CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2008 Owners Manual

Remember if your vehicle is leased you may be
obligated to have the vehicle repaired with Genuine GM
parts, even if your insurance coverage does not pay
the full cost.
If another party’s insurance company is paying for the
repairs, you are not obligated to accept a repair
valuation based on that insurance company’s collision
policy repair limits, as you have no contractual limits with
that company. In such cases, you can have control of
the repair and parts choices as long as cost stays within
reasonable limits.
Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which
could cause a crash or could cause injury or
death, you should immediately inform the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
in addition to notifying General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open
an investigation, and if it nds that a safety
defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a
recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your
dealer/retailer, or General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle
Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY:
1-800-424-9153); go to http://www.safercar.gov;
or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA
400 Seventh Street, SW.
Washington D.C., 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from http://www.safercar.gov.
Reporting Safety Defects to
the Canadian Government If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, notify Transport Canada
immediately, in addition to notifying General Motors of
Canada Limited. Call them at 1-800-333-0510 or write to:
Transport Canada
Road Safety Branch
2780 Sheffield Road
Ottawa, Ontario K1B 3V9
7-13

Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, please notify General Motors.
Call 1-800-458-8006, or write:
Cadillac Customer Assistance Center
Cadillac Motor Car Division
P.O. Box 33169
Detroit, MI 48232-5169
In Canada, call 1-888-446-2000, or write:
Canadian Cadillac Customer Communication Centre,
CA1-163-005
General Motors of Canada Limited
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7 Service Publications Ordering
Information Service Manuals Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins Service Bulletins’ give additional technical service
information needed to knowledgeably service General
Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin contains
instructions to assist in the diagnosis and service of
your vehicle.
Owner Information Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
7-14

Current and Past Model Order Forms Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available
for current and past model GM vehicles. To request
an order form, specify year and model name of
the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds. Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example,
your vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and
control engine and transmission performance, to monitor
the conditions for airbag deployment and deploy
airbags in a crash and, if so equipped, to provide
antilock braking to help the driver control the vehicle.
These modules may store data to help your
dealer/retailer technician service your vehicle. Some
modules may also store data about how you operate the
vehicle, such as rate of fuel consumption or average
speed. These modules may also retain the owner’s
personal preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat
positions, and temperature settings.
7-15

Event Data Recorders This vehicle has an Event Data Recorder (EDR). The
main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or
near crash-like situations, such as an airbag deployment
or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist in
understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed. The
EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time,
typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle
is designed to record such data as:
How various systems in your vehicle were operating
Whether or not the driver and passenger safety
belts were buckled/fastened
How far, if at all, the driver was pressing the
accelerator and/or brake pedal
How fast the vehicle was traveling This data can help provide a better understanding of the
circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.
Important: EDR data is recorded by your vehicle only
if a non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data is
recorded by the EDR under normal driving conditions
and no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age,
and crash location) is recorded. However, other parties,
such as law enforcement, could combine the EDR
data with the type of personally identifying data routinely
acquired during a crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is
required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is
needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other
parties, such as law enforcement, that have the special
equipment, can read the information if they have
access to the vehicle or the EDR.
7-16

GM will not access this data or share it with others
except: with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the
vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee; in
response to an official request of police or similar
government office; as part of GM’s defense of litigation
through the discovery process; or, as required by
law. Data that GM collects or receives may also be used
for GM research needs or may be made available to
others for research purposes, where a need is shown
and the data is not tied to a specic vehicle or
vehicle owner.
OnStar ®
If your vehicle has OnStar and you subscribe to the
OnStar services, please refer to the OnStar Terms and
Conditions for information on data collection and
use. See also OnStar ®
System on page 2-50 in this
manual for more information. Navigation System If your vehicle has a navigation system, use of the
system may result in the storage of destinations,
addresses, telephone numbers, and other trip
information. Refer to the navigation system operating
manual for information on stored data and for deletion
instructions.
Radio Frequency
Identication (RFID) RFID technology is used in some vehicles for functions
such as tire pressure monitoring and ignition system
security, as well as in connection with conveniences
such as key fobs for remote door locking/unlocking and
starting, and in-vehicle transmitters for garage door
openers. RFID technology in GM vehicles does not use
or record personal information or link with any other
GM system containing personal information.
7-17

