2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE change time

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, CADILLAC,
the CADILLAC Crest & Wreath, and the names
ESCALADE and ESV are registered trademarks of
General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. GM reserves the right to make changes
after that time without notice. For vehicles rst sold
in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors
of Canada Limited” for Cadillac Motor Car Division
wherever it appears in this manual.
This manual describes features that may or may not be
on your specic vehicle.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for quick reference.
Canadian Owners
A French language copy of this manual can be obtained
from your dealer/retailer or from:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
www.helminc.com
Propriétaires Canadiens
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide en français
auprès de concessionnaire ou à l’adresse suivante:
Helm Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
www.helminc.com
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 15854808 B Second Printing
©2007 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
ii

Infants and Young Children
Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes
infants and all other children. Neither the distance
traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes
the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact,
the law in every state in the United States and in
every Canadian province says children up to some age
must be restrained while in a vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Children can be seriously injured or strangled
if a shoulder belt is wrapped around their
neck and the safety belt continues to tighten.
Never leave children unattended in a vehicle
and never allow children to play with the
safety belts.Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles,
they should have the protection provided by appropriate
restraints. Children who are not restrained properly
can strike other people, or can be thrown out of
the vehicle. In addition, young children should not use
the vehicle’s adult safety belts alone; they need to use a
child restraint.
{CAUTION:
People should never hold an infant in their
arms while riding in a vehicle. An infant does
not weigh much — until a crash. During a
crash an infant will become so heavy it is not
possible to hold it. For example, in a crash at
only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12 lb (5.5 kg) infant
will suddenly become a 240 lb (110 kg) force
on a person’s arms. An infant should be
secured in an appropriate restraint.
1-52

Manual Operation of Power Liftgate
To change the liftgate to manual operation, press the
switch on the overhead console to the OFF position.
With the power liftgate disabled and all of the doors
unlocked, the liftgate can be manually opened and
closed.
To open the liftgate, press the touchpad on the handle
on the outside of the liftgate, and lift the gate open.
To close the liftgate, use the pull cup to lower the
liftgate and close. The liftgate latch will power close.
Always close the liftgate before driving.
If the RKE button or the power close button on the liftgate
is pressed while power operation is disabled, the lights
will ash three times, but the liftgate will not move.
It is not recommended that you drive with the liftgate
open, however, if you must drive with the liftgate open,
the liftgate should be set to manual operation by
pressing the OFF switch on the center console.
The liftgate has an electric latch. If the battery is
disconnected or has low voltage, the liftgate will not
open. The liftgate will resume operation when the battery
is reconnected and charged.
If the battery is properly connected with adequate
voltage, the switch is not disabled, and the liftgate still
will not function, your vehicle should be taken to a
dealer/retailer for service.
Power Running Boards
Your vehicle may have power running boards.
The power running boards automatically extend from
beneath the vehicle on the side in which the door
has been opened. Once the door is closed, the running
boards will automatically move back under the vehicle
after a brief delay. The vehicle must not be moving
for the running boards to extend or retract.
The switch used to disable
the power running boards
is located on the center
console below the climate
control system.
The running boards cannot be disabled in the extended
position.
2-17

Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the oil to warm up
and lubricate all moving parts.
Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the
engine and protects components. If the ignition key
is turned to the START position, and then released
when the engine begins cranking, the engine
will continue cranking for a few seconds or until the
vehicle starts. If the engine does not start and
the key is held in START for many seconds,
cranking will be stopped after 15 seconds to prevent
cranking motor damage. To prevent gear damage,
this system also prevents cranking if the engine
is already running. Engine cranking can be stopped
by turning the ignition switch to the
ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF position.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by returning the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has ended, can overheat
and damage the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try,
to let the cranking motor cool down.2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator pedal all the
way to the oor and holding it there as you hold
the key in START for up to a maximum of
15 seconds. Wait at least 15 seconds between
each try, to allow the cranking motor to cool down.
When the engine starts, let go of the key and
accelerator. If the vehicle starts briey but then
stops again, do the same thing. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil warms up and
lubricates all moving parts.
Notice:The engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer/retailer. If you do not, your
engine might not perform properly. Any resulting
damage would not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranty.
2-27

