2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV tow

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
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-57.
Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be 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. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-57.
2-26

1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
Pull the shift lever toward you.
Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
2-27

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
move the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK (P) without rst pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn’t fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
vehicle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the vehicle
may put too much force on the parking pawl in the
transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called torque lock.
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-26.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-28

{CAUTION:
It can be 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. Do not 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 will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always set
your parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-26.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-57.
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®, Compass and
Temperature Display
Your vehicle may have this feature. When on, an
automatic dimming mirror automatically dims to the
proper level to minimize glare from lights behind
you after dark.
The mirror also includes a dual display in the upper
right corner of the mirror face. The compass reading and
the outside temperature will both appear in the display
at the same time.
P(On/Off):This is the on/off button.
2-31

Compass Calibration
The compass may need calibration if one of the
following occurs:
After approximately ve seconds, the display does
not show a compass heading (N for North, for
example), there may be a strong magnetic eld
interfering with the compass. Such interference may
be caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic
note pad holder or a similar magnetic item.
The compass does not display the correct heading
and the compass zone variance is set correctly.
In order to calibrate, CAL must be displayed in the
mirror compass windows. If CAL is not displayed, push
the on/off button for approximately 12 seconds or
until CAL is displayed.
The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display
reads a direction.
Passenger Air Bag Indicator
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passenger air bag
indicator, on the mirror glass, just above the buttons.
For more information, seePassenger Sensing System
on page 1-88.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Outside Power Mirrors
The controls are located
on the driver’s door
armrest.
Move the upper selector switch to the left or right to
choose the mirror you want to adjust; then press
the dots located on the four-way control pad to adjust
the mirror.
The mirrors may also include a memory function which
works in conjunction with the memory seats. See
Memory Seat on page 2-48for more information.
2-34

Cargo Cover
{CAUTION:
An improperly stored cargo cover could be
thrown about the vehicle during a collision or
sudden maneuver. You or others could be
injured. If you remove the cover, always store
it in the proper storage location. When you put
it back, always be sure that it is securely
reattached.
If you have a cargo cover, you can use it to cover items
in the cargo area of your vehicle.
To use the cover, do the following:
1. Pull the cover handle toward the rear of the vehicle.
2. Latch the cover posts into the retaining sockets
on the cargo area trim panels.
To return the cover to the retracted position, do the
following:
1. Pull up on the cover handle to release the cover
posts from the retaining sockets.
2. Let the cover move forward to the full retracted
position.To remove the cover from the vehicle, do the following:
1. Let the cover go all the way into the holder.
2. Then, grasping the passenger’s side cover endcap,
push the cover endcap toward the driver’s side of
the vehicle. The endcap should lock in the
compressed position.
3. Lift the cover up on the passenger’s side, swing the
cover rearward and take it out of the vehicle.
To put the cover in the vehicle, do the following:
1. Make sure the cover slot in the holder faces
rearward with the round surface facing down.
2. Then, hold the cover at an angle and place the
cover holder tab into the slot in the driver’s side
trim panel.
3. Move the other end of the cover forward and hold it
next to the passenger’s side trim panel slot.
4. Push the button on top of the passenger’s side
endcap. This will allow the cover to extend into
the trim slot.
5. Lightly pull on the cover holder to make sure it is
secure. On some models there are two slots. The
slots furthest forward allow the cover to be used
if the third seat is removed or folded down.
2-46

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.............................................3-14
Interior Lamps..............................................3-17
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)............3-19
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-22
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-22
Analog Clock...............................................3-23
Climate Controls............................................3-23
Automatic Climate Control System...................3-23
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-30
Rear Climate Control System.........................3-30
Climate Controls Personalization.....................3-33
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-34
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-35
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-36
Tachometer.................................................3-36
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-36
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-36
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
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light....................3-42
Traction Off Light..........................................3-43
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-43
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-44
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-45
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-47
Security Light...............................................3-48
Cruise Control Light......................................3-49
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-49
Fuel Gage...................................................3-49
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-50
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-50
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-51
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-62
Audio System(s).............................................3-69
Setting the Time...........................................3-70
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-70
Navigation/Radio System...............................3-86
Rear Seat Entertainment System....................3-86
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of your instrument panel are the
following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-30.
B. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps
on page 3-14.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-8.
D. OnStar
®and Radio Steering Wheel Buttons. See
OnStar®System on page 2-37andAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-103.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-35.
F. Shift Lever/Tow/Haul Selector Button. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-22.
G. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-69.
H. Dome Override Button. SeeInterior Lamps on
page 3-17.
I. Rear Wiper Washer. See “Rear Window
Washer/Wiper” underTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever
on page 3-8.
J. Fog Lamps Button. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-14.K. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-50.
L. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-25.
M. Tilt Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-7.
N. Comfort Control System. SeeAutomatic Climate
Control System on page 3-23.
O. Compact Disc Changer. SeeCD Changer on
page 3-99.
P. Storage Area
Q. Clock. SeeAnalog Clock on page 3-23.
R. Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist Button. See
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on
page 3-19.
S. Stabilitrak
®Button. SeeStabilitrak®System on
page 4-10.
T. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-43.
3-5