2008 CADILLAC XLR instrument cluster

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

Turn the exterior lamp control off a second time,
or turn on the headlamps to turn off the HEADLAMPS
SUGGESTED message in the DIC. If the parking
lamps or the fog lamps were turned on instead, the
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED message continues
to display.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when needed.
Adaptive Forward Lighting System
The Adaptive Forward Lighting System (AFS) swivels
the headlamps horizontally to provide greater road
illumination while turning. AFS will operate when the
vehicle speed is greater than 2 mph (3 km/h). AFS will
not operate when the transmission is in REVERSE (R).
AFS is not immediately operable after starting the
vehicle; driving a short distance is required to calibrate
the AFS. To enable AFS, set the exterior lamp switch
on the multifunction lever to the AUTO position. Moving
the switch out of the AUTO position will deactivate the
system. SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-28.
Fog Lamps
Use fog lamps for better vision in foggy or misty
conditions.
The fog lamps control is located on the multifunction
lever next to the exterior lamp control.
-(Fog Lamps):Turning the band to this position will
turn the fog lamps on.
When you turn the fog lamps on, the fog lamp light will
appear on the instrument panel cluster to indicate
that the fog lamps and the parking lamps are on.
If you turn the high-beam headlamps on, the fog lamps
will turn off. They will turn on again when you switch
to low-beam headlamps.
The ignition must be on for the fog lamps to operate.
The fog lamps will turn off when the ignition is turned off.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps
to be on along with the fog lamps.
3-30

Twilight Sentinel®
Twilight Sentinel®can turn your lamps on and off
for you. A light sensor on top of the instrument panel
makes the Twilight Sentinel
®work, so be sure it is
not covered.
With Twilight Sentinel
®you will see the following
happen:
When it is dark enough outside, the front turn signal
lamps (DRL) will go off, and the headlamps and
parking lamps will come on. The other lamps
that come on with headlamps will also come on.
When it is bright enough outside, the headlamps
will go off, and the front turn signal lamps (DRL)
will come on, as long as the exterior lamp switch
is in the AUTO position.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once you
leave the garage, it will take about one minute for the
automatic headlamp system to change to DRL if it is
light outside. During that delay, your instrument panel
cluster may not be as bright as usual. Make sure your
instrument panel brightness control is in full bright
position. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 3-32
for more information.You can idle the vehicle with the lamps off, even
when it is dark outside. After starting the vehicle, turn
the exterior lamp control band to off, then release it.
The lamps will remain off until you turn the control
band to off again.
Twilight Sentinel
®also provides exterior illumination as
you leave the vehicle. If Twilight Sentinel®has turned
on the lamps when you turn off the ignition, your lamps
will remain on until:
The exterior lamp switch is moved from OFF to
the parking lamp position, or
a delay time that you select has elapsed.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-60to
select the delay time that you want. You can also select
no delay time.
If you turn off the ignition with the exterior lamp switch
in the parking lamp or headlamp position, the Twilight
Sentinel
®delay will not occur. The lamps will turn off
as soon as the switch is turned off.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
3-31

Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent the battery
from being drained, in case the underhood lamp, vanity
mirror lamps, cargo lamps, reading lamps, console, or
glove box lamps are accidentally left on, or something is
left plugged into the accessory power outlet or cigarette
lighter. If any of the accessory lamps are left on, they will
automatically time-out after about 10 minutes. To reset
the battery protection, all of the above lamps must be
turned off or the ignition must be in the Acc. position.
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{CAUTION:
If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in
your eld of view, it may take you more time to
see things you need to see when it is dark
outside. Be sure to keep the HUD image dim
and placed low in your eld of view.
The Head-Up Display (HUD) allows you to see some of
the driver information that appears on your instrument
panel cluster.The information may be displayed in English or metric
units and appears as an image focused out toward
the front of your vehicle. To change from English
to metric units, seeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-60.
The HUD consists of the following information:
Speedometer
Turn Signal Indicators
High-Beam Indicator Symbol
Tap-Up/Tap-Down Transmission Feature
Check Gages Icon
Adaptive Cruise Control Features and Indicators
Radio Features
3-33

Be sure to continue scanning your displays, controls
and driving environment just as you would in a vehicle
without HUD. If you never look at your instrument
panel cluster, you may not see something important,
such as a warning light. Under important warning
conditions, the CHECK GAGES message will display in
the HUD. View your Driver Information Center (DIC)
for more information.The HUD controls are
located to the left of the
steering wheel.
+
!- (Brightness):This button is used to adjust the
brightness of the HUD and the instrument panel cluster.
DIMMER:This button is used to select the HUD or
the instrument panel cluster to adjust the brightness.
HUD:This button is used to adjust the vertical position
of the HUD display.
3-34

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster and Driver Information Center (DIC) are designed to let you know at a glance how the
vehicle is running. You will know how fast you are going, about how much fuel you have left and many other things
you will need to know to drive safely and economically. The instrument panel cluster indicator warning lights, gages
and DIC messages are explained on the following pages.
United States Base Cluster shown, Canada and Uplevel similar
3-44

Safety Belt Reminders
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the engine is started, a chime will come on for
several seconds to remind people to fasten their safety
belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on for several seconds,
then it will ash for
several more.
This chime and light is repeated if the driver remains
unbuckled and the vehicle is in motion. If the driver’s
belt is already buckled, neither the chime nor the
light will come on.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The
system checks the airbag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the airbag
sensor, the pretensioners, the airbag modules, the
wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag system, seeAirbag
System on page 1-36.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
The light should go out
and the system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start
the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
3-46

If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the passenger sensing system.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
{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 the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-46for more on this, including
important safety information.
Charging System Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
on the ignition, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show
you it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the charging system. A charging system
Driver Information Center (DIC) message may also
appear. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-63
for more information. This light could indicate that you
have problems with a generator drive belt, or another
electrical problem. Have it checked right away.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as
the radio and air conditioner.
3-49