To dolly tow a two ‐ wheel ‐ drive
vehicle, the vehicle must be towed
with the rear wheels on the dolly.
See “ Dolly Towing (Rear Wheels Off
the Ground) ” following. Dolly Towing (Front Wheels Off
the Ground)
Notice: If a two-wheel-drive
vehicle is towed with the rear
wheels on the ground, the
transmission could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Never
tow the vehicle with the rear
wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should
not be towed with the rear wheels
on the ground. Two-wheel-drive transmissions have no provisions
for internal lubrication while being
towed.
Dolly Towing (Rear Wheels
Off the Ground)
Use the following procedure to
dinghy tow a two-wheel-drive
vehicle from the rear:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow
vehicle following the dolly
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the
dolly.

Black plate (90,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-90 Vehicle Care 3. Firmly set the parking brake.
See Parking Brake on
page 9 ‑ 46 .
4. Put the transmission in P (Park).
5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly
following the manufacturer's
instructions.
6. Use an adequate clamping
device designed for towing to
ensure that the front wheels are
locked into the straight position.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF. Appearance Care Exterior Care Weatherstrips Silicone grease on weatherstrips will
make them last longer, seal better,
and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth.
During very cold, damp weather
frequent application may be
required. See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11 ‑ 7 .
Washing the Vehicle The best way to preserve the
vehicle's finish is to keep it clean by
washing it often.
Notice: Certain cleaners contain
chemicals that can damage the
emblems or nameplates on the
vehicle. Check the cleaning
product label. If it states that it
should not be used on plastic
parts, do not use it on the vehicle or damage may occur and it
would not be covered by the
warranty.
Do not wash the vehicle in direct
sunlight. Use a car washing soap.
Do not use cleaning agents that are
petroleum based or that contain
acid or abrasives, as they can
damage the paint, metal or plastic
on the vehicle. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from your
dealer. Follow all manufacturers'
directions regarding correct
product usage, necessary safety
precautions and appropriate
disposal of any vehicle care
product.
Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water
spotting.

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-5Once a Year .
See Starter Switch Check on
page 10 ‑ 30 ..
See Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control Function
Check on page 10 ‑ 31 ..
See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check on page 10 ‑ 31 ..
See Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check on
page 10 ‑ 32 ..
Accelerator pedal check for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed. .
Underbody flushing service. .
Hood/Decklid/Liftgate/Liftglass
Support Gas Strut Service:
Visually inspect gas strut,
if equipped, for signs of wear,
cracks, or other damage. Check
the hold open ability of the gas
strut. Contact your dealer if
service is required. First Engine Oil Change After
Every 80 000 km/50,000 Miles .
Engine air cleaner filter
replacement. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 10 ‑ 14 ..
Automatic transmission fluid and
filter change (severe service) for
vehicles mainly driven in heavy
city traffic in hot weather, in hilly
or mountainous terrain, when
frequently towing a trailer,
or used for taxi, police,
or delivery service. See
Automatic Transmission Fluid on
page 10 ‑ 11 . .
All ‐ wheel drive only: Transfer
case fluid change (severe
service) for vehicles mainly
driven when frequently towing a
trailer, or used for taxi, police,
or delivery service. Check vent
hose at transfer case for kinks
and proper installation.
Check to be sure vent hose is
unobstructed, clear, and free of
debris. During any maintenance,
if a power washer is used to
clean mud and dirt from the
underbody, care should be taken
to not directly spray the transfer
case output seals. High pressure
water can overcome the seals
and contaminate the transfer
case fluid. Contaminated fluid
will decrease the life of the
transfer case and should be
replaced.

