warning CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2009 Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint System ............................. 1-1
Head Restraints
......................................... 1-2
Front Seats
............................................... 1-3
Rear Seats
.............................................. 1-10
Safety Belts
............................................. 1-30
Child Restraints
....................................... 1-52
Airbag System
......................................... 1-79
Restraint System Check
............................ 1-95
Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
...................................... 2-10
Windows
................................................. 2-17
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................ 2-21
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
........... 2-24
Mirrors
.................................................... 2-40
Object Detection Systems
.......................... 2-42
OnStar ®
System
...................................... 2-52
Universal Home Remote System
................ 2-55
Storage Areas
......................................... 2-62
Sunroof
.................................................. 2-65 Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
...................................... 3-27
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........ 3-33
Driver Information Center (DIC)
.................. 3-47
Audio System(s)
....................................... 3-75
Navigation System .......................................... 4-1
Overview
.................................................. 4-2
Features and Controls
.............................. 4-13
Navigation Audio System
........................... 4-62
Voice Recognition
.................................... 4-86
Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 5-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle
....... 5-2
Towing
................................................... 5-40
Service and Appearance Care .......................... 6-1
Service
..................................................... 6-3
Fuel
......................................................... 6-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
............... 6-12
All-Wheel Drive
........................................ 6-45
Rear Axle
............................................... 6-462009 Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual
M

Safety Warnings and Symbols A circle with a slash
through it is a safety
symbol which means “Do
Not,” “Do not do this,”
or “Do not let this happen.”
A box with the word CAUTION is used to tell about
things that could hurt you or others if you were to ignore
the warning.
{ CAUTION: These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
Cautions tell what the hazard is and what to do to avoid
or reduce the hazard. Read these cautions. A notice tells about something that can damage the
vehicle.
Notice: These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
Many times, this damage would not be covered by the
vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. The notice
tells what to do to help avoid the damage.
There are also warning labels on the vehicle which use
the same words, CAUTION or Notice.
Vehicle Symbols The vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or information
relating to a specic component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.
M : This symbol is shown when you need to see your
owner manual for additional instructions or information.
* : This symbol is shown when you need to see a
service manual for additional instructions or information.
iv

Vehicle Symbol Chart Here are some additional symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they mean. For more information
on the symbol, refer to the index.
0 : Adjustable Pedals
9 : Airbag Readiness Light
# : Air Conditioning
! : Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g : Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar ®
$ : Brake System Warning Light
" : Charging System
I : Cruise Control
B : Engine Coolant Temperature
O : Exterior Lamps
# : Fog Lamps . : Fuel Gage
+ : Fuses
i : Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
j : LATCH System Child Restraints
* : Malfunction Indicator Lamp
: : Oil Pressure
g : Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors
} : Power
/ : Remote Vehicle Start
> : Safety Belt Reminders
7 : Tire Pressure Monitor
_ : Tow/Haul Mode
F : Traction Control
M : Windshield Washer Fluid
v

What Will You See After an Airbag
Inates? After the frontal airbags inate, they quickly deate, so
quickly that some people may not even realize an
airbag inated. Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inated for some time after they deploy.
Some components of the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the airbag modules,
see What Makes an Airbag Inflate? on page 1-85 .
The parts of the airbag that come into contact with you
may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the
deated airbags. Airbag ination does not prevent
the driver from seeing out of the windshield or being
able to steer the vehicle, nor does it prevent people from
leaving the vehicle. { CAUTION: When an airbag inates, there may be dust in the
air. This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with a history of asthma or other breathing
trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle
should get out as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you have breathing problems but cannot get out
of the vehicle after an airbag inates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or a door. If you
experience breathing problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may automatically unlock
the doors, turn the interior lamps on, and turn the
hazard warning ashers on when the airbags inate.
You can lock the doors, turn the interior lamps off, and
turn the hazard warning ashers off by using the
controls for those features.
1-86

Battery Replacement Replace the battery if the REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY message displays in the DIC. See
“REPLACE BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY” under DIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-56 for additional
information.
Notice: When replacing the battery, do not touch
any of the circuitry on the transmitter. Static
from your body could damage the transmitter.
To replace the battery:
1. Separate the transmitter with a at, thin object
inserted into the notch, located above the
metal base.
2. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object.
3. Insert the new battery, positive side facing up.
Replace with a CR2032 or equivalent battery.
4. Snap the transmitter back together.
2-7

3. If it is the rst remote start since the vehicle has
been driven, repeat these steps, while the engine is
still running, to extend the engine running time by
10 minutes. Remote start can be extended one time.
After entering the vehicle during a remote start, insert
and turn the key to ON/RUN to drive the vehicle.
To manually shut off a remote start, do any of the
following:
Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle and press
the remote start button until the parking lamps
turn off.
Turn on the hazard warning ashers.
Turn the ignition switch on and then off.
The vehicle can be remote started two separate times
between driving sequences. The engine will run for
10 minutes after each remote start.
Or, you can extend the engine run time by another
10 minutes within the rst 10 minute remote start time
frame, and before the engine stops.
For example, if the lock button and then the remote
start buttons are pressed again after the vehicle
has been running for ve minutes, 10 minutes are
added, allowing the engine to run for 15 minutes. The additional ten minutes are considered a second
remote vehicle start.
After your vehicles engine has been started two times
using the remote vehicle start button, or a single remote
start with one time extension, the vehicle must be
started with the key.
After the key is removed from the ignition, the vehicle
can be remote started again.
The vehicle cannot be remote started if the key is in
the ignition, the hood is not closed, or if there is an
emission control system malfunction and the check
engine light comes on.
Also, the engine will turn off during a remote vehicle
start if the coolant temperature gets too high or if the
oil pressure gets low.
Vehicles that have the remote vehicle start feature are
shipped from the factory with the remote vehicle start
system enabled. The system may be enabled or disabled
through the DIC. See “REMOTE START” under DIC
Vehicle Customization on page 3-65 for additional
information.
2-9

