2008 CADILLAC XLR ESP

Keyless Access System
When the engine is started, Driver 1 or Driver 2 will
display on the screen. A message will not appear on the
screen if the driver is unknown. The number on the
back of the transmitter corresponds to driver 1 or
driver 2. The navigation system can store memory points
for drivers 1 and 2 individually. SeeKeyless Access
System on page 2-5for more information.
OnStar®System
When using the OnStar®system, the audio system will
be muted and the navigation voice prompts will be
disabled during the call. The volume of the OnStar
®call
can be adjusted by using the steering wheel volume
controls. SeeOnStar
®System on page 2-41for
more information.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
The navigation system determines the position of your
vehicle by using satellite signals, various vehicle signals,
and map data.
At times, other interferences such as the satellite
condition, road conguration, the condition of the vehicle
and/or other circumstances can interfere with the
navigation system’s ability to determine the accurate
position of the vehicle.The GPS shows the current position of your vehicle using
signals sent by the GPS Satellites of the United States
Department of Defense. When your vehicle is not
receiving signals from the satellites, a symbol will appear
on the map screen. Refer toSymbols on page 4-44.
This system may not be available or interferences may
occur if any of the following are true:
Signals are obstructed by tall buildings, trees, large
trucks, or a tunnel.
Objects are located on the rear shelf.
Satellites are being repaired or improved.
After-market glass tinting has been applied to the
vehicle’s rear windshield.
Notice:Do not apply after-market glass tinting to
the vehicle’s windows. Glass tinting will interfere
with the system’s ability to receive GPS signals and
cause the system to malfunction. You might have
to replace the window to correct the problem.
This would not be covered by your warranty.
For more information if you are experiencing a problem,
seeIf the System Needs Service on page 4-52and
Problems with Route Guidance on page 4-52.
4-50

Ordering Map DVDs
The map DVD in your vehicle is the most up-to-date
information available when your vehicle was produced.
The map DVD is updated periodically, provided that
the map information has changed.
If you have any questions about the operation of the
navigation system or the update process, contact
the GM Nav Disc Center toll-free phone number,
1-877-NAV-DISC (1-877-628-3472) or go to the
center’s website, www.gmnavdisc.com. If you need any
updates or a replacement disc, because the current
disc is lost, damaged, or needs to be updated, call the
GM Nav Disc Center or order a new disc online.
To order a disc, have your Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN) available. This helps the center make
sure you receive the correct and most up-to-date DVD
map disc for your vehicle. SeeVehicle Identification
Number (VIN) on page 6-89for more information.After receiving the updated disc, replace the old disc in
the navigation system. See “Installing the DVD Map
Disc” and “Ejecting the DVD Map Disc” underMaps on
page 4-39. Dispose of the old disc to avoid confusion
about which disc is the most current.
Database Coverage Explanations
Coverage areas vary with respect to the level of map
detail available for any given area. Some areas will
feature greater levels of detail than others. If this
happens, it does not mean there is a problem with the
system. As the map DVD is updated, more detail
may become available for areas which previously had
limited detail. SeeOrdering Map DVDs on page 4-53.
4-53

c(Stop):Touch this button to stop the DVD.
j(Pause):Touch this button to pause the DVD.
[(Forward):Touch this button to advance rapidly
during playback.
L(Frame Advance):Touch this button to advance by
chapter during playback.
Radio Personalization with Home
and Away Feature
With this feature, you can recall the latest audio system
settings as adjusted the last time your vehicle was
operated. This feature allows two different drivers to
store and recall their own audio system settings.
The settings recalled by the audio system are
determined by which transmitter (1 or 2) was used to
enter the vehicle. The number on the back of the
transmitter corresponds to driver 1 or to driver 2.
The audio system settings will automatically adjust
to where they were last set by the identied driver.
The settings can also be recalled by briey pressing
the MEMORY seat switches 1 or 2 located on the
driver’s door.Your audio system can store HOME and AWAY preset
stations. HOME and AWAY preset stations allow
you to use one set of preset radio settings in the area
where you live, and another set when you go out of
town. That way, you will not need to reprogram
your preset stations every time you travel.
To select HOME and AWAY preset stations, do the
following:
1. With the audio system on, touch the Audio hard key
and turn the audio system off.
2. Touch the HOME or AWAY button from the main
audio screen.
The next time the audio system is turned on, the
system will recall the last active preset selection.
When battery power is removed and later applied, you
will not have to reset your home audio system preset
stations because the audio system remembers them.
However, you will have to reset your away radio preset
stations.
4-75

