2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE windshield wipers

Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the
ignition switch to four
different positions.
In order to shift out of PARK (P), ignition must be in the
ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake
pedal must be applied.
A (LOCK/OFF):This position locks the ignition and
transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature. The key
can only be removed when the ignition is turned
to LOCK/OFF.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in.If it is, turn the steering wheel left and right while
you turn the key hard. If none of this works,
then your vehicle needs service.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This position lets things like
the radio and the windshield wipers operate while
the engine is off.
Lengthy operation of features such as the radio in the
ACC/ACCESSORY ignition position and the ON/RUN
position may drain the battery and prevent your vehicle
from starting. Do not operate your vehicle in the
ACC/ACCESSORY ignition position for a long period
of time.
C (ON/RUN):This is the position for driving. It is the
position the ignition switch returns to after the engine
starts, and the key is released.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position with the
engine off. You may not be able to start your vehicle if
the battery is allowed to drain for an extended period
of time.
D (START):This position starts the engine.
2-25

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

Windshield Wipers
Clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before
using them. If they are frozen to the windshield, gently
loosen or thaw them. Damaged wiper blades may
not clear the windshield well, making it harder to see
and drive safely. If the blades do become damaged,
install new blades or blade inserts. For more information,
seeWindshield Wiper Blade Replacement on page 5-52.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools down.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Turn the band with the wiper symbol to control the
windshield wipers.
8(Mist):Turn the band to mist for a single wiping
cycle. Hold it there until the wipers start. Then let
go. The wipers stop after one wipe. Hold the band on
mist longer, for more wipe cycles.
9(Off):To stop the wipers, move the band to off.
6(Delay):Turn the band to adjust the delay time.
The delay between wiping cycles becomes shorter
as the band is moved to the top of the lever.
This can be very useful in light rain or snow.
6(Low Speed):Turn the band away from you to
the rst solid band past the delay settings, for steady
wiping at low speed.
?(High Speed):Turn the band further, to the
second solid band past the delay settings, for
high-speed wiping.
Rainsense™ II Wipers
Your vehicle has Rainsense™ II windshield wipers.
These wipers automatically turn on when a sensor,
mounted next to the inside rearview mirror, detects
moisture on the windshield. When active, these wipers
are able to detect moisture on the windshield and
automatically turn on the wipers.
To turn on the Rainsense™ feature, the wipers must
be set to one of the ve delay settings. Each of
the ve settings adjusts the sensitivity of the rain sensor.
Since different drivers have different setting preferences,
it is recommended that the mid-range setting, position
three, be used initially. For more wipes, select the higher
settings; for fewer wipes, select the lower settings located
closer to the off position on the multifunction lever.
The rain sensor will automatically control the frequency
of the wipes from off to high speed according to the
weather conditions. The wipers can be left in a
Rainsense™ mode even when it is not raining.
3-10

When Rainsense™ II is active, the headlamps will
turn on automatically after approximately eight wipes.
The headlamps will turn off if the wiper switch is set to
a delay position, and there have been no wipes for
approximately three minutes, or if the wiper switch is
turned to the off position. If it is dark outside, the
headlamps will remain on.
Notice:Going through an automatic car wash with
the wipers on can damage them. Turn the wipers
off when going through an automatic car wash.
Windshield Washer
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
L(Washer Fluid):There is a paddle marked with the
windshield washer symbol at the top of the multifunction
lever. To spray washer uid on the windshield, push
the paddle. The wipers will clear the window and then
either stop or return to your preset speed.
Heated Windshield Washer
The heated windshield washer uid system may be
used to help clear ice, snow, tree sap, or bugs from
your windshield.
The button is located in
the switchbank under
the climate controls.
Push the heated washer uid button while the ignition
is turned on to activate the heated windshield washer
uid system. The indicator light will ash. This activation
will initiate four heated wash/wipe cycles. The rst
heated wash/wipe cycle may take up to 40 seconds
to occur, depending on outside temperature. After the
rst wash/wipe cycle, it may take up to 20 seconds
for each of the remaining cycles to begin. Press
the button again to turn off the heated windshield
washer uid system or it will automatically turn off
after four wash/wipe cycles have been completed.
When the heated windshield washer uid system is
activated under certain outside temperature conditions,
steam may ow out of the washer nozzles for a
short period of time before washer uid is sprayed.
This is a normal condition.
3-11

