2008 CADILLAC XLR tow

If the light comes on while you are driving and you have
a LOW BRAKE FLUID message showing on the DIC,
pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice
that the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may
go closer to the oor. It may take longer to stop.
If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 5-27.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning
light on can lead to an accident. If the light
is still on after you have pulled off the road
and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
Antilock Brake System
Warning Light
For vehicles with
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this
light will come on
briey when you
start the engine.
That is normal. If the light does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off, if the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as it is
safely possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the
engine again to reset the system. If the ABS light still
stays on, or comes on again while you are driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, you still have brakes, but you do
not have antilock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you do not have antilock
brakes and there is a problem with your regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-50
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-63for
all brake related DIC messages.
3-51

Easy Planning Route
With this destination entry method, you can select a
destination using the scroll symbol on the map screen.
SeeMaps on page 4-39.
To use this destination entry method, do the following:
1. Press the MAP key.
2. Touch the map screen twice for the scroll symbol to
appear. Touch the map or drag the scroll symbol
toward your destination.3. Touch the map screen continuously to scroll
through the map faster. The address of the location
on the map will appear at the top of the screen.
If needed, use the zoom feature to locate your
destination. See “Map Scales” underMaps
on page 4-39for more information.
4. Touch ENT DEST to set this location as your
destination. You may also touch MARK to store this
location as a memory point.
5. Touch Enter to plan your route.
4-29

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

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........5-2
Defensive Driving...........................................5-2
Drunk Driving.................................................5-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................5-3
Braking.........................................................5-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................5-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................5-5
Traction Control System (TCS).........................5-6
Magnetic Ride Control.....................................5-7
Limited-Slip Rear Axle.....................................5-7
StabiliTrak
®System........................................5-8
Steering........................................................5-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................5-11
Passing.......................................................5-12
Loss of Control.............................................5-12Racing or Other Competitive Driving (XLR-V)......5-13
Driving at Night............................................5-14
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................5-14
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................5-15
Highway Hypnosis........................................5-16
Hill and Mountain Roads................................5-16
Winter Driving..............................................5-17
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................5-21
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................5-22
Loading Your Vehicle....................................5-22
Towing..........................................................5-27
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................5-27
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................5-27
Towing a Trailer...........................................5-27
Section 5 Driving Your Vehicle
5-1

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right to clear
the area around the front wheels. Turn off any traction
or stability system. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 5-6andStabiliTrak
®System on
page 5-8. Then shift back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent transmission wear,
wait until the wheels stop spinning before shifting gears.
Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and
press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the
transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse directions, you will cause a
rocking motion that could free your vehicle. If that does
not get your vehicle out after a few tries, it might
need to be towed out. If your vehicle does need to be
towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 5-27.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and includes the weight of
all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight it may properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and the Certication
label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
5-22

Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1.Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Your vehicle is neither designed nor intended
to tow a trailer.
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity
Weight for Example 1=400 lbs (181 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight @ 150 lbs
(68kg)x1=150 lbs (68 kg)
CAvailable Occupant and
Cargo Weight =250 lbs (113 kg)
Example 1
5-24

If you put things inside your vehicle — like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything
else — they will go as fast as the vehicle goes.
If you have to stop or turn quickly, or if there is a
crash, they will keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the rear area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed.
SeeRoadside Service on page 8-7.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Notice:Dolly towing or dinghy towing your
vehicle may cause damage because of reduced
ground clearance. Always put your vehicle on
a atbed truck.
Your vehicle was neither designed nor intended to be
towed with any of its wheels on the ground. If your
vehicle must be towed, see “Towing Your Vehicle”
earlier in this section.
Towing a Trailer
Your XLR is neither designed nor intended to tow
a trailer.
5-27

Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL LEVEL or LOW OIL PRESSURE
message on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
appears, check the engine oil level right away.
For more information, see LOW OIL LEVEL and
LOW OIL PRESSURE underDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-63. You should check the engine
oil level regularly; this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on
level ground.The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not
do this, the oil dipstick might not show the
actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper
towel or cloth, then push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip down, and check
the level.
6-16