2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT wheel

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission
and features an electronic shift position indicator
located within the instrument panel cluster.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your drive wheels. It
is the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot 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.
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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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).
SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-35.Ifyou
are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-51.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
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,
seeIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-42.
2-31

NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does
not connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
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. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine
is not running at high speed when shifting your
vehicle.DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. If you
need more power for passing, and you are:
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 will 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.
2-32

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. Once the vehicle is moving, shift into
DRIVE (D).
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 vehicle will not shift into rst gear until
the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
On cold days, approximately 32°F (0°C) 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
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 “Tow/Haul
Mode” underTowing a Trailer on page 4-51for
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. SeeRoad
Sensing Suspension on page 4-8.
2-33

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
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 4-51.
2-34

OnStar®Personal Calling
As an OnStar®subscriber, the Personal Calling
capability is a hands-free wireless phone that is
integrated into the vehicle. Calls can be placed
nationwide using simple voice commands with no
additional contracts and no additional roaming charges.
To nd out more about OnStar
®Personal Calling,
refer to the OnStar®user’s guide in the vehicle’s glove
box, visit www.onstar.com or www.onstarcanada.com;
or speak to an OnStar
®advisor by pressing the OnStar®
button or calling 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStar®Virtual Advisor
Virtual Advisor is a feature of OnStar®Personal Calling
that uses minutes to access up-to-date weather and
traffic reports for your area, news and sports updates,
stock quotes, entertainment, and more. You are
also able to listen and reply to E-mail through the
vehicle’s audio system. Customize your information
prole at www.myonstar.com. See the OnStar
®user’s
guide for more information.
OnStar®Steering Wheel Controls
A steering wheel control can be used to interact with
the OnStar®personal calling feature.
Press the control with
this symbol on the
steering wheel to make
a phone call.
When calling into voice mail systems, or to dial directory
numbers, press the control, say the number(s), then
say “dial”.
See the OnStar
®user’s guide for more information.
2-45

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-9
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Fog Lamps..................................................3-16
Exterior Cargo Lamps....................................3-17
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Dome Lamps...............................................3-18
Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................3-18
Reading Lamps............................................3-18
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-19
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)............3-19
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-22
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-22
Analog Clock...............................................3-23Climate Controls............................................3-23
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-23
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-28
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-29
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-30
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-31
Tachometer.................................................3-31
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-31
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-32
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-33
Charging System Light..................................3-34
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-35
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-35
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-37
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light....................3-37
Traction Off Light..........................................3-38
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-38
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-39
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-40
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-42
Security Light...............................................3-43
Cruise Control Light......................................3-44
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-44
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-44
Fuel Gage...................................................3-45
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-45
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-46
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-47
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-50
DIC Vehicle Customization.............................3-60
Audio System(s).............................................3-66
Setting the Time...........................................3-66
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-67
Rear Seat Entertainment System....................3-80
Navigation/Radio System...............................3-90
Rear Seat Audio (RSA).................................3-91
CD Changer................................................3-92Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-95
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-96
Radio Reception...........................................3-97
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-97
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.........................3-98
Care of Your CD Player................................3-98
Care of Your CD and DVD Player...................3-99
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-99
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.............3-99
Chime Level Adjustment................................3-99
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-28.
B. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps
on page 3-13.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
D. OnStar
®and Radio Steering Wheel Buttons. See
OnStar®System on page 2-44andAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-96.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-30.
F. Shift Lever/Tow/Haul Selector Button. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-31andTow/Haul
Mode on page 2-33.
G. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-66.
Navigation/Radio System (if equipped). See
Navigation/Radio System on page 3-90.
H. Dome Override Button. SeeDome Lamps
on page 3-18.
I. Cargo/Top-Box Lamps Button. SeeExterior Cargo
Lamps on page 3-17.J. Fog Lamps Button. SeeFog Lamps on page 3-16.
K. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-46.
L. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-34.
M. Tilt Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-7.
N. Climate Control System. SeeDual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 3-23.
O. Compact Disc Changer. SeeCD Changer
on page 3-92.
P. Storage Area. SeeInstrument Panel Storage Area
on page 2-50.
Q. Clock. SeeAnalog Clock on page 3-23.
R. Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist Button.
SeeUltrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)
on page 3-19.
S. StabiliTrak
®Button. SeeStabiliTrak®System
on page 4-8.
T. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-50.
3-5