2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE automatic transmission

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.
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 2-30
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 4-44.
2-35

A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-31.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-8.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-34.
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
E. Shift Lever and Range Selection Mode. See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-30.
F. Tow/Haul Selector Button. SeeTow/Haul Mode
on page 2-34.
G. Driver Information Center Controls. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-48.
H. Analog Clock. SeeAnalog Clock on page 3-25.
I. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-68.
J. StabiliTrak
®Button. SeeStabiliTrak®System
on page 4-6. Rear Park Aid Disable Button.
SeeUltrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)
on page 2-48.
K. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-6.L. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps
on page 3-16.
M. Dome Lamp Override Button. SeeDome Lamp
Override on page 3-22. Instrument Panel Brightness
Control. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness
on page 3-22. Fog Lamp Button. SeeFog Lamps
on page 3-21.
N. Cruise Control Buttons. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-12.
O. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
P. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-104.
Q. Dual Automatic Climate Controls. SeeDual
Automatic Climate Control System on page 3-26.
R. Pedal Adjust Button. SeeAdjustable Throttle
and Brake Pedal on page 2-28. Heated Windshield
Washer Fluid Button. SeeWindshield Washer
on page 3-11. Power Running Boards Disable
Button (If Equipped). SeePower Running Boards
on page 2-17.
S. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-61.
3-5

Headlamps on Reminder
If a door is open, a reminder chime will sound when
your headlamps or parking lamps are manually turned
on and your key is out of the ignition. To turn off
the chime, turn the headlamp switch to off or AUTO and
then back on, or close and re-open the door. In the
AUTO mode, the headlamps turn off once the ignition is
in LOCK or may remain on until the headlamp delay
ends (if enabled in the DIC). See “Exit Lighting” under
DIC Vehicle Customization on page 3-59.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day. DRL
can be helpful in many different driving conditions, but
they can be especially helpful in the short periods after
dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime running
lamps are required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
The transmission is not in PARK (P).
The light sensor determines it is daytime.When the DRL are on, only the DRL lamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker, and other lamps will not
be on. The instrument panel will not be lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlamp
system will switch from DRL to the headlamps.
To turn off the DRL lamps, turn the exterior lamps control
to the OFF position and then release. For vehicles
rst sold in Canada, the transmission must be in the
PARK (P) position, before the DRL lamps can be
turned off.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, the automatic
headlamp system will turn on the headlamps at the
normal brightness, along with the taillamps, sidemarker,
parking lamps, and the instrument panel lights.
The radio lights will also be dim.
To turn off the automatic headlamp system, turn the
exterior lamps switch to the off position and then release
it. For vehicles rst sold in Canada, the transmission
must be in the PARK (P) position, before the automatic
headlamp system can be turned off.
3-20

Timer
Press the trip/fuel button until TIMER displays.
This display can be used as a timer.
To start the timer, press the set/reset button while
TIMER is displayed. The display will show the amount
of time that has passed since the timer was last
reset, not including time the ignition is off. Time will
continue to be counted as long as the ignition is
on, even if another display is being shown on the
DIC. The timer will record up to 99 hours, 59 minutes
and 59 seconds (99:59:59) after which the display
will return to zero.
To stop the timer, press the set/reset button briey while
TIMER is displayed.
To reset the timer to zero, press and hold the set/reset
button while TIMER is displayed.
Transmission Temperature
Press the trip/fuel button until TRANS TEMP displays.
This display shows the temperature of the automatic
transmission uid in either degrees Fahrenheit (°F)
or degrees Celsius (°C).
Blank Display
This display shows no information.
Vehicle Information Menu Items
T
(Vehicle Information):Press this button to scroll
through the following menu items:
Oil Life
Press the vehicle information button until OIL LIFE
REMAINING displays. This display shows an estimate of
the oil’s remaining useful life. If you see 99% OIL LIFE
REMAINING on the display, that means 99% of the
current oil life remains. The engine oil life system will alert
you to change the oil on a schedule consistent with your
driving conditions.
When the remaining oil life is low, the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message will appear on the display. See
“CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-52. You should change the
oil as soon as you can. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-14.
In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring the
oil life, additional maintenance is recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule in this manual. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more information.
Remember, you must reset the OIL LIFE display yourself
after each oil change. It will not reset itself. Also, be
careful not to reset the OIL LIFE display accidentally at
any time other than when the oil has just been changed.
It cannot be reset accurately until the next oil change.
To reset the engine oil life system, seeEngine Oil Life
System on page 5-16.
3-50