Temperature and Compass Display
Press the on/off button, located to the far left, briey to
turn the compass/temperature display on or off.
If the display reads CAL, the compass needs to be
calibrated. For more information, see “Compass
Calibration” following.
To adjust between Fahrenheit and Celsius, do the
following:
1. Press and hold the on/off button for approximately
four seconds until either a ashing F or C appears.
2. Press the button again to change the display to the
desired unit of measurement. After approximately
four seconds of inactivity, the new unit will be locked
in and the compass/temperature display will return.
If an abnormal temperature reading is displayed for an
extended period of time, please see your GM dealer.
Under certain circumstances, a delay in updating
the temperature is normal.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming mirror function is turned
on automatically each time the ignition is started.
To operate the automatic dimming mirror, do the
following:
1. Make sure the green indicator light, located to the
left of the on/off button, is lit. If it is not, press and
hold the on/off button for approximately six seconds
until the green light comes on, indicating that the
mirror is in automatic dimming mode.
2. Turn off the automatic dimming mirror function
by pressing and holding the on/off button for
approximately six seconds, until the green indicator
light turns off.
2-43

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.........................3-8
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-9
Windshield Wipers........................................3-10
Rainsense™ II Wipers...................................3-10
Windshield Washer.......................................3-11
Rear Window Wiper/Washer...........................3-12
Cruise Control..............................................3-12
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-16
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-20
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-20
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-20
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-21
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-22
Dome Lamps ...............................................3-22
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-22
Entry Lighting...............................................3-22
Exit Lighting.................................................3-22Reading Lamps............................................3-23
Electric Power Management...........................3-23
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-24
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
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light.......3-41
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light.............................3-41
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-42
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
GTurn and Lane Change Signals. SeeTurn and
Lane-Change Signals on page 3-8.
53Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer. See
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-9.
NWindshield Wipers. SeeWindshield Wipers
on page 3-10.
LWindshield Washer. SeeWindshield Washer
on page 3-11.
5Rear Wiper Delay. SeeRear Window
Wiper/Washer on page 3-12.
ZRear Wiper. SeeRear Window Wiper/Washer
on page 3-12.
=Rear Wiper Wash. SeeRear Window
Wiper/Washer on page 3-12.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and
two downward (for left) positions. These positions
allow you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or
down. When the turn is nished, the lever will return
automatically.
To signal a lane change, raise or lower the lever for
less than one second until the arrow starts to ash.
This will cause the turn signals to automatically ash
three times. It will ash six times if tow-haul mode
is active. Holding the turn signal lever for more than
one second will cause the turn signals to ash until you
release the lever. The lever will return by itself when
it is released.
3-8

The vehicle has a light sensor located on the top of the
instrument panel in the defroster grille that regulates
when the automatic headlamps turn on. Be sure it is
not covered, or the headlamps will come on whenever
the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on the headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather, or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) and the automatic headlamp systems
so that driving under bridges or bright overhead street
lights does not affect the system. The DRL and
automatic headlamp system will only be affected when
the light sensor detects a change in lighting lasting
longer than the delay.
If the vehicle is started in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once
the vehicle leaves the garage, it takes approximately
one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is bright enough outside. During
that delay, the instrument panel cluster may not be
as bright as usual. Make sure the instrument panel
brightness control is in the full bright position.
SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 3-22.
To idle the vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system off, turn the control to the off position.The headlamps will also stay on after you exit the
vehicle. This feature can be programmed using the
Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 3-59.
The regular headlamp system can be turned on
when needed.
Fog Lamps
-(Fog Lamps):If your vehicle has fog lamps, the
control is located next to the exterior lamps control
on the instrument panel to the left of the steering
column.
The ignition must be in the ON/RUN position for the
fog lamps to come on.
Press the button to turn the fog lamps on or off. A light
will come on in the instrument panel cluster.
When the fog lamps are turned on, the headlamps
automatically turn on.
When the headlamps are changed to high-beam, the
fog lamps also go off. When the high-beam headlamps
go off, the fog lamps will come on again.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to
be on along with the fog lamps.
3-21