2008 CADILLAC XLR ESP

Engaging Adaptive Cruise Control
With the Set Button
{CAUTION:
If you leave your Adaptive Cruise Control
switch on when you are not using cruise, you
might hit a button and go into cruise when you
do not want to. You could be startled and even
lose control. Keep the Adaptive Cruise Control
switch off until you want to use cruise control.
{CAUTION:
If you operate Adaptive Cruise Control without
your Head-up Display (HUD) properly adjusted,
your Adaptive Cruise Control settings may not
be visible. You could forget your settings and
be startled by Adaptive Cruise Control
response and even lose control. Keep your
HUD on and properly adjusted when using
Adaptive Cruise Control.The set speed is selected by the driver. This is the speed
you will travel if there is no vehicle detected in your path.
To set Adaptive Cruise Control, do the following:
1. Make sure the Head-Up Display (HUD) is on and
properly adjusted. You cannot engage Adaptive
Cruise Control unless the HUD is on. SeeHead-Up
Display (HUD) on page 3-33for more information.
2. Move the switch to the on position.
3. Get up to the desired speed.
4. Press in the set button at the end of the lever and
release the button.
5. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Once Adaptive Cruise Control is set, it might immediately
apply the brakes if it detects a vehicle ahead that is too
close or moving slower than your vehicle.
This symbol appears
on the Head-Up
Display (HUD) to indicate
that Adaptive Cruise
Control is active.
SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-33for more
information.
3-18

Approaching and Following a Vehicle
The vehicle ahead symbol
only appears on the HUD
when a vehicle ahead
is detected in your path.
If this symbol does not appear, or disappears briey,
Adaptive Cruise Control will not respond to vehicles
you may see ahead.{CAUTION:
When the Adaptive Cruise Control radar is
blocked by snow, ice, or dirt, it may not detect
a vehicle ahead. Adaptive Cruise Control may
not have time to slow your vehicle enough to
avoid a collision. Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control when the radar is blocked by snow,
ice, or dirt. Keep your radar clean. See
“Cleaning the System” later in this section.
Adaptive Cruise Control automatically slows your
vehicle down when approaching a slower moving vehicle.
It then adjusts your speed to follow the vehicle in front at
the selected following distance. Your speed increases
or decreases to follow the vehicle in front of you, but will
not exceed the set speed. It may apply limited braking,
if necessary. When braking is active, your brake lights
come on. It may feel or sound different than if you were
applying the brakes yourself. This is normal.
3-22

Curves in the Road
{CAUTION:
Due to Adaptive Cruise Control limitations in
curves, it may respond to a vehicle in another
lane, or may not have time to react to a vehicle
in your lane. You could crash into a vehicle
ahead of you, or lose control of your vehicle.
Give extra attention in curves and be ready to
use the brakes if necessary. Select an
appropriate speed while driving in curves.
Adaptive Cruise Control might operate differently in a
sharp curve. It might reduce your speed if the curve is
too sharp. The TIGHT CURVE message will also display
on the HUD. SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-33
for more information.When following a vehicle and entering a curve, Adaptive
Cruise Control could lose track of the vehicle in your
lane and accelerate your vehicle. When this happens,
the vehicle ahead symbol will not appear on the HUD.
3-24

Adaptive Cruise Control might detect a vehicle that is
not in your lane and apply the brakes.
Adaptive Cruise Control might occasionally provide a
driver alert and/or braking that you consider unnecessary.
It could respond to signs, guardrails, and other stationary
objects when entering or exiting a curve. This is normal
operation. Your vehicle does not need service.
Highway Exit Ramps
{CAUTION:
Adaptive Cruise Control may lose track of the
vehicle ahead and accelerate up to your set
speed while entering or on highway exit ramps.
You could be startled by this acceleration and
even lose control of the vehicle. Disengage
Adaptive Cruise Control before entering a
highway exit ramp. Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control while entering or on exit ramps.
3-25

Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking
lamps after the windshield wipers have been in use for
approximately six seconds and the multifunction lever is
in the AUTO position. SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-28.
When the exterior lamp control has been turned off or is
in the parking lamp position and the wiper control is
on delay, low speed or high speed, the HEADLAMPS
SUGGESTED message will appear on the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
When the ignition is turned off, the wiper-activated
headlamps will immediately turn off.
Headlamps on Reminder
A warning chime will sound if the exterior lamp control
is left on in either the headlamp or parking lamp position
and the driver’s door is opened with the ignition off.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
DRL are required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.The DRL system makes the front turn signal lamps
come on when the following conditions are met:
It is still daylight and the ignition is on.
The exterior lamp control is in the off position.
The transmission is not in PARK (P).
When DRL are on, only the front turn signal lamps are
on. No other exterior lamps such as the parking lamps,
taillamps, etc. are on when the DRL are used. Your
instrument panel is not be lit up either.
When it is dark enough outside, the front turn signal
lamps turn off and normal low-beam headlamps turn on.
When it is bright enough outside, the regular lamps go off,
and the front turn signal lamps take over. If you start your
vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic headlamp system
comes on immediately. Once you leave the garage, it
takes about one minute for the automatic headlamp
system to change to DRL if it is light outside. During that
delay, the instrument panel cluster might not be as bright
as usual. Make sure the instrument panel brightness
knob is in the full bright position. SeeInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-32for more information.
If it is dark enough outside and the exterior lamp control
is off, a HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED message displays
on the Driver’s Information Center (DIC). This message
informs the driver that turning on the exterior lamps is
recommended. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-63.
3-29

SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays when a non-emissions related
powertrain malfunction occurs. Have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
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 road conditions 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.
3-72

Language
This feature allows you to select the language the
DIC and Head-Up Display (HUD), uses to display
messages.
The DIC will display ENGLISH, FRENCH, GERMAN,
ITALIAN, JAPANESE, or SPANISH. Press the
OPTIONS button to change the setting.
If you become stuck in a language that you do not
understand, hold the OPTIONS and RESET buttons
for ve seconds. The DIC will scroll through all
available languages for as long as the buttons are held.
Each language option will display in its own language.
For example, English will be displayed as ENGLISH,
Spanish as ESPANOL, etc. When the desired language
is available, release the buttons and the DIC will
set to this language.
Trip Computer
Oil Life Indicator
This feature lets you know when to change the engine
oil. It is based on the engine oil temperatures and
your driving patterns.
To see the display, press the information button several
times until OIL LIFE appears. If you see 99% OIL
LIFE, 99 percent of your current oil life remains.
The DIC may display a CHANGE OIL NOW message.
If you see CHANGE OIL NOW, it means the oil life
is gone. For more information, seeScheduled
Maintenance on page 7-4andEngine Oil on page 6-16.
When the oil is changed, you will need to reset the
system. SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 6-20.
Always keep a written record of the mileage and date
when you changed your oil.
3-80

Radio Reception
Frequency interference and static can occur during
normal radio reception if items such as cell phone
chargers, vehicle convenience accessories, and external
electronic devices are plugged into the accessory
power outlet. If there is interference or static, unplug
the item from the accessory power outlet.
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for
FM, especially at night. The longer range can cause
station frequencies to interfere with each other.
For better radio reception, most AM radio stations
boost the power levels during the day, and then reduce
these levels during the night. Static can also occur
when things like storms and power lines interfere with
radio reception. When this happens, try reducing
the treble on your radio.
FM Stereo
FM stereo gives the best sound, but FM signals only
reach about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall buildings
or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing the
sound to fade in and out.
XM™ Satellite Radio Service
XM™ Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio
reception from coast-to-coast in the 48 contiguous
United States, and in Canada. Just as with FM,
tall buildings or hills can interfere with satellite radio
signals, causing the sound to fade in and out.
In addition, traveling or standing under heavy foliage,
bridges, garages, or through tunnels could cause loss
of the XM™ signal for a period of time. The radio
may display NO XM SIGNAL to indicate interference.
3-84