2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT wheel

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-8
Door Locks....................................................2-8
Power Door Locks..........................................2-9
Delayed Locking.............................................2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-12
Lockout Protection........................................2-12
Midgate.......................................................2-12
Tailgate.......................................................2-22
Windows........................................................2-24
Power Windows............................................2-25
Sun Visors...................................................2-25
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-26
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-26
Passlock
ž....................................................2-27
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-28
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-28
Ignition Positions..........................................2-28Starting Your Engine.....................................2-29
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal................2-30
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-31
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-32
All-Wheel Drive............................................2-35
Parking Brake..............................................2-35
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-36
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-38
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-39
Engine Exhaust............................................2-39
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked.......2-40
Mirrors...........................................................2-41
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
ž, Compass and Temperature
Display....................................................2-41
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-44
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-44
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-45
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror with
Curb View Assist.......................................2-45
OnStar
žSystem.............................................2-46
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your vehicle has an electronic shift position indicator
within the instrument panel cluster.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your drive 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 ®rmly 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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage your transmission.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission,
see If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-46.
2-32

NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine doesn't
connect with the drive wheels. To restart when you're
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
ªracingº (running at high speed) is dangerous.
Unless your foot is ®rmly on the brake pedal,
your vehicle could move very rapidly. You
could lose control and hit people or objects.
Don't shift into a drive gear while your engine
is racing.
Notice:Damage to your transmission caused by
shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with
the engine racing isn't covered by your warranty.
DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving.
If you need more power for passing, and you're:
·Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
·Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying
a heavy load, driving on steep hills or for off-road driving.
You may want to shift the transmission to THIRD (3)
or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving,
however, it offers more power and lower fuel economy
than DRIVE (D).
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on
hills. It can help control your speed as you go down
steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to
use your brakes off and on.
If you manually select SECOND (2) the transmission will
drive in second gear. You may use this feature for
reducing the speed of the rear wheels when you are
trying to start your vehicle from a stop on slippery road
surfaces.
2-33

FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power,
but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is moving
forward, the transmission won't shift into ®rst gear
until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:If your wheels won't turn, don't try to drive.
This might happen if you were stuck in very deep
sand or mud or were up against a solid object.
You could damage your transmission. Also, if you
stop when going uphill, don't hold your vehicle there
with only the accelerator pedal. This could overheat
and damage the transmission. Use your brakes
or shift into PARK (P) to hold your vehicle in
position on a hill.
On cold days, approximately 32ÉF (0ÉC) or colder,
your transmission is designed to shift differently until
the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
This is intended to improve heater performance.
Tow/Haul Mode Selector Button
Your vehicle is equipped with a tow/haul mode.
The button for this feature is located on the end of the
column shift lever. You can use this feature to assist
when towing or hauling a heavy load. See ªTow/Haul
Modeº under
Towing a Trailer on page 4-52for
more information.
The tow/haul mode also interacts with the Road Sensing
Suspension (RSS) feature to enhance the ride when
trailering or with a loaded vehicle. See
Road Sensing
Suspension on page 4-9.
2-34

All-Wheel Drive
With this feature, engine power is sent to all four wheels
when extra traction is needed.
This is like four-wheel drive, but there is no separate
lever or switch to engage or disengage the front axle.
It is fully automatic, and adjusts itself as needed for road
conditions.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
A chime will activate and the warning light will ¯ash
when the parking brake is applied and the vehicle
is moving at least 3 mph (5 km/h) for at least
three seconds.To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the bottom edge of the lever, located
above the parking brake pedal, with the parking
brake symbol, to release the parking brake.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light will go off.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
cause your rear brakes to overheat. You may have
to replace them, and you could also damage
other parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-52.
2-35

Luxury and Leisure Plan
·
All Directions and Connections Plan services
·Personal Concierge
OnStaržPersonal Calling
With OnStaržPersonal Calling, you have a safer way to
stay connected while driving. It's a hands-free wireless
phone that's integrated into your vehicle. You can place
calls nationwide using voice-activated dialing with no
contracts and no additional roaming charges. To ®nd out
more about OnStar
žPersonal Calling, refer to the
OnStaržowner's guide in your vehicle's glove box, or
call OnStaržat 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStaržVirtual Advisor
With OnStaržVirtual Advisor you can listen to your
favorite news, entertainment and information topics,
such as traffic and weather reports, stock quotes
and sports scores. You listen to your e-mail through
your vehicle's speakers, and reply with your hands on
the wheel and your eyes on the road.
OnStaržSteering Wheel Controls
g
: If your vehicle is
equipped with the steering
wheel control buttons
you can use them
to interact with the
OnStar
žsystem.
See the OnStar
žmanual provided with your vehicle for
more information.
2-47

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-7
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Interior Lamps..............................................3-18
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)............3-20
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-22
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-23
Analog Clock...............................................3-23
Climate Controls............................................3-24
Automatic Climate Control System...................3-24
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-30
Climate Controls Personalization.....................3-30
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-31
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-32
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-33
Tachometer.................................................3-33Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-33
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-34
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator.................3-35
Charging System Light..................................3-36
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-37
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-38
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-39
Traction Off Light..........................................3-39
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-40
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-42
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-44
Cruise Control Light......................................3-45
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-45
Fuel Gage...................................................3-46
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-46
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-47
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-47
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-58
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Audio System(s).............................................3-66
Setting the Time...........................................3-66
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-67
Rear Seat Entertainment System....................3-82
Navigation/Radio System...............................3-93
Rear Seat Audio (RSA).................................3-93
CD Changer................................................3-95
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-98
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-98
DVD Distortion.............................................3-99Understanding Radio Reception......................3-99
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-99
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-101
Care of Your CD Changer............................3-101
Care of Your CD and DVD Player.................3-101
Cleaning the Video Screen...........................3-101
Fixed Mast Antenna....................................3-101
XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System
(United States Only).................................3-101
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2