2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE instrument cluster

There is a air bag
readiness light on the
instrument panel cluster,
which shows the air
bag symbol.
The system checks the air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. See
Air Bag Readiness Light on page 3-37for more information.
Where Are the Air Bags?
The driver's frontal air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.
1-78

{CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on, it
means that something may be wrong with the
air bag system. If this ever happens,
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
have the vehicle serviced promptly, because
an adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger's seat may not have the protection
of the frontal air bag. See ªAir Bag Readiness
Lightº in the Index for more on this, including
important safety information.
Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, can affect
how well the passenger sensing system operates.
You may want to consider not using seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment if your vehicle has the passenger
sensing system.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger's seat
or between the passenger's seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the proper
operation of the passenger sensing system.
1-88

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

How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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. 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 4-48.
2-24

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-7
Horn.............................................................3-7
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-8
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-15
Interior Lamps..............................................3-18
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)............3-20
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-23
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-23
Analog Clock...............................................3-24
Climate Controls............................................3-24
Automatic Climate Control System...................3-24
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-31
Rear Climate Control System.........................3-31
Climate Controls Personalization.....................3-33
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-34
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-34
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-36
Tachometer.................................................3-36
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-36
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-37
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator.................3-38Charging System Light..................................3-39
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-40
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-40
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-42
Traction Off Light..........................................3-42
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-43
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-43
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-44
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-48
Security Light...............................................3-49
Cruise Control Light......................................3-49
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-49
Fuel Gage...................................................3-50
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-50
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-51
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-51
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-62
Audio System(s).............................................3-70
Setting the Time...........................................3-70
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-71
Rear Seat Entertainment System....................3-85
Navigation/Radio System...............................3-96
Rear Seat Audio (RSA).................................3-97
CD Changer................................................3-99
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of your instrument panel are the
following:
A. Air Outlets. See
Outlet Adjustment on page 3-31.
B. Exterior Lamps Control. See
Exterior Lamps
on page 3-15.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. See
Turn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-8.
D. OnStaržand Radio Steering Wheel Buttons. SeeOnStaržSystem on page 2-38andAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-102.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. See
Instrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-34.
F. Shift Lever/Tow/Haul Selector Button. See
Automatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-24.
G. Audio System. See
Audio System(s) on page 3-70.
H. Dome Override Button. See
Interior Lamps on
page 3-18.
I. Rear Wiper Washer. See ªRear Window
Washer/Wiperº under
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
on page 3-8.J. Fog Lamps Button. See
Exterior Lamps on
page 3-15.
K. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See
Driver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-51.
L. Parking Brake Release. See
Parking Brake on
page 2-27.
M. Tilt Lever. See
Tilt Wheel on page 3-7.
N. Comfort Control System. See
Automatic Climate
Control System on page 3-24.
O. Compact Disc Changer. See
CD Changer on
page 3-99.
P. Storage Area
Q. Clock. See
Analog Clock on page 3-24.
R. Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist Button. See
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on
page 3-20.
S. StabiliTrakžButton. SeeStabilitrakžSystem on
page 4-10.
T. Glove Box. See
Glove Box on page 2-44.
3-5

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
·Turn and Lane Change Signals
·Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
·Flash-to-Pass
·Windshield Wipers
·Windshield Washer
·Cruise Control
For information on the exterior lamps, see
Exterior
Lamps on page 3-15.
Turn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is ®nished, the lever will return
automatically.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to ¯ash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by itself
when you release it.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will ¯ash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows ¯ash
more quickly than normal, a signal bulb may be burned
out and other drivers won't see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you signal
a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and a blown fuse.
See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-103.
3-8

Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each ¯ash of the
turn signal and the message TURN SIGNAL ON will
also appear in the DIC. To turn the chime and message
off, move the turn signal lever to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
53
(Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer):To
change the headlamps from low to high beam, push the
lever toward the instrument panel. To return to
low-beam headlamps, pull the multifunction lever toward
you. Then release it.
When the high beams are
on, this indicator light on
the instrument panel
cluster will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
It works even if your headlamps are in the automatic
position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, then
release it.
If your headlamps are in the automatic position or on
low beam, your high-beam headlamps will turn on.
They'll stay on as long as you hold the lever toward you.
The high-beam indicator on the instrument panel
cluster will come on. Release the lever to return to
normal operation.
3-9