Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13690472) - 2021 - CRC - 5/15/20
DRIVING AND OPERATING
227
.
Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio stations
and adjusting climate control and
seat settings. Program all trip
information into any navigation
device prior to driving.
.
Wait until the vehicle is parked to
retrieve items that have fallen to
the floor.
.
Stop or park the vehicle to tend to
children.
.
Keep pets in an appropriate carrier
or restraint.
.
Avoid stressful conversations while
driving, whether with a passenger or
on a cell phone.
{
Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.
Refer to the infotainment section for
more information on using that
system and the navigation system,
if equipped, including pairing and
using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means
“
always
expect the unexpected.
”
The first step
in driving defensively is to wear the
seat belt. See
.
.
Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other
drivers) are going to be careless and
make mistakes. Anticipate what
they may do and be ready.
.
Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in front
of you.
.
Focus on the task of driving.
Impaired Driving
Death and injury associated with
impaired driving is a global tragedy.
{
Warning
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs
and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reflexes, perceptions,
attentiveness, and judgment can be
affected by even a small amount of
alcohol or drugs. You can have a
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
serious
—
or even fatal
—
collision
if you drive after drinking or taking
drugs.
Do not drive while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs,
or ride with a driver who has been
drinking or is impaired by drugs.
Find alternate transportation home;
or if you are with a group, designate
a driver who will remain sober.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating are
important factors in helping to control
a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is about
three-quarters of a second. In that
time, a vehicle moving at 100 km/h
