2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV key

On vehicles with a power liftgate the button is located
on the overhead console.
The vehicle must be in PARK (P) to use the power
liftgate feature.
& : Press the top of the button to open or close the
power liftgate.
OFF: Press the bottom of the button for manual
operation of the power liftgate.
The taillamps will ash and a chime will sound when the
power liftgate is moving.
{ CAUTION: You or others could be injured if caught in the
path of the power liftgate. Make sure there is
no one in the way of the liftgate as it is
opening and closing.
Notice: If you open the liftgate without checking for
overhead obstructions such as a garage door,
you could damage the liftgate or the liftgate glass.
Always check to make sure the area above and
behind the liftgate is clear before opening it. The power liftgate can be power opened and closed in
the following ways:
Press and hold the power liftgate button on the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter until
the liftgate starts moving. Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation on page 2-4 for more
information.
Pressing the liftgate button on the overhead console.
Pressing the touchpad switch on the outside liftgate
handle.
Pressing the buttons, or touchpad switch a second time
while the liftgate is moving reverses the direction.
l : The liftgate can also be closed by pressing the
power liftgate button next to the liftgate latch.
Press the button a second time during liftgate operation
to reverse that operation.
The power liftgate may be temporarily disabled under
extreme temperatures, or under low battery conditions. If
this occurs, the liftgate can still be operated manually.
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Power Windows
{ CAUTION: Leaving children, helpless adults, or pets in a
vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous.
They can be overcome from extreme heat in
warm or hot weather and suffer permanent
injuries or even death from heat stroke.
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons, children
or others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or
other controls or even make the vehicle move.
The windows will function with the keys in the
ignition and they could be seriously injured or
killed if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave keys in a vehicle with
children.
When there are children in the rear seat use
the window lockout button to prevent
unintentional operation of the windows. The power window
controls are located on
each of the side doors.
The driver’s door also has switches that control the
passenger and rear windows. The power windows work
when the ignition has been turned to ACCESSORY
or RUN or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is
active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on
page 2-26 .
Press the switch to lower the window.
Pull up on the front edge of the switch to raise the
window. Driver’s Side shown
2-19

Content Theft-Deterrent Your vehicle has a content theft-deterrent alarm system.
This is the security light.
To arm the theft-deterrent system:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter or the power door lock switch. The
security light will come on to inform the driver the
system is arming. If a door is open when the doors
are locked, the security light will ash.
If the delayed locking feature is turned on, the
theft-deterrent system will not start the arming
process until the last door is closed and the delay
timer has expired. See Delayed Locking on
page 2-11 .
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 using the RKE
transmitter, a ten second pre-alarm will occur. The horn
will chirp and the lights will ash. If the key is not
placed in the ignition and turned to START or the door
is not unlocked by pressing the unlock button on the
RKE transmitter during the ten second pre-alarm,
the alarm will go off. Your vehicle’s headlamps will ash
and the horn will sound for about two minutes, then
will turn off to save the battery power.
The theft-deterrent system will not activate if the doors
are locked with the vehicle’s key or the manual door
lock. It activates only if you use the power door
lock switch with the door open or the RKE transmitter.
You should also remember that you can start your
vehicle with the correct ignition key if the alarm has been
set off.
To avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
If you do not want to activate the theft-deterrent
system, the vehicle should be locked with the
door key after the doors are closed.
Always unlock the doors with the RKE transmitter.
Unlocking a door any other way will set off the
alarm if it is armed.
If you set off the alarm by accident, press unlock on the
RKE transmitter or place the key in the ignition and
turn it to START to turn off the alarm. The alarm will not
stop if you try to unlock a door any other way.
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Testing the Alarm To test the alarm:
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 RKE 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 will
not work.
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 5-108 .
If the alarm does not sound or the headlamps do not
ash, the vehicle should be serviced by your
dealer/retailer. PASS-Key ®
III+ The PASS-Key ®
III+ system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
PASS-Key ®
III+ uses a radio frequency transponder in
the key that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
2-22

