2005 CADILLAC XLR headlamp

The exterior lamp band has four positions:
O(Off):Turning the band to this position turns off
all lamps.
AUTO (Automatic):Turning the band to this position
sets the exterior lamps in automatic mode. AUTO mode
will turn the exterior lamps on and off depending on
how much light is available outside the vehicle.
To override AUTO mode, turn the control to off.
To reset to AUTO mode turn the control to exterior
lamps and then back to AUTO. Automatic mode will also
reset when your vehicle is turned off and then back
on again when the control is left in the AUTO position.
;(Parking Lamp):Turning the band to this position
turns on the parking lamps together with the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
The parking brake indicator light will come on and stay
on when the parking lamps are on with the engine
off and the ignition to ACC.
5(Headlamps):Turning the control to this position
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers have been in use for
approximately six seconds.
When the exterior lamp control has been turned off or is
in the parking lamp position and the wiper control is
on delay, low speed or high speed, the HEADLAMPS
SUGGESTED message will appear on the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
When the ignition is turned off, the wiper-activated
headlamps will immediately turn off.
Headlamps on Reminder
A warning chime will sound if the exterior lamp control
is left on in either the headlamp or parking lamp position
and the driver’s door is opened with the ignition off.
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Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make the front turn signal lamps
come on when the following conditions are met:
It is still daylight and the ignition is on,
the exterior lamp control is in the off position and
the transmission is not in PARK (P).
When DRL are on, only the front turn signal lamps will
be on. No other exterior lamps such as the parking
lamps, taillamps, etc. will be on when the DRL are being
used. Your instrument panel will not be lit up either.
When it is dark enough outside, the front turn signal
lamps will turn off and normal low-beam headlamps will
turn on.When it is bright enough outside, the regular lamps will
go off, and the front turn signal lamps will take over.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once
you leave the garage, it will take approximately
one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is light outside. During that delay,
your instrument panel cluster may not be as bright
as usual. Make sure your instrument panel brightness
knob is in the full bright position. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-32for more information.
If it is dark enough outside and the exterior lamp control
is off, a HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED message will
display on the Driver’s Information Center (DIC). This
message informs the driver that turning on the exterior
lamps is recommended.
Turning the exterior lamp control to off a second time,
or turning on the headlamps will remove the
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED message. If the parking
lamps or the fog lamps were turned on instead,
the HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED message will continue
to be displayed.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
3-30

Fog Lamps
Use fog lamps for better vision in foggy or misty
conditions.
The fog lamps control is located on the multifunction
lever next to the exterior lamp control.
-(Fog Lamps):Turning the band to this position will
turn the fog lamps on.
When you turn the fog lamps on, the fog lamp light will
appear on the instrument panel cluster to indicate
that the fog lamps and the parking lamps are on.
If you turn the high-beam headlamps on, the fog lamps
will turn off. They will turn on again when you switch
to low-beam headlamps.
The ignition must be on for the fog lamps to operate.
Twilight Sentinel®
Twilight Sentinel®can turn your lamps on and off for you.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
Twilight Sentinel
®work, so be sure it is not covered.
With Twilight Sentinel
®you will see the following
happen:
When it is dark enough outside, the front turn signal
lamps (DRL) will go off, and the headlamps and
parking lamps will come on. The other lamps
that come on with headlamps will also come on.
When it is bright enough outside, the headlamps
will go off, and the front turn signal lamps (DRL)
will come on, as long as the exterior lamp switch is
in the AUTO position.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once
you leave the garage, it will take approximately
one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is light outside. During that delay,
your instrument panel cluster may not be as bright
as usual. Make sure your instrument panel brightness
control is in full bright position. SeeInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-33for more information.
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You can idle the vehicle with the lamps off, even when
it is dark outside. After starting the vehicle, turn the
exterior lamp control band to off, then release it.
The lamps will remain off until you turn the control band
to off again.
Twilight Sentinel
®also provides exterior illumination as
you leave the vehicle. If Twilight Sentinel®has turned
on the lamps when you turn off the ignition, your lamps
will remain on until:
The exterior lamp switch is moved from OFF to the
parking lamp position, or
a delay time that you select has elapsed.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-61to
select the delay time that you want. You can also select
no delay time.
If you turn off the ignition with the exterior lamp switch
in the parking lamp or headlamp position, the Twilight
Sentinel
®delay will not occur. The lamps will turn off as
soon as the switch is turned off.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
If the manual parking lamps or headlamps have been left
on, the exterior lamps will turn off as soon as the ignition
is turned off or RAP is active. This protects against
draining the battery in case you have accidentally left the
headlamps or parking lamps on. The battery saver does
not work if the headlamps are turned on after the ignition
switch is turned to off.
If you need to leave the lamps on, use the exterior lamp
control to turn the lamps back on.
Instrument Panel Brightness
The button for this feature is located on the instrument
panel to the left of the steering column.
+
!- (Brightness):Press this button to change the
brightness of the instrument panel lights.
Press the DIMMER button until PANEL DIMMING
appears on the Driver Information Center (DIC). Then
use the brightness button to adjust the instrument panel
brightness. Press the top of the button to brighten the
lights or the bottom of the button to dim the lights.
SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-34for more
information.
Be sure not to have the brightness turned all the way
down with the lamps on during the day. Your DIC
may not be visible.
3-32

