2006 CADILLAC XLR ABS

Remember: ABS does not change the time you need to
get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle
in front of you, you will not have time to apply your
brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to stop, even though
you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may
hear a motor or clicking noise and feel the brake pedal
move a little during a stop, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same time.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system that limits
wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the rear wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system works the rear brakes and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The TRAC SYSTEM ACTIVE message will display on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) when the traction
control system is limiting wheel spin. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-67. You may feel or hear
the system working, but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
reengage the cruise control. SeeAdaptive Cruise
Control on page 3-15orCruise Control on page 3-12
for more information.
5-9

Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only
the acceleration skid. If your traction control system is
off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled
by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety,
you will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your
best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower
gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on
the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.Racing or Other Competitive
Driving (XLR-V)
See your warranty book before using your vehicle for
racing or other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for racing or
other competitive driving, the engine may use
more oil than it would with normal use. Low oil
levels can damage the engine. Be sure to check the
oil level often during racing or other competitive
driving and keep the level at or near 2 quarts (2 L)
above the upper mark that shows the proper
operating range on the engine oil dipstick.
For information on how to add oil, seeEngine Oil
on page 6-15. After the competitive driving, remove
excess oil so that the level on the dipstick is not
above the upper mark that shows the proper
operating range.
5-18

What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold snow
or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice
can be even more trouble because it may offer the least
traction of all. You can get wet ice when it is about
freezing, 32°F (0°C), and freezing rain begins to fall.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews
can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed, blowing,
or loose snow — drive with caution.
Traction control improves your ability to accelerate when
driving on a slippery road. Even though your vehicle
has the Traction Control System (TCS), you will want
to slow down and adjust your driving to the road
conditions. Under certain conditions, you may want to
turn the TCS off, such as when driving through
deep snow and loose gravel, to help maintain vehicle
motion at lower speeds. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 5-9. The StabiliTrak
®System may
also activate. SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 5-11.Your Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) improves your
vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop on a
slippery road. Even though you have ABS, you will want
to begin stopping sooner than you would on dry
pavement. SeeAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) on
page 5-7.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road might be ne
until you hit a spot that is covered with ice. On an
otherwise clear road, ice patches may appear in
shaded areas where the sun cannot reach, such as
around clumps of trees, behind buildings, or under
bridges. Sometimes the surface of a curve or an
overpass may remain icy when the surrounding
roads are clear. If you see a patch of ice ahead of
you, brake before you are on it. Try not to brake while
you are actually on the ice, and avoid sudden
steering maneuvers.
5-29

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12
for the location of the engine air cleaner/lters.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filters
Inspect the air cleaner/lters at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace them at the rst oil change
after each 50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 7-4for more
information. If you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect the lters at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filters
To inspect the air cleaner/lters, remove the lters
from the vehicle and lightly shake the lters to release
loose dust and dirt. If the lters remain caked with
dirt, new lters are required.To inspect or replace the lters, do the following:
1. Flip the clasps on the top of the engine air
cleaner/lter cover forward to unlatch the cover.
2. Lift the front of the cover at an angle and remove.
This is necessary due to the four tabs located on
the rear of the cover.
3. Remove the engine air cleaner/lter element
and any loose debris that may be found in the
air cleaner base.
4. Inspect or replace the lter.
5. Repeat the procedure for the second
air cleaner/lter.
6-20

Follow these steps to reinstall the covers to the engine
air cleaner/lter housings:
1. Align the four tabs located on the back of the cover
with the three slots on the back of the housing.
2. Push the cover slightly down and towards the
engine to engage the tabs in the slots and align the
two wing screws.
3. Engage and tighten the two clasps on the top of the
engine air cleaner/lter cover.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps
to stop ames if the engine backres. If it is
not there and the engine backres, you could
be burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always have
the air cleaner/lter in place when you are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transmission uid level.
A transmission uid leak is the only reason for uid
loss. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to the dealership
service department and have it repaired as soon as
possible.
There is a special procedure for checking and changing
the transmission uid. Because this procedure is
difficult, you should have this done at the dealership
service department. Contact your dealer for additional
information or the procedure can be found in the service
manual. To purchase a service manual, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 8-14.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7-11.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 7-6, and be sure
to use the uid listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 7-11.
6-21

