tow CADILLAC ESCALADE 2002 2.G User Guide

2-23
NOTICE:
If your wheels can't turn, don't try to drive.
This might happen if you were stuck in very deep
sand or mud or were up against a solid object.
You could damage your transmission.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transmission. Use your brakes or shift into
PARK (P) to hold your vehicle in position
on a hill.
On cold days, approximately 32
F (0
C) or colder,
your transmission is designed to shift differently until
the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
This is intended to improve heater performance.
Tow/Haul Mode Button
Your vehicle is equipped with a tow/haul mode. The
button is located on the end of the column shift lever.
You can use this feature to assist when towing or
hauling a heavy load. See ªTow/Haul Modeº in
the Index for more information.
The tow/haul mode also interacts with the Autoride
feature to enhance the ride when trailering or with a
loaded vehicle. See ªAutorideº in the Index.

2-24
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking brake
pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will flash. A chime will activate when the parking brake
is applied and the vehicle is moving at least 3 mph
(5 km/h) for at least three seconds.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the bottom edge of the lever, located
above the parking brake pedal, marked BRAKE
RELEASE, to release the parking brake.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light will go off.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. That section
shows what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.

2-25
Shifting Into PARK (P)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle won't move,
even when you're on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you're pulling a trailer,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) position like this:
Pull the shift lever toward you.

2-26

Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After you
move the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK (P) without first pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).

2-29
Running Your Engine While
You're Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the fan is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See ªBlizzardº in the Index.
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in
the Index.

2-30 Autoride

The Autoride
feature provides superior vehicle
ride and handling under a variety of passenger and
loading conditions.
The system is fully automatic and uses a computer
controller to continuously monitor vehicle speed, wheel
to body position, lift/dive and steering position of the
vehicle. The controller then sends signals to each shock
absorber to independently adjust the damping level to
provide the optimum vehicle ride.
Autoride also interacts with the tow/haul mode that,
when engaged, will provide additional control of the
shock absorbers. This additional control results in
better ride and handling characteristics when the vehicle
is loaded or towing a trailer. See ªTow/Haul Modeº in
the Index for more information.
Locking Rear Axle
Your locking rear axle can give you additional traction
on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a
standard axle most of the time, but when one of the
rear wheels has no traction and the other does, this
feature will allow the wheel with traction to move
the vehicle.
Horn
To sound the horn, press the center pad on the
steering wheel.
Tilt Wheel
The tilt steering wheel
allows you to adjust the
steering wheel before
you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when you enter and exit the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever located on the lower left of the column. Move the
steering wheel to a comfortable level, then release the
lever to lock the wheel in place.

2-32
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the turn
signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal lever
to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low to high beam or
high to low beam, pull the multifunction lever all the
way toward you. Then release it.
When the high beams
are on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on.
Flash-To-Pass Feature
This feature allows you to use your high-beam
headlamps to signal a driver in front of you that you
want to pass. It works even if your headlamps are off.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, but not
so far that you hear it click.If your headlamps are off or on low beam, your
high
-beam headlamps will turn on. They'll stay
on as long as you hold the lever toward you and the
high
-beam indicator on the instrument panel cluster
will come on. Release the lever to turn the high
-beam
headlamps off.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
with the wiper symbol on it.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one wipe. If you want more wipes, hold the
band on MIST longer.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain
or snow. Turn the band to choose the delay time.
The closer to LO, the shorter the delay.
For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band away
from you to LO. To stop the wipers, move the band
to OFF.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they're frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become
worn or damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.

2-45
Compass Operation
With the ignition on, the compass will show
two character boxes. The mirror will display the
compass heading.
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Compass Calibration
The compass may need calibration if one of the
following occurs:

After five seconds, the display does not show a
compass heading (ªNº for North, for example),
there may be a strong magnetic field interfering with
the compass. Such interference may be caused by a
magnetic antenna mount, magnetic note pad holder
or a similar magnetic item.

The compass does not display the correct heading
and the compass zone variance is set correctly.In order to calibrate, the letters ªCALº must be
displayed in the mirror compass windows. If CAL is not
displayed, push in the COMP button for approximately
eight seconds or until the letter CAL is displayed.
The compass can be calibrated in one of two ways:

Drive the vehicle in circles at five mph (8 km/h) or
less until the display reads a direction, or

drive the vehicle on your everyday routine and after
several turns the compass will become calibrated and
will display a direction.
Compass Variance
The mirror is set in zone eight upon leaving the factory.
It will be necessary to adjust the compass to compensate
for compass variance if you live outside zone eight.
Under certain circumstances, as during a long distance
cross
-country trip, it will be necessary to adjust for
compass variance. Compass variance is the difference
between earth's magnetic north and true geographic
north. If not adjusted to account for compass variance,
your compass could give false readings.

2-50
Center Console Storage Area Access DoorIf you ever drop something between the cupholder door
and the center console area you can easily remove it by
following these steps:
1. Open the center console storage area by pressing the
button on the side of the console lid.
2. Locate the access door inside the storage area toward
the front.
3. Press the release edge on the access door and pull
it out. You should now be able to retrieve the
lost item(s).
Reverse the procedure to reinstall the access door.

2-52 Cargo Security Shade
CAUTION:
An improperly stored cargo cover could be
thrown about the vehicle during a collision
or sudden maneuver. You or others could be
injured. If you remove the cover, always store
it outside of the vehicle. When you put it back,
always be sure that it is securely reattached.
If you have a cargo security shade, you can use it to
cover items in the cargo area of your vehicle.
To use the shade, do the following:
1. Pull the shade handle toward the rear of the vehicle.
2. Latch the shade posts into the retaining sockets on
the cargo area trim panels.To return the shade to the retracted position,
do the following:
1. Pull up on the shade handle to release the shade posts
from the retaining sockets.
2. Let the shade move forward to the full
retracted position.
To remove the shade from the vehicle, do the following:
1. Let the shade go all the way into the holder.
2. Then, grasping the passenger's side shade endcap,
push the shade endcap toward the driver's side
of the vehicle. The endcap should lock in the
compressed position.
3. Lift the shade up on the passenger's side, swing the
shade rearward and take it out of the vehicle.