Security Light
For information regarding
this light, see
Theft-Deterrent Systems
on page 2-19.
Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamps light will
come on when the fog
lamps are in use.
The light will go out when the fog lamps are turned off.
SeeFog Lamps on page 3-31for more information.
Lights On Reminder
This light comes on
whenever the headlamps
are on.
Highbeam On Light
This light will illuminate
when the headlamp high
beams are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8.
United States Only
3-59

COOLANT OVER TEMP:This message will appear
when the engine coolant temperature is too hot.
Stop and allow your vehicle to idle in PARK (P) until it
cools down and the message is removed. Do not
increase engine speed above a normal idle. If it does
not cool down, turn off the engine and have it serviced
by your GM dealer before driving it again. Severe
engine damage can result from an overheated engine.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 6-23.
CRUISE NOT READY:This message indicates that
ACC will not activate due to a temporary condition. Your
vehicle does not require service. If this message
appears when you attempt to activate the system,
continue driving for several minutes then try again to
activate the system.
DRIVER NO. X (1 OR 2):This message will be
displayed when the vehicle is started or when there is a
change of driver. The message will show which driver
is activating the personalization feature. It will only
stay on for ve seconds.
ENGINE HOT, STOP ENGINE:This message will
appear when the engine has overheated. Stop and turn
the engine off immediately to avoid severe engine
damage. SeeEngine Overheating on page 6-23.A
multiple chime will also sound when this message
is displayed.ENGINE PROTECTION REDUCE ENGINE RPM:
If this message appears, the control system has
determined that continued operation at the existing
engine speed may lead to engine overheating.
Therefore, you should lower the engine speed by
upshifting the transmission or drive at a lower speed.
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED:If it is dark enough
outside and the headlamps and Twilight Sentinel
®
controls are off, this message will display on the DIC.
This message informs the driver that turning on the
exterior lamps is recommended. It has become
dark enough outside to require the headlamps and/or
other exterior lamps. This message will also appear
if the optional Rainsense™ wiping feature is on and the
Twilight Sentinel
®is off.
HIGH TRANS TEMP:This message indicates that the
transaxle uid in your vehicle is too hot. Stop and
allow your vehicle to idle until it cools down or until this
message is removed.
3-65

Auto Recall
This feature allows the steering column, outside mirrors
and the driver’s seat to automatically move to the current
driver’s set position when the engine starts. The DIC will
display AUTO RECALL OFF or AUTO RECALL ON.
Press the OPTIONS button to change the setting.
Auto Exit Recall
This feature allows the steering column and driver’s
seat to automatically move to the current driver’s
exit position when one of the following occurs:
The vehicle is turned off or in RAP or accessory
mode and the driver’s door is opened.
The vehicle is turned off or in RAP and the unlock
button on the keyless access transmitter is
pressed.
The DIC will display AUTO EXIT RECALL OFF or
AUTO EXIT RECALL ON. Press the OPTIONS button
to change the setting.
Approach Lights
This feature activates the parking lamps, front fog lamps
and back-up lamps during low light periods when the
unlock button on the keyless access transmitter is
pressed, both doors are closed and the vehicle is off or
in RAP. The lamps remain on for 20 seconds or until
a door is opened, the lock button on the keyless access
transmitter is pressed or the vehicle is no longer off
or in RAP.
The DIC will display APPROACH LIGHTS OFF or
APPROACH LIGHTS ON. Press the OPTIONS button
to change the setting.
Exit Lights
This feature activates the parking lamps and front fog
lamps for 15, 30 or 90 seconds. This will occur when the
vehicle is off or in RAP and the headlamps are on
due to the automatic headlamp system. The parking
lamps and front fog lamps will remain on until the driver
selected time period expires, the exterior lamp control
is activated or the vehicle is no longer off or in RAP.
The DIC will display EXIT LIGHTS OFF, EXIT
LIGHTS - 15 SEC, EXIT LIGHTS - 30 SEC or EXIT
LIGHTS - 90 SEC. Press the OPTIONS button to
change the setting.
3-74

Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But
as we get older these differences increase. A
50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your
eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you
are driving, do not wear sunglasses at night. They
may cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also
make a lot of things invisible.You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even several
seconds, for your eyes to re-adjust to the dark. When
you are faced with severe glare, as from a driver
who does not lower the high beams, or a vehicle with
misaimed headlamps, slow down a little. Avoid
staring directly into the approaching headlamps.
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a lm caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and ash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep
your eyes moving; that way, it is easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from
night blindness — the inability to see in dim light — and
are not even aware of it.
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