2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT service

Owner's Information
Owner publications are written speci®cally for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner's manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
Owner's Manual
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles. To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P. O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-11

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-101
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-93
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-67
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-93
Setting the Time..........................................3-66
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-98
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-99
XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-101
Automatic Climate Control System.....................3-24
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Level Control...................................4-51
Automatic Transmission Check..........................6-12
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-13
Automatic Transmission...................................5-21
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-32
B
Backing Up....................................................4-58
BATTERY NOT CHARGING.............................3-60
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-7
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-19
Battery..........................................................5-43
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-39Before You Drive............................................3-82
Before You Go Off-Roading..............................4-18
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-12
Brake Adjustment............................................5-42
Brake Fluid....................................................5-39
Brake Pedal, Throttle.......................................2-30
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-42
Brake Wear...................................................5-41
Brake............................................................2-35
Parking......................................................2-35
System Inspection.......................................6-16
System Warning Light..................................3-38
Brakes..........................................................5-39
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-28
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-57
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-63
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-62
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-57
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-53
Headlamps.................................................5-58
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting...........5-57
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-64
Taillamps....................................................5-63
Buying New Tires...........................................5-70
2

C
Cadillac Owner PrivilegesŸ............................... 7-6
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada ± Customer Assistance.......................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Speci®cations..........................5-110
Carbon Monoxide...........4-42, 4-52, 2-12, 2-22, 2-39
Care of.........................................................5-95
Safety Belts................................................5-95
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-99
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-101
Your CD Changer......................................3-101
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-101
Cargo Area, All-Weather..................................2-65
Cargo Area Floor Drains..................................2-70
Cargo Cover Panels........................................2-55
Cargo Lamps.................................................3-17
Cargo Panel Storage System............................2-57
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-65
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-78
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-11
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-78
CD Changer...................................................3-95
CD Functions.................................................3-97
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-53
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-63Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block................5-104
Chains, Tires..................................................5-74
CHANGE ENGINE OIL....................................3-59
Charging System Light....................................3-36
Check Engine Light.........................................3-42
CHECK OIL LEVEL.........................................3-59
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE...............................3-65
CHECK WASHER FLUID.................................3-61
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-40
Checking Coolant............................................5-26
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-14
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-65
Check...........................................................3-42
Engine Light...............................................3-42
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-98
Child Restraints..............................................1-35
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-35
Infants and Young Children...........................1-31
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-42
Older Children.............................................1-28
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-44
3

Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors.......7-10
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-10
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government.......................... 7-9
Roadside Service.......................................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-10
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-16
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.................................3-29
Delayed Locking............................................... 2-9
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dome Lamps.................................................3-18
Door............................................................... 2-9
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-9
Locks.......................................................... 2-8
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
DRIVER DOOR AJAR.....................................3-62
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-47
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-47
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-58Driver............................................................1-14
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-14
Driving Across an Incline..................................4-28
Driving Downhill..............................................4-26
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow or Ice....................4-30
Driving in Water..............................................4-31
Driving On Grades..........................................4-59
Driving on Off-Road Hills.................................4-22
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-42
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-36
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-36
Driving Uphill..................................................4-24
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-57
Driving..........................................................4-32
At Night.....................................................4-32
City...........................................................4-37
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Freeway.....................................................4-38
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-40
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-34
Winter........................................................4-42
DVD Player....................................................3-82
DVD ............................................................3-101
Cleaning the Video Screen..........................3-101
Distortion....................................................3-99
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-82
5

