2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV charging

Torque Lock If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle can put too much force on the parking pawl in the
transmission. It might be 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, see Shifting Into PARK (P) on page 2-36 .
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before releasing the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you might need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission.
Then you should be able to pull the shift lever out
of PARK (P). Shifting Out of PARK (P) This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in PARK (P) with the shift lever button fully
released, and
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of
PARK (P), unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal is
applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery
with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the
battery. See Jump Starting on page 5-40 for more
information.
2-37

Instrument Panel Overview .............................. .3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers ............................... .3-6
Other Warning Devices .................................. .3-6
Horn ............................................................ .3-6
Tilt Wheel .................................................... .3-6
Heated Steering Wheel .................................. .3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever ........................ .3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ....................... .3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer ................. .3-9
Windshield Wipers ......................................... .3-9
Rainsense™ II Wipers .................................. .3-10
Windshield Washer ...................................... .3-11
Rear Window Wiper/Washer .......................... .3-12
Cruise Control ............................................. .3-13
Exterior Lamps ............................................ .3-16
Headlamps on Reminder ............................... .3-19
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) ...................... .3-20
Automatic Headlamp System ......................... .3-20
Fog Lamps ................................................. .3-21
Instrument Panel Brightness .......................... .3-21
Dome Lamps .............................................. .3-22
Dome Lamp Override ................................... .3-22
Entry Lighting .............................................. .3-22
Exit Lighting ................................................ .3-22
Reading Lamps ........................................... .3-22
Electric Power Management .......................... .3-23 Battery Run-Down Protection ......................... .3-23
Accessory Power Outlet(s) ............................ .3-24
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter ..................... .3-25
Analog Clock .............................................. .3-25
Climate Controls ........................................... .3-26
Dual Automatic Climate Control System .......... .3-26
Outlet Adjustment ........................................ .3-31
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System and
Electronic Climate Controls ........................ .3-31
Warning
Lights, Gages, and Indicators ........... .3-33
Instrument Panel Cluster ............................... .3-34
Speedometer and Odometer .......................... .3-35
Trip Odometer ............................................. .3-35
Tachometer ................................................ .3-35
Safety Belt Reminders .................................. .3-35
Airbag Readiness Light ................................. .3-36
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator .................. .3-37
Charging System Light ................................. .3-39
Brake System Warning Light ......................... .3-40
Antilock Brake System Warning Light .............. .3-41
StabiliTrak ®
Indicator Light ............................. .3-41
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage ................. .3-42
Tire Pressure Light ...................................... .3-42
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ............................ .3-43
Oil Pressure Light ........................................ .3-46Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Electric Power Management The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) that
estimates the battery’s temperature and state of
charge. It then adjusts the voltage for best performance
and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly put the charge back in. When
the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly
to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a voltmeter
gage or a voltage display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you may see the voltage move up
or down. This is normal. If there is a problem, an alert
will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles. This is
because the generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power
that is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at high
speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets. EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands of
some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels
of corrective action, this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC)
message might be displayed, such as Battery Saver
Active or Service Battery Charging System. If this
message is displayed, it is recommended that the driver
reduce the electrical loads as much as possible. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53 .
Battery Run-Down Protection This feature shuts off the dome lamps if they are left on
for more than 10 minutes when the ignition is in LOCK.
This will help prevent the battery from running down.
3-23

If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the passenger sensing
system. See your dealer/retailer for service.
{ CAUTION: If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on, it
means that something may be wrong with the
airbag system. If this ever happens, 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 airbag(s). See Airbag Readiness Light
on page 3-36 for more on this, including
important safety information. Charging System Light This light will come on
briey when you turn on
the ignition, but the engine
is not running, as a
check to show you it is
working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the charging system. A charging system
Driver Information Center (DIC) message may also
appear. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53
for more information. This light could indicate that you
have problems with a generator drive belt, or another
electrical problem. Have it checked right away. If
you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
3-39

PASSENGER DOOR OPEN This message displays and a chime sounds if the
passenger door is not fully closed and the vehicle is in a
drive gear. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the
door for obstructions, and close the door again. Check
to see if the message still appears on the DIC.
REAR ACCESS OPEN This message displays and a chime sounds if the
liftgate or liftglass is open while the ignition is in
ON/RUN. Turn off the vehicle and check the liftgate and
liftglass. Restart the vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display.
REMOTE KEY LEARNING ACTIVE This message displays while you are matching a
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter to your vehicle.
See “Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
on page 2-4 and DIC Operation and Displays on
page 3-49 for more information.
REPLACE BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY This message displays if a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter battery is low. The battery needs to be
replaced in the transmitter. See “Battery Replacement”
under Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
on page 2-4 . RIGHT REAR DOOR OPEN This message displays and a chime sounds if the
passenger side rear door is not fully closed and the
vehicle is in a drive gear. Stop and turn off the vehicle,
check the door for obstructions, and close the door again.
Check to see if the message still appears on the DIC.
SERVICE AIR BAG This message displays if there is a problem with the
airbag system. Have your dealer/retailer inspect
the system for problems. See Airbag Readiness Light
on page 3-36 and Airbag System on page 1-76 for more
information.
SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM On some vehicles, this message displays if there is a
problem with the battery charging system. Under certain
conditions, the charging system light may also turn
on in the instrument panel cluster. See Charging System
Light on page 3-39 . Driving with this problem could
drain the battery. Turn off all unnecessary accessories.
Have the electrical system checked as soon as
possible. See your dealer/retailer.
3-57

