2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT Owners Manual

Engine Coolant Heater
The engine coolant heater, if available, can help in cold
weather conditions at or below 0°F (−18°C) for easier
starting and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Plug in the coolant heater at least four hours before
starting your vehicle. An internal thermostat in the
plug-end of the cord may exist which will prevent
engine coolant heater operation at temperatures
above 0°F (−18°C).
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The cord is located on the driver’s side of the
engine compartment, near the power steering
uid reservoir.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded
110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord
will not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature,
the kind of oil you have, and some other things.
Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that
you contact your dealer/retailer in the area where you
will be parking your vehicle. The dealer/retailer can
give you the best advice for that particular area.
2-35

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your vehicle has a Hydra-Matic®6L80 automatic
transmission, and has an electronic shift position
indicator within the instrument panel cluster. The
electronic shift position indicator displays when the
shift lever is moved out of PARK (P).
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.When parked on a hill, especially when the vehicle
has a heavy load, you may notice an increase in
the effort to shift out of PARK (P). See Torque Lock
(Automatic Transmission) underShifting Into PARK (P)
on page 2-42for more information.
{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. 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 2-42. If you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-43.
2-36

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 Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow on page 4-33.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the 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.
It provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle.
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.
By doing this, the vehicle shifts down to the next
gear and has 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 a
lower gear selection if the transmission shifts too often.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see Skidding
underLoss of Control on page 4-11.
2-37

MANUAL MODE (M):This position lets drivers select
the range of gears appropriate for current driving
conditions. See Driver Shift Control (DSC) later in
this section.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. The repair will
not be covered by your warranty. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Your vehicle has a shift stabilization feature that
adjusts the transmission shifting to the current driving
conditions in order to reduce rapid upshifts and
downshifts. This shift stabilization feature is designed
to determine, before making an upshift, if the engine will
be able to maintain vehicle speed by analyzing things
such as vehicle speed, throttle position and vehicle load.If the shift stabilization feature determines that a current
vehicle speed cannot be maintained, the transmission
does not upshift and instead holds the current gear.
In some cases, this may appear to be a delayed shift,
however the transmission is operating normally.
Your vehicle’s transmission uses adaptive shift controls
that compares key shift parameters to pre-programmed
ideal shifts stored in the transmissions computer.
The transmission constantly makes adjustments to
improve vehicle performance according to how the
vehicle is being used, such as with a heavy load or when
temperature changes. During this adaptive shift controls
process, shifting may feel different as the transmission
determines the best settings.
When temperatures are very cold, the Hydra-Matic
®6L80
automatic transmission’s gear shifting may be delayed
providing more stable shifts until the engine warms up.
Shifts may be more noticeable with a cold transmission.
This difference in shifting is normal.
2-38

Driver Shift Control (DSC)
Your vehicle has a Driver Shift Control (DSC).
The DSC controls the vehicle’s transmission and
vehicle speed while driving down hill or towing a trailer
by allowing you to select a desired range of gears.
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever to the MANUAL MODE (M).
2. Press the plus/minus button, to upshift or downshift
selecting the desired range of gears for your current
driving conditions.The DIC display will show the message MANUAL
SHIFT on the rst line and the current gear will be
displayed on the second line. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-45andDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-45for more information. The
number displayed in the DIC is the highest gear that
can be used. However, your vehicle can automatically
shift to lower gears as it adjusts to driving conditions.
This means that all gears below that number are
available. When FIFTH (5) is selected, FIRST (1)
through FIFTH (5) gears are automatically shifted by
the vehicle, but SIXTH (6) cannot be used until the
plus/minus button located on the steering column lever
is used to change to the gear.
Grade Braking is not available when the Driver Shift
Control is active. SeeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-40
for more information.
While using the DSC, cruise control and the tow/haul
mode can be used.
2-39

Tow/Haul Mode
Your vehicle has a tow/haul mode. The tow/haul mode
adjusts the transmission shift pattern to reduce shift
cycling, providing increased performance, vehicle
control, and transmission cooling when towing or
hauling heavy loads.
Press the button located on the end of the shift lever
to turn the tow/haul on or off. When the tow/haul is on,
a light on the instrument panel cluster will come on.SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 3-44for more
information.
Also see “Tow Haul Mode” underTowing a Trailer
on page 4-43for more information.
The tow/haul mode works with the Autoride
®feature,
if the vehicle has this, to enhance the ride when trailering
or with a loaded vehicle. SeeAutoride
®on page 4-42.
Grade Braking
Grade Braking assists when driving on a downhill
grade. It maintains the vehicle’s speed by automatically
implementing a shift schedule that uses the engine
and the transmission to slow the vehicle. This reduces
wear on the brakes system and increases control of
the vehicle. The system constantly monitors the vehicle’s
speed, acceleration, throttle position, and whether the
brake pedal is being pressed, and determines when
to keep the current vehicle speed or to slow down.
The system will then automatically command downshifts
that reduces the vehicles speed, until the brake pedal
is no longer being pressed. This indicates the desired
vehicle speed has been reached.
2-40

The tow/haul mode and grade braking shift modes
can be activated by pressing the button on the end
of the shift control stalk. While in the DSC mode,
grade braking is deactivated, allowing the driver to
select a gear.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-36
for more information.
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 sounds and the warning light ashes when
the parking brake is applied and the vehicle is moving
at least 5 mph (8 km/h).To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Then pull the bottom edge of the lever,
with the parking brake symbol and located above
the parking brake pedal.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light goes off.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
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 4-43.
2-41

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 4-43.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot
and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position
by pulling the shift lever toward you and moving
it up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
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).
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. After the shift lever is moved
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 was not fully locked into
PARK (P).
2-42