E
Easy Exit Seat...............................................2-73
Electrical System...........................................5-101
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-101
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-101
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-101
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-101
Electrochromic Mirror Operation........................2-42
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs.................................3-44
ENGINE COOLANT HOT.................................3-59
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-11
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-17
Engine Oil and Chassis Lubrication Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-5
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-11
ENGINE OVERHEATED..................................3-60
Engine..........................................................5-19
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-19
Battery.......................................................5-43
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-42
Compartment Overview................................5-12
Coolant Heater............................................2-31
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-40
Coolant......................................................5-24
Cooling System Inspection............................6-16
Exhaust.....................................................2-39Engine (cont.)
Fan Noise..................................................5-36
Oil .............................................................5-14
Overheating................................................5-27
Starting......................................................2-29
Entertainment System....................................3-101
Cleaning the Video Screen..........................3-101
DVD Distortion............................................3-99
Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Environmental Concerns..................................4-20
Erasing HomeLink
žButtons..............................2-51
Exit Lighting...................................................3-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-27
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter.............................................................5-19
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-19
Finding a PTY Station (RDS and XMŸ).............3-71
Finding a Station............................................3-69
Finish Care....................................................5-96
Finish Damage...............................................5-98
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-101
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-76
Flat Tire........................................................5-75
6

Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-18
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................5-102
Instrument Panel.............................................3-32
Cluster.......................................................3-32
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Interior Lamps................................................3-18
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-44
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-12
KEYFOB X BATTERY LOW.............................3-63
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Lamps On Reminder.......................................3-16
Lamps...........................................................3-14
Exterior......................................................3-14
Interior.......................................................3-18
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-14, 1-23LATCH System...............................................1-42
Child Restraints...........................................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-44
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running......2-37
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR................................3-63
Light.............................................................3-34
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-34
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-39
Brake System Warning.................................3-38
Charging System.........................................3-36
Cruise Control.............................................3-45
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-46
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-42
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator................3-35
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-33
Tow/Haul Mode...........................................3-45
Traction Off................................................3-39
Listening to a DVD.........................................3-81
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving..........4-19
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-48
Lockout Protection..........................................2-12
Locks............................................................. 2-9
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-9
Door........................................................... 2-8
Lockout Protection.......................................2-12
Power Door.................................................. 2-9
9

Locks (cont.)
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Loss of Control...............................................4-17
LOW COOLANT LEVEL..................................3-59
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-46
Luggage Carrier..............................................2-53
Lumbar........................................................... 1-3
Power Controls............................................. 1-3
M
Maintenance and Cleaning...............................2-66
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts..........5-111
Maintenance Schedule.....................................6-11
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-11
At Least Once a Month................................6-11
At Least Once a Year..................................6-12
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-12
Brake System Inspection..............................6-16
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-16
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-15
Fuel System Inspection................................6-16
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-11
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections......6-15
Part D - Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...............................................6-17
Part E - Maintenance Record........................6-19
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-5
Steering and Suspension Inspection...............6-15
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive) Inspection.......................6-16
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-60
Making Turns.................................................4-58
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-42
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-6
Memory Seat.................................................2-72
Message.......................................................3-58
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-58
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) ± Customer Assistance........................ 7-5
Midgate Drain Grate Removal and Cleaning.......2-69
Midgate Operation...........................................2-13
Midgate.........................................................2-12
10

Mirrors..........................................................2-41
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStarž,
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-41
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror with
Curb View Assist......................................2-45
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-44
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-45
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-44
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
Navigation/Radio System..................................3-93
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-28
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts...........5-111
O
Odometer......................................................3-33
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-15
OIL LIFE RESET............................................3-59
OIL PRESSURE LOW.....................................3-59
Oil ................................................................5-14
Engine.......................................................5-14
Pressure Gage............................................3-44
Older Children, Restraints................................1-28
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3OnStar
žPersonal Calling.................................2-47
OnStaržServices............................................2-46
OnStaržSteering Wheel Controls......................2-47
OnStaržSystem.............................................2-46
OnStaržVirtual Advisor....................................2-47
Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle
Off Paved Roads.........................................4-18
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-30
Outside.........................................................2-45
Automatic Dimming Mirror with
Curb View Assist......................................2-45
Convex Mirror.............................................2-44
Heated Mirrors............................................2-45
Power Mirrors.............................................2-44
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode.....5-27
Overseas ± Customer Assistance........................ 7-5
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner's Information........................................7-11
P
Park Aid........................................................3-20
Park (P)........................................................2-38
Shifting Out of............................................2-38
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
Park (P) Mechanism Check...........................6-14
Parking on Hills..............................................4-59
11