tow CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2012 Owners Manual

Black plate (2,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
2012 Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual MDriving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-21
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-30
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-37
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-44
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-57
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-69
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33 Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-88
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-93
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-96
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Cadillac Premium Care
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3
Special Application
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-9
Additional Maintenance
and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-9
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . 11-13
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-16 Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Customer Information . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-18
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-19
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
OnStar Additional
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
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
O : Power
/ : Remote Vehicle Start
> : Safety Belt Reminders
7 : Tire Pressure Monitor
_ : Tow/Haul Mode
d : Traction Control/StabiliTrak®
M : Windshield Washer Fluid

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
In Brief 1-3A. Air Vents on page 8 ‑ 7 .
B. Turn and Lane ‐ Change Lever.
See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals on page 6 ‑ 7 .
Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5 ‑ 4 .
C. Instrument Cluster on
page 5 ‑ 11 .
D. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6 ‑ 7 .
E. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9 ‑ 30 .
Driver Shift Control (DSC).
See Manual Mode on
page 9 ‑ 33 .
F. Tow/Haul Mode on page 9 ‑ 33 .
G. Driver Information Center (DIC)
Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5 ‑ 23 .
H. Clock on page 5 ‑ 7 . I. Infotainment on page 7 ‑ 2 .
J. StabiliTrak ®
System on
page 9 ‑ 37 .
Rear Park Aid Disable Button.
See Ultrasonic Parking Assist
on page 9 ‑ 44 .
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 ‑ 9 .
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6 ‑ 8 .
Fog Lamps on page 6 ‑ 8 .
N. Data Link Connector (DLC)
(Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5 ‑ 16 .
O. Automatic Transfer Case
Control (Hybrid only). See the
hybrid supplement for more
information. P. Cruise Control on page 9 ‑ 41 .
Heated Steering Wheel on
page 5 ‑ 4 (If Equipped).
Q. Horn on page 5 ‑ 4 .
R. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5 ‑ 2 .
S. Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8 ‑ 1 .
T. Pedal Adjust Button. See
Adjustable Throttle and Brake
Pedal on page 9 ‑ 22 .
Power Assist Steps on
page 2 ‑ 12 (If Equipped).

Black plate (18,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
1-18 In Brief 2. Press the plus/minus buttons,
located on the steering column
shift lever, to select the desired
range of gears for current driving
conditions. See Manual Mode on
page 9 ‑ 33 .
While using DSC, cruise control
and the tow/haul mode can
be used.
Grade Braking is not available when
DSC is active. See Tow/Haul Mode
on page 9 ‑ 33 .
Vehicle Features Radio(s) This vehicle's radio is part of the
navigation system. See Infotainment
on page 7 ‑ 2 .
Satellite Radio XM is a satellite radio service that
is based in the 48 contiguous
United States and 10 Canadian
provinces. XM satellite radio has a
wide variety of programming and
commercial-free music, coast to
coast, and in digital-quality sound.
A fee is required to receive the
XM service.
For more information, refer to: .
www.xmradio.com or call
1-800-929-2100 (U.S.) .
www.xmradio.ca or call
1-877-438-9677 (Canada)
Also, see Satellite Radio on
page 7 ‑ 15 . Portable Audio Devices This vehicle has an auxiliary input,
located on the audio faceplate,
and a USB port located on the
instrument panel or in the center
console. External devices such
as iPod ®
, laptop computers,
MP3 players, CD changers,
USB storage device, etc. can be
connected to the auxiliary port using
a 3.5 mm (1/8 in) input jack or the
USB port depending on the audio
system.
See Auxiliary Devices on page 7 ‑ 30
or CD/DVD Player on page 7 ‑ 18
for further information.
Bluetooth ®
For vehicles with a Bluetooth
system, it allows users with a
Bluetooth ‐ enabled cell phone to
make and receive hands-free calls
using the vehicle ’ s audio system
and controls.

Black plate (18,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
2-18 Keys, Doors, and Windows Vehicles with OnStar ®
have three
additional control buttons located at
the bottom of the mirror. See your
dealer for more information about
OnStar and how to subscribe to it.
See OnStar Overview on page 14 ‑ 1
for more information.
Cleaning the Mirror Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mirror. Use a soft towel
dampened with water.
Windows
{ WARNINGLeaving children, helpless adults,
or pets in a vehicle with the
windows closed is dangerous.
They can be overcome by the
extreme heat and suffer
permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Never leave a
child, a helpless adult, or a pet
alone in a vehicle, especially with
the windows closed in warm or
hot weather. The vehicle aerodynamics are
designed to improve fuel economy
performance. This may result in a
pulsing sound when a window is
partially open. To reduce the sound,
open another window or the sunroof
(if equipped).

