Cadillac 2012 Escalade Hybrid User manual

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
2012 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid M
In Brief ........................ 1-1
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-1
Hybrid Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Performance and
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . 9-7
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . . 11-2
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Index ..................... i-1

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
ii Introduction
The names, logos, emblems,
slogans, vehicle model names, and
vehicle body designs appearing in
this manual including, but not limited
to, GM, the GM logo, CADILLAC,
the CADILLAC Crest and Wreath,
and ESCALADE are trademarks
and/or service marks of General
Motors LLC, its subsidiaries,
affiliates, or licensors.
This manual describes features that
may or may not be on your specific
vehicle either because they are
options that you did not purchase
or due to changes subsequent to
the printing of this owner manual.
Please refer to the purchase
documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm each of
the features found on your vehicle.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name “General
Motors of Canada Limited”for
Cadillac Motor Division wherever
it appears in this manual.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Your hybrid SUV is designed to be
more fuel efficient than the standard
SUV, which results in reduced
carbon dioxide emissions.
Canadian Vehicle Owners
Propriétaires Canadiens
A French language copy of this
manual can be obtained from your
dealer or from:
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès du
concessionnaire ou à l'adresse
suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438 de
langue française
www.helminc.com
Using this Supplement
This supplement contains
information specific to the unique
components of the vehicle. It does
not explain everything you need to
know about the vehicle. Read this
supplement along with the owner
manual to learn about the vehicle's
features and controls.
Index
A good place to look for what you
need is the Index in back of this
supplement. It is an alphabetical list
of what is in the supplement, and
the page number where you will
find it.
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 20902924 A First Printing ©2011 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Initial Drive Information
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Hybrid Features
High Voltage Safety
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Fuel Economy Gauge . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Automatic Engine Start/Stop
Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Regenerative Braking . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Service ....................... 1-5
Performance and Maintenance
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Initial Drive
Information
Transmission
Range Selection Mode
The Range Selection Mode switch
is located on the shift lever.
To enable the Range Selection
feature:
1. Move the column shift lever
to the M (Manual) position.
The current range will appear
next to the M. This is the
highest attainable range with
all lower gears accessible.
As an example, when
3 (Third) gear is selected,
1 (First) through 3 (Third) gears
are available.
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 Automatic
Transmission Operation in the
owner manual.
Cruise control can be used while the
vehicle is in Range Selection Mode.
See Manual Mode on page 9‑10.
Four-Wheel Drive
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive,
you can send the engine's driving
power to all four wheels for extra
traction. Read the following before
using four-wheel drive.

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
1-2 In Brief
Automatic Transfer Case
The transfer case knob is located
to the left of the instrument panel
cluster. You can choose among
five driving settings:
2m(Two-Wheel Drive High): This
setting is used for driving in most
street and highway situations.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel
Drive): This setting is ideal for
use when road surface traction
conditions are variable.
4m(Four-Wheel Drive High): Use
the four-wheel high position when
you need extra traction, such as
on snowy or icy roads or in most
off-road situations.
4n(Four-Wheel Drive Low): This
setting delivers extra torque. You
might choose Four-Wheel Drive Low
if you are driving off-road in deep
sand, deep mud, deep snow, and
while climbing or descending steep
hills.
N (Neutral): Shift the vehicle's
transfer case to N (Neutral) only
when towing the vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on
page 10‑33 and “Towing the
Vehicle”in the owner manual.
See Four-Wheel Drive on
page 9‑11.
Hybrid Features
High Voltage Safety
Information
This vehicle has a standard
12-volt battery and a high voltage
hybrid battery. Only a trained
service technician with the proper
knowledge and tools should inspect,
test, or replace the hybrid battery.
See your dealer if the hybrid battery
needs service.
The 12-volt battery cables, in the
engine compartment, are clearly
labeled. In emergency situations,
first responders can cut those
cables to disable the high voltage
hybrid battery system.

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
In Brief 1-3
Fuel Economy Gauge
Metric
English
This gauge shows when the vehicle
is operating at a fuel efficient point.
Driving behavior that improves fuel
efficiency makes the fuel indicator
move to the high efficiency band on
the fuel gauge.
See Fuel Economy Gauge on
page 5‑3for more information.
Automatic Engine Start/
Stop Feature
Start the engine as you would any
other engine. See “Starting the
Engine”in the owner manual for
more information on starting. The
hybrid system provides very quiet
engine starting. If pulling a trailer
with trailer brakes, see Trailer
Towing on page 9‑16 for more
information.
Auto Stop
The vehicle has an Auto Stop
feature. After a successful engine
start, the engine may turn off and
operate in the Auto Stop mode.
Keep your foot firmly on the brake
pedal until you are ready for the
vehicle to move.
Engine OFF and AUTO STOP
modes are indicated on the
tachometer display. When the
tachometer needle indicates OFF,
the engine is not running and will
remain off until the ignition key is
placed in the START position or a
remote vehicle start is performed.
When the tachometer needle
indicates AUTO STOP, the hybrid
system is on, the engine is not
running, but may Auto Start at any
time without notice. See Tachometer
on page 5‑3for more information.