The power liftgate can be power opened and closed in
the following ways:
Press and hold the power liftgate button on the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter until
the liftgate starts moving. Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation on page 2-5 for more
information.
Pressing the liftgate button on the overhead
console.
Pressing the touchpad switch on the outside liftgate
handle.
Pressing the buttons, or touchpad switch a second time
while the liftgate is moving reverses the direction.
l : The liftgate can also be closed by pressing the
power liftgate button next to the liftgate latch.
Press the button a second time during liftgate operation
to reverse that operation.
The power liftgate may be temporarily disabled under
extreme temperatures, or under low battery conditions.
If this occurs, the liftgate can still be operated manually.
If you shift the transmission out of PARK (P) while the
power function is in progress, the liftgate power function
will continue to completion. If you shift the transmission
out of PARK (P) and accelerate before the power liftgate
latches closed, the liftgate may reverse to the open
position. Cargo could fall out of the vehicle. Always make
sure the power liftgate is closed and latched before you
drive away. If you power open the liftgate and the liftgate support
struts have lost pressure, the lights will ash and a chime
will sound. The liftgate will stay open temporarily, then
slowly close. See your dealer/retailer for service before
using the liftgate.
Obstacle Detection Features If the liftgate encounters an obstacle during a power open
or close cycle, a warning chime will sound and the liftgate
will automatically reverse direction to the full closed or
open position. After removing the obstruction, the power
liftgate operation can be used again. If the liftgate
encounters multiple obstacles on the same power cycle,
the power function will deactivate, and you must manually
open or close the liftgate. The REAR ACCESS OPEN
warning message in the Driver Information Center (DIC)
will indicate that the liftgate is open. After removing the
obstructions, manually open the liftgate to the full open
position or close the liftgate to the fully closed and latched
position. The liftgate will now resume normal power
operation.
Your vehicle has pinch sensors located on the side edges
of the liftgate. If an object is caught between the liftgate
and the body and presses against this sensor, the liftgate
will reverse direction and open fully. The liftgate will
remain open until it is activated again or closed manually.
Do not force the liftgate open or closed during a power
cycle.
2-15

Ignition Positions The ignition switch has
four different positions.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be in ON/RUN
or ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal must
be applied.
A (LOCK/OFF): This position locks the ignition. It may
also lock the steering wheel and automatic transmission.
The key can be removed in LOCK/OFF.
On vehicles with an automatic transmission, the shift
lever must be in P (Park) to turn the ignition switch to
LOCK/OFF.
The steering may bind with the wheels turned off center.
If this happens, move the steering wheel from right
to left while turning the key to ACC/ACCESSORY.
If this doesn’t work, then the vehicle needs service. Notice: Using a tool to force the key to turn in the
ignition could cause damage to the switch or break
the key. Use the correct key, make sure it is all the
way in, and turn it only with your hand. If the key
cannot be turned by hand, see your dealer/retailer.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY): This position lets things like the
radio and the windshield wipers operate while the
engine is off. Use this position if the vehicle must be
pushed or towed.
C (ON/RUN): This position can be used to operate the
electrical accessories and to display some instrument
panel cluster warning and indicator lights. The switch
stays in this position when the engine is running.
The transmission is also unlocked in this position
on automatic transmission vehicles.
If you leave the key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/
RUN position with the engine off, the battery could be
drained. You may not be able to start the vehicle if the
battery is allowed to drain for an extended period of time.
D (START): This is the position that starts the engine.
When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for driving.
A warning tone will sound when the driver door is
opened, the ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF and the key is in the ignition.
2-25

Cruise Grade Braking Cruise Grade Braking assists when driving on a downhill
grade. It maintains vehicle speed by automatically
implementing a shift schedule that uses the engine and
the transmission to slow the vehicle. Cruise Grade
Braking operates while Cruise Control is engaged in
Tow/Haul mode to assist in maintaining vehicle speed
under loaded vehicle conditions. It utilizes vehicle
acceleration and deviation from desired speed to
determine the correct gear for the operating condition.
If vehicle speed is above the desired speed the
transmission will downshift to slow the vehicle.
If vehicle speed is near or below desired speed the
trans will upshift, allowing vehicle speed to increase.
While in the Range Select Mode (RSM) mode, cruise
grade braking is not available.
See Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-29 .Parking Brake
For vehicles with a release handle, set the parking
brake by holding the regular brake pedal down, then
pushing down the parking brake pedal.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on. See Brake System Warning Light on page 3-39 .
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, located above the parking
brake pedal.
2-34

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,
see Towing a Trailer on page 5-44 .
For vehicles without a release handle, set the parking
brake by holding the regular brake pedal down,
then pushing down the parking brake pedal. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on. See Brake System Warning Light on
page 3-39 .
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.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down, then push down momentarily on the parking
brake pedal until you feel the pedal release. Slowly
pull your foot up off the park brake pedal. If the parking
brake is not released when you begin to drive, the
brake system warning light will ash and a chime will
sound warning you that the parking brake is still on.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill, see
Towing a Trailer on page 5-44 .
2-35