✍ NOTES
7-18

AAccessories and Modications ............................ 5-3
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle ....................................................... 1-90
Additives, Fuel ................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment ........................... 5-108
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal .................. 2-28
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine ................................. 5-17
Air Conditioning .............................................. 3-26
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator ........................... 3-37
Readiness Light .......................................... 3-36
Airbag System ................................................ 1-76
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates? .... 1-84
When Should an Airbag Inate? .................... 1-81
Where Are the Airbags? ............................... 1-78
Airbag Systems
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle ................................................... 1-90
How Does an Airbag Restrain? ...................... 1-83
Passenger Sensing System ........................... 1-85
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle .......... 1-90
What Makes an Airbag Inate? ...................... 1-83
All-Wheel Drive ............................................... 5-45
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System ........................... 4-8
Analog Clock .................................................. 3-25
Antenna, Rear Side Window ........................... 3-109 Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System ..................................................... 3-109
Antilock Brake System (ABS) ............................. 4-4
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light ................ 3-41
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels ............. 5-104
Care of Safety Belts ................................... 5-101
Chemical Paint Spotting .............................. 5-105
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses .................. 5-102
Fabric/Carpet ............................................ 5-100
Finish Care ............................................... 5-102
Finish Damage .......................................... 5-105
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces ............................................... 5-101
Interior
Cleaning .......................................... 5-98
Leather .................................................... 5-100
Sheet Metal Damage .................................. 5-105
Speaker Covers ......................................... 5-101
Tires ........................................................ 5-105
Underbody Maintenance ............................. 5-105
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials ............... 5-106
Washing Your Vehicle ................................. 5-102
Weatherstrips ............................................ 5-101
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades ...... 5-103
Wood Panels ............................................ 5-101
Appointments, Scheduling Service ....................... 7-8
Ashtray ......................................................... 3-25
Assist Handles ............................................... 2-61
1

Audio System ................................................. 3-70
Audio Steering Wheel Controls .................... 3-106
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual ................................................... 3-95
Radio Reception ........................................ 3-108
Rear Seat Audio (RSA) ............................... 3-104
Setting the Clock ......................................... 3-71
Theft-Deterrent Feature ............................... 3-106
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System ........... 3-109
Audio System(s) ............................................. 3-72
Rear Side Window Antenna ......................... 3-109
Automatic Headlamp System ............................ 3-20
Automatic Transmission
Fluid .......................................................... 5-20
Operation ................................................... 2-30
Autoride ®
....................................................... 4-43
BBattery .......................................................... 5-39
Electric Power Management .......................... 3-23
Run-Down Protection ................................... 3-23
Bench Seat, Split (60/40) ................................. 1-11
Brake
Emergencies ................................................ 4-5
Brakes .......................................................... 5-36
System Warning Light .................................. 3-40
Braking ........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies ..................................... 4-5 Break-In, New Vehicle ..................................... 2-24
Bucket Seats, Rear ......................................... 1-17
Bulb Replacement ........................................... 5-51
Back-Up Lamps ........................................... 5-51
Headlamp Aiming ........................................ 5-48
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting ........... 5-51
License Plate Lamps .................................... 5-53
Replacement Bulbs ...................................... 5-53
Buying New Tires ........................................... 5-72
C Calibration ............................................. 2-41, 2-43
California Fuel .................................................. 5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements ....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning ....................... 5-3
Canadian Owners ................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications .......................... 5-115
Carbon Monoxide ........... 2-13, 2-14, 2-39, 4-30, 4-44
Care of
Safety Belts .............................................. 5-101
Cargo Cover .................................................. 2-63
CD, MP3 ....................................................... 3-90
Center Console Storage Area ........................... 2-61
Center Seat ................................................... 1-10
Chains, Tire ................................................... 5-77
Charging System Light .................................... 3-39
Check
Engine Light ............................................... 3-43
Checking Things Under the Hood ...................... 5-10
2

