CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2019 Owner's Manual

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460268) - 2019 - crc - 9/14/18
210 DRIVING AND OPERATING
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could
be injured. To be sure the vehicle
will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, always set
the parking brake and move the
shift lever to P (Park).
SeeShifting Into Park 0206 and
Driving Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0255.
{Warning
If you have four-wheel drive, the
vehicle will be free to roll —even if
the shift lever is in P (Park) —if the
transfer case is in N (Neutral). So,
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear, Two-Wheel Drive High
or Four-Wheel Drive High or
Four-Wheel Drive Low—not in
N (Neutral). See Shifting Into Park
0 206.
R : Use this gear to back up.
Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving forward could
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the vehicle is
stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission, see If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0196. N :
In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart the engine when the vehicle is
already moving, use N (Neutral) only.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into
a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine running
at high speed may damage the
transmission. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Be sure the engine is not running at
high speed when shifting the
vehicle.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 211
Caution
A transmission hot message may
display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition can
damage the vehicle. Stop and idle
the engine to cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This message
clears when the transmission fluid
has cooled sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal driving.
If more power is needed for passing,
press the accelerator pedal down.
Use D (Drive) and Tow/Haul Mode
when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills,
or driving off-road. Shift the
transmission to a lower gear selection
if the transmission shifts too often.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See “Skidding”underLoss
of Control 0189. The vehicle has a shift stabilization
feature that adjusts the transmission
shifting to the current driving
conditions in order to reduce rapid
upshifts and downshifts. This shift
stabilization feature is designed to
determine, before making an upshift,
if the engine is able to maintain
vehicle speed by analyzing things such
as vehicle speed, throttle position, and
vehicle load. If the shift stabilization
feature determines that a current
vehicle speed cannot be maintained,
the transmission does not upshift and
instead holds the current gear.
In some cases, this could appear to be
a delayed shift, however the
transmission is operating normally.
The transmission uses adaptive shift
controls. The adaptive shift control
process continually compares key shift
parameters to pre-programmed ideal
shifts stored in the transmission’s
computer. The transmission
constantly makes adjustments to
improve vehicle performance
according to how the vehicle is being
used, such as with a heavy load or
when the temperature changes.
During this adaptive shift control process, shifting might feel different
as the transmission determines the
best settings.
When temperatures are very cold, the
transmission's gear shifting could be
delayed providing more stable shifts
until the engine warms up. Shifts
could be more noticeable with a cold
transmission. This difference in
shifting is normal.
L :
This position allows selection of a
range of gears appropriate for current
driving conditions. If equipped, see
“Range Selection Mode ”under Manual
Mode 0212.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using
only the accelerator pedal may
damage the transmission. The
repair will not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. If the vehicle is
stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes to
hold the vehicle in place.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460268) - 2019 - crc - 9/14/18
212 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Normal Mode Grade Braking
This mode is enabled when the
vehicle is started, but is not enabled
in Range Selection Mode. It assists in
maintaining desired vehicle speeds
when driving on downhill grades by
using the engine and transmission to
slow the vehicle. The first time the
system engages for each ignition
cycle, a DIC message will be displayed.
To disable or enable Normal Mode
Grade Braking within the current
ignition cycle, press and hold the
Tow/Haul button for five seconds.
When the button is released, the
requested mode change is made.
A DIC message displays.
For other forms of grade braking, see
Tow/Haul Mode0213 and Cruise
Control 0225.
Kickdown Mode
The accelerator pedal provides an
additional downshift after pressing
through the kickdown feature.
It requires extra pedal pressure near
the end of its travel to engage.
Manual Mode
Range Selection Mode
If equipped, Range Selection Mode
helps control the vehicle's
transmission and vehicle speed while
driving downhill or towing a trailer by
letting you select a desired range of
gears.
To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever to L (Manual Mode).
