2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT automatic transmission

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 Windows
2-4 Keys
2-6 Door Locks
2-8 Keyless Entry System
2
-11 Midgate
2-22 Tailgate
2-23 Theft
2-24 Content Theft-Deterrent
2
-26 Passlock

2-26 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2-27 Ignition Positions
2-28 Starting Your Engine
2-29 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2-31 Automatic Transmission Operation
2-35 Parking Brake
2-36 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2-38 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2-39 Parking Over Things That Burn
2-39 Engine Exhaust
2-40 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2-41 Road Sensing Suspension
2-41 Locking Rear Axle2
-41 All-Wheel Drive
2-41 Horn
2-42 Tilt Wheel
2-42 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2-49 Exterior Lamps
2-53 Interior Lamps
2-55 Mirrors
2-62 Storage Compartments
2-64 Cargo Cover Panels
2-81 Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
2-82 Accessory Power Outlets
2-83 Analog Clock
2
-84 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2-87 Sunroof (If Equipped)
2
-88 Homelink
Transmitter
2-92 The Instrument Panel - Your
Information System
2
-94 Instrument Panel Cluster
2-96 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2-109 Message Center
2-117 Secondary Information Center (SIC)
2
-124 Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)

2-31
Automatic Transmission Operation
Your vehicle has an electronic shift position indicator
within the instrument panel cluster. This display is
powered anytime the shift lever is capable of being
moved out of PARK (P). This means that if your key is
in OFF, rather than LOCK, there will be a small current
drain on your battery which could discharge your battery
over a period of time. If you have to leave your key in
the ignition in OFF for an extended period, it is
recommended that you remove the IGN 0 fuse from the
instrument panel fuse block. See ªFuses and Circuit
Breakersº in the Index.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.PARK (P): This position locks your rear wheels. It's the
best position to use when you start your engine because
your vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.

2-38
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver's seat. To find out how, see ªShifting Into
PARK (P)º in the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You must fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. See ªAutomatic Transmissionº in
the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application.
Then, move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the vehicle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the system fixed as soon as you can.

2-51
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lamps are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:

the ignition is on,

the exterior lamps control is in OFF,

the automatic transmission is not in PARK (P),

the light sensor determines it is daytime and

the parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, only your DRL lamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won't be on.
The instrument panel won't be lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlamp
system will switch from DRL to the headlamps or the
last chosen headlamp setting that was used.When you turn the exterior lamps control off, the
headlamps will go off, and your DRL lamps will
illuminate, provided it is not dark outside.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking
brake. Shifting the transmission into PARK (P) will also
allow you to idle the vehicle with the DRL off. The DRL
will stay off until you release the parking brake or shift
the transmission out of PARK (P).
The following procedure applies only to vehicles first
sold in the United States.
When necessary, you may turn off the automatic
headlamp system and the DRL feature by following
these steps:
1. Turn the ignition to RUN.
2. Press the DOME OVERRIDE button four times
within six seconds. After the fourth press of the
button, a chime will sound informing you the system
is off. The system will revert back to the automatic
mode when the ignition is turned off and on again.
3. To return to the automatic mode, push the DOME
OVERRIDE button four times within six seconds
(the chime will sound), or turn the ignition off and
on again.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.

3-6 Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
air inside escape. This reduces the time it takes for your
vehicle to cool down. Then keep your windows closed
for the air conditioner to work its best.
The A/C mode allows the air coming into your vehicle
to be cooled. This mode is useful for normal cooling
on hot days.
Use A/C with recirculation on to allow the air inside
your vehicle to be recirculated. This mode will help to
maximize your air conditioner's performance and your
vehicle's fuel economy. This mode also cools the air the
fastest and can be used to keep unwanted odors and/or
dust from entering the vehicle.
When using the air conditioner, in manual mode, turn
off the recirculation mode and use the outside air mode
after the vehicle reaches a comfortable interior
temperature. When the right knob on the control panel
is between floor and defrost, the recirculation feature
will not function. This helps reduce window fogging.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Your vehicle is equipped with a passenger compartment
air filter which filters outside air entering the vehicle.
For information on replacing the filter see ªPassenger
Compartment Air Filterº in the Index.
Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it. On cold days, when using manual mode,
use the floor or bi
-level mode with the temperature knob
in the red area.
On cold days, approximately 32
F (
-0
C) or lower,
you may experience differences in how the transmission
shifts until the engine is warm. This feature automatically
reduces the time it takes for the engine to reach normal
operating temperature and shortens the time it takes the
heater to reach full output.
If you use the engine coolant heater before starting
your engine in cold weather, 20
F (
-8
C) or lower,
the heating system will produce warmer air faster to
heat the passenger compartment.
The use of an engine coolant heater also reduces the
time it takes for the engine to reach normal operating
temperature. For more information, see ªEngine Coolant
Heaterº in the Index.

4-50
Tow/Haul Mode
The tow/haul feature assists when pulling a heavy trailer
or a large or heavy load. The purpose of the tow/haul
mode is to:

Reduce the frequency and improve the predictability
of transmission shifts when pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load.

Provide the same solid shift feel when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load as when the
vehicle is unloaded.

Improve control of vehicle speed while requiring less
throttle pedal activity when pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load.
Your vehicle is provided with a button at the end of
the shift lever which when pressed enables tow/haul.
When the button is pressed, a light on the instrument
panel will illuminate to indicate that tow/haul has been
selected. Tow/haul may be turned off by pressing the
button again, at which time the indicator light on
the instrument panel will turn off. The vehicle will
automatically turn off tow/haul every time it is started.Tow/haul is designed to be most effective when the
vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least 75 percent
of the vehicle's Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See ªWeight of the Trailerº later in this section. Tow/haul
is most useful under the following driving conditions:

When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load
through rolling terrain.

When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load
in stop and go traffic.

When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load
in busy parking lots where improved low speed
control of the vehicle is desired.
Operating the vehicle in tow/haul when lightly loaded
or with no trailer at all will not cause damage. However,
there is no benefit to the selection of tow/haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded
may result in unpleasant engine and transmission
driving characteristics and reduced fuel economy.
Tow/haul is recommended only when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.

4-55 Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you're about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It's important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don't shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear
selection if the transmission shifts too often (e.g., under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions).
You may also want to activate the tow/haul mode if the
transmission shifts too often. See ªTow/Haul Modeº
in the Index.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a
lower temperature than at normal altitudes. If you
turn your engine off immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show
signs similar to engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked (preferably on level
ground) with the automatic transmission in PARK (P)
for a few minutes before turning the engine off. If you
do get the overheat warning, see ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.

4-56 Parking on Hills
CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People can
be injured, and both your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill,
here's how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don't shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake and shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:

start your engine,

shift into a gear, and

release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for
more on this. Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid
(don't overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling
system and brake system. Each of these is covered in
this manual, and the Index will help you find them
quickly. If you're trailering, it's a good idea to review
these sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.