2007 CADILLAC XLR brake

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 359.
{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 (ABS),
this 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 206.
The ABS 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.
193

FRONT Lxx Rxx PSI:This feature shows the tire
pressure for the front left and right tires.
REAR Lxx Rxx PSI:This feature shows the tire
pressure for the rear left and right tires.
OIL LIFE:This feature shows the estimated oil
life remaining. SeeOil Life Indicator on page 224
for more information. To reset the engine oil
life system, seeEngine Oil Life System on
page 380. This only needs to be reset after you
have had the oil changed.
In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring
oil life, additional maintenance is recommended
in the Maintenance Schedule in this manual.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 465and
Engine Oil on page 377for more information.
ENG/METRIC (English/Metric):This feature
allows you to switch the DIC displays between
English and Metric. Press the RESET button
to switch the display between English and Metric.
There will be an arrow next to the option that
is selected.DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages appear if there is a problem
detected 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, Japanese, and Spanish.
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)
ACTIVE
This message displays when the Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS) is adjusting brake pressure to
help avoid a braking skid.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this message
displays, so adjust your driving accordingly.
The message may stay on for a few seconds after
the system stops adjusting brake pressure.
206

LEFT DOOR AJAR
This message displays anytime the engine is
running, the transmission is not in PARK (P), and
the driver’s door is open or ajar. A chime
sounds when the vehicle’s speed is greater than
3 mph (5 km/h).
LOW BRAKE FLUID
This message displays if the engine is running to
inform the driver that the brake uid level is
low. Have the brake system serviced by your
dealer as soon as possible. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 399.
LOW COOLANT
This message displays when there is a low level
of engine coolant. Have the cooling system
serviced by your dealer as soon as possible. See
Engine Coolant on page 385.
LOW FUEL
This message displays when the fuel supply is
less than 5 gallons (18.9 L) and the display
is turned off. A single chime also sounds when
this message is displayed.
LOW OIL LEVEL
For correct operation of the low oil sensing
system, your vehicle should be on a level surface.
A false LOW OIL LEVEL message may display
if the vehicle is parked on a grade. The oil
level sensing system does not check for actual oil
level if the engine has been off for a short
period of time, and the oil level is never checked
while the engine is running. If the LOW OIL
LEVEL message displays, and your vehicle has
been parked on level ground with the engine off for
at least 30 minutes, the oil level should be
checked by observing the oil dipstick. Prior to
checking the oil level, make sure the engine has
been off for a few minutes and your vehicle is on a
level surface. Then check the dipstick and add
oil if necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 377.
LOW OIL PRESSURE
If this message displays while the engine is
running, stop the engine and do not operate the
vehicle until the cause of low oil pressure is
corrected. Severe damage to the engine can
result. A multiple chime sounds when this
message is displayed.
210

NO FOB, OFF OR RUN?
This message displays when a keyless access
transmitter is not detected inside the vehicle while
you are trying to turn the ignition off. Your
vehicle may be near a strong radio antenna signal
causing the keyless access system to be
jammed. The vehicle will remain in Acc. until off or
START has been pressed or ve minutes has
expired. If you turn the ignition off and you cannot
nd the keyless access transmitter, you will not
be able to restart the vehicle. The keyless access
transmitter needs to be inside of the vehicle in
order for the vehicle to start. SeeStarting
the Engine on page 89for more information.
OVER SPEED WARNING
This message displays when the vehicle speed
exceeds a certain limit as required by some export
countries. A chime sounds when this message
is displayed.
PRESS BRAKE TO START
This message displays to inform you that 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 displays when 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. Reduced
engine power can affect the vehicle’s ability
to accelerate. If this message is on, but there is
no reduction in performance, proceed to your
destination. The performance may be reduced the
next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may
be driven at a reduced speed while this message
is on, but acceleration and speed may be
reduced. Anytime this message stays on, the
vehicle should be taken to your dealer for service
as soon as possible.
RIGHT DOOR AJAR
This message displays anytime the engine is
running, the transmission is not in PARK (P),
and the passenger’s door is open or ajar. A chime
sounds if the vehicle’s speed is greater than
3 mph (5 km/h).
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SERVICE A/C
This message displays when the electronic
sensors that control the air conditioning and
heating systems are no longer working. Have the
climate control system serviced by your dealer
if you notice a drop in heating and air conditioning
efficiency.
SERVICE ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
If this message displays 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 dealer.
If the SERVICE ABS message is being displayed,
the Traction Control System (TCS) 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 beilluminated. SeeAnti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light on page 193andTraction Control System
(TCS) Warning Light on page 194. 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 dealer as
soon as possible. Adjust your driving accordingly.
SERVICE AFS (Adaptive Forward
Lighting System) LAMPS
This message displays when the Adaptive
Forward Lighting System (AFS) is disabled and
needs service. See your dealer. SeeAdaptive
Forward Lighting System on page 167for more
information.
SERVICE ELECT (Electrical) SYSTEM
This message displays if an electrical problem has
occurred within the Powertrain Control Module
(PCM). Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer.
214

SHIFT TO PARK
This message displays if the vehicle is not in
PARK (P) when the engine is being turned off. The
vehicle will be in accessory mode. Once the
shift lever is moved to PARK (P), the vehicle will
turn off.
STABILITRAK ACTIVE
You may see this message on the DIC. It means
that an advanced, computer-controlled system
has come on to help your vehicle continue to go in
the direction in which you are steering. This
stability enhancement system activates when the
computer senses that your vehicle is just
starting to spin, as it might if you hit a patch of ice
or other slippery spot on the road. When the
system is on, you may hear a noise or feel
a vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal.
When this message is on, continue to steer in the
direction you want to go. The system is designed
to help you in bad weather or other difficult driving
situations by making the most of whatever roadconditions will permit. If this message comes on,
you will know that something has caused your
vehicle to start to spin, so consider slowing down.
A single chime also sounds when this message
is displayed.
STABILITRAK READY
If this message displays and a chime sounds, the
system has completed the functional check of
the StabiliTrak
®System.
STABILITRAK WARMING
When you rst start your vehicle and drive away,
especially during cold winter weather, this
message may display along with a chime and the
traction control warning light. This is normal.
You can acknowledge this message by pressing
the RESET button. The StabiliTrak
®System
performance is affected until the STABILITRAK
READY message is displayed in the DIC,
which can take up to 15 minutes.
216

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle............................................ 322
Defensive Driving...................................... 322
Drunken Driving........................................ 323
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 326
Braking...................................................... 326
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 327
Braking in Emergencies............................. 329
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 329
Magnetic Ride Control............................... 331
Limited-Slip Rear Axle............................... 331
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 331
Steering.................................................... 333
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 335
Passing..................................................... 335
Loss of Control.......................................... 337
Racing or Other Competitive
Driving (XLR-V)...................................... 338Driving at Night......................................... 339
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 340
City Driving............................................... 343
Freeway Driving........................................ 344
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 345
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 346
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 347
Winter Driving........................................... 349
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.......................................... 353
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 354
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 354
Towing........................................................ 359
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 359
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 359
Towing a Trailer........................................ 359
Section 5 Driving Your Vehicle
321

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle
go where you want it to go. They are the brakes,
the steering, and the accelerator. All three
systems have to do their work at the places where
the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 329and
StabiliTrak
®System on page 331.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 363.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 192.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might
be less with one driver and as long as two or
three seconds or more with another. Age, physical
condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight
all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs, and
frustration. But even in three-fourths of a second,
a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
326