PASS-Key ®
III+ OperationYour vehicle has PASS-Key ®
III+ (Personalized
Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key ®
III+ is a passive theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed when the key
is removed from the ignition.
The system is automatically disarmed when the key is
turned to ON/RUN, ACC/ACCESSORY or START
from the LOCK/OFF position.
You do not have to manually arm or disarm the system.
The security light will come on if there is a problem
with arming or disarming the theft-deterrent system.
When the PASS-Key ®
III+ system senses that someone
is using the wrong key, it prevents the vehicle from
starting. Anyone using a trial-and-error method to start
the vehicle will be discouraged because of the high
number of electrical key codes.
If the engine does not start and the security light on the
instrument panel cluster comes on when trying to
start the vehicle, there may be a problem with your
theft-deterrent system. Turn the ignition off and try again. If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to
be undamaged, try another ignition key. At this time,
you may also want to check the fuse, see Fuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 5-108 . If the engine still
does not start with the other key, your vehicle needs
service. If your vehicle does start, the rst key may be
faulty. See your dealer/retailer who can service the
PASS-Key ®
III+ to have a new key made. In an
emergency, contact Roadside Assistance.
It is possible for the PASS-Key ®
III+ decoder to learn
the transponder value of a new or replacement key. Up
to 10 keys may be programmed for the vehicle. The
following procedure is for programming additional keys
only. If all the currently programmed keys are lost or
do not operate, you must see your dealer/retailer
or a locksmith who can service PASS-Key ®
III+ to have
keys made and programmed to the system.
See your dealer/retailer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key ®
III+ to get a new key blank that is cut
exactly as the ignition key that operates the system.
2-23

To program the new additional key:
1. Verify that the new key has a
1 stamped on it.
2. Insert the original, already programmed, key in the
ignition and start the engine. If the engine will not
start, see your dealer/retailer for service.
3. After the engine has started, turn the key to
LOCK/OFF, and remove the key.
4. Insert the new key to be programmed and turn it to
the ON/RUN position within ve seconds of turning
the ignition to the LOCK/OFF position in Step 3.
The security light will turn off once the key has been
programmed.
5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys are to
be programmed.
If you lose or damage your PASS-Key ®
III+ key, see
your dealer/retailer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key ®
III+ to have a new key made.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms or
deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle. Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle New Vehicle Break-In Notice: Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. 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).
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time the new brake
linings are not 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.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See Towing
a Trailer on page 4-44 for the trailer towing
capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
2-24

Ignition Positions Use the key to turn the
ignition switch to four
different positions.
In order to shift out of PARK (P), ignition must be in the
ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake
pedal must be applied.
A (LOCK/OFF): This position locks the ignition and
transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature. The key can
only be removed when the ignition is turned to
LOCK/OFF.
Notice: Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. If it is, turn the steering wheel left and right while you
turn the key hard. If none of this works, then
your vehicle needs service.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY): This position lets things like
the radio and the windshield wipers operate while
the engine is off.
Lengthy operation of features such as the radio in the
ACC/ACCESSORY ignition position and the ON/RUN
position may drain the battery and prevent your vehicle
from starting. Do not operate your vehicle in the ACC/
ACCESSORY ignition position for a long period of time.
C (ON/RUN): This is the position for driving. It is the
position the ignition switch returns to after the engine
starts, and the key is released.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position with the
engine off. You may not be able to start your vehicle if
the battery is allowed to drain for an extended period
of time.
D (START): This position starts the engine.
2-25

Key In the Ignition Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it is an
easy target for joy riders or thieves. If you leave the
key in the ignition and park your vehicle, a chime
will sound, when you open the driver’s door. Always
remember to remove your key from the ignition and take
it with you. This will lock your ignition and transmission.
Also, always remember to lock the doors.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the
ignition while your vehicle is parked. You may not be
able to start your vehicle after it has been parked for an
extended period of time.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) The following vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
Audio System
Power Windows
OnStar ®
System (if equipped)
Sunroof (if equipped) These features work when the key is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from
ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF, the windows and sunroof
continue to work up to 10 minutes until any door
is opened. The radio continues to work for up to
10 minutes or until the driver’s door is opened.
Starting the Engine Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position – this is a
safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice: Do not 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.
2-26