Black plate (9,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
Seats and Restraints 3-92. Move the seatback to the
desired position, and then
release the lever to lock the
seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked.
To return the seatback to the upright
position:
1. Lift the lever fully without
applying pressure to the
seatback, and the seatback will
return to the upright position.
{ WARNINGIf either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.
2. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked. Manual Fold and Tumble
Feature Folding and Tumbling the Seat
To fold and tumble the seat:
1. Make sure that there is nothing
under, in front of, or on the seat.
Notice: Folding a rear seat with
the safety belts still fastened may
cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the
safety belts and return them to
their normal stowed position
before folding a rear seat. 2. Lift the lever, on the outboard
side of the seat, to release the
seatback.
The seatback will fold forward to
create a flat load floor.
If the seatback cannot fold flat,
try moving the front seat forward
and/or put the front seatback in
the upright position.

Black plate (10,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
3-10 Seats and Restraints
3. Lift the lever again to release the
rear of the seat from the floor.
The seat will tumble forward.
Folding and Tumbling the Seat
from the Third Row Seat
{ WARNING
Using the third row seating
position while the second row is
folded, or folded and tumbled,
could cause injury in a sudden
stop or crash. Be sure to return
(Continued) WARNING (Continued) the seat to the passenger seating
position. Push and pull on the
seat to make sure it is locked into
place.
To fold and tumble the seat from the
third row seat, if equipped:
1. Make sure that there is nothing
under, in front of, or on the seat.
Notice: Folding a rear seat with
the safety belts still fastened may
cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the
safety belts and return them to
their normal stowed position
before folding a rear seat. 60/40 Split-Bench Seat Shown,
Bucket Seat Similar
2. Lift the lever, on the bottom rear
of the second row seat on the
inboard side, to release the
seatback. The seatback will fold
forward.
3. Lift the same lever again to
release the rear of the seat from
the floor. The seat will tumble
forward.

Black plate (11,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
Seats and Restraints 3-11Automatic Fold and Tumble
Feature The transmission must be in
P (Park) for this feature to work.
{ WARNINGAutomatically folding and
tumbling the seat when someone
is sitting in the seat, could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always make sure there is no one
sitting in the seat before pressing
the automatic seat release button.
Folding and Tumbling the Second
Row Seat from the Third Row Seat
or Outside the Vehicle
{ WARNING
Using the third row seating
position while the second row is
folded, or folded and tumbled,
could cause injury in a sudden
(Continued) WARNING (Continued) stop or crash. Be sure to return
the seat to the passenger seating
position. Push and pull on the
seat to make sure it is locked into
place.
To fold and tumble the seat from the
third row seat, if equipped:
1. Make sure that there is nothing
under, in front of, or on the seat.
Notice: Folding a rear seat with
the safety belts still fastened may
cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the
safety belts and return them to
their normal stowed position
before folding a rear seat. Driver Side Rear Panel Button
Shown
2. Press the automatic seat release
button on the panel behind the
rear doors.
The seatback automatically folds
flat and the seat tumbles
forward. There will be a slight
delay between the folding of the
seatback and the tumbling of
the seat.

Black plate (12,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
3-12 Seats and Restraints Returning the Seat to the
Sitting Position To return the seat to the sitting
position from the tumbled position:
1. Pull the seat down until it latches
to the floor. The seatback cannot
be raised if the seat is not
latched to the floor.
{ WARNINGIf either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.
2. Lift the seatback and push it
rearward. Push and pull on the
seatback to make sure it is
locked. 3. For the 60/40 split-bench seat,
make sure the safety belt in the
center seating position is not
caught between the two seats
and is not twisted.
Third Row Seats If the vehicle has a third row seat,
the seatback can be folded, and the
entire seat can be tumbled or
removed from the vehicle.
Folding the Seatback To fold the seatback:
1. Open the liftgate to access the
controls for the seat.
2. Remove all items on the seat
cushion.
Notice: Folding a rear seat with
the safety belts still fastened may
cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the
safety belts and return them to
their normal stowed position
before folding a rear seat. 3. Lift the release lever “ 1 ” . on the
bottom rear of the seatback on
the outboard side of the seat,
and the seatback folds forward.
Returning the Seatback to the
Upright Position To return the seatback to the upright
position:
1. Open the liftgate to access the
controls for the seat.
2. Raise the seatback to the
upright position.

Black plate (14,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd CRC - 11/29/11
3-14 Seats and Restraints
{ WARNINGIf either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.
6. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked.
Removing the Third Row Seat To remove the seat:
1. Open the liftgate to access the
controls for the seat.
2. Fold the seatbacks forward
using lever “ 1 ” and the
instructions listed previously
under “ Folding the Seatback. ”
The seat cannot be unlatched
from the floor unless the
seatback is folded. 3. Unlatch the seat from the floor
by pulling the handle at the rear
of the seat “ 3 Removal Only ”
toward the rear of the vehicle.
4. Roll the seat out of the vehicle.
There is a track in the floor to
guide the seat wheels out of the
vehicle. Installing the Third Row Seat To install the seat:
1. Open the liftgate to access the
rear of the vehicle.
2. Slide the front outboard seat
wheels into the track on the floor
and roll the seat forward. The
front latches should lock into
place. If the latches do not lock,
try tilting the rear of the seat
upward slightly.
3. Lower the rear of the seat and
push down on the seat to
engage the rear floor latches.