warning CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2011 Owners Manual

Black plate (1,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
2011 Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual MIn Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Performance and
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Keys, Doors and Windows . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-51 Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-40
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-50
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19
Rear Seat Infotainment . . . . . . . 7-33
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-60
Voice Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . 7-100
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-103 Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-30
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-40
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-47
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-54
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-70
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-82
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-36

Black plate (4,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
iv Introduction
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, Warnings, and
Cautions Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result in
serious injury or death.
Warning or Caution indicates a
hazard that could result in injury or
death. { WARNINGThese mean there is something
that could hurt you or other
people.
Notice: This means there is
something that could result in
property or vehicle damage.
This would not be covered by the
vehicle's warranty.
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 : This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
* : This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Introduction vVehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
0 : Adjustable Pedals
9 : Airbag Readiness Light
# : Air Conditioning
! : Antilock Brake System (ABS)
% : Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar ®
$ : Brake System Warning Light " : Charging System
I : Cruise Control
B : Engine Coolant Temperature
O : Exterior Lamps
# : Fog Lamps
. : Fuel Gauge
+ : Fuses
3 : Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
( : Heated Steering Wheel
j : LATCH System Child
Restraints * : Malfunction Indicator Lamp
: : Oil Pressure
g : Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors
} : Power
/ : Remote Vehicle Start
> : Safety Belt Reminders
7 : Tire Pressure Monitor
_ : Tow/Haul Mode
F : Traction Control
M : Windshield Washer Fluid

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-3A. Air Vents on page 8 ‑ 8 .
B. Turn and Lane ‐ Change Lever.
See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals on page 6 ‑ 9 .
Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5 ‑ 5 .
C. Instrument Cluster on
page 5 ‑ 12 .
D. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6 ‑ 8 .
E. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9 ‑ 40 .
Driver Shift Control (DSC). See
Manual Mode on page 9 ‑ 43 .
F. Tow/Haul Mode on page 9 ‑ 43 .
G. Driver Information Center (DIC)
Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5 ‑ 26 . H. Clock on page 5 ‑ 8 .
I. Infotainment on page 7 ‑ 2 .
J. StabiliTrak ®
System on
page 9 ‑ 47 .
Rear Park Aid Disable Button.
See Ultrasonic Parking Assist
on page 9 ‑ 54 .
K. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5 ‑ 2 .
L. Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6 ‑ 1 .
M. Dome Lamp Override. See
Dome Lamps on page 6 ‑ 10 .
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6 ‑ 10 .
Fog Lamps on page 6 ‑ 9 .
N. Data Link Connector (DLC)
(Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5 ‑ 18 . O. Automatic Transfer Case
Control (Hybrid only). See the
hybrid supplement for more
information.
P. Cruise Control on page 9 ‑ 51 .
Heated Steering Wheel on
page 5 ‑ 5 (If Equipped).
Q. Horn on page 5 ‑ 5 .
R. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5 ‑ 3 .
S. Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8 ‑ 1 .
T. Pedal Adjust Button. See
Adjustable Throttle and Brake
Pedal on page 9 ‑ 31 .
Power Assist Steps on
page 2 ‑ 13 (If Equipped).
U. Glove Box on page 4 ‑ 1 .

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-5
Remote Vehicle Start With this feature the engine can be
started from outside of the vehicle.
Starting the Vehicle 1. Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle.
2. Press
Q .
3. Immediately after completing
Step 2, press and hold
/ until
the turn signal lamps flash.
When the vehicle starts, the parking
lamps will turn on and remain on as
long as the engine is running. The
doors will be locked and the climate
control system may come on. The engine will continue to run for
10 minutes. Repeat the steps for a
10-minute time extension. Remote
start can be extended only once.
Canceling a Remote Start To cancel a remote start: .
Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle and press and hold
/until the parking lamps turn off. .
Turn on the hazard warning
flashers. .
Turn the ignition on and then
back off.
See Remote Vehicle Start on
page 2 ‑ 5 . Door Locks There are several ways to lock and
unlock the vehicle.
From outside, use the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or
the key in the driver door. From
inside, use the power door locks or
the manual door locks. To lock or
unlock the door with the manual
locks, push down or pull up on the
manual lock knob.
Power Door Locks If available, these switches are on
the front doors.
K : Press to unlock the doors.
Q : Press to lock the doors.
See Door Locks on page 2 ‑ 7 .

Black plate (22,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
1-22 In Brief For more information, see
StabiliTrak ®
System on page 9 ‑ 47 .
Tire Pressure Monitor This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS warning light alerts you
to a significant loss in pressure of
one of the vehicle's tires. If the
warning light comes on, stop as
soon as possible and inflate the
tires to the recommended pressure shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See Vehicle Load
Limits on page 9 ‑ 24 . The warning
light will remain on until the tire
pressure is corrected.
During cooler conditions, the low tire
pressure warning light may appear
when the vehicle is first started and
then turn off. This may be an early
indicator that the tire pressures are
getting low and the tires need to be
inflated to the proper pressure.
The TPMS does not replace normal
monthly tire maintenance. It is the
driver ’ s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressures.
See Tire Pressure Monitor System
on page 10 ‑ 54 . Engine Oil Life System The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays a DIC message when
it is necessary to change the engine
oil and filter. The oil life system
should be reset to 100% only
following an oil change.
Resetting the Oil Life System
1. Display OIL LIFE REMAINING
on the DIC.
2. Press and hold the SET/RESET
button on the DIC for more than
five seconds. The oil life will
change to 100%.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10 ‑ 10 .