Chemical Paint Spotting ................................. 5-105
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems ............................... 1-57
Infants and Young Children ........................... 1-53
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children .......... 1-61
Older Children ............................................. 1-50
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position .................................................. 1-69
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front
Seat Position ........................................... 1-71
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position ........................................... 1-72
Where to Put the Restraint ........................... 1-60
Cigarette Lighter ............................................. 3-25
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels ............. 5-104
Exterior Lamps/Lenses ................................ 5-102
Fabric/Carpet ............................................ 5-100
Finish Care ............................................... 5-102
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces ............................................... 5-101
Interior ....................................................... 5-98
Leather .................................................... 5-100
Speaker Covers ......................................... 5-101
Tires ........................................................ 5-105
Underbody Maintenance ............................. 5-105
Washing Your Vehicle ................................. 5-102
Weatherstrips ............................................ 5-101
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades ...... 5-103
Wood Panels ............................................ 5-101 Climate Control System
Dual Automatic ............................................ 3-26
Outlet Adjustment ........................................ 3-31
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System,
Electronic ................................................ 3-31
Clock ............................................................ 3-25
Clock, Setting ................................................. 3-71
Collision Damage Repair .................................. 7-10
Compass ............................................... 2-41, 2-43
Content Theft-Deterrent .................................... 2-21
Control
of a Vehicle .......................................... 4-3
Convenience Net ............................................ 2-63
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage ............................ 3-42
Heater, Engine ............................................ 2-28
Surge Tank Pressure Cap ............................. 5-26
Cooled Seats ................................................... 1-5
Cooling System .............................................. 5-29
Cruise Control ................................................ 3-13
Cruise Control Light ........................................ 3-47
Cupholder(s) .................................................. 2-60
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation .................................. 7-9
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users ............................... 7-5
Customer Assistance Offices ........................... 7-5
Customer Satisfaction Procedure ..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program ............... 7-6
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors .... 7-14
3

Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government .............................. 7-13
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government ......................... 7-13
Roadside Service .......................................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information ........ 7-14
DDaytime Running Lamps .................................. 3-20
Defensive Driving ............................................. 4-2
Delayed Locking ............................................. 2-11
Differential, Locking ........................................... 4-5
Disc, MP3 ...................................................... 3-90
Doing Your Own Service Work ........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp Override ...................................... 3-22
Dome Lamps ................................................. 3-22
Door
Delayed Locking .......................................... 2-11
Locks ........................................................ 2-10
Power Door Locks ....................................... 2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks ............. 2-11
Rear Door Security Locks ............................. 2-11
Driver Information Center (DIC) ......................... 3-48
DIC Operation and Displays .......................... 3-49
DIC Vehicle Customization ............................ 3-61
DIC Warnings and Messages ........................ 3-53 Driving
At Night ..................................................... 4-26
Before a Long Trip ...................................... 4-28
Defensive ..................................................... 4-2
Drunken ....................................................... 4-2
Highway Hypnosis ....................................... 4-28
Hill and Mountain Roads .............................. 4-29
In Rain and on Wet Roads ........................... 4-27
Off-Road .................................................... 4-12
Recovery Hooks .......................................... 4-34
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out ................. 4-34
Winter ........................................................ 4-30
Dual Automatic Climate Control System ............. 3-26
DVD
Rear Seat Entertainment System ................... 3-95
E EDR ............................................................. 7-15
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment ..................................... 5-108
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block ............. 5-110
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ......................... 5-108
Instrument Panel Fuse Block ....................... 5-109
Power Windows and Other Power Options .... 5-108
Underhood Fuse Block ............................... 5-111
Windshield Wiper Fuses ............................. 5-108
4