Fabric/Carpet
Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment
frequently to remove dust and loose dirt. A canister
vacuum with a beater bar in the nozzle may only
be used on oor carpet and carpeted oor mats.
For soils, always try to remove them rst with plain
water or club soda. Before cleaning, gently remove as
much of the soil as possible using one of the following
techniques:
For liquids: gently blot the remaining soil with a
paper towel. Allow the soil to absorb into the
paper towel until no more can be removed.
For solid dry soils: remove as much as possible
and then vacuum.
To clean, use the following instructions:
1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white cloth with
water or club soda.
2. Wring the cloth to remove excess moisture.3. Start on the outside edge of the soil and gently rub
toward the center. Continue cleaning, using a clean
area of the cloth each time it becomes soiled.
4. Continue to gently rub the soiled area until the
cleaning cloth remains clean.
5. If the soil is not completely removed, use a mild
soap solution and repeat the cleaning process
that was used with plain water.
If any of the soil remains, a commercial fabric cleaner or
spot lifter may be necessary. When a commercial
upholstery cleaner or spot lifter is to be used, test a
small hidden area for colorfastness rst. If the locally
cleaned area gives any impression that a ring formation
may result, clean the entire surface.
After the cleaning process has been completed, a paper
towel can be used to blot excess moisture from the
fabric or carpet.
6-78

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 6-3
Accessory Power Outlet(s)...............................3-40
Adaptive Cruise Control...................................3-15
Adaptive Forward Lighting System.....................3-31
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-44
Additives, Fuel................................................. 6-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................6-86
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................6-20
Air Conditioning..............................................3-41
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-52
Readiness Light..........................................3-51
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 8-9
Airbag System................................................1-32
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-44
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-38
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-40
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-44
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-38
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-39
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-37
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-34
Antenna, Diversity Antenna System...................3-86
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System......................................................3-86
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 5-7Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-55
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............6-82
Care of Safety Belts....................................6-80
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................6-83
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................6-81
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................6-76
Fabric/Carpet..............................................6-78
Finish Care.................................................6-81
Finish Damage............................................6-83
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................6-79
Leather......................................................6-79
Sheet Metal Damage...................................6-83
Speaker Covers..........................................6-79
Tires..........................................................6-83
Underbody Maintenance...............................6-83
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................6-84
Washing Your Vehicle...................................6-80
Weatherstrips..............................................6-80
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................6-81
Wood Panels..............................................6-79
Ashtray(s)......................................................3-41
Audio System.................................................4-51
Audio System(s).............................................3-82
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-84
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-86
Care of Your CDs ........................................3-86
Diversity Antenna System.............................3-86
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-83
1

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-84
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-86
Automatic Door Lock.......................................2-11
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................6-21
Operation...................................................2-25
Avoid Point/Area, Edit......................................4-25
B
Battery..........................................................6-38
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-33
Run-Down Protection...................................3-34
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................5-24
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 5-7
Emergencies................................................ 5-9
Parking......................................................2-29
System Warning Light..................................3-54
Brakes..........................................................6-35
Braking........................................................... 5-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 5-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-20
Bulb Replacement...........................................6-48
Headlamp Aiming........................................6-45
Buying New Tires...........................................6-64
C
California Fuel.................................................. 6-5
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 6-3
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications............................6-92
Carbon Monoxide...................2-12, 2-34, 5-27, 5-37
Care of
Safety Belts................................................6-80
Your CD Player...........................................3-86
Your CDs ...................................................3-86
CD
Player........................................................4-69
Six-Disc Changer.........................................4-66
CD/DVD Player..............................................4-69
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-45
Chains, Tire...................................................6-70
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-58
Checking Things Under the Hood......................6-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................6-83
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-23
Infants and Young Children...........................1-20
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-27
Older Children.............................................1-18
Securing a Child Restraint in the Passenger
Seat Position...........................................1-28
2