length CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT 2002 2.G Owners Manual

2-12
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.
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

3-5
Mode Knobs -- Automatic Operation
When the system is set in AUTO mode, sensors will
control the air delivery mode. Air will come primarily
from the floor or instrument panel outlets, with some
air directed to the windshield to prevent fogging.
When the system is in AUTO, the air conditioning light
will turn on, and the recirculation and outside air lights
will turn off. With the system in full automatic control
(both the fan and mode knobs in AUTO), you still
have the ability to override any function. However,
continually overriding the outside air or the air
conditioning compressor will limit the ability of the
system to cool the vehicle quickly.
If you press a button for a function which is not available,
the light next to that button will flash three times to alert
you that it's not available.
To find your comfort zone, start with the 74
F (23
C)
setting and allow about 20 minutes for the system to
adjust the temperature. Then set the temperature higher
or lower if necessary. The system will maintain the set
temperature.With the automatic mode, the air conditioning compressor
automatically cycles when needed to cool the air. In cold
weather, when the system senses the need for heat, the
airflow will be directed out of the floor outlets. As the
interior temperature approaches a desired setting, the fan
speed will decrease. To maintain interior comfort, the
airflow will adjust between the instrument panel outlets
and floor outlets. On bright sunny days in cool weather,
the airflow may come out of the instrument panel and the
floor outlets to maintain comfort and prevent stuffiness.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the system
will delay turning on the fan until warm air is available.
The length of delay depends on the outside air temperature,
engine coolant temperature or the time since the engine
was last started. As the coolant warms up, the fan speed
will gradually increase and air will flow from the floor
outlets, with some airflow to the windshield to prevent
fogging under most normal conditions.
Be careful not to put anything over the solar sensor
located near the center of the instrument panel.
This sensor is used by the automatic system to
regulate temperature.

4-3
Drunken Driving
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is
a national tragedy. It's the number one contributor to
the highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims
every year.
Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to
drive a vehicle:

Judgment

Muscular Coordination

Vision

Attentiveness.
Police records show that almost half 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, about 16,000 annual motor
vehicle
-related deaths have been associated with the use
of alcohol, with more than 300,000 people injured.Many adults
-- by some estimates, nearly half the adult
population
-- choose never to drink alcohol, so they
never drive after drinking. For persons under 21, it's
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 solve the leading highway safety
problem is for people never to drink alcohol and then
drive. But what if people do? How much is ªtoo muchº
if the driver plans to drive? It's a lot less than many
might think. Although it depends on each person
and situation, here is some general information on
the problem.
The Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of someone
who is drinking depends upon four things:

The amount of alcohol consumed

The drinker's body weight

The amount of food that is consumed before
and during drinking

The length of time it has taken the drinker to
consume the alcohol.

4-25 Driving Across an Incline
Sooner or later, an off-road trail will probably go across
the incline of a hill. If this happens, you have to decide
whether to try to drive across the incline. Here are some
things to consider:

A hill that can be driven straight up or down
may be too steep to drive across. When you go
straight up or down a hill, the length of the wheel
base (the distance from the front wheels to the
rear wheels) reduces the likelihood the vehicle will
tumble end over end. But when you drive across
an incline, the much more narrow track width
(the distance between the left and right wheels)
may not prevent the vehicle from tilting and rolling
over. Also, driving across an incline puts more
weight on the downhill wheels. This could cause
a downhill slide or a rollover.

Surface conditions can be a problem when you drive
across a hill. Loose gravel, muddy spots, or even wet
grass can cause your tires to slip sideways, downhill.
If the vehicle slips sideways, it can hit something
that will trip it (a rock, a rut, etc.) and roll over.
Hidden obstacles can make the steepness of the
incline even worse. If you drive across a rock with
the uphill wheels, or if the downhill wheels drop into
a rut or depression, your vehicle can tilt even more.
For reasons like these, you need to decide carefully
whether to try to drive across an incline. Just because the
trail goes across the incline doesn't mean you have to
drive it. The last vehicle to try it might have rolled over.
CAUTION:
Driving across an incline that's too steep will
make your vehicle roll over. You could be seriously
injured or killed. If you have any doubt about
the steepness of the incline, don't drive across it.
Find another route instead.

6-49
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear and cracking. See ªWiper Blade
Checkº in the Index for more information.
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways. For proper type and length,
see ªNormal Maintenance Replacement Partsº in
the Index.
To replace the windshield wiper blade assembly do
the following:
1. Lift the wiper arm and turn the blade until it is facing
away from the windshield.
2. Push the release lever and slide the wiper assembly
toward the driver's side of the vehicle.
3. Install a new blade by reversing Steps 1 and 2.

6-77
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Replacement part numbers listed in this section are
based on the latest information available at the time of
printing, and are subject to change. If a part listed in this
manual is not the same as the part used in your vehicle
when it was built, or if you have any questions, please
contact your GM dealer.
These specifications are for information only. If you
have any questions, see the service manual for the
chassis or refer to the body manufacturer's publications.Oil Filter* PF59. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter* A1518C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passenger Compartment Air
Filter Kit** 52485513. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PCV Valve* CV948C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark Plugs PTJ16R15 Denso***/41
-974* . . . . . . . .
PZTR5A15 NGK***/41
-974*
Fuel Filter* GF626. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wiper Blades (Front)** 15153642. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wiper Blade Type (Front) ITTA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wiper Blade
Length (Front) 22.0 inches (56.0 cm). . . . . . . . . . . .
*ACDelco

Part No.
**GM Part No.
***Spark Plug Gap is 0.060 inches