steering CADILLAC ESCALADE 2007 3.G Owner's Manual

Fog Lamps
-(Fog Lamps):If your vehicle has fog lamps,
the control is located on the exterior lamps
control. The exterior lamps control is located on
the instrument panel to the left of the steering
column.
Your ignition must be in the RUN position for the
fog lamps to come on.
To turn the fog lamps on, press the exterior lamps
button. A light will come on in the instrument
panel cluster to let you know that the fog lamps
are on. Press the exterior lamps button again
to turn the fog lamps off.
When the headlamps are changed to high-beam,
the fog lamps also go off.
Some localities have laws that require the
headlamps to be on along with the fog lamps.
Instrument Panel Brightness
D(Instrument Panel Brightness):This feature
controls the brightness of the instrument panel
lights.
The knob for this feature is located next to the
headlamp control.
Turn the knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
adjust the brightness of the instrument panel lights.
Turn the knob clockwise to return the instrument
panel cluster or radio display to full brightness
when the headlamps or parking lamps are on.
To turn on the dome lamps, turn the knob to the
farthest clockwise position.
Dome Lamps
The dome lamps come on when a door is opened.
The dome lamps can also be turned on by
turning the knob, located next to the exterior lamps
control, clockwise to the farthest position. In this
position, the dome lamps will remain on whether a
door is opened or closed.
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Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).
The DIC displays information about your vehicle.
It also displays warning messages if a system
problem is detected. The DIC also allows some
features to be customized. SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 259for more information.
All messages will appear in the DIC display
located in the center of the instrument panel
cluster.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a
short delay, the DIC will display the information
that was last displayed before the engine was
turned off.
SeeDIC Operation and Displays on page 245and
DIC Vehicle Customization on page 259for the
displays available.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC has different displays which can be
accessed by pressing the DIC buttons located on
the instrument panel, next to the steering wheel.The DIC displays trip, fuel, and vehicle system
information, and warning messages if a system
problem is detected. A digital speedometer also
appears at the bottom of the DIC display. The
digital speedometer can be enabled or disabled.
See “DISPLAY DIGITAL SPEED” underDIC
Vehicle Customization on page 259for more
information.
DIC Buttons
The buttons are the
trip/fuel, vehicle
information,
customization, and
set/reset buttons.
The button functions
are detailed in the
following pages.
3(Trip/Fuel):Press this button to display the
odometer, trip odometer, fuel range, average
economy, fuel used, timer, and transmission
temperature.
245