Rear Window Wiper/Washer
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
The rear wiper control is located on the turn
signal/multifunction lever.
To turn the rear wiper on, slide the lever to a wiper
position.
9(Off):To turn the wiper off, slide the lever to this
setting.
5(Rear Wiper Delay):To turn on the rear wiper
delay, slide the lever to this setting.
Z(Rear Wiper):To turn on the rear wiper, slide the
lever to this setting.
=(Rear Wiper Wash):To turn on the rear wiper
wash, push the button on the end of the turn
signal/multifunction lever to spray washer uid on the
rear window. The wipers will clear the rear window and
either stop or return to your preset speed. For more
washer cycles, press and hold the button.
The rear window wiper/washer will not operate if the
liftgate or liftglass is open or ajar. If the liftgate or
liftglass is opened while the rear wiper is on, the wiper
will return to the parked position and stop.
Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
3-12

Notice:Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint nish may
damage it. Use only non-abrasive waxes and
polishes that are made for a basecoat/clearcoat
paint nish on your vehicle.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc.,
can damage your vehicle’s nish if they remain
on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as
possible. If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that
are marked safe for painted surfaces to remove
foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a
period of years. You can help to keep the paint nish
looking new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Parts
Bright metal parts should be cleaned regularly to keep
their luster. Washing with water is all that is usually
needed. However, you may use chrome polish on
chrome or stainless steel trim, if necessary.Use special care with aluminum trim. To avoid damaging
protective trim, never use auto or chrome polish,
steam or caustic soap to clean aluminum. A coating of
wax, rubbed to high polish, is recommended for all
bright metal parts.
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper
Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield and backglass with
glass cleaner.
Clean the rubber blades using a lint free cloth or paper
towel soaked with windshield washer uid or a mild
detergent. Wash the windshield thoroughly when you
clean the blades. Bugs, road grime, sap and a buildup of
vehicle wash/wax treatments may cause wiper streaking.
Replace the wiper blades if they are worn or damaged.
Wipers can be damaged by:
Extreme dusty conditions
Sand and salt
Heat and sun
Snow and ice, without proper removal
5-101

Power (cont.)
Running Boards..........................................2-17
Seat ............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-33
Windows....................................................2-19
Privacy..........................................................7-16
Event Data Recorders..................................7-17
Navigation System.......................................7-18
OnStar .......................................................7-18
Radio Frequency Identication.......................7-18
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-11
R
Radio Frequency Identication (RFID),
Privacy......................................................7-18
Radio(s)........................................................3-70
Radios
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual..............................3-92
Rear Seat Audio........................................3-102
Reception.................................................3-105
Setting the Clock.........................................3-69
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-104
Rainsense™ II Wipers.....................................3-10
Reading Lamps..............................................3-23
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System
and Electronic Climate Controls.....................3-31Rear Axle......................................................5-44
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-11
Rear Heated Seats.........................................1-10
Rear Seat Armrest..........................................2-63
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)..................................3-102
Rear Seat Entertainment System.......................3-92
Rear Side Window Antenna............................3-106
Rear Storage Area..........................................2-63
Rear Windshield Washer/Wiper.........................3-12
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®, Compass and Temperature Display.....2-42
Reclining Seatbacks, Power............................... 1-7
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-13
Recovery Hooks.............................................4-34
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-41
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.................. 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System,
Operation..................................................... 2-5
Remote Vehicle Start........................................ 2-7
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-83
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-78
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-51
Replacement Parts, Maintenance......................6-15
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-15
General Motors...........................................7-15
United States Government............................7-14
10