Black plate (9,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Customer Information 13-9.
Flat Tire Change: Service to
change a flat tire with spare
tire. The spare tire, if equipped,
must be in good condition and
properly inflated. It is your
responsibility for the repair or
replacement of the tire if it is
not covered by the warranty. .
Battery Jump Start: Service to
jump start a dead battery. .
Trip Routing Service: Detailed
maps of North America are
provided when requested either
with the most direct route or the
most scenic route. Additional
travel information is also
available. Allow three weeks
for delivery. .
Trip Interruption Benefits
and Service: If your trip is
interrupted due to a warranty
failure, incidental expenses
may be reimbursed during the
5 years/160 000 km (100,000 mi)
Powertrain warranty period.
Items considered are hotel,
meals, and rental car. Cadillac Technician Roadside
Service (U.S. only) Cadillac's exceptional Roadside
Service is more than an auto club
or towing service. It provides every
Cadillac owner in the United States
with the advantage of contacting
a Cadillac advisor and, where
available, a Cadillac trained dealer
technician who can provide on-site
service.
A dealer technician will travel to
your location within a 30 mile
radius of a participating Cadillac
dealership. If beyond this radius, we
will arrange to have your car towed
to the nearest Cadillac dealership.
Each technician travels with a
specially equipped service vehicle
complete with the necessary
Cadillac parts and tools required to
handle most roadside repairs. Services Not Included in
Roadside Service .
Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws. .
Legal fines. .
Mounting, dismounting,
or changing of snow tires,
chains, or other traction devices. .
Towing or services for vehicles
driven on a non-public road or
highway.
Services Specific to
Canadian ‐ Purchased Vehicles .
Fuel delivery: Reimbursement
is approximately $5 Canadian.
Diesel fuel delivery may be
restricted. Propane and other
fuels are not provided through
this service. .
Lock-Out Service: Vehicle
registration is required. .
Trip Routing Service: Limit of
six requests per year.

Black plate (14,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
13-14 Customer Information If the vehicle is leased, the leasing
company may require you to have
insurance that ensures repairs with
Genuine GM Original Equipment
Manufacturer (OEM) parts or
Genuine Manufacturer replacement
parts. Read the lease carefully, as
you may be charged at the end of
the lease for poor quality repairs.
If a Crash Occurs If there has been an injury, call
emergency services for help. Do not
leave the scene of a crash until all
matters have been taken care of.
Move the vehicle only if its position
puts you in danger, or you are
instructed to move it by a police
officer.
Give only the necessary information
to police and other parties involved
in the crash.
For emergency towing see
Roadside Service (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13 ‑ 7 or Roadside
Service (Mexico) on page 13 ‑ 10 . Gather the following information: .
Driver name, address, and
telephone number. .
Driver license number. .
Owner name, address, and
telephone number. .
Vehicle license plate number. .
Vehicle make, model, and
model year. .
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN). .
Insurance company and policy
number. .
General description of the
damage to the other vehicle.
Choose a reputable repair facility
that uses quality replacement parts.
See “ Collision Parts ” earlier in this
section.
If the airbag has inflated, see What
Will You See After an Airbag
Inflates? on page 3 ‑ 42 . Managing the Vehicle Damage
Repair Process In the event that the vehicle requires
damage repairs, GM recommends
that you take an active role in its
repair. If you have a pre-determined
repair facility of choice, take the
vehicle there, or have it towed there.
Specify to the facility that any
required replacement collision parts
be original equipment parts, either
new Genuine GM parts or recycled
original GM parts. Remember,
recycled parts will not be covered by
the GM vehicle warranty.
Insurance pays the bill for the repair,
but you must live with the repair.
Depending on your policy limits,
your insurance company may
initially value the repair using
aftermarket parts. Discuss this
with the repair professional, and
insist on Genuine GM parts.

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
INDEX i-3Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Configure Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-83
Continuous Damping
Control (CDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Coolant
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Courtesy Transportation
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-11
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . 13-6
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-6
Customer Information
Service Publications
Ordering Information . . . . . . 13-15
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1, 13-3 D Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . 13-12
Danger, Warnings, and
Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . 13-18
Database Coverage
Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-99
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Destination, Navigation . . . . . . . . 7-69
Devices, Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-31
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Door
Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . 10-28, 9-45
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26 Driving
Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-71
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 9-20
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Dual Automatic Climate
Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
DVD
Rear Seat
Entertainment
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-33, 7-43
DVD/CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19

Black plate (4,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
i-4 INDEX
EE85 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-66
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-82
Electrical System
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Check and Service Engine
Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 10-6
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Cooling System Messages . . . 5-33
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35 Engine (cont.)
Overheated Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 9-39
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Engine Oil
Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-78
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 13-18
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 6-5
F Fan
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Features
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8 Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 6-8
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-66
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-98
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . .10-11
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Fog Lamps
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Front Fog Lamp
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Front Seats
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-65
E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . . . . . . . 9-66
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-70
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-68
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . 9-65

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
INDEX i-5Fuel (cont.)
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . 9-64
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Management, Active . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64
Requirements, California . . . . . 9-64
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Fuel Economy
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 10-81
Fuses
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
GGarage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
Gasoline
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64 Gauges
Engine Coolant
Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Warning Lights and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . 11-1
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-70
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Global Positioning
System (GPS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-96
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7 H Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 6-8
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Headlamps
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
High Intensity Discharge
(HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . 6-6
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Heated
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Heater
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35