2008 CADILLAC XLR Owners Manual

You can switch from English to metric units through the
Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Operation
and Displays on page 3-60for more information.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
Do not cover the solar sensor located in the center of
the instrument panel, near the windshield. For more
information on the solar sensor, see “Sensors” later in
this section.
Manual Operation
wPWRx(Power/Temperature):Press the PWR
button on the left side of the climate control panel to turn
the entire climate control system on or off. Press the
up or down arrow on the switch to manually increase or
decrease the temperature inside the vehicle.
Press the PWR button on the right side of the climate
control panel to turn the passenger’s climate control
system on or off. Press the up or down arrow on
the switch to manually increase or decrease the
temperature for the passenger.
If the passenger’s PWR button is off, the driver’s
temperature switch controls the temperature for the
entire vehicle.
«9ª(Fan):Press this switch to increase or
decrease the fan speed. Pressing this switch cancels
automatic operation and places the system in manual
mode. Press AUTO to return to automatic operation.
If the airow seems low when the fan speed is at
the highest setting, the passenger compartment air lter
may need to be replaced. For more information, see
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-42
andScheduled Maintenance on page 7-4.
ªN«(Mode):Pressing the switch and changing the
mode cancels automatic operation and places the
system in manual mode. Press the AUTO button to
return to automatic operation.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
%(Bi-Level):This mode directs about half of the air to
the instrument panel outlets, and then directs most of the
remaining air to the oor outlets. In automatic operation,
cooler air is directed to the upper outlets and warmer air
to the oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor outlets with some air directed to the side window
outlets, and some of the air directed to the windshield.
The mode switch can also be used to select the
defog mode. Information on defogging and defrosting
can be found later in this section.
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A/C OFF (Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn
off the air conditioning compressor. Press AUTO to
return to automatic operation. The compressor cannot
be turned off in either the defrost or oor/defog mode.
((Heated/Cooled Seat):Press this button to turn the
feature on. The button on the left controls the driver’s
seat and the button on the right controls the passenger’s
seat. Each press of the button will take you to a different
setting. The settings available in order are HI HEAT,
LO HEAT, OFF, HI COOL, LO COOL and OFF. You will
be able to feel the temperature change in a few minutes.
The feature will automatically turn off when the vehicle
is turned off.
?(Recirculation):Press this button to turn the
recirculation mode on or off. The air conditioning
compressor also comes on. This mode keeps outside
air from coming in the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering your vehicle or to
help cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly.
Recirculation is not available in defrost or oor/defog
modes.
Using recirculation for long periods of time may cause
the air inside your vehicle to become too dry. To prevent
this from happening, after the air in your vehicle has
cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.
Sensors
There are sensors to measure the temperature and
sun’s effect on passenger comfort.
The solar sensor on your vehicle monitors the solar
radiation then uses the information to maintain the
selected temperature when operating in AUTO mode by
initiating needed adjustments to the temperature, the
fan speed and the air delivery system. The system may
also supply cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing
the sun. The recirculation mode will also be activated, as
necessary. Do not cover the solar sensor located on
the top of the instrument panel near the windshield
or the system will not work properly.
There is also a sensor located behind the front bumper.
This sensor reads the outside air temperature and helps
maintain the temperature inside the vehicle. The outside
temperature will be displayed in the navigation system
only when the engine is running. Any cover on the front of
the vehicle could give a false reading of the temperature.
If the outside temperature goes up, the display
temperature will not change until:
The vehicle’s speed is above 15 mph (24 km/h)
for ve minutes.
The vehicle’s speed is above 32 mph (51 km/h)
for two and one-half minutes.
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These delays prevent false readings. If the temperature
goes down, the outside temperature will be shown
when you start the vehicle. If it has been turned off for
less than three hours, the temperature will be recalled
from the previous vehicle operation.
There is also an inside temperature sensor located to
the left of the ignition button. The automatic climate
control system uses this sensor to receive information,
so if you block or cover it, the system will not function
properly.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass.
This can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly. There are two modes to clear fog or
frost from your windshield. Use the oor/defog mode
to clear the windows of fog or moisture and warm
the passengers. Use defrost to remove fog or frost
from the windshield more quickly.
-(Floor/Defog):Press the mode button until the
defog mode appears on the display. This mode directs
the air between the windshield, oor outlets and
side windows. When you select this mode, the system
turns off recirculation and runs the air conditioning
compressor unless the outside temperature is near
or below freezing.
1(Defrost):Press this button to direct most of the
air to the windshield, with some air directed to the side
windows. In this mode, the system will automatically
turn off the recirculation and run the air conditioning
compressor, unless the outside temperature is near or
below freezing. Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
The rear window defogger will only work when the
engine is running.
=(Rear Window Defogger):Press this button to
turn the rear window defogger on or off. Be sure to
clear as much snow from the rear window as possible.
The rear window defogger will turn off about 10 minutes
after the button is pressed when traveling less than
30 mph (48 km/h). If turned on again, the defogger
will only run for about ve minutes before turning off.
The defogger can also be turned off by pressing
the button again or by turning off the engine.
The heated outside rearview mirrors will heat to
help clear fog or frost from the surface of the
mirrors when the rear window defogger is on.
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The rear window defogger and heated mirrors are
automatically disabled when the retractable hardtop
is moving or down.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the inside
of the rear window. If you do, you could cut or
damage the warming grid, and the repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Do not attach
a temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal or
anything similar to the defogger grid.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the thumbwheel to open or close the outlets.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the area around the base of the instrument
panel console and air path under the seats
clear of objects to help circulate the air inside
of your vehicle more effectively.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment air lter removes certain
particles from the air, including pollen and dust particles.
Reductions in airow, which may occur more often in
dusty areas, indicate that the lter may need to be
replaced early.
The lter should be replaced as part of the routine
scheduled maintenance. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 7-4for more information.
To check or replace the air lter, do the following:
1. With the hood open, unlatch and remove the
access panel.
The passenger compartment air lter and access
panel are located on the passenger’s side of
the engine compartment near the battery.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12
for more information on location.
2. Pull the old lter out of the housing.
3. Insert the new lter into the housing.
4. Reinstall the air lter access panel.
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Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages on
your vehicle. The pictures help to locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention
to the warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As the
details show on the next few pages, some warning lights
come on briey when you start the engine just to let
you know they are working. If you are familiar with
this section, you should not be alarmed when this
happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
as you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells
you what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s
advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly and even
dangerous. So please get to know your vehicle’s
warning lights and gages. They can be a big help.
Your vehicle also has a Driver Information Center (DIC)
that works along with warning lights and gages.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-63for
more information.
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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
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Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in either
miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
There is only one scale for mph and km/h.
Use the Driver Information Center (DIC) controls to
switch between mph and km/h. SeeDIC Operation
and Displays on page 3-60for more information.
The cluster will calculate the proper speed and move
the needle to the correct position. Either the MPH
or the km/h telltale will illuminate, depending on which
measurement you choose.
The odometer is part of the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeDIC Operation and Displays
on page 3-60for more information.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer is part of the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeDIC Operation and Displays on
page 3-60for more information.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in thousands
of revolutions per minute (rpm).
Fuel will shut off at about 6700 rpm.
If you continue to drive your vehicle at the fuel shut off
rpm, you could damage your engine. Be sure to
operate your vehicle below the fuel shut off rpm or
reduce your rpm quickly when the fuel shuts off.
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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.
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