2005 CADILLAC XLR steering wheel

An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you
can turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer
quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel
once you have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving
at all times and wear safety belts properly.
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.
5-13

Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough
ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. Remember that
your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than it really is.
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on
two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the next
vehicle.
Do not overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not ashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.
If you are being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you can
ease a little to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of less
danger.
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 overdriving
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.
5-15

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; seeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 5-8. 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, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 5-35.
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
Certication label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or either
the maximum front or rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on your
vehicle can break, and it can change the way
your vehicle handles. These could cause you
to lose control and crash. Also, overloading
can shorten the life of your vehicle.
5-30

Service............................................................6-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................6-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................6-5
Fuel................................................................6-5
Gasoline Octane............................................6-5
Gasoline Specications....................................6-5
California Fuel...............................................6-5
Additives.......................................................6-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................6-6
Filling Your Tank............................................6-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................6-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................6-10
Hood Release..............................................6-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................6-12
Engine Oil...................................................6-13
Engine Oil Life System..................................6-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................6-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................6-20
Engine Coolant.............................................6-20
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................6-23
Engine Overheating.......................................6-23
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................6-25
Cooling System............................................6-26
Power Steering Fluid.....................................6-31Windshield Washer Fluid................................6-32
Brakes........................................................6-33
Battery........................................................6-36
Jump Starting...............................................6-37
Rear Axle.......................................................6-41
Headlamp Aiming...........................................6-42
Headlamp Vertical Aiming..............................6-43
Bulb Replacement..........................................6-44
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............6-45
Tires..............................................................6-46
Tire Sidewall Labelling...................................6-47
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................6-49
Run-Flat Tires..............................................6-52
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................6-53
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................6-55
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................6-57
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................6-58
Buying New Tires.........................................6-58
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................6-59
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................6-61
Wheel Replacement......................................6-61
Tire Chains..................................................6-63
Lifting Your Vehicle.......................................6-64
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................6-68
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-1

Fuses Usage
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
25Inside Rearview Mirror, Climate
Control System, Column Lock,
Power Sounder
26Instrument Panel Cluster, Head-Up
Display (HUD)
27 Radio, S-Band, CD Changer
28 Tap-Up/Tap-Down 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 SeatsFuses Usage
34 Door Controls
35 Run, Accessory Power
36 Not Used
37 Not Used
38 Rainsense™
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
6-82

Courtesy Transportation is available only at participating
dealers and all program options, such as shuttle
service, may not be available at every dealer. Please
contact your dealer for specic information about
availability. All Courtesy Transportation arrangements
will be administered by appropriate dealer personnel.
Canadian Vehicles:For warranty repairs during
the Complete Vehicle Coverage period of the General
Motors of Canada New Vehicle Limited Warranty,
alternative transportation may be available under the
Courtesy Transportation Program. Please consult
your dealer for details.
General Motors reserves the right to unilaterally modify,
change or discontinue Courtesy Transportation at
any time and to resolve all questions of claim eligibility
pursuant to the terms and conditions described
herein at its sole discretion.Vehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Recorders
Your vehicle, like other modern motor vehicles, has a
number of sophisticated computer systems that monitor
and control several aspects of the vehicle’s performance.
Your vehicle uses on-board vehicle computers to monitor
emission control components to optimize fuel economy,
to monitor conditions for airbag deployment and, if so
equipped, to provide anti-lock braking and to help the
driver control the vehicle in difficult driving situations.
Some information may be stored during regular
operations to facilitate repair of detected malfunctions;
other information is stored only in a crash event by
computer systems, such as those commonly called event
data recorders (EDR).
In a crash event, computer systems, such as the Airbag
Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) in your vehicle
may record information about the condition of the vehicle
and how it was operated, such as data related to
engine speed, brake application, throttle position, vehicle
speed, safety belt usage, airbag readiness, airbag
performance, and the severity of a collision. If your
vehicle is equipped with StabiliTrak
®, steering
performance, including yaw rate, steering wheel angle,
and lateral acceleration, is also recorded.
8-9

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-38
Adaptive Cruise Control...................................3-16
Additives, Fuel................................................. 6-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................6-80
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................6-18
Air Conditioning..............................................3-40
Airbag
Off Light.....................................................3-50
Readiness Light..........................................3-49
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 8-9
Airbag System................................................1-36
Airbag Off Switch........................................1-44
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-42
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-47
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-42
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?........1-43
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-41
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-38
Antenna, Diversity Antenna System...................3-81
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.....3-81
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 5-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-53
Appearance Care............................................6-70
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............6-76
Care of Safety Belts....................................6-73Appearance Care (cont.)
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................6-77
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................6-74
Fabric/Carpet..............................................6-70
Finish Care.................................................6-74
Finish Damage............................................6-77
Glass Surfaces............................................6-73
Instrument Panel.........................................6-72
Interior Plastic Components...........................6-72
Leather......................................................6-72
Sheet Metal Damage...................................6-77
Speaker Covers..........................................6-73
Tires..........................................................6-76
Underbody Maintenance...............................6-77
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................6-78
Vinyl..........................................................6-72
Washing Your Vehicle...................................6-74
Weatherstrips..............................................6-73
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................6-75
Wood Panels..............................................6-72
Ashtrays........................................................3-39
Audio System.................................................4-45
Audio System(s).............................................3-78
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-79
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-80
Care of Your CDs........................................3-80
Diversity Antenna System.............................3-81
1

Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........7-13
Owner Checks and Services........................... 7-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............7-11
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 7-4
Using Your................................................... 7-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 7-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-55
Map Pocket...................................................2-43
Maps............................................................4-33
Memory Mirrors..............................................2-54
Memory Point, Edit.........................................4-13
Memory Seat.................................................2-54
Memory Steering Wheel Controls......................2-54
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-64
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®.......2-34
Memory.....................................................2-54
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror.................2-35
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-36
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror....................2-35
Outside Power Heated Mirrors.......................2-34
MyGMLink.com................................................ 8-3
N
Navigation.................................................4-2, 4-4
Using the System.......................................... 4-4
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-21
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............7-13
O
Odometer......................................................3-48
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-48
Off-Road Recovery..........................................5-13
Oil
Engine.......................................................6-13
Engine Oil Pressure Gage............................3-58
Life Indicator...............................................3-77
Older Children, Restraints................................1-19
Online Owner Center........................................ 8-3
OnStar
®System.....................................2-36, 4-42
Ordering
Map DVDs.................................................4-45
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-45
8