2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV heater

If the On Indicator is Lit for a Child
Restraint If a child restraint has been installed and the on
indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items from the seat such as
blankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters, or
seat massagers.
4. Reinstall the child restraint following the directions
provided by the child restraint manufacturer and
refer to Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position on page 1-76 . 5. If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting
the vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, turn the vehicle
off. Then slightly recline the vehicle seatback and
adjust the seat cushion, if adjustable, to make sure
that the vehicle seatback is not pushing the child
restraint into the seat cushion.
Also make sure the child restraint is not trapped
under the vehicle head restraint. If this happens,
adjust the head restraint. See Head Restraints
on page 1-2 .
6. Restart the vehicle.
The passenger sensing system may or may not turn
off the airbag for a child in a child restraint depending
upon the child’s seating posture and body build. It is
better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat.
1-90

If the Off Indicator is Lit for an
Adult-Size Occupant
If a person of adult-size is sitting in the right front
passenger seat, but the off indicator is lit, it could be
because that person is not sitting properly in the seat. If this happens, use the following steps to allow the
system to detect that person and enable the right front
passenger frontal airbag:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove any additional material from the seat, such
as blankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters, or
seat massagers.
3. Place the seatback in the fully upright position.
4. Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on
the seat cushion, with legs comfortably extended.
5. Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in
this position for two to three minutes after the on
indicator is lit.
1-91

Additional Factors Affecting System
Operation Safety belts help keep the passenger in position on the
seat during vehicle maneuvers and braking, which
helps the passenger sensing system maintain the
passenger airbag status. See “Safety Belts” and “Child
Restraints” in the Index for additional information
about the importance of proper restraint use.
If the shoulder portion of the belt is pulled out all the
way, the child restraint locking feature will be engaged.
This may unintentionally cause the passenger sensing
system to turn the airbag off for some adult size
occupants. If this happens, let the belt go back all the
way and start again.
A thick layer of additional material, such as a blanket or
cushion, or aftermarket equipment such as seat covers,
seat heaters, and seat massagers can affect how well the
passenger sensing system operates. We recommend
that you not use seat covers or other aftermarket
equipment except when approved by GM for your specic
vehicle. See Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 1-94 for more information about
modications that can affect how the system operates. The on indicator may be lit if an object, such as a
briefcase, handbag, grocery bag, laptop or other
electronic device, is put on an unoccupied seat.
If this is not desired remove the object from the seat.
{ CAUTION: Stowing of articles under the passenger seat or
between the passenger seat cushion and seatback
may interfere with the proper operation of the
passenger sensing system.
1-92

Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q: Is there anything I might add to or change
about the vehicle that could keep the airbags
from working properly?
A: Yes. If you add things that change the vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, height, front end or side
sheet metal, they may keep the airbag system from
working properly. Changing or moving any parts
of the front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing
and diagnostic module, steering wheel, instrument
panel, roof-rail airbag modules, ceiling headliner
or pillar garnish trim, overhead console, front
sensors, side impact sensors, rollover sensor
module, or airbag wiring can affect the operation of
the airbag system.
In addition, the vehicle has a passenger sensing
system for the right front passenger position, which
includes sensors that are part of the passenger
seat. The passenger sensing system may not
operate properly if the original seat trim is replaced
with non-GM covers, upholstery or trim, or with
GM covers, upholstery or trim designed for a
different vehicle. Any object, such as an aftermarket
seat heater or a comfort enhancing pad or device,
installed under or on top of the seat fabric, could also interfere with the operation of the
passenger sensing system. This could either
prevent proper deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the passenger sensing system
from properly turning off the passenger airbag(s).
See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-87 .
If you have any questions, call Customer
Assistance. The phone numbers and addresses for
Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the
Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.
See Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 8-2 .
If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail airbags, see
Different Size Tires and Wheels on page 6-73 for
additional important information.
Q: Because I have a disability, I have to get my
vehicle modied. How can I nd out whether
this will affect my airbag system?
A: If you have questions, call Customer Assistance.
The phone numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See
Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 8-2 .
In addition, your dealer/retailer and the service manual
have information about the location of the airbag sensors,
sensing and diagnostic module and airbag wiring.
1-94