2. Press the plus/minus buttons on the shift lever to select the
desired range of gears for current
driving conditions. Or, hold the
plus/minus buttons to select the
highest or lowest range available
for the current vehicle speed. When the shift lever is moved from
D (Drive) to L (Manual Mode), a
number displays next to the L,
indicating the current transmission
range.
This number is the highest gear that
the transmission will command while
operating in L (Manual Mode). All
gears below that number are available.
As driving conditions change, the
transmission can automatically shift
to lower gears. For example, when
5 (Fifth) is selected, 1 (First) through
5 (Fifth) gears are automatically
shifted by the transmission, but
6 (Sixth) cannot be used until the
plus/minus button on the shift lever is
used to change to the range.
When the shift lever is moved from
D (Drive) to L (Manual Mode), a
downshift may occur. The gear that
the transmission is operating in when
the shift lever is moved from D (Drive)
to L (Manual Mode) determines if a
downshift occurs. See the following
chart.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460268) - 2019 - crc - 9/14/18
DRIVING AND OPERATING 213
Gear before shifting from D (Drive) to
L (Manual Mode)10th 9th 8th 7th 6th 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st
Range after shifting from D (Drive) to L (Manual
Mode) - Tow/Haul not engaged L7 L7 L7 L6 L5 L4 L3 L3 L2 L1
Range after shifting from D (Drive) to L (Manual
Mode) - Tow/Haul engaged L7 L7 L6 L5 L4 L3 L3 L3 L2 L1
Grade Braking is not available when
Range Selection Mode is active. See
Tow/Haul Mode 0213.
While using Range Selection Mode,
cruise control and the Tow/Haul Mode
can be used.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using
only the accelerator pedal may
damage the transmission. The
repair will not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. If the vehicle is
stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes to
hold the vehicle in place.
Tow/Haul Mode
The Tow/Haul Mode adjusts the
transmission shift pattern to reduce
shift cycling. This provides increased
performance, vehicle control, and enhanced transmission and engine
cooling when driving down steep hills
or mountain grades, towing,
or hauling heavy loads.
Turn the Tow/Haul Mode on and off
by pressing the button. When the
Tow/Haul Mode is enabled, a light on
the instrument cluster will come on.
See
Tow/Haul Mode Light 0143 and
Hill and Mountain Roads 0194.
Also see “Tow/Haul Mode ”under
Driver Mode Control 0223.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460268) - 2019 - crc - 9/14/18
214 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking is only
enabled while the Tow/Haul Mode is
selected and the vehicle is not in the
Range Selection Mode. See“Tow/Haul
Mode ”listed previously and Manual
Mode 0212. Tow/Haul Mode Grade
Braking assists in maintaining desired
vehicle speeds when driving on
downhill grades by using the engine
and transmission to slow the vehicle.
To disable or enable Tow/Haul Grade
Braking within the current ignition
cycle, press and hold the Tow/Haul
button for five seconds. When the
button is released, the requested mode
change is made. A DIC message is
displayed.
See Towing Equipment 0265.
For other forms of grade braking, see
Automatic Transmission 0209 and
Cruise Control 0225.
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive
If equipped, four-wheel drive engages
the front axle for extra traction.
Caution
Do not drive on clean, dry
pavement in 4
mand 4n(if
equipped) for an extended period of
time. These conditions may cause
premature wear on the vehicle’s
powertrain.
Driving on clean, dry pavement in 4
m
or 4nmay:
. Cause a vibration to be felt in the
steering system.
. Cause tires to wear faster.
. Make the transfer case harder to
shift, and cause it to run noisier.
{Warning
If equipped with four-wheel drive,
the vehicle will be free to roll if the
transfer case is in N (Neutral), even
when the shift lever is in P (Park).
Be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear —2
m, 4m, or 4n—not
in N (Neutral). See Shifting Into Park
0 206.
Caution
Extended high-speed operation in 4
nmay damage or shorten the life of
the drivetrain.
Engagement noise and bump when
shifting between 4
nand 4mor from
N (Neutral), with the engine running,
is normal.
