steering CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2009 Owner's Manual

Instrument Panel Brightness D (Instrument Panel Brightness): This feature
controls the brightness of the instrument panel lights
and is located next to the exterior lamp control.
Push the knob to extend out and then it can be turned.
Turn the knob clockwise or counterclockwise to brighten
or dim the instrument panel lights. Turning the knob to the
farthest clockwise position turns on the dome lamps.
Dome Lamps The dome lamps come on when any door is opened.
They turn off after all the doors are closed.
The dome lamps can also be turned on by turning
the instrument panel brightness knob, located on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering column,
clockwise to the farthest position. In this position, the
dome lamps remain on whether a door is opened or
closed. Dome Lamp Override The dome lamp override button is located next to the
exterior lamps control.
k (Dome Off): Press the button in and the dome
lamps remain off when a door is opened. Press the button
again to return it to the extended position so that the
dome lamps come on when a door is opened.
Entry Lighting The vehicle has an illuminated entry feature.
When the doors are opened, the dome lamps will come
on if the dome override button is in the extended position.
If the dome override button is pressed in, the lamps will
not come on.
Exit Lighting The interior lamps come on when the key is
removed from the ignition. They turn off automatically
in 20 seconds. The lights do not come on if the dome
override button is pressed in.
3-23

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”
under DIC Vehicle Customization on page 3-65 for 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.
The compass and outside air temperature will also be
shown in the display. The temperature will be shown
in °F or °C depending on the units selected.
T (Vehicle Information): Press this button to display
the oil life, units, side blind zone system on/off, tire
pressure readings for vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter programming, compass zone setting, and
compass recalibration.
U (Customization): Press this button to customize
the feature settings on your vehicle. See DIC Vehicle
Customization on page 3-65 for more information.
V (Set/Reset): Press this button to set or reset certain
functions and to turn off or acknowledge messages
on the DIC.
3-48

PARK TILT MIRRORS This feature allows you to select whether or not the
outside mirror(s) will automatically tilt down when
the vehicle is shifted into R (Reverse). See Outside
Power Foldaway Mirrors on page 2-40 for more
information.
Press the customization button until PARK TILT
MIRRORS appears on the DIC display. Press the
set/reset button once to access the settings for this
feature. Then press the customization button to scroll
through the following settings:
OFF (default): Neither outside mirror will be tilted down
when the vehicle is shifted into R (Reverse).
DRIVER MIRROR: The driver’s outside mirror will be
tilted down when the vehicle is shifted into R (Reverse).
PASSENGER MIRROR: The passenger’s outside
mirror will be tilted down when the vehicle is shifted
into R (Reverse).
BOTH MIRRORS: The driver’s and passenger’s outside
mirrors will be tilted down when the vehicle is shifted
into R (Reverse).
NO CHANGE: No change will be made to this feature.
The current setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the set/reset button while the
desired setting is displayed on the DIC. EASY EXIT RECALL If your vehicle has this feature, it allows you to select
your preference for the automatic easy exit seat feature.
See Memory Features on page 1-7 for more information.
Press the customization button until EASY EXIT
RECALL appears on the DIC display. Press the set/
reset button once to access the settings for this feature.
Then press the customization button to scroll through
the following settings:
DOOR BUTTON ONLY: No automatic seat exit recall
will occur. The recall will only occur after pressing
the easy exit seat button.
BUTTON AND KEY OUT (default): If the features
are enabled through the EASY EXIT SETUP menu, the
driver’s seat will move back, and if the vehicle has the
power tilt wheel feature, the power steering column will
move up when the key is removed from the ignition or
after pressing the easy exit seat button.
The automatic easy exit seat movement will only occur
one time after the key is removed from the ignition. If the
automatic movement has already occurred, and you put
the key back in the ignition and remove it again, the seat
and steering column will stay in the original exit position,
unless a memory recall took place prior to removing the
key again.
NO CHANGE: No change will be made to this feature.
The current setting will remain.
3-71

