CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2012 Owners Manual

Black plate (91,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
Vehicle Care 10-91Before you connect the cables,
here are some basic things you
should know. Positive (+) will go
to positive (+) or to a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one. Negative ( − ) will go to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine
part or to a remote negative ( − )
terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to
negative ( − ) or you will get a
short that would damage the
battery and maybe other parts
too. And do not connect the
negative ( − ) cable to the
negative ( − ) terminal on the dead
battery because this can cause
sparks. 6. Connect the red positive (+)
cable to the positive (+) terminal
of the vehicle with the dead
battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one.
7. Do not let the other end touch
metal. Connect it to the
positive (+) terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one. 8. Now connect the black
negative ( − ) cable to the
negative ( − ) terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote
negative ( − ) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch
anything until the next step. The
other end of the negative ( − )
cable does not go to the dead
battery. It goes to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or
to the remote negative ( − )
terminal on the vehicle with the
dead battery.
9. Connect the other end of the
negative ( − ) cable to the remote
negative ( − ) terminal, on the
vehicle with the dead battery.

Black plate (92,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
10-92 Vehicle Care 10. Now start the vehicle with the
good battery and run the
engine for a while.
11. Try to start the vehicle that had
the dead battery. If it will not
start after a few tries, it
probably needs service.
Notice: If the jumper cables are
connected or removed in the
wrong order, electrical shorting
may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always connect and remove the
jumper cables in the correct
order, making sure that the
cables do not touch each other or
other metal. Jumper Cable Removal
A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine
Part or Remote Negative ( − )
Terminal
B. Good Battery or Remote
Positive (+) and Remote
Negative ( − ) Terminals
C. Dead Battery or Remote
Positive (+) Terminal To disconnect the jumper cables
from both vehicles do the following:
1. Disconnect the black
negative ( − ) cable from the
vehicle that had the bad battery.
2. Disconnect the black
negative ( − ) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+)
cable from the vehicle with the
good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+)
cable from the other vehicle.
5. Return the remote positive (+)
terminal cover, if the vehicle has
one, to its original position.

Black plate (93,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
Vehicle Care 10-93
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 ‑ 9 .
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 (94,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
10-94 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 (95,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
Vehicle Care 10-95Two-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 (96,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
10-96 Vehicle Care 3. Firmly set the parking brake.
See Parking Brake on
page 9 ‑ 36 .
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 Washing the Vehicle To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
Notice: Do not use petroleum
based, acidic, or abrasive
cleaning agents as they can
damage the vehicle's paint, metal,
or plastic parts. If damage
occurs, it would not be covered
by the vehicle's warranty.
Approved cleaning products can
be obtained from your dealer.
Follow all manufacturer
directions regarding correct
product usage, necessary safety
precautions, and appropriate
disposal of any vehicle care
product. Notice: Avoid using high
pressure washes closer than
30 cm (12 in) to the surface of the
vehicle. Use of power washers
exceeding 8,274 kPa (1,200 psi)
can result in damage or removal
of paint and decals.
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.
Finish Care Application of aftermarket clearcoat
sealant/wax materials is not
recommended. If painted surfaces
are damaged, see your dealer to
have the damage assessed and
repaired. Foreign materials such as
calcium chloride and other salts, ice
melting agents, road oil and tar, tree
sap, bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, etc., can

Black plate (97,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
Vehicle Care 10-97damage the vehicle's finish if they
remain on painted surfaces. Wash
the vehicle as soon as possible.
If necessary, use non-abrasive
cleaners that are marked safe for
painted surfaces to remove foreign
matter.
Occasional hand waxing or mild
polishing should be done to remove
residue from the paint finish. See
your dealer for approved cleaning
products.
Notice: Machine compounding or
aggressive polishing on a
basecoat/clearcoat paint finish
may damage it. Use only
non-abrasive waxes and polishes
that are made for a basecoat/
clearcoat paint finish on the
vehicle.
To keep the paint finish looking
new, keep the vehicle garaged or
covered whenever possible. Protecting Exterior Bright Metal
Parts
Regularly clean bright metal parts
with water or chrome polish on
chrome or stainless steel trim,
if necessary.
For aluminum, never use auto or
chrome polish, steam, or caustic
soap to clean. A coating of wax,
rubbed to high polish, is
recommended for all bright metal
parts.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/
Lenses and Emblems Use only lukewarm or cold water, a
soft cloth, and a car washing soap
to clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Follow instructions under "Washing
the Vehicle" later in this section. Windshield and Wiper Blades Clean the outside of the windshield
with glass cleaner.
Clean rubber blades using lint-free
cloth or paper towel soaked with
windshield washer fluid or a mild
detergent. Wash the windshield
thoroughly when cleaning the
blades. Bugs, road grime, sap, and
a buildup of vehicle wash/wax
treatments may cause wiper
streaking.
Replace the wiper blades if they are
worn or damaged. Damage can be
caused by extreme dusty
conditions, sand, salt, heat, sun,
snow and ice.
Weatherstrips
Apply silicone grease on
weatherstrips to make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or
squeak. See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11 ‑ 13 .

