2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT instrument panel

2-97
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag's electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag
modules, the wiring, the passenger air bag suppression
circuit and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For
more information on the air bag system, see ªAir Bagº
in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your vehicle,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.

2-109
Message Center
The message center is located on the left side of the
instrument panel cluster. It gives you important safety
and maintenance facts.
When you turn the ignition on, the entire center lights up
for just a few seconds. As needed, the message center
will display one of the following messages. The message
center is capable of alternating among different messages
if needed.
Battery Message
If this message is displayed
when the engine is running,
you may have a problem
with your charging system.
The battery display will also stay on while the key is in
RUN until the engine is started.
If the message stays on after starting the engine it could
indicate a problem with the generator drive belt, or some
other charging system problem. Have it checked right
away. Driving with this message displayed could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this message
displayed, it helps to turn off all your accessories,
such as the radio and the air conditioner.

2-116
STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE Message
You may see the
STABILITY SYSTEM
ACTIVE message on the
message center.
It means that an advanced computer
-controlled system
has come on to help your vehicle continue to go in
the direction in which you're steering. This stability
enhancement system activates when the computer senses
that your vehicle is just starting to spin, as it might if
you hit a patch of ice or other slippery spot on the road.
It also activates when it senses that your wheels are
spinning, as they might when accelerating on a road
surface that provides inadequate traction. When the
system is on, you may hear a noise or feel a vibration in
the brake pedal. This is normal. When the STABILITY
SYSTEM ACTIVE message is on, you should continue
to steer in the direction you want to go. The system is
designed to help you in bad weather or other difficult
driving situations by making the most of whatever road
conditions will permit. See ªStabilitrak Systemº in
the Index.
STABILITY SYSTEM LIMITED Message
The STABILITY SYSTEM
LIMITED message will
turn on when you press the
Stabilitrak switch; see
ªInstrument Panelº in
the Index.
While in ªLIMITEDº mode the stability system is less
likely to activate. To limit wheel spin and realize the full
benefits of the stability enhancement system, you should
normally leave Stabilitrak in its normal operating mode
(not the LIMITED mode). However, you should put
Stabilitrak in LIMITED mode if your vehicle gets stuck
in sand, mud, ice or snow and you want to ªrockº your
vehicle to attempt to free it. See ªRocking Your Vehicleº
in the Index. To exit the LIMITED mode, press the
Stabilitrak button again. The STABILITY SYSTEM
LIMITED message will be displayed whenever the
transmission is in FIRST (1). See ªStabilitrak Systemº
in the Index.

3-3
Mode Knob -- Manual Operation
The right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery.
You can choose to set the climate control system
operations manually, or let the system work
automatically by turning the knob on the control
panel to AUTO. See ªMode Knob
-- Automatic
Operationº later in this section.
(Vent): This mode directs most of the air through
the instrument panel outlets and a small amount through
the floor outlets.
(Bi-level): This mode directs air through the floor
outlets as well as the instrument panel outlets.
(Floor): This mode directs most of the airflow
through the floor outlets and some air through the
windshield defroster outlets. Recirculation will not be
available in this mode. See ªRecirculationº following
for more information.
(Blend): This mode divides airflow equally
between the floor outlets and the windshield defroster
outlets. The air conditioning compressor may run
to dehumidify the air to prevent window fogging.
Recirculation will not be available in this mode.
See ªRecirculationº following for more information.
(Defrost): This mode directs most air through
the windshield defroster outlets and some through the
floor outlets. The air conditioning compressor may
run to dehumidify the air to prevent window fogging.
Recirculation will not be available in this mode.
See ªRecirculationº following for more information.

3-5
Mode Knobs -- Automatic Operation
When the system is set in AUTO mode, sensors will
control the air delivery mode. Air will come primarily
from the floor or instrument panel outlets, with some
air directed to the windshield to prevent fogging.
When the system is in AUTO, the air conditioning light
will turn on, and the recirculation and outside air lights
will turn off. With the system in full automatic control
(both the fan and mode knobs in AUTO), you still
have the ability to override any function. However,
continually overriding the outside air or the air
conditioning compressor will limit the ability of the
system to cool the vehicle quickly.
If you press a button for a function which is not available,
the light next to that button will flash three times to alert
you that it's not available.
To find your comfort zone, start with the 74
F (23
C)
setting and allow about 20 minutes for the system to
adjust the temperature. Then set the temperature higher
or lower if necessary. The system will maintain the set
temperature.With the automatic mode, the air conditioning compressor
automatically cycles when needed to cool the air. In cold
weather, when the system senses the need for heat, the
airflow will be directed out of the floor outlets. As the
interior temperature approaches a desired setting, the fan
speed will decrease. To maintain interior comfort, the
airflow will adjust between the instrument panel outlets
and floor outlets. On bright sunny days in cool weather,
the airflow may come out of the instrument panel and the
floor outlets to maintain comfort and prevent stuffiness.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the system
will delay turning on the fan until warm air is available.
The length of delay depends on the outside air temperature,
engine coolant temperature or the time since the engine
was last started. As the coolant warms up, the fan speed
will gradually increase and air will flow from the floor
outlets, with some airflow to the windshield to prevent
fogging under most normal conditions.
Be careful not to put anything over the solar sensor
located near the center of the instrument panel.
This sensor is used by the automatic system to
regulate temperature.

3-8 Ventilation System
Your vehicle has air outlets
in the center and on the
sides of the instrument
panel. There are also two
outlets located on the back
of the center console for the
rear seat passengers.
You can move the louvers from side
-to-side and
up and down to direct the flow of air. The driver's and
passenger's side outlets can be closed.The two outlets, located on the rear of the center
console, can also be closed. Turn the thumbwheel to the
left to shut off air flow or to the right to allow air flow.
When you close an outlet, it will increase the flow of air
coming out of any outlets that are open. The center
outlet, located on the instrument panel, does not
completely shut off airflow.
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use outside air to direct outside air
through your vehicle.
Your vehicle's ventilation system supplies outside air to
the inside of your vehicle when it is moving. With the
side windows closed, air will flow into the front air inlet
grilles, through the vehicle, and out the air exhaust valves.
Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the heater or
the air conditioning fan is running, unless you have the
recirculation mode active. For more information on the
recirculation button, see ªAir Conditioningº earlier in
this section.

4-10
The Stabilitrak system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle.
The Stabilitrak switch,
located to the right of
the steering wheel,
on the instrument panel,
can be pressed to put
the Stabilitrak system
in LIMITED mode.
When the switch is pressed, the STABILITY SYSTEM
LIMITED message is displayed in the message center.
While in LIMITED mode the stability system is less
likely to activate. The stability system can still activate in
LIMITED mode if the vehicle starts to spin, but it will
not activate as quickly as when the system is not in
LIMITED mode. You should put Stabilitrak in the
LIMITED mode if your vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice
or snow and you want to ªrockº your vehicle to attempt
to free it. See ªRocking Your Vehicleº in the Index.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer
but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here's why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.

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.