2008 CADILLAC XLR check engine

LOW OIL LEVEL
For correct operation of the low oil sensing system,
your vehicle should be on a level surface. A false
LOW OIL LEVEL message may display if the vehicle
is parked on a grade. The oil level sensing system does
not check for actual oil level if the engine has been
off for a short period of time, and the oil level is never
checked while the engine is running. If the LOW
OIL LEVEL message displays, and your vehicle has
been parked on level ground with the engine off for at
least 30 minutes, the oil level should be checked by
observing the oil dipstick. Prior to checking the oil level,
make sure the engine has been off for a few minutes
and your vehicle is on a level surface. Then check
the dipstick and add oil if necessary. SeeEngine Oil
on page 6-16.
LOW OIL PRESSURE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
oil pressure is low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure warning appears on the
Driver Information Center (DIC), stop the vehicle
as soon as possible. Do not drive the vehicle until
the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected.
SeeEngine Oil on page 6-16for more information.If this message displays while the engine is running,
stop the engine and do not operate the vehicle until the
cause of low oil pressure is corrected. Severe damage
to the engine can result. A multiple chime sounds when
this message is displayed.
LOW VOLTAGE
This message displays when the electrical system
is charging less than 10 volts or if the battery has been
drained. If this message displays immediately after
starting, it is possible that the generator can still
recharge the battery. The battery should recharge while
driving, but may take a few hours to do so. Consider
using an auxiliary charger to boost the battery after
returning home or to a nal destination. Make sure you
follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If this message
displays while driving or after starting your vehicle
and stays on, have it checked immediately by your
dealer/retailer to determine the cause of this problem.
To help the generator recharge the battery quickly,
you can reduce the load on the electrical system
by turning off the accessories. You can monitor battery
voltage on the DIC by pressing the INFO button.
The normal range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts.
3-67

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

Audio System(s)
Your vehicle has the Navigation Audio System. Read the
following pages to familiarize yourself with its features.
{CAUTION:
This system provides you with far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and you
or others can be injured or killed. Always keep
your eyes on the road and your mind on the
drive — avoid engaging in extended searching
while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for safe
driving. SeeDefensive Driving on page 5-2. Here
are some ways in which you can help avoid distraction
while driving.While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering
wheel controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio,
make sure that it can be added by checking with
your dealer/retailer. Also, check federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units. If sound
equipment can be added, it is very important to
do it properly. Added sound equipment may
interfere with the operation of your vehicle’s engine,
radio, or other systems, and even damage them.
Your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has been added.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio system can
be played even after the ignition is turned off.
SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-24
for more information.
3-81

Navigation Audio System
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio, make
sure that it can be added by checking with your
dealer/retailer. Also, check federal rules covering
mobile radio and telephone units. If sound
equipment can be added, it is very important to do
it properly. Added sound equipment can interfere
with the operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio,
or other systems, and even damage them.
Your vehicle’s systems can interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has been added.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio system can be
played even after the ignition is turned off. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-24for more
information.
The audio system is operated using navigation system
menus. The audio menus are explained in this section.
Main Audio Menu
e
/z(Audio/Adjust):Press this key to view the main
audio screen.
Preset Selection:Here you can program the audio
system’s presets to recall your home settings by
touching HOME. You can also recall the presets you
use when traveling to another area by touching AWAY.
See “Preset Station Menu” later in this section for
more information on how to store preset stations.
The Home and Away feature is not available for the
XM™ Satellite Radio source, if equipped.
4-54

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and begin to drive away,
ABS will check itself. You might hear a momentary
motor or clicking noise while this test is going on, and
you might even notice that the brake pedal moves
a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light will
stay on. SeeAntilock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-51.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than any
driver could. The computer is programmed to make the
most of available tire and road conditions. This can
help you steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time you need to
get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle
in front of you, you will not have time to apply the brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let antilock work for you. You might hear
a motor or clicking noise and feel the brake pedal
move a little during a stop, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same time.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
5-5

Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety,
you will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or
braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting
to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the
tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is
slippery until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to
recognize warning clues — such as enough water, ice,
or packed snow on the road to make a mirrored
surface — and slow down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.Racing or Other Competitive
Driving (XLR-V)
See your warranty book before using your vehicle for
racing or other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving, the engine may use more
oil than it would with normal use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other competitive driving and
keep the level at or near 2 quarts (2 L) above the
upper mark that shows the proper operating range
on the engine oil dipstick. For information on
how to add oil, seeEngine Oil on page 6-16.
After the competitive driving, remove excess oil
so that the level on the dipstick is not above
the upper mark that shows the proper operating
range.
5-13

Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up under
your vehicle’s tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and
you are going fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when the road
is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather driving tips
include:
Allow extra following distance.
Pass with caution.
Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape.
Keep the windshield washer uid reservoir lled.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 6-52.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having
it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Reservoir full?
Windows clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires inated to
recommended pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to travel?
Have up-to-date maps?
5-15

Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, nd a
safe place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and vehicle
instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different
than driving on at or rolling terrain. Tips for driving
in these conditions include:
Keep your vehicle serviced and in good shape.
Check all uid levels and brakes, tires, cooling
system, and transmission.
Going down steep or long hills, shift to a
lower gear.
{CAUTION:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could
get so hot that they would not work well.
You would then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could crash.
Shift down to let the engine assist the brakes
on a steep downhill slope.
5-16