Black plate (33,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2012Driving and Operating 9-33Tow/Haul ModeThe vehicle has a Tow/Haul Mode.The Tow/Haul Mode adjusts thetransmission shift pattern to reduceshift cycling, providing increasedperformance, vehicle control, andtransmission cooling when drivingdown steep hills and mountaingrades, towing, or hauling heavyloads.Press the button located on the endof the shift lever to turn the tow/haulon or off. When the tow/haul is on, alight on the instrument panel clusterwill come on.See Tow/Haul Mode Light onpage 5‑20 and Hill and MountainRoads on page 9‑12 for moreinformation.Also see “Tow/Haul Mode” underTowing Equipment on page 9‑64 formore information.The Tow/Haul Mode works withthe Autoride ® feature, if the vehiclehas this, to enhance the ride whentrailering or with a loaded vehicle.See Continuous Damping Control(CDC) on page 9‑40.Grade BrakingThe Grade Braking shift modes canbe activated by pressing the buttonon the end of the shift control lever.While in Range Selection Mode,Grade Braking is deactivatedallowing the driver to select adesired range of gears.Grade Braking is only active whilethe Tow/Haul Mode is selected andyou are not in the Range SelectionMode. See “Tow/Haul Mode” listedpreviously and Manual Mode onpage 9‑32 for more information onthe Range Selection Mode. GradeBraking assists in maintainingdesired vehicle speeds when drivingon downhill grades by automaticallyimplementing a shift schedule thatutilizes the engine and transmissionto slow the vehicle. This reduceswear on the braking system andincreases control of the vehicle.Grade Braking monitors vehiclespeed, acceleration, engine torqueand brake pedal usage. Using thisinformation, it detects when thevehicle is on a downhill grade andthe driver desires to slow the vehicleby pressing the brake.Also see Towing Equipment onpage 9‑64 for more information.
