2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE mirror

·Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough
ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. (Remember that if
your right outside mirror is convex, the vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than it really is.)
·Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on
two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the next
vehicle.
·Don't overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not ¯ashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.
·If you're being passed, make it easy for the following
driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you can ease a
little to the right.
Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what happens
when the three control systems (brakes, steering and
acceleration) don't have enough friction where the tires
meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not ªoverdrivingº
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
If you have the Traction Control System, remember: It
helps avoid only the acceleration skid. If you do not have
this system, or if the system is off, then an acceleration
skid is also best handled by easing your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
4-17

If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration
or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues Ð such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº Ð and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive
Vehicle Off Paved Roads
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have all-wheel
drive. If your vehicle does not have all-wheel drive, you
should not drive off-road unless you are on a level,
solid surface.
Many of the same design features that help make your
vehicle responsive on paved roads during poor weather
conditions Ð features like all-wheel drive Ð help make it
much better suited for off-road use. Its higher ground
clearance also helps your vehicle step over some off-road
obstacles. But your vehicle doesn't have features like
special underbody shielding and a transfer case low gear
range, things that are usually thought necessary for
extended or severe off-road service.
Also, see
Braking on page 4-6.
4-18

The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic ¯ow.
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check
traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with
the ¯ow. Try to merge into the gap at close to the
prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your
mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic ¯ow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it's slower.
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn't another vehicle in
your ªblindº spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to
move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do
not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive
on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are
going slower than you actually are.
4-39

Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as ªhighway
hypnosisº? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel?
Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don't
let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave
the road in
less than a second,and you could crash and
be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.Then here are some tips:
·Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
·Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
·If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
4-41

Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon
monoxide (CO) could come into your vehicle.
You can't see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness or death. See ªEngine
Exhaustº in the Index. To maximize your safety
when towing a trailer:
·Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
·Keep the rear-most windows closed.
·If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main heating
or cooling system on and with the fan on
any speed. This will bring fresh, outside air
into your vehicle. Do not use the climate
control setting for maximum air because it
only recirculates the air inside your vehicle.
See ªClimate Controlsº in the Index.Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
4-60

Fuses Usage
RR Wiper Rear Window Wiper Switch
SEO ACCYSpecial Equipment Option
Accessory
WS WPR Windshield Wipers
Fuses Usage
TBC ACCYTruck Body Controller
Accessory
IGN 3 Ignition, Heated Seats
4WD Four-Wheel Drive System
HTR A/C Climate Control System
LOCKPower Door Lock Relay
(Lock Function)
HVAC 1Inside Rearview Mirror,
Climate Control System
L DOORDriver's Door Harness
Connection
CRUISE Cruise Control
UNLOCKPower Door Lock Relay
(Unlock Function)
RR FOG LP Rear Fog Lamp (Export Only)
BRAKE Anti-Lock Brake System
5-104

Care of (cont.)
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-104
Your CD Changer......................................3-104
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-104
Cargo Area Door Lock Switch...........................2-10
Cargo Cover..................................................2-47
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-48
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-81
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-11
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-82
CD Changer...................................................3-99
CD Functions...............................................3-100
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-45
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-63
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block................5-106
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-42
Chains, Tires..................................................5-74
CHANGE ENGINE OIL....................................3-62
Charging System Light....................................3-39
Check Engine Light.........................................3-44
CHECK OIL LEVEL.........................................3-62
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE...............................3-69
CHECK WASHER FLUID.................................3-65
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......................1-90Check...........................................................3-44
Engine Light...............................................3-44
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-100
Child Restraints..............................................1-57
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-57
Infants and Young Children...........................1-53
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-65
Older Children.............................................1-51
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-67
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-70
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position...........................................1-67
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-72
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-63
Top Strap...................................................1-61
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-60
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-23
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.....5-99
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-97
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-94
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-96
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-95
Cleaning Leather............................................5-95
Cleaning the Mirror.........................................2-35
3

Hitches..........................................................4-59
HomeLink Transmitter, Programming..................2-41
HomeLink
žTransmitter....................................2-40
Hood............................................................5-10
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-7
How the System Works...................................3-21
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank.................................................5-32
How to Add Fluid............................................5-23
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-51
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-37
How to Check........................................5-21, 5-67
How to Inspect...............................................5-19
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-33
Hydroplaning..................................................4-36
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-29
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-28
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-45
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-46
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-48If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-55
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-45
Ignition Positions.............................................2-20
Ignition Transmission Lock Check......................6-14
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors.........................2-17
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-53
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-67
Inspection......................................................6-17
Brake System.............................................6-17
Engine Cooling System................................6-17
Exhaust System..........................................6-16
Fuel System...............................................6-16
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-16
Steering and Suspension..............................6-16
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive)......................................6-17
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-18
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................5-103
Instrument Panel.............................................3-34
Cluster.......................................................3-34
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Interior Lamps................................................3-18
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-44
8