CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT 2008 3.G Owners Manual

Midgate®
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the cargo area
covered and the tailgate and the Midgate®open
because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come
into your vehicle. You can not see or smell CO.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the cargo covers on and
the tailgate and Midgate
®open or if electrical
wiring or other cable connections must pass
through the seal between the body and the
Midgate
®:
Make sure all windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed on the
setting that brings in outside air.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
This will force outside air into your
vehicle. SeeDual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 3-24.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-44.
Midgate®Operation
Your vehicle is equipped with a Midgate®and a
removable rear glass panel. The Midgate®allows
you to extend the length of your vehicle’s cargo area.
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The following are the main components of the
Midgate®system:
A. Latch Levers
B. Grab Handles
C. Glass-Catch
Release Button
D. Glass Lock KnobsE. Window Retaining Tabs
F. Midgate
®Release
Handle
G. Window Alignment
Arrows
Rear Glass Removal and Storage
{CAUTION:
If the removable rear glass is not stored
properly, it could be thrown about the vehicle
in a crash or sudden maneuver. People in
the vehicle could be injured. Whenever you
store the rear glass in the vehicle, always be
sure that it is stored securely in the Midgate
®
storage pocket.
Do not remove the rear glass when the rear defroster
is on. If you remove the rear glass with the rear defroster
on, you may see a discharge spark coming from the
latch area.
2-14

To remove the rear glass do the following:
1. Fold the rear seats. SeeRear Seat Operation
on page 1-10for more information. The front
seats may have to be moved forward slightly to
allow the rear seats to fold completely.
Although the rear glass can be removed without
folding the rear seats, you will not be able to
access the rear glass storage pocket. Be sure
to fold the seats before removing the rear glass.
2. Squeeze and pull down the latch levers (A),
located near the upper corners of the rear glass,
to unlatch. Once unlatched, the glass-catch release
button (C) will catch the rear glass and prevent it
from falling forward.
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3. While holding the rear glass in place, press
the glass-catch release button (C) and pull the
top of the rear glass toward you using the grab
handle(s) (B) located at the top of the rear glass.4. With the rear glass tilted toward you, lift it out from
the lower window frame channel. Use the grab
handles to assist you in removing the rear glass.
2-16

5. Load the rear glass into the storage pocket in the
Midgate®, guiding the lower edge of the rear glass
behind the three rear glass retaining tabs (E).
Hold the rear glass at against the storage pocket,
with grab handles facing you, until the next step.6. Turn both glass lock knobs (D), located at both
top corners of the storage pocket, to the locked
position. Push in on the corner of the rear glass
to allow the lock knob to engage more easily.
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Once both glass lock knobs are in the locked
position, the rear glass is securely stored.
7. Push both latch levers up to the locked position.
You should hear a click when each latch lever
locks correctly.
The rear seats can be returned to the normal
position when the rear glass is out and stored
properly in the storage pocket.
Reinstalling the Rear Glass
To reinstall the rear glass, do the following:
1. Squeeze and pull down the latch levers (A), located
near the upper corners of the rear glass, to unlatch.
2. Hold the rear glass in place with one hand and turn
the glass lock knobs, located at both top corners of
the glass storage pocket, to the unlocked position.
3. Pull the rear glass out from the storage pocket
using the grab handles.
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4. With the rear glass tilted at an angle, place
the bottom edge in the lower channel of the
window frame.Be sure to align the rear
glass side-to-side using
the alignment arrows (G).
5. Apply a rm downward pressure and then push
the rear glass at against the window frame.
Use the grab handles at the top of the rear glass
to assist you.
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6. Push the rear glass at against the window
frame and push each latch lever up until it locks.
You should hear a click when each latch lever
locks correctly.
Lowering the Midgate®with the
Rear Glass in Place
The Midgate®can be lowered to allow the cargo
area of your vehicle to extend into the cab. The rear
glass can be either installed in its normal position,
or it can be removed and stored in the rear glass
storage pocket.
To lower the Midgate
®, do the following:
1. Fold the rear seats. The front seats might have to
be moved forward slightly to allow the rear seats
to fold. SeeRear Seat Operation on page 1-10
for more information.
2-20

2. Standing outside of the vehicle, hold the
Midgate®securely so it does not fall forward.
Turn the Midgate®handle clockwise and pull
the Midgate®toward you.3. Lower the Midgate
®until it is at. Rear Glass in Normal Position
2-21

Lowering the Midgate®with the
Rear Glass in the Storage Pocket
This procedure works the same as the procedure
described previously, but when you lower the Midgate®
with the rear glass in the stored position, you will notice
that the entire crossbar will lower with the Midgate®.
This is completely normal; however, since the crossbar
lowers with the Midgate
®, it will be heavier. As you lower
the Midgate®be ready for the extra weight and do not let
the Midgate®fall as you lower it.
Raising the Midgate®
To return the Midgate®to its normal position, raise the
Midgate®up with a rm swinging motion until it latches
into place securely. This will help to ensure that the
Midgate
®closes with enough force to engage the latches. Rear Glass Stored in Glass Storage Pocket
Midgate®Lowered with Crossbar Attached
2-22