2008 CADILLAC XLR instrument panel

Trunk
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You cannot see or
smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and
even death. If you must drive with the trunk lid
open or if electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the trunk lid:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed and select the
control setting that will force outside air
into your vehicle. See Climate Control
System.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-34.
Trunk Lock Release
{CAUTION:
Moving parts of the powered trunk lid can be
dangerous. You or others could be injured.
Keep yourself and others away from the trunk
lid and its mechanism while it is closing.
The trunk lock release
button is located to the
left of the steering wheel
on the instrument panel.
Press the button to open the trunk. To use this feature,
your vehicle must be in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
and the valet lockout switch must be off.
2-13

You can also press the button with the trunk symbol
on the keyless access transmitter to open the trunk.
To disable this feature, see “Valet Lockout Switch”
underTheft-Deterrent Systems on page 2-19.
You may passively enter the trunk when you squeeze
the trunk release sensor located on the rear of the
trunk lid under the emblem, as long as you have your
transmitter with you. The vehicle must be in PARK
(P) and the valet lockout switch must be off.
SeeValet Lockout Switch on page 2-21.
To close the trunk,
press the button
on the underside
of the trunk lid.To stop the trunk lid while it is closing, do one of the
following:
Press the trunk lock release button located on
the instrument panel.
Use the vehicle key.
Squeeze the trunk release sensor located on the
rear of the trunk lid.
Press the button with the trunk symbol on the
keyless access transmitter.
Press the trunk close button on the underside
of the trunk lid.
To begin opening the trunk from the stopped position,
use any of the methods above, except pressing the trunk
close button.
To resume closing the power trunk lid, press the trunk
close button on the underside of the trunk lid.
If the vehicle has lost battery power, you can still open
the trunk using the vehicle key. SeeKeys on page 2-3
for more information.
2-14

Cell phone chargers can interfere with the operation of
the Keyless Access System. Battery chargers should
not be plugged in when starting or turning off the engine.
To start you vehicle, do the following:
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot on the brake pedal, press the
START button located on the instrument panel.
If there is not a keyless access transmitter in
the vehicle or if there is something causing
interference with it, the DIC will display NO FOBS
DETECTED. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-63for more information.
2. When the engine begins cranking, let go of the
button and the engine cranks automatically until
it starts. If the battery in the keyless access
transmitter is weak, the DIC displays KEY FOB
BATTERY LOW. You can still drive the vehicle.
See “Battery Replacement” underKeyless Access
System Operation on page 2-6for more information.
If the fob battery is dead, you need to insert the
fob into the fob slot to enable engine starting.
See “No Fobs Detected” underDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-63.3. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts.
4. If the engine does not start and no DIC message is
displayed, wait 15 seconds before trying again to let
the cranking motor cool down.
If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F or−18°C),
it could be ooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing the accelerator pedal all the way to the oor
while cranking for up to 15 seconds maximum. Wait
at least 15 seconds between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down. When the engine starts,
let go of the accelerator. If the vehicle starts briey
but then stops again, do the same thing. This clears
the extra gasoline from the engine.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by pressing the START button immediately
after cranking has ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the battery. Wait at
least 15 seconds between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down.
2-25

Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the engine and
protects components. Once cranking has been initiated,
the engine continues cranking for a few seconds or until
the vehicle starts. If the engine does not start, cranking
automatically stops after 15 seconds to prevent cranking
motor damage. To prevent gear damage, this system
also prevents cranking if the engine is already running.
Notice:The engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical parts
or accessories, you could change the way the engine
operates. Before adding electrical equipment, check
with your dealer/retailer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
Stopping Your Engine
Move the shift lever to PARK (P) and press the Acc.
button located on the instrument panel. If the shifter is
not in PARK (P), the engine shuts off and the vehicle
goes into the Accessory Mode. The DIC displays SHIFT
TO PARK. Once the shifter is moved to PARK (P),
the vehicle turns off.
The DIC displays NO FOB, OFF OR RUN?, if the
keyless access transmitter is not detected inside the
vehicle when it is turned off.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-63for
more information.
Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks the rear wheels. It is
the best position to use when you starting the engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
2-26

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 an upshift.
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.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.
2-30

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.Reach under the driver’s side of the instrument panel and
pull down on the manual release lever, which is located
behind the parking brake pedal. Pull down on the yellow
tab. If the parking brake does not release, you should
have your vehicle towed to your dealer for service.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before driving.
2-31

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic
Steering Column.........................................3-7
Heated Steering Wheel...................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-8
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-9
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers........................................3-10
Rainsense™ Wipers......................................3-11
Windshield Washer.......................................3-12
Headlamp Washer........................................3-12
Cruise Control..............................................3-12
Adaptive Cruise Control.................................3-15
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-28
Wiper Activated Headlamps............................3-29
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-29
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-29
Adaptive Forward Lighting System...................3-30
Fog Lamps..................................................3-30Twilight Sentinel®..........................................3-31
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver........................3-32
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-32
Courtesy Lamps...........................................3-32
Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................3-32
Reading Lamps............................................3-32
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-33
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-33
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-36
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-37
Climate Controls............................................3-38
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-38
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-42
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-42
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-43
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-44
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-45
Trip Odometer..............................................3-45
Tachometer.................................................3-45
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-46
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-46
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-47
Charging System Light..................................3-49
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Voltmeter Gage............................................3-50
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-50
Antilock Brake System
Warning Light...........................................3-51
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-52
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-53
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-53
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-54
Engine Oil Pressure Gage.............................3-57
Security Light...............................................3-58
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-58
Lights On Reminder......................................3-58
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-58
Fuel Gage...................................................3-59Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-60
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-60
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-63
Other Messages...........................................3-74
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-76
Trip Computer................................................3-80
Oil Life Indicator...........................................3-80
Audio System(s).............................................3-81
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-82
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-82
Radio Reception...........................................3-84
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-85
Care of the CD Player...................................3-85
Diversity Antenna System..............................3-85
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.............3-85
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2