2007 CADILLAC XLR V engine

The Sport Automatic Mode is selected by moving
the shift lever into the DSC area without shifting
towards the +(plus) or−(minus) symbols. While in
the Sport Automatic Mode, the transmission
computer determines when the vehicle is being
driven in a competitive manner. It then selects and
holds the transmission in lower gears giving
more noticeable upshifts for a sportier vehicle
performance. Once you shift to the + (plus)
or−(minus) controls, the driver manual gear
selection is activated. A + (plus) symbol appears
on the shift console above the DRIVE (D) indicator
and minus symbol appears below the indicator.
The Head-Up Display (HUD) also displays
the requested gear, though the actual upshift or
downshift could be delayed until the engine speed
is correct for that gear.The requested gear displays on the HUD until the
next time you upshift or downshift. The gear
selected and shown in the HUD is one of a number
of gears available. The vehicle does not upshift
beyond the chosen gear. The actual gear that the
vehicle shifts to depends on a combination of
the driver-requested gear range, vehicle speed and
throttle position.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle at high
RPMs without upshifting while using Driver
Shift Control (DSC), you could damage
your vehicle. Always upshift when necessary
while using DSC.
If you do not upshift as the engine approaches
the red line on the engine RPM (Revolutions
Per Minute) gage, the engine speed is controlled
to limit the engine RPM.
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Not all manual downshift requests will be allowed
by the transmission. To prevent excessive
engine RPMs, each gear has a maximum vehicle
speed associated with it. Any downshift request
above this speed is not allowed by the
transmission.
If shifting is prevented for any reason, the current
gear ashes multiple times in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), indicating that the
transmission has not shifted gears.
Some automatic downshifts can occur to maintain
minimum engine speed. This only happens if the
vehicle is left in too high of a gear for the vehicle’s
speed. For example, if you have been driving in
sixth gear range and come to a stop without
manually downshifting, the transmission
automatically downshifts to rst gear and displays
rst gear on the HUD. As you begin to drive and
accelerate, the transmission remains in rst gear
until the driver selects a downshift.DSC can be used while using cruise control, but
transmission shifting is different while the
cruise control is on. This is not a malfunction and
is necessary to let proper operation of the
cruise control.
To return to fully automatic operation, move the
shift lever to the right and back into DRIVE (D).
When accelerating your vehicle from a stop
in snowy and icy conditions, you may want to shift
into second gear. A higher gear lets you gain
more traction on slippery surfaces.
In higher gears, on the XLR only, an automatic
downshift occurs if you press the accelerator pedal
to the oor. This feature provides adequate
acceleration capabilities if you forget to downshift
manually. Tap the shifter forward and the
vehicle upshifts.
96

Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal
is located to the left of
the regular brake pedal,
near the driver’s door.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the
parking brake pedal down with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the parking brake indicator light
on the instrument panel cluster should come on.
If it does not, you need to have your vehicle
serviced.When you move out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
and the engine is running, the parking brake
should release. If the parking brake has not been
fully released and you try to drive off with the
parking brake on, the parking brake indicator light
will come on and stay on.
If the parking brake does not fully release, you
can manually release the pedal.
{CAUTION:
Always shift to PARK (P) before pulling
the manual release lever. If your hand or
arm is in the way of the pedal you could
be hurt. The pedal springs back quickly.
Keep your hand and arm away when you
use the manual release lever.
Before releasing the manual parking brake, be
sure to put the vehicle in PARK (P) and turn the
ignition off.
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Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot
and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pushing
the lever all the way toward the front of the
vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition off.
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle
could move suddenly if the shift lever is
not fully in PARK (P) with the parking
brake rmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch re. You or
others could be injured. Do not leave your
vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P)
and your parking brake is rmly set before you
leave it. After you have moved the shift lever into
PARK (P), hold down the regular brake pedal.
See if you can move the shift lever away
from PARK (P) without rst pulling it toward you. If
you can, it means that the shift lever was not
fully locked into PARK (P).
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Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift
your transmission into PARK (P) properly,
the weight of the vehicle may put too much force
on the parking pawl in the transmission. You
may nd it difficult to pull the shift lever out
of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver’s seat. To nd out how, see “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” listed previously in this section.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever
out of PARK (P) before you release the parking
brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to
take some of the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transmission, so you can pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift
lock control system. You have to fully apply
your regular brake before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the vehicle is running. See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 92.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever – push the shift lever all the
way into PARK (P) and release the shift lever
button as you maintain brake application. Then
press the shift lever button and move the
shift lever into the gear desired.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still
cannot shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Press the regular bake.
2. Press the Acc. button twice to place the
ignition in accessory mode.
3. Apply and hold the brake until the end of
Step 4.
4. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
5. Start the engine and then shift to the drive
gear you want.
6. Have your vehicle inspected by your dealer as
soon as possible.
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Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the
gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you
cannot see or smell. It can cause
unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a
collision.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Your vehicle was damaged when
driving over high points on the road
or over road debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system has
been modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows
down to blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
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Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the earlier caution
underEngine Exhaust on page 102.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your
vehicle even if the climate control fan is at
the highest setting. One place this can
happen is a garage. Exhaust — with
CO — can come in easily. NEVER park in
a garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 349.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave
your vehicle when the engine is running
unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
always set your parking brake and move
the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 99.
103

Retractable Hardtop
The following procedures explain the proper
operation of the retractable hardtop. The
retractable hardtop will not operate if the valet
lockout switch is on.
If the retractable hardtop is lowered or raised
multiple times, the engine should be running while
doing so to prevent drain on the vehicle’s
battery.
{CAUTION:
When the retractable hardtop is opened or
closed, people can be injured by the parts
that move: the hardtop and its mechanism,
the trunk lid, and the side windows. Keep
people away from these parts when you are
lowering or raising the top.
Lowering the Retractable Hardtop
Notice:Leaving the retractable hardtop down
and exposing the interior of your vehicle to
outdoor conditions may cause damage. Always
close the retractable hardtop if leaving your
vehicle outdoors.
1. Park on a level surface and shift the
transmission into PARK (P).
2. The vehicle’s engine must be on or in Acc.
3. Lower both sun visors.
Notice:Raising or lowering the top while the
vehicle is in motion can cause damage to
the top or top mechanism. Make sure the
vehicle is in PARK (P) to lower or raise the top.
Notice:Lowering the top if it is damp, wet,
or dirty can cause stains, mildew, and damage
to the inside of your vehicle. Dry off the top
before lowering it.
4. Make sure that nothing or no one is on or
around the top. Make sure the trunk cargo
cover is in place with nothing on top or in front
of the cargo cover. SeeRear Storage Area
on page 123for more information. Also, make
sure the valet lockout switch is off.
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