2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV warning lights

Seats and Restraint Systems ........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
.............................................. 1-10
Safety Belts
............................................. 1-29
Child Restraints
....................................... 1-50
Airbag System
......................................... 1-76
Restraint System Check
............................ 1-92
Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
...................................... 2-10
Windows
................................................. 2-18
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................ 2-20
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
........... 2-24
Mirrors
.................................................... 2-41
Object Detection Systems
.......................... 2-48
OnStar ®
System
...................................... 2-50
Universal Home Remote System
................ 2-53
Storage Areas
......................................... 2-60
Sunroof
.................................................. 2-64
Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
...................................... 3-26
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........ 3-33
Driver Information Center (DIC)
.................. 3-48
Audio System(s)
....................................... 3-70 Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
................................................... 4-41
Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
............... 5-10
All-Wheel Drive
........................................ 5-45
Rear Axle
............................................... 5-46
Front Axle
............................................... 5-47
Headlamp Aiming
..................................... 5-48
Bulb Replacement
.................................... 5-51
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
......... 5-54
Tires
...................................................... 5-56
Appearance Care
..................................... 5-98
Vehicle Identication
............................... 5-107
Electrical System
.................................... 5-108
Capacities and Specications
................... 5-115
Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information .................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
........................... 7-13
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
........... 7-15
Index ................................................................ 12008 Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual
M

The RKE transmitter with the remote start button,
provides an increased range of operation. However, the
range may be less while the vehicle is running. As a
result, you may need to be closer to your vehicle to turn
it off, than you were to turn it on.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter, see Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2-4 for additional
information.
/ (Remote Start): This button will be on the RKE
transmitter if you have remote start.
To start the vehicle using the remote start feature:
1. Aim the transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press and release the transmitter’s lock button. The
vehicle’s doors will lock. Immediately press and
hold the transmitter’s remote start button until the
turn signal lights ash. If you cannot see the
vehicle’s lights, press and hold the remote start
button for two to four seconds. Pressing the remote
start button again after the vehicle has started
will turn the engine off.
When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps will turn
on and remain on while the vehicle is running.
If the vehicle is left running it will automatically shut
off after 10 minutes unless a time extension has
been done. 3. If it is the rst remote start since the vehicle has been
driven, repeat these steps, while the engine is still
running, to extend the engine running time by
10 minutes. Remote start can be extended one time.
After entering the vehicle during a remote start, insert
and turn the key to ON/RUN to drive the vehicle.
To manually shut off a remote start, do any of the
following:
Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle and press
the remote start button until the parking lamps
turn off.
Turn on the hazard warning ashers.
Turn the ignition switch on and then off.
The vehicle can be remote started two separate times
between driving sequences. The engine will run for
10 minutes after each remote start.
Or, you can extend the engine run time by another
10 minutes within the rst 10 minute remote start time
frame, and before the engine stops.
For example, if the lock button and then the remote
start buttons are pressed again after the vehicle
has been running for ve minutes, 10 minutes are
added, allowing the engine to run for 15 minutes.
The additional ten minutes are considered a second
remote vehicle start.
2-8

If you shift the transmission out of PARK (P) while the
power function is in progress, the liftgate power function
will continue to completion. If you shift the transmission
out of PARK (P) and accelerate before the power
liftgate latches closed, the liftgate may reverse to the
open position. Cargo could fall out of the vehicle. Always
make sure the power liftgate is closed and latched
before you drive away.
If you power open the liftgate and the liftgate support
struts have lost pressure, the lights will ash and a
chime will sound. The liftgate will stay open temporarily,
then slowly close. See your dealer/retailer for service
before using the liftgate. Obstacle Detection Features If the liftgate encounters an obstacle during a power
open or close cycle, a warning chime will sound and the
liftgate will automatically reverse direction to the full
closed or open position. After removing the obstruction,
the power liftgate operation can be used again. If the
liftgate encounters multiple obstacles on the same power
cycle, the power function will deactivate, and you
must manually open or close the liftgate. The REAR
ACCESS OPEN warning message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will indicate that the liftgate is
open. After removing the obstructions, manually
open the liftgate to the full open position or close the
liftgate to the fully closed and latched position. The
liftgate will now resume normal power operation.
Your vehicle has pinch sensors located on the side
edges of the liftgate. If an object is caught between the
liftgate and the body and presses against this sensor,
the liftgate will reverse direction and open fully.
The liftgate will remain open until it is activated again or
closed manually. Do not force the liftgate open or
closed during a power cycle.
2-16

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

Security Light .............................................. .3-46
Fog Lamp Light ........................................... .3-46
Lights On Reminder ..................................... .3-47
Cruise Control Light ..................................... .3-47
Highbeam On Light ...................................... .3-47
Tow/Haul Mode Light ................................... .3-47
Fuel Gage .................................................. .3-48
Driver Information Center (DIC) ...................... .3-48
DIC Operation and Displays .......................... .3-49
DIC Warnings and Messages ........................ .3-53
DIC Vehicle Customization ............................ .3-61 Audio System(s) ............................................ .3-70
Setting the Clock ......................................... .3-71
Radio(s) ..................................................... .3-72
Using an MP3 ............................................. .3-90
XM Radio Messages .................................... .3-94
Navigation/Radio System .............................. .3-95
Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) System .......... .3-95
Rear Seat Audio (RSA) ............................... .3-104
Theft-Deterrent Feature ............................... .3-106
Audio Steering Wheel Controls ..................... .3-106
Radio Reception ........................................ .3-108
Rear Side Window Antenna ......................... .3-109
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System ........... .3-109Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators This part describes the warning lights and gages on
your vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briey when you start the
engine just to let you know they are working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens. Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly – and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They are a big help.
Your vehicle also has a Driver Information Center (DIC)
that works along with the warning lights and gages.
See Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-48 .
3-33

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

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. The brakes might not have time to cool
between hard stops. The brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are driving,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If you do,
the pedal could get harder to push down. If the
engine stops, you will still have some power brake
assist. But you will use it when you brake. Once the
power assist is used up, it can take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. See Accessories and
Modifications on page 5-3 . Antilock Brake System (ABS) Your vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and begin to drive away, ABS
will check itself. You might hear a momentary motor or
clicking noise while this test is going on. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light will
stay on. See Antilock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-41 .
Along with ABS, your vehicle has a Dynamic Rear
Proportioning (DRP) system. If there is a DRP problem,
both the brake and ABS warning lights come on
accompanied by a 10-second chime. The lights and
chime will come on each time the ignition is turned on
until the problem is repaired. See your dealer/retailer for
service.
4-4