2004 CADILLAC XLR engine

When you move out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and
the engine is running, the parking brake should
release. If the parking brake has not been fully released
and you try to drive off with the parking brake on, the
parking brake indicator light will come on and stay on.
If the parking brake does not fully release, you can
manually release the pedal. However, be sure to read
the following paragraphs:
{CAUTION:
Always shift to PARK (P) before pulling the
manual release lever. If your hand or arm is in
the way of the pedal you could be hurt. The
pedal springs back quickly. Keep your hand
and arm away when you use the manual
release lever.
Before releasing the manual parking brake, be sure to
put the vehicle in PARK (P) and turn the ignition off.Reach under the driver's side of the instrument panel
and pull down on the manual release lever, which
is located behind the parking brake pedal. Pull down on
the yellow tab as shown by the arrow in the illustration.
If the parking brake does not release, you should
have your vehicle towed to your dealer for service.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
2-27

Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be 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. 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, use the steps that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.2. Move the shift lever
into PARK (P) by
pushing the lever all
the way toward
the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition off.
2-28

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake ®rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch ®re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is ®rmly set before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold down
the regular brake pedal. See if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) without ®rst pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever was
not fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may ®nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque
lock.º To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver's seat. To ®nd out how, see ªShifting
Into PARK (P)º listed previously in this section.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-29

Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brake before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the vehicle is running. See
Automatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-23.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever ± push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) and release the shift lever button as
you maintain brake application. Then press the shift
lever button and move the shift lever into the gear
you wish.If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still cannot
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Press the ACCESSORY button twice to place the
ignition in accessory mode.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have your vehicle inspected by your dealer as soon
as possible.
2-30

Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other
things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can not see
or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and
death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
·Your exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
·Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
·Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
·Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
·Repairs were not done correctly.
·Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modi®ed improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
·Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
·Have your vehicle ®xed immediately.
2-31

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-31.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust Ð with CO Ð can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-28.
{CAUTION:
It can be 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-28.
2-32

Keep the original transmitter for use in other vehicles as
well as for future HomeLinkžprogramming. It is also
recommended that upon the sale of the vehicle,
the programmed HomeLink
žbuttons should be erased
for security purposes. Refer to ªErasing HomeLinkž
Buttonsº or, for assistance, contact HomeLinkžon the
internet at: www.homelink.com or by calling
1-800-355-3515.
Be sure that people and objects are clear of the garage
door or gate operator you are programming. When
programming a garage door, it is advised to park outside
of the garage.
It is recommended that a new battery be installed in
your hand-held transmitter for quicker and more
accurate transmission of the radio frequency.
Your vehicle's engine should be turned off while
programming the transmitter. Follow these steps to
program up to three channels:
1. Press and hold down the two outside buttons,
releasing only when the indicator light begins to
¯ash, after 20 seconds. Do not hold down the
buttons for longer than 30 seconds and do not
repeat this step to program a second and/or third
transmitter to the remaining two HomeLink
žbuttons.
2. Position the end of your hand-held transmitter about
1 to 3 inches (3 to 8 cm) away from the HomeLink
ž
buttons while keeping the indicator light in view.3. Simultaneously press and hold both the desired
button on HomeLink
žand the hand-held transmitter
button. Do not release the buttons until Step 4
has been completed.
Some entry gates and garage door openers may
require you to substitute Step 3 with the procedure
noted in ªGate Operator and Canadian
Programmingº later in this section.
4. The indicator light will ¯ash slowly at ®rst and then
rapidly after HomeLink
žsuccessfully receives the
frequency signal from the hand-held transmitter.
Release both buttons.
5. Press and hold the newly-trained HomeLink
žbutton
and observe the indicator light.
If the indicator light stays on constantly,
programming is complete and your device should
activate when the HomeLink
žbutton is pressed and
released.
To program the remaining two HomeLink
žbuttons,
begin with Step 2 under ªProgramming HomeLinkž.º
Do not repeat Step 1 as this will erase all of the
programmed channels.
If the indicator light blinks rapidly for two seconds
and then turns to a constant light, continue with
Steps 6 through 8 following to complete the
programming of a rolling-code equipped device
(most commonly, a garage door opener).
2-38

Retractable Hardtop
The following procedures explain the proper operation
of the retractable hardtop. The top will not operate if the
valet lockout switch is on.
If you are lowering or raising the convertible top multiple
times, the engine should be running while doing so to
prevent drain on the vehicle's battery.
{CAUTION:
Moving parts of the retractable hardtop can be
dangerous. People can be injured by the
hardtop and its mechanism. Keep people away
from your vehicle when you are lowering or
raising the top.
Lowering the Retractable Hardtop
Notice:Leaving the convertible top down and
exposing the interior of your vehicle to outdoor
conditions may cause damage. Always close
the convertible top if leaving your vehicle outdoors.
1. Park on a level surface and shift the transmission
into PARK (P).
2. The vehicle must be running or in accessory mode.
3. Lower both sun visors.
Notice:Raising or lowering the top while the
vehicle is in motion can cause damage to the top or
top mechanism. Make sure the vehicle is in
PARK (P) to lower or raise the top.
Notice:Lowering the top if it is damp, wet, or dirty
can cause stains, mildew, and damage to the
inside of your vehicle. Dry off the top before
lowering it.
Notice:If you lower the top on your vehicle in cold
weather (0ÉF/-18ÉC or lower), you may damage
top components. Do not lower the convertible top in
cold weather.
2-44