2000 CADILLAC ESCALADE Owners Manual

1-53
Larger Children
Children who have outgrown child restraints should
wear the vehicle's safety belts.If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a
window so the child can wear a lap
-shoulder belt and
get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat. But they need to use the
safety belts properly.

Children who aren't buckled up can be thrown out
in a crash.

Children who aren't buckled up can strike other
people who are.

1-54
CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt.
The belt can't properly spread the impact forces.
In a crash, the two children can be crushed
together and seriously injured. A belt must be
used by only one person at a time.
Q:What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child's face or neck?
A:Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child's
shoulder, so that in a crash the child's upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide. If the
child is sitting in a rear seat outside position, see
ªRear Safety Belt Comfort Guidesº in the Index.
If the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still
very close to the child's face or neck, you might
want to place the child in a seat that has a lap belt,
if your vehicle has one.

1-55
CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap
-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind
the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt's force would then be applied right on the
child's abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child's thighs. This applies belt force to the child's
pelvic bones in a crash.

1-56
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn't long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It's free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don't let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach
it to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash.
They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn or
frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system does
not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn't being used at
the time of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you'll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier
in this section.

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-7 Keyless Entry System
2
-11 Rear Doors
2
-13 Theft
2
-14 Theft-Deterrent System
2
-17 Feature Customization
2
-21 Passlock

2-22 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-22 Ignition Positions
2
-24 Starting Your Engine
2
-25 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-27 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-30 Four-Wheel Drive
2
-34 Parking Brake
2
-35 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-37 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-38 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-38 Engine Exhaust
2
-39 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-40 Locking Rear Axle
2
-40 Windows
2
-41 Tilt Wheel
2
-42 Multifunction Lever
2
-48 Exterior Lamps
2
-51 Interior Lamps
2
-53 Mirrors
2
-57 Storage Compartments
2
-62 Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
2
-65 HomeLink
Transmitter
2
-69 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-70 The Instrument Panel - Your
Information System
2
-72 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-74 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-2
Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don't
leave the keys in a vehicle with children.

2-3
Your vehicle has one
double
-sided key for the
ignition and all door locks.
If you ever lose your key, your dealer will be able to
assist you with obtaining a new one.
Your vehicle also has a key
that locks and unlocks the
center floor console only.Your vehicle also has an emergency key that operates
the ignition and all door locks. Store the key in a safe
place outside of the vehicle.

2-4
Door Locks
CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers -- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won't open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren't locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
You can use the key, manual door locks, power door
locks or keyless entry system.
To lock the door from the
inside, slide the lever down.
To unlock the door, slide the lever up.
The manual switch, located on each door, works only
that door's lock. It won't lock (or unlock) all of the
doors
-- that's a safety feature.
To unlock the door from the outside, you can also use
your key, but your vehicle has a theft
-deterrent system.
If it is armed, unlocking and opening the door this way
might set off the alarm. See ªTheft
-Deterrent Systemº in
the Index.