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then
read the pages following to familiarize yourself
with its features.
Driving without distraction is a necessity for a
safer driving experience. SeeDefensive Driving
on page 322. By taking a few moments to read
this manual and get familiar with your vehicle’s
audio system, you can use it with less effort,
as well as take advantage of its features. While
your vehicle is parked, set up your audio system
by presetting your favorite radio stations,
setting the tone, and adjusting the speakers.
Then, when driving conditions permit, you can tune
to your favorite stations using the presets and
steering wheel controls if the vehicle has them.{CAUTION:
This system provides you with a far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and
you or others can be injured or killed.
Always keep your eyes on the road and
your mind on the drive — avoid engaging
in extended searching while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for
safe driving. For more information, seeDefensive
Driving on page 322.
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Here are some ways in which you can help avoid
distraction while driving.
While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering
wheel controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment
to your vehicle, such as an audio system,
CD player, CB radio, mobile telephone,
or two-way radio, make sure that it can be
added by checking with your dealer. Also,
check federal rules covering mobile radio and
telephone units. If sound equipment can be
added, it is very important to do it properly.
Added sound equipment may interfere with the
operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or
other systems, and even damage them.
Your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has
been added.Notice:The chime signals related to safety
belts, parking brake, and other functions
of your vehicle operate through the
radio/entertainment system. If that equipment
is replaced or additional equipment is added
to your vehicle, the chimes may not work. Make
sure that replacement or additional equipment
is compatible with your vehicle before
installing it. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 396.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio
system can be played even after the ignition
is turned off. SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 141for more information.
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Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Your vehicle has audio
steering wheel controls,
they may differ
depending on your
vehicle’s options. Some
audio controls can
be adjusted at
the steering wheel.
They include the
following:
xw(Next/Previous):Press the up or the down
arrow to go to the next or to the previous radio
station stored as a favorite.
When a CD/DVD is playing, press the up or the
down arrow to go to the next or previous track or
chapter.
g(Mute/Voice Recognition):Press and release
this button to silence the vehicle speakers only.
The audio of the wireless and wired headphones,
if your vehicle has these features, will not be
muted. Press and release this button again, to turn
the sound on.
If your vehicle has the navigation system, press
and hold this button for longer than one second to
initiate voice recognition. See “Voice Recognition”
in the Navigation System manual for more
information.
Your vehicle has OnStar
®, press and hold this
button for longer than one second to interact with
the OnStar
®system. If your vehicle also has
the navigation system, press and hold this button
for longer than one second to initiate voice
recognition and say “OnStar” to enter OnStar
®
mode. See theOnStar®System on page 165in
this manual for more information.
SRCE (Source):Press this button to switch
between the radio (AM, FM), XM™ (if equipped),
CD, and if your vehicle has these features,
DVD, front auxiliary, and rear auxiliary.
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Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle............................................ 322
Defensive Driving...................................... 322
Drunken Driving........................................ 323
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 326
Braking...................................................... 326
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 327
Braking in Emergencies............................. 329
Locking Differential.................................... 329
Road Sensing Suspension......................... 329
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 330
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.................. 332
Steering.................................................... 333
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 335
Passing..................................................... 335
Loss of Control.......................................... 337
Off-Road Driving........................................ 338
Driving at Night......................................... 354Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 355
City Driving............................................... 358
Freeway Driving........................................ 359
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 360
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 361
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 362
Winter Driving........................................... 364
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.......................................... 368
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 368
Recovery Hooks........................................ 369
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 370
Towing........................................................ 376
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 376
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 376
Autoride
®................................................... 378
Towing a Trailer........................................ 379
Trailer Recommendations.......................... 392
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
321

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle
go where you want it to go. They are the brakes,
the steering, and the accelerator. All three
systems have to do their work at the places where
the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. See
StabiliTrak
®System on page 330.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 396.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 235.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might
be less with one driver and as long as two or
three seconds or more with another. Age, physical
condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight
all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs, and
frustration. But even in three-fourths of a second,
a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of your brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
326

Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal
or always decrease stopping distance. If you get
too close to the vehicle in front of you, you will not
have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down rmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You may feel the brakes vibrate, or you may notice
some noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Locking Differential
If your vehicle has this feature, your locking
differential 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 wheels has no traction and the other does,
this feature will allow the wheel with traction
to move the vehicle.
Road Sensing Suspension
The Road Sensing Suspension (RSS) 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.
329

Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning,
you can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable
speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents
mentioned on the news happen on curves.
Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of your tires and the road surface,
the angle at which the curve is banked, and
your speed. While you are in a curve, speed is
the one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to
do their work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 330.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the
way you want it to go, and slow down.
If you have StabiliTrak
®, you may see the
STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE message on the
message center. See “Stability System Active
Message” underDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 250.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you
should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted
speeds are based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable conditions you will
want to go slower.
333

If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while
your front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive”
through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of
the curve, and then accelerate gently into
the straightaway.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 396.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more
effective than braking. For example, you come
over a hill and nd a truck stopped in your lane,
or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or
a child darts out from between parked cars and
stops right in front of you. You can avoid
these problems by braking — if you can stop in
time. But sometimes you cannot; there is not room.
That is the time for evasive action — steering
around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies
like these. First apply your brakes.SeeBraking on page 326. It is better to remove as
much speed as you can from a possible collision.
Then steer around the problem, to the left or
right depending on the space available.
An emergency like this requires close attention and
a quick decision. If you are holding the steering
wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock
positions, you can turn it a full 180 degrees very
quickly without removing either hand. But you
have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly
straighten the wheel once you have avoided
the object.
334