Trailer Wiring Harness Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Package
Your vehicle is equipped with the seven-wire trailer
towing harness. This harness with a seven-pin
universal heavy-duty trailer connector is attached to
the rear bumper beam. It is located next to the
integrated trailer hitch. The seven-wire harness contains the following trailer
circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps
White: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Red w/ Black Stripe: Battery Feed*
Dark Blue: Trailer Brake*
*The fuses for these two circuits are installed in the
underhood electrical center, but the circuits are
not connected. They should be installed by your dealer
or a qualied service center.
If you are charging a remote (non-vehicle) battery, press
the tow/haul mode button located at the end of the
shift lever. This will boost the vehicle system voltage and
properly charge the battery.
4-56

Audio System ................................................. 3-70
Audio Steering Wheel Controls .................... 3-106
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual ................................................... 3-95
Radio Reception ........................................ 3-108
Rear Seat Audio (RSA) ............................... 3-104
Setting the Clock ......................................... 3-71
Theft-Deterrent Feature ............................... 3-106
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System ........... 3-109
Audio System(s) ............................................. 3-72
Rear Side Window Antenna ......................... 3-109
Automatic Headlamp System ............................ 3-20
Automatic Transmission
Fluid .......................................................... 5-20
Operation ................................................... 2-30
Autoride ®
....................................................... 4-43
BBattery .......................................................... 5-39
Electric Power Management .......................... 3-23
Run-Down Protection ................................... 3-23
Bench Seat, Split (60/40) ................................. 1-11
Brake
Emergencies ................................................ 4-5
Brakes .......................................................... 5-36
System Warning Light .................................. 3-40
Braking ........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies ..................................... 4-5 Break-In, New Vehicle ..................................... 2-24
Bucket Seats, Rear ......................................... 1-17
Bulb Replacement ........................................... 5-51
Back-Up Lamps ........................................... 5-51
Headlamp Aiming ........................................ 5-48
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting ........... 5-51
License Plate Lamps .................................... 5-53
Replacement Bulbs ...................................... 5-53
Buying New Tires ........................................... 5-72
C Calibration ............................................. 2-41, 2-43
California Fuel .................................................. 5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements ....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning ....................... 5-3
Canadian Owners ................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications .......................... 5-115
Carbon Monoxide ........... 2-13, 2-14, 2-39, 4-30, 4-44
Care of
Safety Belts .............................................. 5-101
Cargo Cover .................................................. 2-63
CD, MP3 ....................................................... 3-90
Center Console Storage Area ........................... 2-61
Center Seat ................................................... 1-10
Chains, Tire ................................................... 5-77
Charging System Light .................................... 3-39
Check
Engine Light ............................................... 3-43
Checking Things Under the Hood ...................... 5-10
2

JJump Starting ................................................. 5-40
KKeyless Entry System ....................................... 2-4
Keys ............................................................... 2-3
LLabeling, Tire Sidewall ..................................... 5-57
Lamps
Dome ........................................................ 3-22
Dome Lamp Override ................................... 3-22
Reading ..................................................... 3-22
Lap Belt ........................................................ 1-48
Lap-Shoulder Belt ........................................... 1-42
LATCH System
Child Restraints ........................................... 1-61
License Plate Lamps ....................................... 5-53
Liftgate, Power ............................................... 2-14
Liftgate/Liftglass .............................................. 2-13
Liftglass/Liftgate .............................................. 2-13
Light
Airbag Readiness ........................................ 3-36
Antilock Brake System Warning ..................... 3-41
Brake System Warning ................................. 3-40
Charging System ......................................... 3-39 Light (cont.)
Cruise Control ............................................. 3-47
Fog Lamp .................................................. 3-46
Highbeam On ............................................. 3-47
Lights On Reminder ..................................... 3-47
Malfunction Indicator .................................... 3-43
Oil Pressure ............................................... 3-46
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator .................. 3-37
Safety Belt Reminders .................................. 3-35
Security ..................................................... 3-46
StabiliTrak ®
Indicator .................................... 3-41
Tire Pressure .............................................. 3-42
Tow/Haul Mode ........................................... 3-47
Lighting
Entry ......................................................... 3-22
Exit ........................................................... 3-22
Lights
Exterior Lamps ............................................ 3-16
High/Low Beam Changer ................................ 3-9
On Reminder .............................................. 3-19
Loading Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-35
Locking Differential ........................................... 4-5
Lockout Protection .......................................... 2-12
Locks
Delayed Locking .......................................... 2-11
Door .......................................................... 2-10
Lockout Protection ....................................... 2-12
Power Door ................................................ 2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks ............. 2-11
Rear Door Security Locks ............................. 2-11
7