trailer CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT 2010 3.G User Guide

This light comes on during a malfunction in one of
two ways:
Light Flashing :A misfire condition has been detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and could
damage the emission control system on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
To prevent more serious damage to the vehicle:
.Reduce vehicle speed.
.Avoid hard accelerations.
.Avoid steep uphill grades.
.If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo
being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart
the engine. If the light is still flashing, follow the
previous steps and see your dealer/retailer for service
as soon as possible. Light On Steady :
An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
An emission system malfunction might be corrected by
doing the following:
.Make sure the fuel cap is fully installed. See Filling
the Tankon page 7‑10. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap
allows fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.
.If the vehicle has been driven through a deep
puddle of water, the vehicle's electrical system
might be wet. The condition is usually corrected
when the electrical system dries out. A few driving
trips should turn the light off.
4-35

Section 6 Driving Your Vehicle
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle. . . . . . . . . .6-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Braking in Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
StabiliTrak
®System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Magnetic Ride Control™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Road Sensing Suspension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
Passing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13
Driving at Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-24 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-25
Before Leaving on a Long Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-26
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-26
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-27
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-28
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-30
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-30
Recovery Hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-31
Loading the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-32
Truck-Camper Loading Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-39
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-39
Towing Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-39
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-39
Level Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-41
Autoride
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-41
Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-42
Trailer Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-54
6-1

Magnetic Ride Control™
The vehicle may have the MagneRide control system.
MagneRide constantly checks speed, wheel position,
lift/dive and steering of the vehicle. The damping force
for each shock absorber and adjustment level is chosen
for the best ride and handling.
MagneRide also works with the tow/haul switch that,
when engaged, will provide more firmness from the
shock absorbers. This added control gives better ride
and handling when carrying heavy loads or towing a
trailer. SeeTow/Haul Mode
on page 3‑39for more
information.
Road Sensing Suspension
The Road Sensing Suspension (RSS) feature provides
superior vehicle ride and handling under a variety of
passenger and loading conditions.
The system is fully automatic and uses a computer
controller to continuously monitor vehicle speed, wheel
to body position, lift/dive and steering position of the
vehicle. The controller then sends signals to each shock
absorber to independently adjust the damping level to
provide the optimum vehicle ride. RSS also interacts with the tow/haul mode that, when
engaged, will provide additional control of the shock
absorbers. This additional control results in better ride
and handling characteristics when the vehicle is loaded
or towing a trailer. See
“Tow/Haul Mode”underTowing a
Trailer on page 6‑42.
Locking Rear Axle
Vehicles with a locking rear axle can give more traction
on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a
standard axle most of the time, but when traction is low,
this feature will allow the rear wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
With this feature, engine power is sent to all four wheels
at all times. This is like four-wheel drive, but there is no
separate lever or switch to engage or disengage the
front axle. It is fully automatic, and adjusts itself as
needed for road conditions.
6-9

The Tire and Loading Information label also
shows the size of the original equipment
tires (C) and the recommended cold tire inflation
pressures (D). For more information on tires and
inflation seeTires
on page 7‑57andInflation - Tire
Pressure
on page 7‑64.
There is also important loading information on the
vehicle Certification/Tire label. It tells you the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front
and rear axles. See “Certification/Tire Label” later
in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1.Locate the statement “The combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle's placard.
2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the“XXX”amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be five 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity
is 650 lbs (1400 −750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
SeeTowing a Trailer
on page 6‑42for
important information on towing a trailer,
towing safety rules and trailering tips.
6-33

If a weight-distributing hitch is being used, it is
recommended to allow the shocks to inflate,
thereby leveling the vehicle prior to adjusting the
height. See“Weight Distributing Hitches and
Weight Carrying Hitches” underTowing a Trailer
on page 6‑42.
Truck-Camper Loading Information
The vehicle was neither designed nor intended to
carry a slide-in type camper.
Notice :Adding a slide-in camper or similar
equipment to the vehicle can damage it, and
the repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Do not install a slide-in
camper or similar equipment on the vehicle.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
To avoid damage, the disabled vehicle should be towed
with all four wheels off the ground. Consult your dealer/
retailer or a professional towing service if the disabled
vehicle must be towed. See Roadside Service
on
page 9‑8.
To tow the vehicle behind another vehicle for
recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
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 and dolly towing.
Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground. Dolly towing is towing the vehicle with
two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a dolly.
6-39