Black plate (2,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
2-2 Keys, Doors and Windows
Keys and Locks Keys
{ WARNINGLeaving children in a vehicle with
the ignition key is dangerous for
many reasons. Children or others
could be badly injured or even
killed. They could operate the
power windows or other controls
or even make the vehicle move.
The windows will function with the
keys in the ignition and children
could be seriously injured or killed
if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave the keys in
a vehicle with children. The key can be used for the ignition
and door locks.
See your dealer if a replacement
key or additional key is needed.
Notice: If the keys get locked in
the vehicle, it may have to be
damaged to get them out. Always
carry a spare key.
If you are locked out of your vehicle,
contact Roadside Service. See
Roadside Service (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13 ‑ 7 or Roadside
Service (Mexico) on page 13 ‑ 10 for
more information. Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13 ‑ 19 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-210/220/310.
If there is a decrease in the RKE
operating range: .
Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle. .
Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. .
Check the transmitter's battery.
See “ Battery Replacement ” later
in this section. .
If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer or a qualified technician
for service.

Black plate (6,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
2-6 Keys, Doors and Windows
/ (Remote Start): This button
will be on the RKE transmitter if
you have remote start.
To start the vehicle using the remote
start feature:
1. Aim the transmitter at the
vehicle.
2. Press and release
Q . The
vehicle's doors will lock.
Immediately press and hold
/until the turn signal lamps flash.
If you cannot see the vehicle's
lamps, press and hold
/ for
two to four seconds. Pressing
/again after the vehicle has
started will turn the engine off.
When the vehicle starts, the
parking lamps will turn on and
remain on while the engine is
running.
If the vehicle is left running it
will automatically shut off after
10 minutes unless a time
extension has been done. 3. If it is the first remote start since
the vehicle has been driven,
repeat these steps, while the
engine is still running, to extend
the engine running time by
10 minutes. Remote start can
be extended one time.
After entering the vehicle during a
remote start, insert and turn the key
to ON/RUN to drive the vehicle.
To manually shut off a remote start,
do any of the following: .
Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle and
/ until the parking
lamps turn off. .
Turn on the hazard warning
flashers. .
Turn the ignition on and then
back off.
The vehicle can be remote started
two separate times between driving
sequences. The engine will run for
10 minutes after each remote start. Or, you can extend the engine run
time by another 10 minutes within
the first 10 minute remote start time
frame, and before the engine stops.
For example, if
Q and then
/ are
pressed again after the vehicle
has been running for five minutes,
10 minutes are added, allowing the
engine to run for 15 minutes.
The additional 10 minutes are
considered a second remote
vehicle start.
After the vehicle's engine has been
started two times using
/ , or a
single remote start with one time
extension, the vehicle must be
started with the key.
After the key is removed from the
ignition, the vehicle can be remote
started again.
The vehicle cannot be remote
started if the key is in the ignition,
the hood is not closed, or if there
is an emission control system
malfunction and the malfunction
indicator lamp is on.

Black plate (7,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-7Also, the engine will turn off during a
remote vehicle start if the coolant
temperature gets too high or if the
oil pressure gets low.
Door Locks
{ WARNINGUnlocked doors can be
dangerous. .
Passengers, especially
children, can easily open
the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door
is locked, the handle will not
open it. The chance of being
thrown out of the vehicle
in a crash is increased if the
doors are not locked. So, all
passengers should wear
safety belts properly and
the doors should be locked
whenever the vehicle is
driven.
(Continued) WARNING (Continued) .
Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child can
be overcome by extreme heat
and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from
heat stroke. Always lock the
vehicle whenever leaving it. .
Outsiders can easily enter
through an unlocked door
when you slow down or stop
the vehicle. Locking the doors
can help prevent this from
happening.
There are several ways to lock and
unlock the vehicle.
From outside, use the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or
the key in the driver door. From inside, use the power door
locks or manual door locks. To lock
or unlock the door with the manual
locks, push down or pull up on the
manual lock knob.
Power Door Locks With power door locks, the switches
on the front doors can be used to
lock and unlock the vehicle.
K (Unlock): Press to unlock the
doors.
Q (Lock): Press to lock the doors.

Black plate (9,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-9
Doors Liftgate (Manual)
{ WARNINGIt can be dangerous to drive with
the liftglass or liftgate open
because carbon monoxide (CO)
gas can come into your vehicle.
You cannot see or smell CO.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death.
If you must drive with the liftglass
or liftgate open, or if electrical
wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal
between the body and the
liftglass or liftgate: .
Make sure all other windows
are shut. .
Turn the fan on your heating
or cooling system to its
highest speed with the
(Continued) WARNING (Continued) recirculation mode off. That
will force outside air into your
vehicle. See Dual Automatic
Climate Control System on
page 8 ‑ 1 . .
If you have air outlets on or
under the instrument panel,
open them all the way. .
If your vehicle is equipped
with a power liftgate, disable
the power liftgate function.
See Engine Exhaust on
page 9 ‑ 38 .
To unlock the liftgate, use the power
door lock switch or press
K on the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter twice. See Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2 ‑ 3 . On vehicles with a liftglass, press
the button on the underside of the
license pocket applique (A) to open
it. The liftglass can also be opened
by pressing
m on the RKE.
To open the entire liftgate, press
& on the RKE or in the vehicle.
See “ Power Liftgate Operation ” in
this section. You can also press the
touchpad on the underside of the
liftgate handle (B). The liftgate
will open after a slight delay. The
vehicle must be in P (Park) to open
the liftgate. To close the liftgate, use
the pull cup or pull strap as an aid.