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction
Control and StabiliTrak/ESC off. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0221.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 215
Automatic Transfer Case
If equipped, use the transfer case knob
next to the steering wheel to shift into
and out of four-wheel drive.
All of the lights will flash on then off
momentarily when the ignition is
turned on. The light that remains on
will indicate the state of the
transfer case.
If the indicator mark on the knob
below does not match up with the
light, then most likely the knob below
was moved when the ignition was off.The indicator mark on the knob below
must line up with the indicator light
before a shift can be commanded. To
command a shift, rotate the transfer
case knob below to the new desired
position. The light will flash meaning
that the shift is in progress. When the
shift is completed the new position
will be illuminated. If the transfer case
cannot complete a shift command, it
will go back to its last chosen setting.
The settings are:
N (Neutral) :
Use only when the
vehicle needs to be towed.
See Recreational Vehicle Towing 0346
or Towing the Vehicle 0345.
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) : Use for
driving on most streets and highways.
The front axle is not engaged. This
setting provides the best fuel
economy.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel
Drive) : Use when road surface
traction conditions are variable. When
driving in AUTO, the front axle is
engaged, and the vehicle's power is
sent to the front and rear wheels automatically based on driving
conditions. This setting provides
slightly lower fuel economy than 2
m.
Do not use AUTO mode to park on a
steep grade with poor traction such as
ice, snow, mud, or gravel. In AUTO
mode only the rear wheels will hold
the vehicle from sliding when parked.
If parking on a steep grade, use 4
mto
keep all four wheels engaged.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High) : Use
this position when extra traction is
needed, such as when driving on
snowy or icy roads, when off-roading,
or when plowing snow.
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low) : This
setting engages the front axle and
delivers extra torque. Choose 4
nwhen
driving off-road in deep sand, deep
mud, or deep snow, and while
climbing or descending steep hills.
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction
Control and StabiliTrak/ESC off. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0221.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460268) - 2019 - crc - 9/14/18
216 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Shifting Into 4mor AUTO
Turn the knob to the 4
mor AUTO
position at any speed, except from 4
n.
The indicator light will flash while
shifting and will remain on when the
shift is completed.
Shifting Into 2
m
Turn the knob to 2mat any speed,
except when shifting from 4
n. The
indicator light will flash while shifting
and will remain on when the shift is
completed.
Shifting Into 4
n
When 4nis engaged, keep vehicle
speed below 72 km/h (45 mph).
To shift:
1. The ignition must be on and the vehicle must be stopped or
moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph)
with the transmission in
N (Neutral). It is best for the
vehicle to be moving
1.6 to 3.2 km/h (1 to 2 mph). 2. Turn the knob to 4
n. Wait for
the 4
nindicator light to stop
flashing before shifting the
transmission into gear.
Caution
Shifting the transmission into gear
before the requested mode indicator
light has stopped flashing could
damage the transfer case.
If the transmission is in gear and/or
moving more than 5 km/h (3 mph), the
4
nindicator light will flash for
30 seconds and the shift will not be
completed. After 30 seconds the
transfer case will shift to 4
m. Turn the
knob to 4
mto display the indicator.
With the vehicle moving less than
5 km/h (3 mph), and the transmission
in N (Neutral), attempt the shift again.
Shifting Out of 4
n
To shift: 1. The vehicle must be stopped or
moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph)
with the transmission in
N (Neutral) and the ignition on.
It is best for the vehicle to be
moving 1.6 to 3.2 km/h
(1 to 2 mph).
2. Turn the knob to 4
m, AUTO, or
2
m. Wait for the 4m, AUTO, or
2
mindicator light to stop
flashing before shifting the
transmission into gear.
Caution
Shifting the transmission into gear
before the requested mode indicator
light has stopped flashing could
damage the transfer case.
If the transmission is in gear and/or
moving more than 5 km/h (3 mph), the
4
m, AUTO, or 2mindicator light will
flash for 30 seconds but the shift will
not be completed. With the vehicle
moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph), and
the transmission in N (Neutral),
attempt the shift again.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 217
Shifting Into N (Neutral)
To shift into N (Neutral):1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2. Set the parking brake and press and hold the brake pedal.
