2004 CADILLAC XLR Owners Manual

Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Theft-Deterrent System
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft-deterrent alarm
system.
With this system, the
security light will ¯ash
when the door is open and
locked with the power
door lock switch.
If this light is on continuously while the engine is
running, your vehicle needs service.
Arming the System
Use one of the two following items listed here to arm
the system:
·Press the lock button on the keyless access
transmitter.
·Open the door. Lock the door with the power door
lock switch. The SECURITY light should ¯ash.
Close the door. The SECURITY light will stop
¯ashing and stay on. After 30 seconds, the light
should turn off.
·The vehicle can be programmed to automatically
lock the doors when you exit the vehicle. See
DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-66.
Now, if a door or the trunk lid is opened without the
keyless access transmitter, the alarm will go off. Your
horn will sound for two minutes, then it will go off to save
battery power. And, your vehicle will not start without
a keyless transmitter present.
The theft-deterrent system will not arm if you lock the
driver's door with the power door lock switch after
the doors are closed.
If your passenger stays in the vehicle when you leave
with the keyless access transmitter, have the passenger
lock the vehicle after the doors are closed. This way the
alarm will not arm, and your passenger will not set it off.
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Testing the Alarm
Do the following to test the system:
1. Make sure the trunk lid is latched.
2. Lower the window on the driver's door.
3. Manually arm the system.
4. Close the doors and wait 30 seconds.
5. Reach through the open window and manually pull
the release lever on the ¯oor.
6. Turn off the alarm by pressing the unlock button on
the transmitter.
If the alarm is inoperative, check to see if the horn
works. If not, check the horn fuse. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-85. If the horn works, but the
alarm does not go off, see your dealer.
Disarming the System
Always use your keyless access transmitter to unlock a
door either by pressing the unlock button on the
transmitter or by squeezing the door handle sensor
while you have the transmitter with you. Unlocking a
door any other way will set off the alarm. If your alarm
sounds, press the unlock button on the keyless
access transmitter to disarm it.
Valet Lockout Switch
The valet lockout switch
is located inside the
glove box.
Press the switch to ON to disable the use of the trunk
and convertible top. The trunk cannot be opened except
by using the key if the valet lockout is on.
Press the switch to OFF to enable the use of the trunk
and convertible top.
Locking the glove box with your key will also help to
secure your vehicle.
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Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
ªbreak-in.º But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
·Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the ®rst 500 miles (805 km).
·Do not drive at any one speed Ð fast or
slow Ð for the ®rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts.
·Avoid making hard stops for the ®rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new
brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear
and earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake
linings.
Ignition Positions
Your vehicle has an
electronic keyless ignition
with pushbutton start.
/(START):Press this button while your foot is on the
brake to start the engine. The keyless access transmitter
must be in the vehicle for the ignition to work.
9ACC (OFF/ACCESSORY):When the engine is on
or in ACCESSORY, press this button to turn the
engine off and place the vehicle in RAP. See ªRetained
Accessory Power (RAP)º following for more information.
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When the engine is off, press this button to place the
vehicle in ACCESSORY mode. ACCESSORY
MODE ACTIVE will display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). This mode allows you to use things
like the radio and the windshield wipers while the engine
is off. Use ACCESSORY if you must have your vehicle
in motion while the engine is off, for example, if your
vehicle is being pushed or towed. If the door is
open while in ACCESSORY, the key in reminder chime
will sound continuously.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The following accessories on your vehicle may be used
for up to 10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
·Radio
·Power Windows
·Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Power to these accessories stops after 10 minutes or if
a door is opened. If you want power for another
10 minutes, close all the doors and press the
OFF/ACCESSORY button to place the vehicle in
ACCESSORY mode. Press the button again and the
vehicle will return to RAP.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position ± that is
a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
The keyless access transmitter must be in the vehicle
for the ignition to work.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot on the brake pedal, press the
START button. When the engine begins cranking,
let go of the button. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
If the battery in the keyless access transmitter is
weak, the DIC will display FOB BATTERY
LOW. You can still drive the vehicle. See ªBattery
Replacementº under
Keyless Access System
Operation on page 2-4for more information.
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Notice:Holding the button in for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause the battery to be
drained much sooner. This can also cause damage
to the starter motor. Wait 15 seconds between
each try to avoid draining your vehicle's battery or
damaging the starter.
2. If the engine does not start and no DIC message is
displayed, wait 15 seconds before trying again.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly.
Stopping Your Engine
Move the shift lever to PARK (P) and press the
OFF/ACCESSORY button. If the shifter is not in PARK
(P), the vehicle will go into ACCESSORY mode and
the DIC will display SHIFT TO PARK. Once the shifter
is moved to PARK (P), the vehicle will turn off.If the keyless access transmitter is not detected
while going to off, the DIC will display NO FOB, OFF
OR RUN.
See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-57for
more information.
Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may be equipped with an engine coolant
heater.
In very cold weather, 0ÉF (-18ÉC) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At
temperatures above 32ÉF (0ÉC), use of the coolant
heater is not required.
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To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The electrical cord is located on the driver's side
of the engine compartment, in front of the engine
coolant surge tank.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a ®re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you will be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice
for that particular area.
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Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake ®rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-28
.
Be sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system.
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You have to fully apply your regular brakes before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the vehicle is running.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. See
Shifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-30.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission,
see If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-31.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is ®rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting your vehicle.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):This position is
for normal driving.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Maximum engine speed is limited to protect driveline
components from improper operation.
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