2004 CADILLAC XLR lock

The fuel door release
button is located on the left
side of the instrument
panel.
To open the fuel door, press the fuel door release
button. The vehicle must be in PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) and the valet lockout button must
be in OFF.
An alternate fuel door release is located inside the trunk
behind a panel on the driver's side. Pull the handle to
release the fuel door.
5-8

While refueling, hang the fuel cap by the tether from the
hook on the fuel door.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The fuel cap has a spring in it; if
you let go of the cap too soon, it will spring back to
the right.
{CAUTION:
If you spill fuel and then something ignites it,
you could be badly burned. Fuel can spray out
on you if you open the fuel cap too quickly.
This spray can happen if your tank is nearly
full, and is more likely in hot weather. Open
the fuel cap slowly and wait for any ªhissº
noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all
the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or over®ll your
tank, and wait a few seconds after you have ®nished
pumping before you remove the nozzle. Clean fuel from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See
Cleaning
the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-78.
When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make
sure you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 3-48.
5-9

A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-38.
B. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See
Passenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-38.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-85.
D. Power Steering Fluid. See
Power Steering Fluid on
page 5-32.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See
Engine Oil on page 5-13.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-13.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See
Brakes
on page 5-35.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-23.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-33.
Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL LEVEL or LOW OIL PRESSURE
message on the Driver Information Center appears, it
means you need to check your engine oil level right
away. For more information, see ªLOW OIL LEVELº and
ªLOW OIL PRESSUREº under
DIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-57.You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil
dipstick might not show the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5-13

Checking Coolant
The engine coolant surge
tank is located toward the
rear of the engine
compartment on the
driver's side of the vehicle.
For more information on
location, see
Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12
.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. Never turn the surge tank pressure
cap Ð even a little Ð when the engine and
radiator are hot.The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the FULL
COLD mark, located on the side of the surge tank
that faces the front.
If the LOW COOLANT message on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) comes on and stays on, it
means you are low on engine coolant.
For more information see
DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-57.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOLž
coolant mixtureat the surge tank,but only when the
engine is cool.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, press down and turn
it clockwise (right) until you hear a clicking sound.
Make sure you fully install the cap.
5-22

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface. You can
remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap
when the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is
no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise (left).
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss
means there is still some pressure left.2. Then keep turning the cap and remove it.
5-30

Adding Washer Fluid
The LOW WASHER FLUID message will be displayed
on the Driver Information Center (DIC) when the
¯uid is low.
The windshield washer
¯uid reservoir is located in
front of the underhood
fuse block on the driver's
side of the vehicle.
Open the cap with the washer symbol on it. Add washer
¯uid until the tank is full.
Notice:
·When using concentrated washer ¯uid, follow
the manufacturer's instructions for adding
water.
·Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer ¯uid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer ¯uid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water does not
clean as well as washer ¯uid.
·Fill your washer ¯uid tank only three-quarters
full when it is very cold. This allows for
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
·Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage your washer
system and paint.
5-34

Battery
Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelcožbattery. When it is time for a new battery, get
one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery's label. We recommend an ACDelco
ž
battery.
For battery replacement, see your dealer or the service
manual. To purchase a service manual, see
Service
and Owner PublicationsinService Publications Ordering
Information on page 7-11.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
Vehicle Storage
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, remove the black, negative (-) cable from the
battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
are not careful. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-39
for tips on working around a
battery without getting hurt.
You must close all doors and the trunk before
reconnecting the battery. After reconnecting the battery,
you must press the unlock button on the key FOB.
Failure to follow this procedure may result in a sounding
alarm. Pressing unlock on the key FOB would stop
the sounding alarm.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your
vehicle for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see
Theft-Deterrent
Feature on page 3-71.
5-38

Lifting Your Vehicle
{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle can cause an injury. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured. Find a level place to lift your vehicle.
To help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake ®rmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift lever
in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won't
move, you can put blocks in front of and
behind the wheels.
{CAUTION:
Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is
dangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack, you
could be badly injured or killed. Never get
under a vehicle when it is supported only
by a jack.
{CAUTION:
Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly
positioned can damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help avoid personal
injury and vehicle damage, be sure to place
the jack in the proper location before raising
the vehicle.
If you ever use a jack to lift your vehicle, follow the
instructions that came with the jack, and be sure to use
the correct lifting points to avoid damaging your
vehicle.
5-69