See Parking Brake 0218 or
Electric Parking Brake 0219.
3. Start the vehicle or turn the ignition on.
4. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
5. Shift the transfer case to 2
m.
6. Turn the transfer case knob clockwise to N (Neutral) until it
stops and hold it there until the
N (Neutral) light starts to flash.
This will take at least 10 seconds.
Then slowly release the knob to
the 4
nposition. The N (Neutral)
light will come on when the
transfer case shift to N (Neutral)
is complete. 7. With the engine running, verify
that the transfer case is in
N (Neutral) by shifting the
transmission to R (Reverse), then
shift the transmission to
D (Drive). There should be no
movement of the vehicle while
shifting the transmission.
8. Turn the engine off, and the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.
9. Place the transmission shift lever in P (Park). See Recreational
Vehicle Towing 0346.
10. Turn the ignition off.
Shifting Out of N (Neutral)
To shift out of N (Neutral): 1. Set the parking brake.
2. Press and hold ENGINE START/ STOP for five seconds with your
foot off the brake to place the
vehicle in Service Mode. 3. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
4. Turn the transfer case knob to the desired setting.
After the transfer case has
shifted out of N (Neutral), the
N (Neutral) light will go out.
5. Release the parking brake.
6. Start the engine and shift the transmission to the desired gear.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460268) - 2019 - crc - 9/14/18
218 DRIVING AND OPERATING
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has an Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic
braking system that helps prevent a
braking skid.
When the vehicle begins to drive
away, ABS checks itself. A momentary
motor or clicking noise may be heard
while this test is going on, and it may
even be noticed that the brake pedal
moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 143. If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to avoid
a sudden obstacle, a computer senses
the wheels are slowing down. If one of
the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the
brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure to
each wheel, as required, faster than
any driver could. This can help you
steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the
time needed to get a foot up to the
brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close
to the vehicle in front of you, there
will not be enough time to apply the
brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows
or stops. Always leave enough room
up ahead to stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the
brake pedal down firmly and let ABS
work. You may hear the ABS pump or
motor operating and feel the brake
pedal pulsate. This is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows you to steer and brake at
the same time. In many emergencies,
steering can help more than even the
very best braking.
Parking Brake

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 219
Set the parking brake by holding the
regular brake pedal down, then
pushing down the parking brake
pedal.
If the ignition is on, the brake system
warning light will come on. SeeBrake
System Warning Light 0141.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system and
cause premature wear or damage to
brake system parts. Make sure that
the parking brake is fully released
and the brake warning light is off
before driving.
To release the parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down, then push
down momentarily on the parking
brake pedal until you feel the pedal
release. Slowly pull your foot up off
the parking brake pedal. If the parking
brake is not released when you begin
to drive, a DIC message will appear
and a chime will sound warning you
that the parking brake is still on.
Electric Parking Brake
This vehicle may have an Electric
Parking Brake (EPB). The EPB can
always be activated, even if the
ignition is off. To prevent draining the
battery, avoid repeated cycles of the
EPB system when the engine is not
running.
The system has a
Yor PARK
Electric Parking Brake light, and a
8
Service Parking Brake light.
See Electric Parking Brake Light 0142
and Service Electric Parking Brake Light
0 142. Before leaving the vehicle, check for
the
Yor PARK light to ensure that
the parking brake is applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Lift up the EPB switch momentarily.
The
Yor PARK light will flash and
then stay on once the EPB is fully
applied. If the
Yor PARK light
flashes continuously, then the EPB is
only partially applied or there is a
problem with the EPB. A DIC message
will display. Release the EPB and try
to apply it again. If the light does not
come on, or keeps flashing, have the
vehicle serviced. Do not drive the
vehicle if the
Yor PARK light is
flashing. See your dealer. See Electric
Parking Brake Light 0142.