Cadillac Escalade: Skidding - Loss of Control - Driving Information - Driving and Operating - Cadillac Escalade Owner's ManualCadillac Escalade: Skidding

There are three types of skids that correspond to the vehicle's three control systems:

  • Braking Skid — wheels are not rolling.
  • Steering or Cornering Skid — too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
  • Acceleration Skid — too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.

Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving those conditions. But skids are always possible. If the vehicle starts to slide, follow these suggestions:

  • Ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. The vehicle may straighten out. Be ready for a second skid if it occurs.
  • Slow down and adjust your driving according to weather conditions. Stopping distance can be longer and vehicle control can be affected when traction is reduced by water, snow, ice, gravel, or other material on the road. Learn to recognize warning clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down when you have any doubt.
  • Try to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.

Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only the braking skid.

    Off-Road Driving
    All-wheel-drive vehicles can be used for off-road driving. Vehicles without all-wheel drive and vehicles not equipped with All Terrain (AT) or On-Off Road (OOR) tires must not be driven off-road exc ...

    See also:

    If the System Needs Service
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    General notes
    The LOW RANGE off-road gear assists you in driving off-road and when fording. When LOW RANGE is engaged, the engine’s performance characteristics and the gearshifting characteristics of the auto ...

    Passing
    More passing distance is needed when towing a trailer. The combination will not accelerate as quickly and is longer so it is necessary to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before returning t ...