To select a setting, press the set/reset button while the
desired setting is displayed on the DIC.
EASY EXIT SETUP If your vehicle has this feature, it allows you to select
which areas will recall with the automatic easy exit
seat feature. It also allows you to turn off the automatic
easy exit feature. See Memory Features on page 1-7
and “EASY EXIT RECALL” earlier for more information.
Press the customization button until EASY EXIT SETUP
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button
once to access the settings for this feature. Then press
the menu up/down button to scroll through the following
settings:
OFF: No automatic seat exit will recall.
SEAT ONLY: The driver’s seat will recall.
TILT ONLY: The steering wheel tilt feature will recall.
ALL (default): The driver’s seat and the steering wheel
tilt feature will recall.
NO CHANGE: No change will be made to this feature.
The current setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the set/reset button while the
desired setting is displayed on the DIC. MEMORY SEAT RECALL This feature allows you to select your preference for
the remote memory seat recall feature. See Memory
Features on page 1-7 for more information.
Press the customization button until MEMORY SEAT
RECALL appears on the DIC display. Press the set/
reset button once to access the settings for this feature.
Then press the customization button to scroll through the
following settings:
OFF (default): No remote memory seat recall will
occur.
ON: The driver’s seat, and on some vehicles, the
outside mirrors will automatically move to the stored
driving position when the unlock button on the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is pressed. On some
vehicles with the adjustable throttle and brake pedal
feature, the pedals will also automatically move.
See “Relearn Remote Key” under DIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-48 for more information on matching
transmitters to driver ID numbers.
NO CHANGE: No change will be made to this feature.
The current setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the set/reset button while the
desired setting is displayed on the DIC.
3-72

Voice Recognition The Bluetooth system uses voice recognition to interpret
voice commands to dial phone numbers and name tags.
Noise: Keep interior noise levels to a minimum.
The system may not recognize voice commands if
there is too much background noise.
When to Speak: A short tone sounds after the system
responds indicating when it is waiting for a voice
command. Wait until the tone and then speak.
How to Speak: Speak clearly in a calm and natural
voice.
Audio System When using the in-vehicle Bluetooth system, sound
comes through the vehicle’s front audio system speakers
and overrides the audio system. Use the audio system
volume knob, during a call, to change the volume level.
The adjusted volume level remains in memory for later
calls. To prevent missed calls, a minimum volume level
is used if the volume is turned down too low. Bluetooth Controls Use the buttons located on the steering wheel to
operate the in-vehicle Bluetooth system. See Audio
Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-115 for more
information.
b g (Push To Talk): Press to answer incoming calls,
to conrm system information, and to start speech
recognition.
c x (Phone On Hook): Press to end a call, reject a
call, or to cancel an operation.
Pairing A Bluetooth enabled cell phone must be paired to the
in-vehicle Bluetooth system rst and then connected to
the vehicle before it can be used. See the cell phone
manufacturers user guide for Bluetooth functions before
pairing the cell phone. If a Bluetooth phone is not
connected, calls will be made using OnStar ®
Hands-Free
Calling, if available. Refer to the OnStar owner’s guide for
more information.
3-76

PROG (Program): Press this button to go to the
next preset radio station or channel set on the main
radio. This function is inactive, with some radios, if the
front seat passengers are listening to the radio.
When a CD or DVD audio disc is playing, press this
button to go to the beginning of the CD or DVD audio.
This function is inactive, with some radios, if the
front seat passengers are listening to the disc.
When a disc is playing in the CD or DVD changer,
press this button to select the next disc, if multiple discs
are loaded. This function is inactive, with some radios,
if the front seat passengers are listening to the disc.
When a DVD video menu is being displayed, press the
PROG button to perform the menu function, enter.
Theft-Deterrent Feature THEFTLOCK ®
is designed to discourage theft of the
vehicle’s radio by learning a portion of the Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN). The radio does not operate
if it is stolen or moved to a different vehicle. Audio Steering Wheel Controls Vehicles with audio
steering wheel controls
could differ depending
on the vehicle’s options.
Some audio controls
can be adjusted at the
steering wheel.
w (Next): Press to go to the next radio station stored
as a favorite, or the next track if a CD/DVD is playing.
x c (Previous/End): Press to go to the previous
radio station stored as a favorite, the next track if
a CD/DVD is playing, to reject an incoming call,
or end a current call.
3-115

3. For the second row display select the Rear AUX
screen button next to Rear Display 1 and for the
third row display select the Rear AUX screen
button next to Rear Display 2. Each screen
works independently of the other. The second
row screen can watch a DVD while the third row
screen can use the auxiliary device.
The rear seat passengers can also use the remote
control to change the functions of the RSE. See Rear
Seat Entertainment (RSE) System (Overhead) on
page 3-87 or Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) System
(Headrest DVD) on page 3-97 for more information.
Voice Recognition The navigation system’s voice recognition allows for
hands-free operation of the navigation system, audio
system, and OnStar ®
features. The DVD map disc must
be installed in the navigation system for voice recognition
to work. See “Installing the DVD Map Disc” under Maps
on page 4-15 for more information. Voice recognition can be used when the ignition is on
or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active.
See “Retained Accessory Power (RAP)” in the Index
of your vehicle’s owner manual for more information.
To use voice recognition, do the following:
1. Push and hold the
SRCE button on the
steering wheel until you
hear a beep. The audio
system mutes.
2. Clearly state one of the commands listed on the
following pages.
4-86

