upgrading to 2012 options questions

**hcooperrn** · 02-09-12 06:24 PM

Hi everybody, long time lurker here, don't post much because there is so much information and so many that know a lot more than I do! Got some questions I couldn't really find answers to, though.

I have a 2007 EXT, love it, but just had it in for some warranty work (rear main and transmission cooler lines).

They gave me a brand new 2012 Escalade as a loaner for a few days

. Overall, besides being quieter, I wasn't impressed enough to want to trade. But it does do some neat tricks that mine doesn't....

Is 2012 the first year for the auto-up windows? I can't seem to locate a parts website that has 2012 parts yet, however, I was able to retrofit the auto-up feature in a Jeep that I had by simply installing the new switches. Some manufacturers incorporate the auto-up function into the switch body -- any chance we could be that lucky?

I know 2012 is the first year for the rear-view guidelines (fun to use to drive around a parking lot with), but when did the traffic and weather first come out? Would I need just the VCIM to get those? Or the entire dash unit as well?

And after following the thread about the center console lid, I'm torn. I enjoyed having it, fit my iPhone perfectly and never had to chase it down, but the black just wasn't the same black....

Thanks in advance!

**prosseda** · 02-09-12 09:13 PM

2009 power tilt wheel
2009 express up windows
2009 traffic
2009 magnetic shocks
2009 blind spot monitor on SUV's only
2009 rainsense deleted
2009 heated washer deleted
2009 front buttons for seat fold deleted
2010ish usb input
2010 or 2011 front aux input and memory card navigation
2012 new center lid
2012 weather
2012 XM song memory

**hcooperrn** · 02-10-12 08:33 AM

Thanks, that helps quite a bit. Searching express up led me to a couple of posts on the windows -- looks like the switches will give me express up but at the risk of not having pressure sensors to stop them.

**JHC828** · 02-20-12 09:36 PM

There was a '12 on the local lot and I looked it over really close this weekend... I like the improvements they made a LOT but not enough to trade for a new truck. I would, however, like to have the front and rear bumpers. The one was looking at had color matched upper/lower/side grills, the chrome on the hood and the door handles and it looked PERFECT! I also like the dual exhaust tips in the rear bumper. I'm guessing there is no price for the new parts yet?

**murphy** · 02-20-12 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by prosseda

2009 power tilt wheel
2009 express up windows
2009 traffic
2009 magnetic shocks
2009 blind spot monitor on SUV's only
2009 rainsense deleted...Nope..still on 2009
2009 heated washer deleted
2009 front buttons for seat fold deleted...Nope still on 2009
2010ish usb input
2010 or 2011 front aux input and memory card navigation
2012 new center lid
2012 weather
2012 XM song memory

At least on my 2009..

**JHC828** · 02-20-12 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by murphy

At least on my 2009..

Exactly the same for me with my 09

**prosseda** · 02-25-12 03:21 PM

i did make a mistake about the seat buttons which was supposed to be 2010. Not every 2009 had rainsense or heated wash. The heater went first, then the rainsense. To make it more interesting, No truck was ever produced with LED headlights and heated wash on the same vehicle. There was one I saw on ebay that was supposed to belong to Adrian Peterson (like that was gonna make me buy it). Platinums in 09 did not start production until after the heated wash wash cancelled. My 09 Platinum ESV has the rainsense, LED and the wiring for heated wash, which I installed the heater and the switch. Now I have a vehicle that is three years newer than what Cadiallac is producing today.

BTW I forgot to include that around the same time the USB input started production, the screen tilt was taken out of the head unit. It is useful when the sun is too bright.

**JHC828** · 02-25-12 11:35 PM

My 09 doesn't have the washer fluid heater but I would like to add it. Is there a write up on doing it?

I would have liked the USB but I bought the PAC somethingorother and it works fine.

The ONE thing I wish I had that I don't have is the power steps, they are my single favorite thing on the escalade. I'm now also wanting to upgrade the front and rear bumpers and get the body color grille and trim pieces.

**Nice Ride** · 03-17-12 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by prosseda

i did make a mistake about the seat buttons which was supposed to be 2010. Not every 2009 had rainsense or heated wash. The heater went first, then the rainsense. To make it more interesting, No truck was ever produced with LED headlights and heated wash on the same vehicle. There was one I saw on ebay that was supposed to belong to Adrian Peterson (like that was gonna make me buy it). Platinums in 09 did not start production until after the heated wash wash cancelled. My 09 Platinum ESV has the rainsense, LED and the wiring for heated wash, which I installed the heater and the switch. Now I have a vehicle that is three years newer than what Cadiallac is producing today.

BTW I forgot to include that around the same time the USB input started production, the screen tilt was taken out of the head unit. It is useful when the sun is too bright.

Where did you get the button / switch?

**Playdrv4me** · 03-17-12 09:39 PM

Of all the things mentioned the most difficult to add is Magnetic ride control. The rest is fairly modular with none to some varying level of wiring work.

The weather and traffic updates etc are a function of XM and the newer head unit, so you would need to swap those parts out.

Don't forget 2009 was also the first year for Flexible Fuel compatibility (E85).

**CadX6** · 03-18-12 12:10 PM

2009 front buttons for seat fold deleted...Nope still on 2009

Apparently, someone down there in Arlington couldn't make up their mind during the 2009 model year run. Lots of "mid year changes".
My 09 has rainsense, doesn't have folding seat switches in the overhead (only in the "C" pillar behind the middle row seats) & also doesn't have the small square "GM" emblems on the front doors in front of the "Escalade" lettering (someone else mentioned that their 09 did have them).

**K9Caddy** · 03-18-12 01:52 PM

Yep, my 2009 has everything. I have the GM door emblems, folding seat switches in the overhead and rainsense wipers. Well, the only thing my 2009 didn't have, was the heated washer fliud.

They also deleted the back-up proxy lights in the recent years in the right-rear pillar, which my 2009 still has.

**CadX6** · 03-19-12 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by K9Caddy

Yep, my 2009 has everything. I have the GM door emblems, folding seat switches in the overhead and rainsense wipers. Well, the only thing my 2009 didn't have, was the heated washer fliud.

They also deleted the back-up proxy lights in the recent years in the right-rear pillar, which my 2009 still has.

Its funny, we apparently have the exact same vehicle (" 2009 AWD Escalade Ultra Luxury Raven Black") with so many differences. I guess the differences are in the build date (mine was one of the last 09's - built 10/09) I've heard that they often start phasing in minor new features, deletions, etc., before the official model year cut-over. Sure wish they had "phased in" the USB connection that was first on the '10's. Would have been nice, but the reason I bought an 09 over the 10 that was already on the lot was for the rain-sense wipers. An aftermarket PA-20GM gives me essentially the same features as the factory USB.
Didn't know they eliminated the warning lights in the rear pillar. Mine has them. Guess since most or all now have a backup camera - they figured they weren't needed.