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
1-4 In Brief
A chime will sound if the driver door
is opened while in Auto Stop as a
reminder that the ignition switch is
not in the LOCK/OFF position.
Always turn the ignition switch to
LOCK/OFF and remove the key
from the ignition switch when exiting
the vehicle.
Auto Start
The vehicle also has an Auto Start
feature. The engine will remain off
while in Auto Stop mode until
vehicle conditions require the
engine to run. The near-instant
starting of the engine from Auto
Stop mode is called Auto Start.
EV Mode
The vehicle also has an EV mode
which uses only the electric motor
to move the vehicle. With light
acceleration, the vehicle will drive in
EV mode. EV mode is unavailable
when the vehicle is out of fuel.
For more information on Auto Stop,
Auto Start, and EV Mode, see
Starting the Vehicle on page 9‑2.
Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking enables the
electric drive motor to operate as a
generator when coasting or braking.
Energy from the moving vehicle
recharges the hybrid battery.
The hydraulic disc brakes work with
the regenerative braking to insure
effective braking.
The braking system is computer
controlled and blends the
regenerative braking with the
conventional hydraulic disc brakes
to meet any requirements for
deceleration. Because the controller
applies the hydraulic brakes through
its high pressure accumulator, you
may occasionally hear the motor
driven pump when it recharges the
system. This is normal. In the event
of a controller problem, the brake
pedal may be harder to push and
the stopping distance may be
longer.
See Regenerative Braking on
page 9‑15.

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
In Brief 1-5
Battery
This vehicle has a standard 12-volt
battery and a high voltage hybrid
battery. When a new standard
12-volt battery is needed, see
your dealer for one that has the
replacement number shown on
the original battery's label. Only a
trained service technician with the
proper knowledge and tools should
inspect, test, or replace the hybrid
battery. See your dealer if the hybrid
battery needs service. See Battery
on page 10‑11.
Service
Never try to do your own service on
hybrid components. You can be
injured and the vehicle can be
damaged if you try to do your own
service work. Service and repair of
these hybrid components should
only be performed by a trained
service technician with the proper
knowledge and tools. See Doing
Your Own Service Work on
page 10‑2.
Performance and
Maintenance
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
This vehicle has a tire sealant and
compressor kit that can be used to
seal small punctures in the tread
area of the tire. Significant sidewall
damage will require the tire to be
replaced.
See Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit on page 10‑22 for complete
operating information.

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
1-6 In Brief
2NOTES

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-1
Seats and
Restraints
Airbag System
Replacing Airbag System Parts
after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Airbag System
Replacing Airbag System
Parts after a Crash
If an airbag inflates or the vehicle
has been in a crash, the vehicle's
sensing system may command
the automatic hybrid battery
disconnect to open. When the
battery disconnect is open, the
hybrid battery will be off and the
vehicle will not start. The airbag
readiness light and/or SERVICE
HYBRID SYSTEM warning
message may come on in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See “Airbag Readiness Light”
in the owner manual and Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑5for more information.
To operate the vehicle, the
automatic hybrid battery
disconnect must be reconnected
by a qualified service technician
and sensing system parts will need
to be replaced. Have the vehicle
serviced right away.

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
3-2 Seats and Restraints
2NOTES

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
Storage 4-1
Storage
Storage Compartments
Rear Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage
Compartments
Rear Storage
Power Outlet Alternating
Current
The vehicle may have a power
outlet that can be used to plug in
electrical equipment that uses a
maximum limit of 150 watts.
The power outlet is located in the
rear cargo area on the driver side.
An indicator light on the outlet turns
on to show it is in use. The light
comes on when the ignition is in
ON/RUN and equipment requiring
less than 150 watts is plugged into
the outlet, and no system fault is
detected.
The indicator light does not come on
when the ignition is in LOCK/OFF or
if no equipment is plugged into the
outlet.
If equipment is connected using
more than 150 watts, or a system
fault is detected, a protection circuit
shuts off the power supply and the
indicator light turns off. To reset the
circuit, unplug the item and plug
it back in or turn the Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) off and
then back on. The power restarts
when equipment using 150 watts or
less is plugged into the outlet and a
system fault is not detected.

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
4-2 Storage
The power outlet is not designed for
the following electrical equipment
and may not work properly if these
items are plugged into the power
outlet:
.Equipment with high initial
peak wattage such as:
compressor-driven refrigerators
and electric power tools.
.Other equipment requiring
an extremely stable
power supply such as:
microcomputer-controlled
electric blankets, touch sensor
lamps, etc.
See High Voltage Devices and
Wiring on page 10‑13.