Level Control
Automatic Level Control
The automatic level control rear suspension is available
on light‐duty vehicles and comes as a part of the
Autoride
®suspension, if equipped.
This type of level control is fully automatic and will
provide a better leveled riding position as well as better
handling under a variety of passenger and loading
conditions. An air compressor connected to the rear
shocks will raise or lower the rear of the vehicle to
maintain proper vehicle height. The system is activated
when the ignition key is turned to ON/RUN and will
automatically adjust vehicle height thereafter. The
system may exhaust (lower vehicle height) for up to
ten minutes after the ignition key has been turned off.
You may hear the air compressor operating when the
height is being adjusted.
If a weight‐distributing hitch is being used, it is
recommended to allow the shocks to inflate, thereby
leveling the vehicle prior to adjusting the hitch.
Autoride®
With this feature, improved vehicle ride and handling is
provided under a variety of passenger and loading
conditions.
The system is fully automatic and uses a computer
controller to continuously monitor vehicle speed, wheel
to body position, lift/dive and steering position of the
vehicle. The controller then sends signals to each shock
absorber to independently adjust the damping level to
provide the optimum vehicle ride.
Autoride also interacts with the tow/haul mode that,
when activated, will provide additional control of the
shock absorbers. This additional control results in better
ride and handling characteristics when the vehicle is
loaded or towing a trailer. See “Tow/Haul Mode”under
Towing a Trailer
on page 6‑42for more information.
6-41

Towing a Trailer
Do not tow a trailer during break‐in. SeeNew Vehicle
Break-Inon page 3‑30for more information.
{WARNING:
The driver can lose control when pulling a trailer if
the correct equipment is not used or the vehicle is
not driven properly. For example, if the trailer is
too heavy, the brakes may not work well —or
even at all. The driver and passengers could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only
if all the steps in this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer/retailer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with the vehicle. Notice:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage the
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
the vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer correctly,
follow the advice in this section and see your
dealer/retailer for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of the vehicle, read the
information in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears later
in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving the vehicle by
itself. Trailering means changes in handling,
acceleration, braking, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and
it has to be used properly.
The following information has many time-tested,
important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of
these are important for your safety and that of your
passengers. So please read this section carefully before
pulling a trailer.
6-42

Pulling A Trailer
Here are some important points:
.There are many different laws, including speed
limit restrictions, having to do with trailering.
Make sure the rig will be legal, not only where you
live but also where you will be driving. A good
source for this information can be state or
provincial police.
.Consider using a sway control. See“Hitches”later
in this section.
.Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(800 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
.Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at full throttle. This helps
the engine and other parts of the vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
.Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift the
transmission to a lower gear if the transmission
shifts too often under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
Important considerations that have to do with weight:
.The weight of the trailer
.The weight of the trailer tongue
.The weight on the vehicle's tires
.And the weight of the trailering combination
6-43

Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how the rig is used. Speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature and how much the vehicle
is used to pull a trailer are all important. It can depend
on any special equipment on the vehicle, and the
amount of tongue weight the vehicle can carry. See
“Weight of the Trailer Tongue”later in this section for
more information. Trailer weight rating (TWR) is calculated assuming the
tow vehicle has only the driver but all required trailering
equipment. Weight of additional optional equipment,
passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle must be
subtracted from the trailer weight rating.
Use the following chart to determine how much the
vehicle can weigh, based upon the vehicle model
and options.
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight *GCWR
AWD 6.2L 3.427,500 lbs (3 402 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) in the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be
exceeded.
Ask your dealer/retailer for trailering information or
advice, or write us at our Customer Assistance Offices.
See Customer Assistance Offices
on page 9‑6for
more information.
6-44

Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is very important
because it is also part of the vehicle weight. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the curb weight of the
vehicle, any cargo carried in it, and the people who will
be riding in the vehicle as well as trailer tongue weight.
Vehicle options, equipment, passengers and cargo in
the vehicle reduce the amount of tongue weight the
vehicle can carry, which will also reduce the trailer
weight the vehicle can tow. SeeLoading the Vehicle
on
page 6‑32for more information about the vehicle's
maximum load capacity.
Trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent to
15 percent and fifth wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight
should be 15 to 25 percent of the loaded trailer weight
up to the maximums for vehicle series and hitch type
shown below:
Vehicle Series Hitch Type Maximum
Tongue Weight
1500 Weight Carrying 272 kg (600 lbs)
1500 Weight Distributing 499 kg (1,100 lbs)
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight
for the vehicle. Choose the shortest hitch extension that
will position the hitch ball closest to the vehicle. This will
help reduce the effect of trailer tongue weight on the
rear axle.
Trailering may be limited by the vehicle's ability to carry
tongue weight. Tongue or kingpin weight cannot cause
the vehicle to exceed the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) or the RGAWR (Rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating). See“Total Weight on the Vehicle's Tires” later
in this section for more information.
After loading the trailer, weigh the trailer and then the
tongue, separately, to see if the weights are proper.
If they are not, adjustments might be made by moving
some items around in the trailer.
6-45