2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE Owners Manual

Liftgate/Liftglass
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate or
liftglass open because carbon monoxide (CO)
gas can come into your vehicle. You can't see
or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness
and even death. If you must drive with the
liftgate open or if electrical wiring or other
cable connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the liftgate or liftglass:
·Make sure all other windows are shut.
·Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed and select the
control setting that will force outside air
into your vehicle. See ªClimate Control
Systemº in the Index.
·If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.To unlock the liftgate and liftgate glass from the outside,
insert the key into the lock and turn it counterclockwise
to unlock the glass and liftgate. This can also be
done by using either the power door locks or the remote
keyless entry system.
The liftgate glass can be opened using the pushbutton
on the liftgate after the doors have been unlocked.
To open the entire liftgate, lift the handle located in the
center of the door.
To lock the liftgate and liftgate glass from the outside,
insert the key into the lock button and turn clockwise. All
doors will lock. You may also use the remote keyless
entry system or the power door locks to lock the liftgate
and liftgate glass.
2-15

Windows
{CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the windows
closed is dangerous. A child can be overcome
by the extreme heat and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never
leave a child alone in a vehicle, especially with
the windows closed in warm or hot weather.
2-16

Power Windows
The controls for the power windows are located on the
armrest on each of the side doors. The switches operate
the windows when the ignition is in RUN, ACCESSORY
or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active. See
ªRetained Accessory Powerº under
Ignition Positions on
page 2-20.
The driver's door has a switch for each of the
passenger's windows as well.
Press the top of the switch to lower the window. Pull up
the top of the switch to raise the window.
Express-Down Windows
The driver's and front passenger's window switches
have an express-down feature that allows you to lower
the window without continuously pressing the switch.
Press the top of the window switch down brie¯y to
activate the feature. Lightly tap the switch to open the
window slightly. The express-down feature can be
interrupted at any time by pulling up on the top of the
switch.
Lockout Switch
Press the lockout switch to prevent passengers from
operating the power windows. A small light in the lockout
switch will come on to show that the switch has been
activated. Press the lockout switch again to return
to normal operation.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You
can also swing them out to help block glare at the
front and side windows.
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors
Pull the sunvisor down and lift the mirror cover to turn
on the lamps.
2-17

Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle is equipped with a content theft-deterrent
alarm system.
With this system, the
security light in the
instrument panel cluster will
¯ash as you open the door
if your ignition is off.
This light reminds you to activate the theft-deterrent
system. Here's how to do it:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or
the remote keyless entry transmitter. The security
light should come on and stay on.
3. Close all doors. The security light should go off
after about 30 seconds. The alarm is not armed
until the security light goes off.If a locked door is opened without the key or the remote
keyless entry transmitter, the alarm will go off. The
headlamps and parking lamps will ¯ash for two minutes,
and the horn will sound for 30 seconds, then will turn
off to save the battery power. You can choose different
feedback options for the alarm. See
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-51.
Remember, the theft-deterrent system won't activate if
you lock the doors with a key or use the manual
door lock. It activates only if you use a power door lock
switch with the door open, or with the remote keyless
entry transmitter. You should also remember that
you can start your vehicle with the correct ignition key if
the alarm has been set off.
Here's how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
·If you don't want to activate the theft-deterrent
system, the vehicle should be locked with the door
key
afterthe doors are closed.
·Always unlock a door with a key, or use the remote
keyless entry transmitter. Unlocking a door any
other way will set off the alarm.
If you set off the alarm by accident, unlock any door with
the key. You can also turn off the alarm by pressing
unlock on the remote keyless entry transmitter. The alarm
won't stop if you try to unlock a door any other way.
2-18

Testing the Alarm
The alarm can be tested by following these steps:
1. From inside the vehicle, lower the driver's window
and open the driver's door.
2. Activate the system by locking the doors with the
power door lock switch while the door is open, or
with the remote keyless entry transmitter.
3. Get out of the vehicle, close the door and wait for
the security light to go out.
4. Then reach in through the window, unlock the door
with the manual door lock and open the door. This
should set off the alarm.
While the alarm is set, the power door unlock switch is
not operational.
If the alarm does not sound when it should but the
headlamps ¯ash, check to see if the horn works. The
horn fuse may be blown. To replace the fuse, see
Fuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 5-103.
If the alarm does not sound or the headlamps do not
¯ash, the vehicle should be serviced by your dealer.
Passlockž
Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlockž
theft-deterrent system.
Passlock
žis a passive theft-deterrent system. Passlockž
enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with
a valid key. If a correct key is not used or the ignition
lock cylinder is tampered with, the fuel system is
disabled and the vehicle will not start.
During normal operation, the security light will turn off
approximately ®ve seconds after the key is turned
to RUN.
If the engine stalls and the security light ¯ashes, wait
about 10 minutes until the light stops ¯ashing before
trying to restart the engine. Remember to release
the key from START as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine does not start after three tries, the vehicle
needs service.
If the engine is running and the security light comes on,
you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the engine
off. However, your Passlock
žsystem is not working
properly and must be serviced by your dealer. Your
vehicle is not protected by Passlock
žat this time. You
may also want to check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-103. See your dealer for service.
In an emergency, call the Roadside Assistance Center.
See
Roadside Service on page 7-6.
2-19

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak-in.º But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
·Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the ®rst 500 miles (805 km).
·Don't drive at any one speed Ð fast or
slow Ð for the ®rst 500 miles (805 km). Don't
make full-throttle starts.
·Avoid making hard stops for the ®rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new
brake linings aren't yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake linings.
·Don't tow a trailer during break-in. See ªTowing
a Trailerº in the Index for more information.
Ignition Positions
With your key in the ignition switch you can turn it to
four different positions.
A (LOCK):This position locks your ignition and
transmission. It's a theft-deterrent feature. You will only
be able to remove your key when the ignition is
turned to LOCK.
2-20

Notice:If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you
can't turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break the
key or the ignition switch. If none of these works,
then your vehicle needs service.
B (ACCESSORY):This position allows you to use
things like the radio, power windows and the windshield
wipers when the engine is off.
C (RUN):This position is for driving.
D (START):This position starts your engine.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The Retained Accessory Power (RAP) feature will allow
certain features on your vehicle to continue to work for up
to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to LOCK.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position ± that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about 15
seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the ¯oor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.
2-21

When starting your engine in very cold weather
(below 0ÉF or-18ÉC), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there up to
15 seconds. When the engine starts, let go of
the key.
2. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be ¯ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
¯oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the
vehicle starts brie¯y but then stops again, do the
same thing, but this time keep the pedal down
for ®ve or six seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you don't, your engine
might not perform properly.
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal
If your vehicle has this feature, you can change the
position of the throttle and brake pedals. This feature is
designed for shorter drivers, since the pedals cannot
move farther away from the standard position, but can
move forward for better pedal reach. This feature
can be programmed to work with the memory function
(if equipped) on your vehicle. See
Memory Seat on
page 2-50.
The vehicle must be in PARK (P) for this feature to
operate.
The buttons used to adjust
the pedals are located on
the driver's side door panel.
Press the button closest to you to move the pedals
closer to your body. Press the button farthest from you
to move the pedals away from your body.
2-22