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle ........... .5-2
Driving for Better Fuel Economy ...................... .5-2
Defensive Driving .......................................... .5-2
Drunk Driving ................................................ .5-3
Control of a Vehicle ....................................... .5-3
Braking ........................................................ .5-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS) .......................... .5-5
Braking in Emergencies .................................. .5-6
StabiliTrak ®
System ....................................... .5-6
Magnetic Ride Control™ ................................. .5-9
Road Sensing Suspension .............................. .5-9
Locking Rear Axle ......................................... .5-9
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System ........................ .5-9
Steering ..................................................... .5-10
Off-Road Recovery ...................................... .5-11
Passing ...................................................... .5-12
Loss of Control ............................................ .5-12
Off-Road Driving .......................................... .5-13 Driving at Night ........................................... .5-25
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads ................. .5-26
Before Leaving on a Long Trip ...................... .5-27
Highway Hypnosis ....................................... .5-27
Hill and Mountain Roads ............................... .5-28
Winter Driving ............................................. .5-29
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow ............................................ .5-31
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out ................ .5-32
Recovery Hooks .......................................... .5-32
Loading the Vehicle ..................................... .5-33
Towing ......................................................... .5-40
Towing Your Vehicle .................................... .5-40
Recreational Vehicle Towing .......................... .5-40
Level Control .............................................. .5-43
Autoride ®
.................................................... .5-44
Towing a Trailer .......................................... .5-44
Trailer Recommendations .............................. .5-57Section 5 Driving Your Vehicle
5-1

Drunk Driving
{ CAUTION: Drinking and then driving is very dangerous. Your
reexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and judgment
can be affected by even a small amount of alcohol.
You can have a serious — or even fatal — collision
if you drive after drinking. Do not drink and drive or
ride with a driver who has been drinking. Ride home
in a cab; or if you are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is
a global tragedy.
Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a
vehicle: judgment, muscular coordination, vision, and
attentiveness.
Police records show that almost 40 percent of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases,
these deaths are the result of someone who was drinking
and driving. In recent years, more than 17,000 annual
motor vehicle-related deaths have been associated with
the use of alcohol, with about 250,000 people injured. For persons under 21, it is against the law in every
U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and
then drive.
Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s system
can make crash injuries worse, especially injuries to the
brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means that when anyone
who has been drinking — driver or passenger — is in a
crash, that person’s chance of being killed or permanently
disabled is higher than if the person had not been
drinking.
Control of a Vehicle The following three systems help to control the vehicle
while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator.
At times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to
ask more of those control systems than the tires and road
can provide. Meaning, you can lose control of the vehicle.
See StabiliTrak ®
System on page 5-6 .
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
vehicle performance. See Accessories and Modifications
on page 6-3 .
5-3

Braking in Emergencies ABS allows the driver to steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help more than
even the very best braking.
Brake Assist This vehicle has a Brake Assist feature designed to assist
the driver in stopping or decreasing vehicle speed in
emergency driving conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake control module to
supplement the power brake system under conditions
where the driver has quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly stop or slow down
the vehicle. The stability system hydraulic brake control
module increases brake pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates. Minor brake pedal
pulsations or pedal movement during this time is normal
and the driver should continue to apply the brake pedal
as the driving situation dictates The Brake Assist feature
will automatically disengage when the brake pedal is
released or brake pedal pressure is quickly decreased. StabiliTrak ®
System The vehicle has a vehicle stability enhancement system
called StabiliTrak. It is an advanced computer controlled
system that assists the driver with directional control of
the vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the computer senses a
discrepancy between the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any one of the vehicle’s
brakes to assist the driver with keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
When the vehicle is started and begins to move, the
system performs several diagnostic checks to insure
there are no problems. The system may be heard or felt
while it is working. This is normal and does not mean
there is a problem with the vehicle. The system should
initialize before the vehicle reaches 20 mph (32 km/h).
In some cases, it may take approximately two miles of
driving before the system initializes.
If cruise control is being used when StabiliTrak activates,
the cruise control automatically disengages. The cruise
control can be re-engaged when road conditions allow.
See Cruise Control on page 3-13 .
5-6