2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV Transmission Instructions

The transmission system is one of the most important parts of the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. It delivers power, performance, and economy. This state-of-the-art transmission technology is meant to make driving smooth and fast by managing the engine’s power easily and making sure that both automatic and manual transmission settings work smoothly. Whether you want to understand how the transmission works, get the most out of your gas mileage or fix specific transmission-related problems, this complete guide will show you how to manage the transmission in the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV in a way that makes the most of this luxury SUV’s drivetrain for great performance on the road.

Automatic Transmission

The shift pattern is displayed on the top of the shift lever. The selected gear position will illuminate red on the shift lever, while all others will be displayed in white. If the shift is not immediate, as in very cold conditions, the indicator on the shift lever may flash until it is fully engaged. The shift lever always starts from a center position, represented by an up/down arrow on the shift pattern. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position. The transmission does not operate when the vehicle is off. If the vehicle is in accessory mode, the transmission can be shifted into P (Park). If the vehicle is turned off while at a relatively high vehicle speed, the transmission will automatically shift to N (Neutral). Once the vehicle is stopped, P (Park) is automatically selected.

P : This position locks the drive wheels. Use P (Park) when starting the engine to prevent the vehicle from moving easily.

Warning

• It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the transmission is not in P (Park) with the parking brake set. The vehicle can roll.
• Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is running. If the engine has been left running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure the vehicle will not move, even when on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake and place the transmission into P (Park)

This vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled transmission. The shift lock release button is designed to prevent inadvertent shifting out of P (Park) unless the ignition is on, the brake pedal is applied, and the shift lock release button is pressed. When the vehicle is stopped, press ENGINE START/STOP to turn off the vehicle. The transmission will shift to P (Park) automatically unless the vehicle is in N (neutral). See “Car Wash Mode” later in this section. The vehicle will not shift into P (Park) if it is moving too fast. Stop the vehicle and shift into P (Park).

Service Shift Lever Message
If the message SERVICE SHIFTER SEE OWNER’S MANUAL appears in the Driver Information Center (DIC), the shift lever needs service. Have the vehicle serviced as soon as possible. If the vehicle is automatically shifting into P (Park), check to see if the P (Park) button on top of the shift lever is stuck. To operate the vehicle, hold the shift lever in the desired gear, R (reverse) or D (drive), until vehicle speed exceeds 15 km/h (10 mph), then release the shift lever.
R: Use this gear to back up. If the vehicle is shifted from either R (Reverse) to D (drive) or L (Low), or L (Low) or D (Drive) to R (Reverse) while the speed is too high, the vehicle will shift to N (Neutral). Reduce the vehicle speed and try the shift again. For V-Series models, if the vehicle is shifted from either R (Reverse) to D (Drive) or M (Manual Mode), or M (Manual Mode) or D (Drive) to R (reverse) while the speed is too high, the vehicle will shift to N (Neutral). Reduce the vehicle speed and try the shift again.
To shift into R (reverse):

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press and hold the shift lock release button on the side of the shift lever.
3. From the center position, move the shift lever forward through the first detent to the end of travel. R is illuminated in red.
4. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the centre position.

To shift out of R (Reverse):

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.

At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse) can be used to rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand without damaging the transmission.

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.

The vehicle is not designed to stay in N (neutral) for more than five minutes. It may automatically shift into P (Park). N (Neutral) is not intended for towing.

To shift into N (Neutral):

1. Move the shift lever forward to the first detent from the center position. If the vehicle is in P (Park), apply the brake pedal and press the shift lock release button while moving the shift lever forward. N will illuminate in red.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.

To shift out of N (neutral):

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear. If shifting from N (neutral) to R (reverse), press the shift lock release button.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.

Car Wash Mode
This vehicle includes a Car Wash Mode that allows the vehicle to remain in N (neutral) for use in automatic car washes.

Car Wash Mode (Engine Off – Driver in Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in N (neutral) with the engine off and the vehicle occupied:

1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift to N (neutral).
4. Turn off the engine and release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, repeat Steps 2–4.
6. The vehicle is now ready for the car wash.

Car Wash Mode (Engine Off – Driver Out of Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral) with the engine off and the vehicle unoccupied:

1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Open the door.
4. Shift to N (Neutral).
5. Turn off the engine and release the brake pedal.
6. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, repeat Steps 2–5.
7. Exit the vehicle and close the door. The vehicle is now ready for the car wash.
8. The vehicle may automatically shift to P (Park) upon re-entry.

Car Wash Mode (Engine On—Driver in Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral) with the engine on and the vehicle occupied:

1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift to N (Neutral).
4. Release the brake pedal. The vehicle is now ready for the car wash.

Car Wash Mode (Engine On – Driver Out of Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral) with the engine on and the vehicle unoccupied:

1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Open the door.
4. Shift to N (Neutral), then release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, repeat Steps 2–4.
6. Exit the vehicle and close the door. The vehicle is now ready for the car wash.
7. The vehicle may automatically shift to P (Park) upon re-entry.
   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.
To shift into D (Drive):

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. From the center position, move the shift lever back.

• If the vehicle is in P (Park) press the shift lock release button while pulling the shift lever back.
• D will illuminate in red.
• After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.

To shift out of D (Drive):

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.

Downshifting the transmission on a slippery road could result in skidding.
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.

Manual Mode
Electronic Range Select (ERS)
Caution: Driving with the engine at a high rpm without upshifting while using Tap Shift, could damage the vehicle. Always upshift when necessary while using Tap Shift.
Electronic Range Select (ERS), or Manual Mode, allows manual selection of gear positions. Use this mode when driving downhill or towing a trailer to limit the top gear and vehicle speed. The shift position indicator within the Driver Information Center (DIC) displays a number next to the L indicating the highest available gear. To enter ERS/Manual Mode:

1. With the vehicle in D (Drive), pull back the shift lever to activate L (Low). The L will illuminate red, and the D will turn white.
2. Tap the left steering wheel control to reduce the highest gear available, or the right control to increase the highest gear available.
3. To exit, pull back the shift lever a second time. The D will illuminate red, and the L will turn white.

When shifting to L (Low), the transmission shifts to a preset lower gear range. The highest gear available while in this range will be displayed next to the L (Low) in the DIC. All gears below are available to use. For example, when 4 (Fourth) is shown next to the L, 1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears are shifted automatically. To shift to 5 (Fifth) gear, tap the right steering wheel control or shift into D (Drive). L (Low) prevents shifting to a lower gear range if the engine speed is too high. If the vehicle speed is not reduced within the allotted time, the lower gear range shift will not be completed. Slow the vehicle, then tap the left steering wheel control to the desired lower gear range. Cruise control can be used while in ERS.

FAQ’s