2006 CADILLAC XLR V towing

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-5
Child Restraints
.......................................1-18
Airbag System
.........................................1-32
Restraint System Check
............................1-45
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-9
Windows
.................................................2-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-20
Mirrors
....................................................2-35
OnStar
®System
......................................2-38
Universal Home Remote System
................2-40
Storage Areas
.........................................2-45
Retractable Hardtop
..................................2-47
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-56
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-41
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-48
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-64
Trip Computer
.........................................3-82
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-82Navigation System.......................................... 4-1
Overview
.................................................. 4-2
Features and Controls
..............................4-10
Navigation Audio System
...........................4-51
Voice Recognition
....................................4-75
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 5-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 5-2
Towing
...................................................5-37
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 6-1
Service
..................................................... 6-3
Fuel
......................................................... 6-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............6-10
Rear Axle
...............................................6-44
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................6-45
Bulb Replacement
....................................6-48
Windshield Replacement
...........................6-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........6-49
Tires
......................................................6-50
Appearance Care
.....................................6-76
Vehicle Identication
.................................6-85
Electrical System
......................................6-86
Capacities and Specications
.....................6-92
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 7-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 7-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 8-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 8-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................8-13
Index................................................................ 1
2006 Cadillac XLR / XLR-V Owner ManualM

{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on,
it means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens, have
the vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of an airbag. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-51for more on this, including
important safety information.Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, can affect
how well the passenger sensing system operates.
You may want to consider not using seat covers or
other aftermarket equipment if your vehicle has
the passenger sensing system. SeeAdding Equipment
to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-44for
more information about modications that can affect
how the system operates.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s
seat or between the passenger’s seat cushion
and seatback may interfere with the proper
operation of the passenger sensing system.
1-43

You have to fully apply your regular brakes before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the vehicle is running.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into the gear desired.
SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-32.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging your transmission,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 5-32.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
Use Neutral (N) if the car must be moved with the
engine off for short distances. Please seeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 5-37
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not running
at high speed when shifting your vehicle.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):This position is for
normal driving.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission. If you are stuck, do
not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Maximum engine speed is limited to protect driveline
components from improper operation.
2-26

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.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 5-37.
{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.
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 3-67.
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.
3-55

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........5-2
Defensive Driving...........................................5-2
Drunken Driving.............................................5-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................5-6
Braking.........................................................5-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................5-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................5-9
Traction Control System (TCS).........................5-9
Magnetic Ride Control...................................5-11
Limited-Slip Rear Axle...................................5-11
StabiliTrak
®System......................................5-11
Steering......................................................5-13
Off-Road Recovery.......................................5-15
Passing.......................................................5-16
Loss of Control.............................................5-17
Racing or Other Competitive Driving (XLR-V). . . .5-18
Driving at Night............................................5-19Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................5-20
City Driving..................................................5-22
Freeway Driving...........................................5-23
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................5-24
Highway Hypnosis........................................5-25
Hill and Mountain Roads................................5-26
Winter Driving..............................................5-27
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................5-32
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................5-32
Loading Your Vehicle....................................5-33
Towing..........................................................5-37
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................5-37
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................5-37
Towing a Trailer...........................................5-37
Section 5 Driving Your Vehicle
5-1

If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you do not want to spin your
wheels too fast. The method known as rocking can
help you get out when you are stuck, but you must
use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they
can explode, and you or others could be
injured. And, the transmission or other parts
of the vehicle can overheat. That could cause
an engine compartment re or other damage.
When you are stuck, spin the wheels as
little as possible. Do not spin the wheels
above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer.Notice:Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of
your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the
wheels too fast while shifting your transmission
back and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For more information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 6-70.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That
will clear the area around your front wheels. You should
turn your traction control system off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 5-9. 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 5-37.
5-32

There is also important loading information on the
vehicle Certication label. It tells you the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axle.
See “Certication Label” later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting gure equals the available amount
of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example,
if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs and there
will be ve 150 lb passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight
may not safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle.
Your vehicle is neither designed nor intended to
tow a trailer.
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 1=400 lbs (181 kg)
BSubtract
Occupant Weight
@ 150 lbs (68 kg) x 1 =150 lbs (68 kg)
CAvailable Occupant
and Cargo Weight =250 lbs (113 kg) Example 1
5-34

If you put things inside your vehicle — like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else — they will go as
fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or
turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn,
or in a crash.
Put things in the rear area of your vehicle.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them
are above the tops of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service
if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed.
SeeRoadside Service on page 8-6.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle — such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly towing”
(towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with any of
its wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must be towed,
see “Towing Your Vehicle” earlier in this section.
Towing a Trailer
Your XLR is neither designed nor intended to tow
a trailer.
5-37