Black plate (98,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
10-98 Vehicle Care Tires Use a stiff brush with tire cleaner to
clean the tires.
Notice: Using petroleum-based
tire dressing products on the
vehicle may damage the paint
finish and/or tires. When applying
a tire dressing, always wipe off
any overspray from all painted
surfaces on the vehicle.
Wheels and Trim — Aluminum
or Chrome Use a soft, clean cloth with mild
soap and water to clean the wheels.
After rinsing thoroughly with clean
water, dry with a soft, clean towel.
A wax may then be applied.
Keep the wheels clean using a soft,
clean cloth with mild soap and
water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft,
clean towel. A wax may then be
applied. Notice: Chrome wheels and other
chrome trim may be damaged if
the vehicle is not washed after
driving on roads that have been
sprayed with magnesium,
calcium, or sodium chloride.
These chlorides are used on
roads for conditions such as ice
and dust. Always wash the
chrome with soap and water after
exposure.
Notice: To avoid surface damage,
do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
cleaners, brushes, or cleaners
that contain acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels. Use only
approved cleaners. Also, never
drive a vehicle with aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels through an
automatic car wash that uses
silicone carbide tire cleaning
brushes. Damage could occur
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components Visually inspect front and rear
suspension and steering system for
damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear. Inspect the power
steering for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Visually
check constant velocity joints,
rubber boots, and axle seals for
leaks.
Body Component Lubrication Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges, and
steel fuel door hinge unless the
components are plastic. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.

Black plate (99,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
Vehicle Care 10-99Underbody Maintenance Use plain water to flush dirt and
debris from the vehicle's underbody.
Your dealer or an underbody car
washing system can do this. If not
removed, rust and corrosion can
develop.
Sheet Metal Damage If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion
protection.
Original manufacturer replacement
parts will provide the corrosion
protection while maintaining the
vehicle warranty. Finish Damage Quickly repair minor chips and
scratches with touch-up materials
available from your dealer to avoid
corrosion. Larger areas of finish
damage can be corrected in your
dealer's body and paint shop.
Chemical Paint Spotting Airborne pollutants can fall upon
and attack painted vehicle surfaces
causing blotchy, ring-shaped
discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint
surface.
Interior Care To prevent dirt particle abrasions,
regularly clean the vehicle's interior.
Immediately remove any soils. Note
that newspapers or dark garments
that can transfer color to home
furnishings can also permanently
transfer color to the vehicle's
interior. Use a soft bristle brush to remove
dust from knobs and crevices on the
instrument cluster. Using a mild
soap solution, immediately remove
hand lotions, sunscreen, and insect
repellant from all interior surfaces or
permanent damage may result.
Your dealer may have products for
cleaning the interior. Use cleaners
specifically designed for the
surfaces being cleaned to prevent
permanent damage. To prevent
overspray, apply all cleaners directly
to the cleaning cloth. Cleaners
should be removed quickly. Never
allow cleaners to remain on the
surface being cleaned for extended
periods of time.
Cleaners may contain solvents that
can become concentrated in the
interior. Before using cleaners, read
and adhere to all safety instructions
on the label. While cleaning the
interior, maintain adequate
ventilation by opening the doors and
windows.

Black plate (100,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
10-100 Vehicle Care To prevent damage, do not clean
the interior using the following
cleaners or techniques: .
Never use a razor or any other
sharp object to remove a soil
from any interior surface. .
Never use a brush with stiff
bristles. .
Never rub any surface
aggressively or with excessive
pressure. .
Do not use laundry detergents or
dishwashing soaps with
degreasers. For liquid cleaners,
use approximately 20 drops per
3.78L (1 gal) of water.
A concentrated soap solution will
leave a residue that creates
streaks and attracts dirt. Do not
use solutions that contain strong
or caustic soap. .
Do not heavily saturate the
upholstery when cleaning. .
Do not use solvents or cleaners
containing solvents. Interior Glass To clean, use a terry cloth fabric
dampened with water. Wipe droplets
left behind with a clean dry cloth.
Commercial glass cleaners may be
used, if necessary, after cleaning
the interior glass with plain water.
Notice: To prevent scratching,
never use abrasive cleaners on
automotive glass. Abrasive
cleaners or aggressive cleaning
may damage the rear window
defogger.
Fabric/Carpet Start by vacuuming the surface
using a soft brush attachment. If a
rotating brush attachment is being
used during vacuuming, only use it
on the floor carpet. Before cleaning,
gently remove as much of the soil
as possible using one of the
following techniques: .
Gently blot liquids with a paper
towel. Continue blotting until no
more soil can be removed. .
For solid soils, remove as much
as possible prior to vacuuming.
To clean:
1. Saturate a clean lint-free
colorfast cloth with water or club
soda. Microfiber cloth is
recommended to prevent lint
transfer to the fabric or carpet.
2. Remove excess moisture by
gently wringing until water does
not drip from the cleaning cloth.
3. Start on the outside edge of the
soil and gently rub toward the
center. Rotate the cleaning cloth
to a clean area frequently to
prevent forcing the soil in to the
fabric.
4. Continue gently rubbing the
soiled area until there is no
longer any color transfer from
the soil to the cleaning cloth.
5. If the soil is not completely
removed, use a mild soap
solution followed only by club
soda or plain water.