2005 CADILLAC XLR warning

Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briey when you start the
engine just to let you know they are working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there is a problem with your vehicle.When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly — and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They are a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a Driver Information Center
that works along with the warning lights and gages.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-61.
Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster and Driver Information
Center (DIC) are designed to let you know at a glance
how the vehicle is running. You will know how fast
you are going, about how much fuel you have left and
many other things you will need to know to drive
safely and economically. The instrument panel cluster
indicator warning lights, gages and DIC messages
are explained on the following pages.
3-46

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
This light should come on when you start the engine.
If it does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If this warning light stays on after you start the engine,
the parking brake may still be set or there could be
a brake problem. Refer toParking Brake on page 2-28
to see if it is set. If the parking brake is not set, have
your brake system inspected right away.If the light comes on while you are driving and you have
a LOW BRAKE FLUID message showing on the DIC,
pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go
closer to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light
is still on, have the vehicle towed for service. See
Towing Your Vehicle on page 5-35.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you
have pulled off the road and stopped carefully,
have the vehicle towed for service. United States
Canada
3-52

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light will come
on when your engine is
started and may stay on for
several seconds. That is
normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition off. Or, if the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on,
or comes on again while you are driving, your vehicle
needs service. If the regular brake system warning light
is not on, you still have brakes, but you do not have
anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, you do not have anti-lock brakes
and there is a problem with your regular brakes. See
“Service ABS” underDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-64.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on
briey when you turn the ignition on. This is normal.
If the light does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
This light should come on
briey as you start the
engine. If the light does not
come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to
warn you if there is a
problem.
The light will also come on while the StabiliTrak
®
system warms up and the STABILITRAK WARMING
message will be displayed in the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
If it stays on, or comes on and the DIC shows a SERVICE
TRACTION SYS message when you are driving, there is
a problem with your TCS and your vehicle needs service.
When this light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly. If the driver turns off TCS
by pressing the button on the console, the TCS system
light will come on and the TRACTION SYSTEM-OFF
message will show on the DIC.
If the light stays on or comes on while you are driving, a
chime sounds and a SERVICE STABILITRAK message
appears on the DIC, there is a problem with your
StabiliTrak
®and the vehicle needs service.
3-53

You can acknowledge this message by pressing the
RESET button. When the SERVICE STABILITRAK
message is displayed, the StabiliTrak
®system will not
assist you in controlling the vehicle. You should have the
system serviced as soon as possible. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
When the system is working, you will see the
STABILITRAK ACTIVE message displayed in the DIC.
You may also feel of hear the system working. This
is normal.
If you turn off the StabiliTrak
®system, by pressing the
front part of the button on the console for ve seconds,
the traction control system light will come on, a
chime will sound and the TRAC/STABILITRAK OFF
message will be displayed in the DIC. The Traction
Control System will also be turned off. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-64for more
information.
If the StabiliTrak
®system and Traction Control System
are turned off, pressing the console button momentarily
will turn both systems on. The DIC will display the
TRAC/STABILITRAK ON message, the instrument
cluster light will be off and a chime will sound. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-64for more
information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
As the pointer nears 260°F (125°C), your engine coolant
temperature is high. A message may display on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) depending on how high
the temperature is. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-64for more information.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 6-23for more
information.United States
Canada
3-54

Engine Oil Pressure Gage
The engine oil pressure gage shows the engine oil
pressure in psi (pounds per square inch) or kPa
(kilopascals) when the engine is running.
Oil pressure should be 20 to 80 psi (140 to 550 kPa).
In certain situations such as long, extended idles on hot
days, it could read as low as 6 psi (40 kPa) and still
be considered normal. It may vary with engine speed,
outside temperature and oil viscosity. The Driver
Information Center (DIC) may display messages
regarding the oil condition. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-64andEngine Oil on page 6-13.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil. United States
Canada
3-58

You can use the Driver Information Center (DIC) to
display more detailed fuel information. While scrolling
through the DIC, you will also nd:
AVERAGE XX.X MPG (Average Miles Per Gallon):
The fuel economy calculated for the last 20 gallons
(76 L) of fuel used, or since you last reset the display.
INST XX.X MPG (Instantaneous Miles Per Gallon):
The fuel economy calculated for your current driving
conditions.
RANGE XXX MI:The approximate distance you can
drive before refueling.
SeeDIC Controls and Displays on page 3-61for more
information.
You should reset the fuel information display every time
you refuel. To reset AVERAGE, use the information up or
down button to scroll to AVE FUEL ECON and hold the
reset button. RANGE will automatically reset.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
This display gives you the status of many of your
vehicle’s systems. The DIC is also used to display driver
personalization features and warning/status messages.
All messages will appear in the DIC display, located
at the bottom of the instrument panel cluster.
DIC Controls and Displays
The Driver Information
Center (DIC) buttons are
located to the right of
the steering wheel on the
instrument panel, near
the air outlets.
«4ª(Information):Press the top or bottom of this
button to scroll through the available features which
include the odometer, trip odometers, fuel range, miles
per gallon, average speed, timer, tire pressure and
remaining oil life.
3-61

DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages will appear if there is a problem
sensed in one of your vehicle’s systems. You must then
press RESET to clear the display screen for further
use. However, be sure to take any message that
appears on the display screen seriously and remember
that pressing the RESET button will only make the
message disappear, not the problem.
DIC messages can also be displayed in English,
French, German, Italian and Spanish.
ABS ACTIVE:When your anti-lock system is adjusting
brake pressure to help avoid a braking skid, the ABS
ACTIVE message will be displayed.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this message is
displayed, so adjust your driving accordingly. The
message may stay on for a few seconds after the
system stops adjusting brake pressure.
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE:This message is displayed
when the vehicle has detected that the battery voltage
is dropping beyond a reasonable point. The battery
saver system will start reducing certain features of the
vehicle that you may not be able to notice. At the
point that features are disabled, this message is
displayed. It means that the vehicle is trying to save the
charge in the battery. Turn off unnecessary accessories
to allow the battery to recharge.CHANGE OIL NOW:This means that the life of the
engine oil has expired. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 7-4. After an oil change, the Oil Life Indicator
must be reset. SeeOil Life Indicator on page 3-77and
Engine Oil Life System on page 6-16.
CHARGE SYSTEM FAULT:This message will display
when a problem with the charging system has been
detected. Have your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer.
CHECK GAS CAP:This message will appear if the
gas cap has not been fully tightened. You should
recheck your gas cap to ensure that it is on properly.
CLEAN RADAR CRUISE:This message indicates the
ACC system is disabled because the radar is blocked and
cannot detect vehicles in your path. It may also activate
during heavy rain or due to road spray. To clean the
system, see “Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)” underTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
CLOSE CARGO DIVIDER:This message indicates that
the cargo divider is not in place. Open the trunk and
make sure the cargo divider is secure and no objects are
on the divider. SeeRear Storage Area on page 2-44
for more information.
3-64

NO FOB, OFF OR RUN?:This message is displayed
when you turn off the engine, but the vehicle does
not detect a keyless access transmitter in the vehicle.
The vehicle will remain in accessory mode until the
engine has been turned off or started, or ve minutes
has expired. If you select OFF, the vehicle cannot
be started again without a remote access transmitter in
the vehicle.
OVER SPEED WARNING:This message is displayed
when the vehicle speed exceeds a certain limit as
required by some export countries. A chime will sound
when this message is displayed.
PRESS BRAKE TO START:The brake pedal must be
applied to start the vehicle. Make sure you are
pressing the brake pedal all the way down.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER:This message informs
you that the vehicle is reducing engine power because
the transmission is being placed in gear under
conditions that may cause damage to the vehicle’s
engine, transmission or ability to accelerate.
RIGHT DOOR AJAR:The passenger’s door is open or
ajar when this message appears. The vehicle must
be running and the transmission not in PARK (P) for this
message to display. A chime will sound if the vehicle’s
speed is greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).SERVICE A/C:This message appears when the
electronic sensors that control the air conditioning and
heating systems are no longer working. Have the climate
control system serviced by your GM dealer if you
notice a drop in heating and air conditioning efficiency.
SERVICE ABS:If the SERVICE ABS message is
displayed when you are driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the message stays on,
or comes back on again while you are driving,
your vehicle is in need of service. See your GM dealer.
If the SERVICE ABS message is being displayed, your
Traction Control System and StabiliTrak
®System will
also be disabled. The Driver Information Center will scroll
three messages: SERVICE ABS, SERVICE TRACTION
SYS and SERVICE STABILITRAK, and the anti-lock
brake system and traction control warning lights on the
instrument panel cluster will be illuminated. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light on page 3-53andTraction
Control System (TCS) Warning Light on page 3-53. The
driver can acknowledge these messages by pressing the
RESET button three times. When the service message is
displayed the computer controlled systems will not assist
the driver and you should have the system repaired by
your GM dealer as soon as possible. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
3-68