This message also displays when the vehicle’s engine
power is reduced. Reduced engine power can affect the
vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no reduction in performance, proceed
to your destination. The performance may be reduced
the next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may
be driven at a reduced speed while this message is on,
but acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime
this message stays on, the vehicle should be taken
to your dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays and a chime sounds if the fuel
level is low. Refuel as soon as possible. SeeFuel Gage
on page 3-47andFuel on page 5-5for more information.
HOOD OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the hood
is not fully closed. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check
the hood for obstructions, and close the hood again.
Check to see if the message still appears on the DIC.
LEFT REAR DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the driver
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.
MANUAL SHIFT X
If your vehicle has Driver Shift Control (DSC) and
the shift lever is in the MANUAL MODE (M) position,
this message displays along with the current gear.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-30
for more information.
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
oil pressure is low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure warning appears on the
Driver Information Center (DIC), stop the vehicle
as soon as possible. Do not drive the vehicle until
the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-14for more information.
This message displays if low oil pressure levels
occur. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible and
do not operate it until the cause of the low oil pressure
has been corrected. Check the oil as soon as possible
and have your vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-14.
3-54

TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
transmission uid is overheating and the
transmission temperature warning is displayed
on the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, you
can damage the transmission. This could lead
to costly repairs that would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not drive your vehicle with
overheated transmission uid or while the
transmission temperature warning is displayed.
This message displays along with a continuous chime
if the transmission uid in the vehicle gets hot.
Driving with the transmission uid temperature high can
cause damage to the vehicle. Stop the vehicle and
let it idle to allow the transmission to cool. This message
clears and the chime stops when the uid temperature
reaches a safe level.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays and a chime sounds if a
turn signal is left on for 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km). Move
the turn signal/multifunction lever to the off position.
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID
This message displays when the windshield washer
uid is low. Fill the windshield washer uid reservoir as
soon as possible. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for the location of the windshield
washer uid reservoir. Also, seeWindshield Washer
Fluid on page 5-34for more information.
DIC Vehicle Customization
Your vehicle may have customization capabilities that
allow you to program certain features to one preferred
setting. Customization features can only be programmed
to one setting on the vehicle and cannot be programmed
to a preferred setting for two different drivers.
All of the customization options may not be available
on your vehicle. Only the options available will be
displayed on the DIC.
The default settings for the customization features were
set when your vehicle left the factory, but may have
been changed from their default state since then.
The customization preferences are automatically
recalled.
3-59

Traction Control Operation
The traction control system is part of the StabiliTrak®
system. Traction control limits wheel spin by
reducing engine power to the wheels (engine speed
management) and by applying brakes to each
individual wheel (brake-traction control) as necessary.
The traction control system is enabled automatically
when you start your vehicle. It will activate and
the StabiliTrak
®light will ash if it senses that any of
the wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction
while driving. If you turn off traction control, only
the brake-traction control portion of traction control will
work. The engine speed management will be disabled.
In this mode, engine power is not reduced automatically
and the driven wheels can spin more freely. This can
cause the brake-traction control to activate constantly.
Notice:If you allow the wheel(s) of one axle to spin
excessively while the StabiliTrak
®, ABS and brake
warning lights and the SERVICE STABILITRAK
message are displayed, you could damage the
transfer case. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Reduce engine power and do not
spin the wheel(s) excessively while these lights
and this message are displayed.The traction control system may activate on dry or
rough roads or under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or abrupt upshifts/downshifts
of the transmission. When this happens, you may
notice a reduction in acceleration, or may hear a
noise or vibration. This is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the system
activates, the StabiliTrak
®light will ash and the
cruise control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to use cruise again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-12.
StabiliTrak
®may also turn off automatically if it
determines that a problem exists with the system.
If the problem does not clear itself after restarting the
vehicle, you should see your dealer/retailer for service.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
If your vehicle is equipped 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.
4-8

Dolly Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
(Rear Wheels Off the Ground)
Notice:If you tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle with
the rear wheels on the ground, the transmission
could be damaged. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Never tow your vehicle
with the rear wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed with
the rear wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions for internal
lubrication while being towed.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles can be towed on a dolly
with the front wheels on the ground provided that
the wheels are straight.
Use the following procedure to dolly tow your vehicle:
1. Drive the vehicle up onto the tow dolly.
2. Shift the transmission to PARK (P).
3. Turn the engine off, but leave the ignition on.
4. Firmly set the parking brake.
5. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the
tow dolly.
6. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is rmly attached to the towing vehicle.
Autoride®
The Autoride®feature provides improved vehicle
ride and handling under a variety of passenger and
loading conditions.
The system is fully automatic and uses a computer
controller to continuously monitor vehicle speed,
wheel to body position, lift/dive and steering position
of the vehicle. The controller then sends signals to each
shock absorber to independently adjust the damping
level to provide the optimum vehicle ride.
Autoride
®also interacts with the tow/haul mode that,
when activated, will provide additional control of
the shock absorbers. This additional control results
in better ride and handling characteristics when
the vehicle is loaded or towing a trailer. See “Tow/Haul
Mode” underTowing a Trailer on page 4-44for more
information.
4-43