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Fuel Economy Gauge . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . 5-4
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . 5-4
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Brake System Messages . . . . . . 5-6
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Service Vehicle Messages . . . . 5-7
Transmission Messages . . . . . . 5-7

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
5-2 Instruments and Controls
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators
Instrument Cluster
English Version Shown, Metric Similar

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-3
Tachometer
English Version Shown, Metric
Similar
When the ignition is in ON/RUN the
tachometer indicates the vehicle
status:
When pointing to AUTO STOP, the
vehicle is on and can move, the
engine could AUTO START at any
time. When the indicator is OFF, the
vehicle is off. When the engine is
on, the tachometer will indicate
the engine's revolutions per
minute (rpm).
The tachometer may vary by several
hundred rpm's, during AUTO STOP
mode, when the engine is shutting
off and restarting. A slight bump
may be felt when the transmission is
determining the most fuel efficient
operating range.
Fuel Economy Gauge
Metric
English
This gauge is to assist in driving
efficiently and may vary during
normal operation.
The vehicle is being driven the most
efficient when the gauge is kept in
the middle.
The gauge moves to the left when
braking and to the right when
accelerating. When either are done
aggressively, the efficiency is
decreased.

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
5-4 Instruments and Controls
Charging System Light
This 12‐volt battery light comes on
briefly when the ignition is turned to
ON/RUN, but the engine is not
running, as a check to show it is
working.
It should go out once the engine
has been started. If it stays on,
or comes on while driving, there
could be a problem with the 12‐volt
charging system. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. A 12‐volt
charging system Driver Information
Center (DIC) message may also
appear. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑5for more
information. This light could indicate
that there are electrical problems.
Have it checked right away. If a
short distance must be driven with
the light on, be certain to turn off all
the accessories.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
{WARNING
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule for changing engine oil.
This light comes on briefly as a
check it works, when the ignition is
in ON/RUN. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might have
some other system problem.
During an Auto Stop there is zero
oil pressure, but this light will not
come on.

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-5
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
Trip/Fuel Menu Items
Press the trip/fuel button to display
the Trip/Fuel Menu items. For more
items see “Driver Information Center
(DIC)”in the owner manual.
Instantaneous Fuel Economy (IFE)
This display normally shows
instantaneous fuel economy. When
the vehicle is in Auto Stop mode
AUTO STOP or IFE = 0 L/100km
or IFE = 99 MPG will be displayed.
See Starting the Vehicle on
page 9‑2for more information.
Vehicle Information Menu
Items
Press the vehicle information button
to display the Vehicle Information
Menu items. For more items see
“Driver Information Center (DIC)”in
the owner manual.
Coolant Temperature
Press the vehicle information button
until COOLANT TEMP displays.
This display shows the temperature
of the engine coolant in either
degrees Celsius (°C) or degrees
Fahrenheit (°F).
Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the DIC
indicate the status of the vehicle
or some action may be needed
to correct a condition. Multiple
messages may appear one after
another.
The messages that do not
require immediate action can be
acknowledged and cleared by
pressing V(Set/Reset) or the trip
odometer reset stem.
The messages that require
immediate action cannot be
cleared until that action is
performed.
All messages should be taken
seriously. Clearing the message
does not correct the problem.
The following are the possible
messages for the Hybrid and
some information about them. For
information on other DIC messages,
see “Vehicle Messages”in the
owner manual.

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
5-6 Instruments and Controls
Battery Voltage and
Charging Messages
SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM
If the 12-volt battery system faults or
fails this message will appear on the
DIC. The battery/charging system
light will appear in the instrument
panel cluster. See “Battery Warning
Light”in the owner manual. Driving
with this message on could drain
the battery. Have the electrical
system checked as soon as
possible.
Brake System Messages
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message may be displayed if
there is a problem with the brake
system. You will still be able to
brake, but it will be noticeably more
difficult. Pull off the road to a safe
location and have your vehicle
towed to the nearest dealer for
service. See “Brakes,” “Brake
System Warning Light,”and “ABS
Brake System Warning Light”in the
owner manual.
This message may also come on
when you are towing a trailer. See
“Trailer Brakes”under Trailer Towing
on page 9‑16 for more information.
Door Ajar Messages
HOOD OPEN
If the hood is not fully closed or
there is a problem with the hood
switch, this message will be
displayed. Close the hood to clear
the message. If the HOOD OPEN
message continues to be displayed
after verifying the hood is closed,
you should have the hood switch
serviced. Failure to service the hood
switch properly can result in an Auto
Start condition.
Auto Stops will be disabled when
this message is displayed. If the
vehicle is in Auto Stop mode when
this message appears, the engine
will instantly start.

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-7
Engine Oil Messages
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP
ENGINE
If engine oil pressure is low, this
message will be displayed on the
DIC. Stop the vehicle as soon as
safely possible and do not operate
it until the cause of the low oil
pressure has been corrected. Check
your oil level as soon as possible
and have your vehicle serviced. See
“Engine Oil”in the owner manual.
Service Vehicle Messages
SERVICE HYBRID SYSTEM
If this message is displayed on the
DIC, the vehicle may continue to
operate, but you need to have it
serviced as soon as possible.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
This message displays if a problem
has been detected with the electric
power steering. Have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer immediately.
Transmission Messages
SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE
This message may display if a
problem occurs with the
four-wheel-drive system. If this
message appears, stop as soon as
possible and turn off the vehicle.
Make sure the key is in the
LOCK/OFF position for at least
one minute and then restart the
vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message
is still displayed or appears again
when you begin driving, the
four-wheel-drive system needs
service. See your dealer.

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - 2012
5-8 Instruments and Controls
2NOTES