Police records show that almost 40 percent of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases,
these deaths are the result of someone who was
drinking and driving. In recent years, more than
17,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths have been
associated with the use of alcohol, with about
250,000 people injured.
For persons under 21, it is against the law in every
U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol
and then drive.
Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s
system can make crash injuries worse, especially
injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means
that when anyone who has been drinking — driver
or passenger — is in a crash, that person’s chance of
being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if the
person had not been drinking.Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control your
vehicle while driving — brakes, steering, and
accelerator. At times, as when driving on snow or ice,
it is easy to ask more of those control systems than the
tires and road can provide. Meaning, you can lose
control of your vehicle. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 5-6andStabiliTrak
®System on
page 5-8.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 6-3.
5-3

Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system that limits
wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the rear wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system works the rear brakes and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The TRAC SYSTEM ACTIVE message will display on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) when the traction
control system is limiting wheel spin. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-63. You may feel or hear
the system working, but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
reengage the cruise control. SeeAdaptive Cruise
Control on page 3-15orCruise Control on page 3-12for
more information.This warning light will
come on to let you know
if there is a problem
with your traction
control system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-52. When this warning light is on, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes
on whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery road conditions, you should
always leave the system on. But you can turn the
traction control system off if you ever need to. You
should turn the system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck
in sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle is
required. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on
page 5-22andIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 5-21for more information.
5-6

To turn the system off,
press the front part of the
traction control button
located on the center
console.
The TRACTION SYSTEM OFF message will display on
the DIC and the traction control system warning light
will come on. If the system is limiting wheel spin when
you press the button, the TRACTION SYSTEM OFF
message will display – but the system will not turn
off right away. It will wait until there is no longer
a current need to limit wheel spin.
You can turn the system back on at any time by
pressing the button again. The TRACTION SYSTEM
ON message should display briey on the Driver
Information Center. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-63for more information.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 6-3for more information.Magnetic Ride Control
Magnetic Ride Control automatically adjusts the ride
of your vehicle. Automatic ride control is achieved
through a computer used to control and monitor the
suspension system. The controller receives input from
various sensors to determine the proper system
response. If the controller detects a problem within the
system, the DIC will display a SERVICE RIDE
CONTROL message. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-63for more information. See your dealer
for service.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your limited-slip rear axle can give you additional
traction on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like
a standard axle most of the time, but when one of
the rear wheels has no traction and the other does,
this feature will allow the wheel with traction to move
the vehicle.
5-7

StabiliTrak®System
The StabiliTrak®System is a computer controlled
system that helps the driver maintain directional control
of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions. This is
accomplished by selectively applying any one of the
vehicle’s brakes.
When you rst start your vehicle and begin to drive
away (6 mph (10 km/h)), especially during cold weather,
the message STABILITRAK WARMING may be
displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC), the
instrument panel cluster light will be on, and a chime
will sound. This is normal. You can acknowledge
this message by pressing the RESET button.
The StabiliTrak
®System performance is affected until
the message, STABILITRAK READY, is displayed in the
DIC. This can take up to 15 minutes.
The WAIT FOR STABILITRAK message may be
displayed in the DIC after exceeding 19 mph (30 km/h)
for 10 seconds if the steering is not centered.
The system is off until the STABILITRAK ACTIVE
message is displayed.The STABILITRAK ACTIVE message will come on
when the system is operating. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-63for more information. You
may also feel or hear the system working. This
is normal.
The instrument panel
cluster light will come on
and a chime will sound
to let you know if there is a
problem with the system.
The SERVICE STABILITRAK message will also be
displayed. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-63for more information.
When this light and the SERVICE STABILITRAK
message are on, the system is not operational.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
5-8

Passing
Passing another vehicle on a two-lane road can be
dangerous. To reduce the risk of danger while passing,
we suggest the following tips:
Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads
for situations that might affect a successful pass.
If in doubt, wait.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and
lines that could indicate a turn or an intersection.
Never cross a solid or double-solid line on your side
of the lane.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to
pass. Doing so can reduce your visibility.
Wait your turn to pass a slow vehicle.
When you are being passed, ease to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of less
danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels
are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip
and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid,
too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only
the acceleration skid. If your traction control system is
off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled
by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
5-12