2004 CADILLAC XLR steering wheel

Off-Road Recovery
You may ®nd that your right wheels have dropped off
the edge of a road onto the shoulder while you're
driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way,
steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge of
the pavement. You can turn the steering wheel up to
one-quarter turn until the right front tire contacts
the pavement edge. Then turn your steering wheel to go
straight down the roadway.
Passing
The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a
two-lane highway waits for just the right moment,
accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then
goes back into the right lane again. A simple maneuver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane
highway is a potentially dangerous move, since the
passing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncoming
traffic for several seconds. A miscalculation, an error in
judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger
can suddenly put the passing driver face to face with the
worst of all traffic accidents Ð the head-on collision.
So here are some tips for passing:
·ªDrive ahead.º Look down the road, to the sides
and to crossroads for situations that might affect
your passing patterns. If you have any doubt
whatsoever about making a successful pass, wait
for a better time.
·Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings and
lines. If you can see a sign up ahead that might
indicate a turn or an intersection, delay your pass.
A broken center line usually indicates it is all
right to pass (providing the road ahead is clear).
Never cross a solid line on your side of the lane or
a double solid line, even if the road seems empty
of approaching traffic.
4-15

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
ªoverdrivingº those conditions. But skids are always
possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip
and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration
skid, too much throttle causes the driving wheels
to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only
the acceleration skid. If your TCS system is off, then
an acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety,
you will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration
or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues Ð such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº Ð and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-17

Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Turn your
traction control system off; see
Traction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-9. Then shift back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning
your wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you
will cause a rocking motion that may free your
vehicle. If that does not get you out after a few tries,
you may need to be towed out. If you do need to
be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
Roadside Service on page 7-5.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle Ð such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as ªdinghy towingº (towing your
vehicle with all four wheels on the ground) and ªdolly
towingº (towing your vehicle with two wheels on
the ground and two wheels up on a device known
as a ªdollyº).
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with any of
its wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must be
towed, see ªTowing Your Vehicleº earlier in this section.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all occupants,
cargo and all nonfactory-installed options. Two labels
on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly
carry, the Tire and Loading Information label and the
Certi®cation label.
4-32

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Speci®cations....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under
the Hood....................................................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-19
Engine Coolant.............................................5-20
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-23
Engine Overheating.......................................5-23
Cooling System............................................5-26
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-32Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-33
Brakes........................................................5-35
Battery........................................................5-38
Jump Starting...............................................5-39
Rear Axle.......................................................5-45
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-46
Headlamp Vertical Aiming..............................5-47
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-49
Tires..............................................................5-50
Run-Flat Tires..............................................5-56
In¯ation - Tire Pressure.................................5-57
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-58
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-60
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-62
Buying New Tires.........................................5-63
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-64
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-65
Wheel Replacement......................................5-66
Tire Chains..................................................5-68
Lifting Your Vehicle.......................................5-69
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-73
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

(A) P-Metric Tire:The United States version of a
metric tire sizing system. The letter ªPº as the
®rst character in the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to standards set by the U. S.
Tire and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates the
tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that indicates
the tire height-to-width measurements. For example, if
the tire size aspect ratio is ª70,º as shown in item ªCº of
the illustration, it would mean that the tire's sidewall is
70% as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The letter
ªRº means radial ply construction; the letter ªDº means
diagonal or bias ply construction; and the letter ªBº
means belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:These characters represent
the load range and the speed rating of a tire. The
load range represents the load carrying capacity a tire is
certi®ed to carry. The load index can range from 1 to
279. The speed rating is the maximum speed a tire
is certi®ed to carry a load. Speed ratings range
from ªAº to ªZº.Tire Terminology and De®nitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire's height to
its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is located
between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made
from steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped by
steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies are
laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Cold In¯ation Pressure:The amount of air pressure in
a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi)
before a tire has built up heat from driving. See
In¯ation - Tire Pressure on page 5-57.
5-53

Fuses Usage
1 Spare fuse
2 Spare fuse
3 Spare fuse
4 Spare fuse
5 Fuse Pull
6 Reverse Lamp
7 Starter/Crank
Fuses Usage
8 Parking Brake Solenoid A
9 Reverse Lamps
10 BTSI Solenoid, Column Lock
11 Not Used
12 Not Used
13 GMLAN Devices
14Rear Park Aid, Heated/Cooled
Seats, Windshield Wiper Relays
15 Door Locks
16 Engine Control Module
17 Interior Lights
18Air Bags, Passenger Air Bag Off
Switch
19 Not Used
20 OnStar
ž
21Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC),
Driver Door Switch
22Power Tilt Wheel, Telescopic
Steering Column, Memory Seat,
Driver Seat Switch, Retractable
Hardtop Switch
23 Ignition Switch, Intrusion Sensor
24 Stop Lamp
5-86

Fuses Usage
25Inside Rearview Mirror, Climate
Control System, Column Lock,
Power Sounder
26Instrument Panel Cluster, Head-Up
Display (HUD)
27 Radio, S-Band, CD Changer
28Tap-Up/Tap-Down Switch, Adaptive
Cruise Control (ACC) Switch, Cruise
Control Switch
29Climate Control System, Power
Sounder
30Rear Fog Lamps, Diagnostic Link
Connector
31 Power Folding Mirror
32Trunk Close Button, Parking Brake
Solenoid B
33 Power Seats
34 Door Controls
35 Run, Accessory PowerFuses Usage
36 Not Used
37 Not Used
38 RainsenseŸ
39Steering Wheel Control Button
Lights
40 Power Lumbar
41 Passenger's Side Heated Seat
42 Driver's Side Heated Seat
43 Not Used
44 Retractable Hardtop, Trunk Latch
45 Auxiliary Power
46 Cigar Lighter
47 Park Brake Hold
48 Park Brake Release
49 Not Used
50 Not Used
51 Not Used
52 Fuel Door
5-87

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-32
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)........................... 3-9
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-34
Additional Program Information........................... 7-8
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-84
Air Bag
Off Light.....................................................3-43
Readiness Light..........................................3-42
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-36
Air Bag Off Switch.......................................1-44
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-42
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-48
What Makes an Air Bag In¯ate?....................1-42
What Will You See After an Air
Bag In¯ates?...........................................1-42
When Should an Air Bag In¯ate?...................1-41
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-38
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-8
AM ...............................................................3-72
Antenna, Diversity Antenna System...................3-73
Antenna, XMŸ Satellite Radio
Antenna System..........................................3-73
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-46Appearance Care............................................5-75
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-78
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-81
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-75
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-78
Finish Damage............................................5-80
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-81
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-82
Weatherstrips..............................................5-78
Approach Lights.............................................3-67
Arming the System.........................................2-17
Ashtrays........................................................3-33
Audio System(s).............................................3-70
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-71
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-72
Care of Your CDs........................................3-72
Diversity Antenna System.............................3-73
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-71
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-71
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-72
XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-73
Auto Exit Recall..............................................3-67
Auto Recall....................................................3-67
Auto Unlock...................................................3-69
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-23
1