Keys .............................................................. .2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System ............... .2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation .................................................. .2-5
Remote Vehicle Start ..................................... .2-8
Doors and Locks ........................................... .2-10
Door Locks ................................................. .2-10
Power Door Locks ....................................... .2-10
Delayed Locking .......................................... .2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks ............. .2-11
Rear Door Security Locks ............................. .2-11
Lockout Protection ....................................... .2-12
Liftgate/Liftglass ........................................... .2-12
Power Liftgate ............................................. .2-14
Power Assist Steps ...................................... .2-16
Windows ....................................................... .2-17
Power Windows ........................................... .2-18
Sun Visors .................................................. .2-20
Theft-Deterrent Systems ................................. .2-21
Content Theft-Deterrent ................................ .2-21
PASS-Key ®
III+ Electronic Immobilizer ............ .2-22
PASS-Key ®
III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation ................................................ .2-23 Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ............... .2-24
New Vehicle Break-In ................................... .2-24
Ignition Positions ......................................... .2-25
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) .................. .2-26
Starting the Engine ...................................... .2-26
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal ............... .2-27
Engine Coolant Heater ................................. .2-28
Automatic Transmission Operation .................. .2-29
Tow/Haul Mode ........................................... .2-33
Parking Brake ............................................. .2-34
Shifting Into Park ......................................... .2-36
Shifting Out of Park ..................................... .2-37
Parking Over Things That Burn ...................... .2-38
Engine Exhaust ........................................... .2-38
Running the Vehicle While Parked ................. .2-39
Mirrors .......................................................... .2-40
Manual Rearview Mirror ................................ .2-40
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror ............... .2-40
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors .................... .2-40
Park Tilt Mirrors ........................................... .2-41
Outside Convex Mirror .................................. .2-41
Outside Heated Mirrors ................................. .2-42Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Engine Coolant Heater The engine coolant heater can provide easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up in cold
weather conditions at or below 0°F ( − 18°C). Vehicles
with an engine heater should be plugged in at least
four hours before starting. 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.
The length of time the heater should remain plugged in
depends on several factors. Ask a dealer/retailer in
the area where you will be parking the vehicle for the
best advice on this.
2-28

Rear Window Defogger The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
< (Rear Window Defogger): Press to turn the rear
window defogger on or off. It automatically turns off after
it has been activated. The defogger can also be turned off
by turning off the engine. Do not drive the vehicle until all
the windows are clear.
Notice: Do not use a razor blade or sharp object
to clear the inside rear window. Do not adhere
anything to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass.
These actions may damage the rear defogger.
Repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Heated Mirrors: For vehicles with heated outside
rearview mirrors, the mirrors heat to help clear fog or
frost from the surface of the mirror when the rear window
defog button is pressed. See Outside Heated Mirrors
on page 2-42 .
Heated or Cooled Seats: For vehicles with heated
seats or heated and cooled seats, see Heated Seats on
page 1-5 or Heated and Cooled Seats on page 1-6 .Outlet Adjustment Use the air outlets located in the center and on the side
of the instrument panel to direct the airow.
Operation Tips
Keep the hood and front air inlets free of ice, snow,
or any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of the windows.
When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, press
the fan up button to the maximum fan level before
driving. This helps clear the intake ducts of snow
and moisture, and reduces the chance of fogging
the inside of the window.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout the
vehicle.
Adding outside equipment to the front of the
vehicle, such as hood-air deectors, may affect
the performance of the heating and air conditioning
system. Check with your dealer/retailer before
adding equipment to the outside of the vehicle.
3-31

At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM Specication
D 5798. By denition, this means that fuel labeled E85
will have an ethanol content between 70% and 85%.
Filling the fuel tank with fuel mixtures that do not meet
ASTM specications can affect driveability and could
cause the malfunction indicator lamp to come on.
To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the E85 fuel
must be formulated properly for your climate according to
ASTM specication D 5798. If you have trouble starting
on E85, it could be because the E85 fuel is not properly
formulated for your climate. If this happens, switching to
gasoline or adding gasoline to the fuel tank can improve
starting. For good starting and heater efficiency below
32°F (0°C), the fuel mix in the fuel tank should contain
no more than 70% ethanol. It is best not to alternate
repeatedly between gasoline and E85. If you do switch
fuels, it is recommended that you add as much fuel as
possible — do not add less than three gallons (11 L)
when refueling. You should drive the vehicle immediately
after refueling for at least seven miles (11 km) to allow the
vehicle to adapt to the change in ethanol concentration.
E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so you will
need to rell the fuel tank more often when using E85
than when you are using gasoline. See Filling the Tank
on page 6-9 . Notice: Some additives are not compatible with
E85 fuel and can harm the vehicle’s fuel system.
Do not add anything to E85. Damage caused by
additives would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Notice: This vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the vehicle
warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
6-8