2004 CADILLAC XLR steering

There is an air bag
readiness light on the
instrument panel, which
shows the air bag symbol.
The system checks the air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. See
Air Bag Readiness Light on page 3-42for more information.
Where Are the Air Bags?
The driver's frontal air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.
1-38

The passenger's side impact air bag is in the side of the
passenger's seatback closest to the door.
{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an
air bag, the bag might not in¯ate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
in¯ating air bag must be kept clear. Do not put
anything between an occupant and an air bag,
and do not attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other air
bag covering. Do not let seat covers block the
in¯ation path of a side impact air bag.
1-40

What Makes an Air Bag In¯ate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For
both frontal and side impact air bags, the sensing
system triggers a release of gas from the in¯ator, which
in¯ates the air bag. The in¯ator, the air bag and
related hardware are all part of the air bag modules
inside the steering wheel, the instrument panel, and the
side of the front seatbacks closest to the door.
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside
of the vehicle. The air bag supplements the protection
provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper
body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the
frontal air bags would not help you in many types
of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and many
side impacts, primarily because an occupant's motion
is not toward the air bag. Side impact air bags would not
help you in many types of collisions, including frontal
or near frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts,primarily because an occupant's motion is not toward
those air bags. Air bags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and
then only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal
collisions for the driver's and passenger's frontal
air bags, and only in moderate to severe side collisions
for the driver's and passenger's side impact air bag.
What Will You See After an Air Bag
In¯ates?
After the air bag in¯ates, it quickly de¯ates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
in¯ated. Some components of the air bag module ± the
steering wheel hub for the driver's air bag, the
instrument panel for the passenger's bag, the side of
the seatback closest to the door for the driver's
and passenger's side impact air bags ± will be hot for a
short time. The parts of the bag that come into
contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch.
There will be some smoke and dust coming from the
vents in the de¯ated air bags. Air bag in¯ation does not
prevent the driver from seeing or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving
the vehicle.
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{CAUTION:
When an air bag in¯ates, there is dust in the
air. This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in
the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe
to do so. If you have breathing problems but
can not get out of the vehicle after an air bag
in¯ates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or a door. If you experience breathing
problems following an air bag deployment, you
should seek medical attention.
In many crashes severe enough to in¯ate the air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
passenger air bag.
·Air bags are designed to in¯ate only once. After an
air bag in¯ates, you will need some new parts for
your air bag system. If you do not get them, the air
bag system will not be there to help protect youin another crash. A new system will include air bag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
·Your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic module,
which records information about the air bag
system. The module records information about the
readiness of the system, when the system
commands air bag in¯ation and driver's safety belt
usage at deployment. The module also records
speed, engine rpm, brake and throttle data.
·Let only quali®ed technicians work on your air bag
systems. Improper service can mean that an air
bag system will not work properly. See your dealer
for service.
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver's
or the passenger's air bags, the bags may not
work properly. You may have to replace the air bag
module in the steering wheel or both the air bag
module and the instrument panel for the
passenger's air bags. Do not open or break the air
bag coverings.
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Keys...............................................................2-2
Keyless Access System...................................2-3
Keyless Access System Operation....................2-4
Doors and Locks.............................................2-8
Door Locks....................................................2-8
Power Door Locks........................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-10
Lockout Protection........................................2-11
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-11
Trunk..........................................................2-11
Windows........................................................2-14
Power Windows............................................2-15
Sun Visors...................................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-17
Theft-Deterrent System..................................2-17
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-19
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-19
Ignition Positions..........................................2-19
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-20
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-21
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-23
Parking Brake..............................................2-26
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-28
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-30
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-31Engine Exhaust............................................2-31
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked. . . .2-32
Mirrors...........................................................2-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
ž............................................2-33
Outside Power Heated Mirrors........................2-33
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror..................2-34
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror.....................2-34
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-34
OnStar
žSystem.............................................2-35
HomeLinkžTransmitter...................................2-37
Programming the HomeLinkžTransmitter.........2-37
Storage Areas................................................2-41
Glove Box...................................................2-41
Cupholder(s)................................................2-41
Center Console Storage Area.........................2-41
Map Pocket.................................................2-42
Floor Mats...................................................2-42
Rear Storage Area........................................2-43
Convenience Net..........................................2-43
Retractable Hardtop........................................2-44
Lowering the Retractable Hardtop...................2-44
Raising the Retractable Hardtop......................2-45
Vehicle Personalization...................................2-53
Memory Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheel.......2-53
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Trunk Lock Release
{CAUTION:
Moving parts of the powered trunk lid can be
dangerous. You or others could be injured.
Keep yourself and others away from the trunk
lid and its mechanism while it is closing.
The trunk lock release
button is located to the left
of the steering wheel on
the instrument panel.Press the button to open the trunk. To use this feature,
your vehicle must be in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
and the valet lockout switch must be off.
You can also press the button with the trunk symbol on
the keyless access transmitter to open the trunk. To
disable this feature, see ªValet Lockout Switchº underTheft-Deterrent Systems on page 2-17.
You may passively enter the trunk when you squeeze
the trunk release sensor located on the rear of the trunk
lid under the emblem, as long as you have your
transmitter with you. The vehicle must be in PARK (P)
and the valet lockout switch must be off.
To close the trunk, press
the button on the
underside of the trunk lid.
2-12

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.
2-20

Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
ž
Your vehicle has an automatic dimming inside rearview
mirror. The mirror also contains OnStaržcontrols.
For more information about OnStarž, seeOnStarž
System on page 2-35.
O(On/Off):This button, located on the lower left side
of the mirror, is for the automatic dimming functions.
Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming feature is active each time the
vehicle is started.
To turn the automatic dimming feature on or off, press
and release the on/off button. The indicator light will
illuminate when this feature is active.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Outside Power Heated Mirrors
The power mirror control is
on the driver's door
armrest and controls the
driver's side and
passenger's side mirrors.
Move the selector switch to the left or right to choose
the driver's side or passenger's side mirror, then use the
arrows located on the four-way control pad to adjust
the position of the mirror. Return the selector switch to
the center position when ®nished adjusting. This will
prevent unwanted mirror movement in case the control
pad is accidentally bumped while driving.
Your preferred mirror position can be stored with the
memory option. See
Memory Seat, Mirrors and Steering
Wheel on page 2-53.
For operation of the heated outside mirrors, see ªRear
Window Defoggerº under
Dual Climate Control
System on page 3-33.
2-33