2008 CADILLAC XLR belt

Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers — especially children — can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door is locked it
will not open. You increase the chance of
being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash
if the doors are not locked. So, wear safety
belts properly and lock the doors
whenever you drive.
Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or
stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can
help prevent this from happening.To lock or unlock your vehicle from the outside, use the
keyless access transmitter and press the appropriate
lock or unlock button. You may also unlock and open the
door passively when you squeeze the door handle
sensor, as long as you have your transmitter with you.
Passive entry occurs when the door handle sensor
is pressed and the vehicle recognizes your keyless
access transmitter. When the passenger door is opened
rst, the driver’s door will also become unlocked.
From the inside, use the power door lock buttons located
at the top of the door panel near the window. See
Power Door Locks on page 2-12for more information.
To open a door from the inside, press the button in front
of the door handle and push the door open.
2-10

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

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.
3-46

If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the passenger sensing system.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on,
it means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens, have
the vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-46for more on this, including
important safety information.
Charging System Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
on the ignition, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show
you it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the charging system. A charging system
Driver Information Center (DIC) message may also
appear. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-63
for more information. This light could indicate that you
have problems with a generator drive belt, or another
electrical problem. Have it checked right away.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as
the radio and air conditioner.
3-49

DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages appear if there is a problem detected
in one of your vehicle’s systems. You must then
press RESET to clear the display screen for further use.
However, be sure to take any message that appears
on the display screen seriously and remember that
pressing the RESET button will only make the message
disappear, not the problem.
DIC messages can also be displayed in English,
French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish.
ABS (Antilock Brake System) ACTIVE
This message displays when the Antilock Brake
System (ABS) is adjusting brake pressure to help
avoid a braking skid.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this message
displays, so adjust your driving accordingly.
The message may stay on for a few seconds after
the system stops adjusting brake pressure.
BUCKLE PASSENGER
This message reminds you to buckle the passenger’s
safety belt.
This message displays and a chime sounds when the
ignition is on, the driver’s safety belt is buckled, the
passenger’s safety belt is unbuckled with the passenger
airbag enabled, and the vehicle is in motion. You
should have the passenger buckle their safety belt.
The reminder will be repeated if the ignition is on, the
vehicle is in motion, the driver is buckled and the
passenger is still unbuckled, and the passenger airbag
is enabled. If the passenger’s safety belt is already
buckled, this message and chime will not come on.
BUCKLE SEAT BELT
This message reminds you to buckle the driver’s
safety belt.
This message displays and a chime sounds when the
ignition is on, the driver’s safety belt is unbuckled,
and the vehicle is in motion. You should buckle your
safety belt.
3-63

If the driver remains unbuckled when the ignition is
on and the vehicle is in motion, the reminder will
be repeated. If the driver’s safety belt is already buckled,
this message and chime will not come on.
This message is an additional reminder to the Safety
Belt Reminder Light in the instrument panel cluster.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-46for more
information.
CHANGE OIL NOW
This message displays when the life of the engine oil
has expired. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 7-4.
After an oil change, the Oil Life Indicator must be
reset. SeeOil Life Indicator on page 3-80andEngine
Oil Life System on page 6-20.
CHARGE SYSTEM FAULT
This message displays when a problem with the
charging system has been detected. Have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays if the fuel cap has not been
fully tightened. Check the fuel cap to make sure that
it is on properly.
CLEAN RADAR CRUISE
If your vehicle has this feature, this message displays
when the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system is
disabled because the radar is blocked and cannot
detect vehicles in your path. It may also activate during
heavy rain or due to road spray. To clean the system,
seeAdaptive Cruise Control on page 3-15.
CLOSE CARGO DIVIDER
This message displays if the cargo divider is not in
place. Open the trunk and make sure the cargo divider
is secure and no objects are on the divider. See
Rear Storage Area on page 2-53for more information.
COOLANT OVER TEMP (Temperature)
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow your vehicle to
idle in PARK (P) until it cools down and the message
is removed. Do not increase engine speed above
a normal idle. If it does not cool down, turn off the
engine and have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer before driving it again. Severe engine
damage can result from an overheated engine.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 6-27.
3-64

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always expect the
unexpected.” The rst step in driving defensively is to
wear your safety belt — SeeSafety Belts: They Are for
Everyone on page 1-6.
{CAUTION:
Assume that other road users (pedestrians,
bicyclists, and other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what
they might do and be ready. In addition:
Allow enough following distance between
you and the driver in front of you.
Focus on the task of driving.
Driver distraction can cause collisions
resulting in injury or possible death.
These simple defensive driving techniques
could save your life.
Drunk Driving
{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reexes, perceptions, attentiveness,
and judgment can be affected by even a
small amount of alcohol. You can have a
serious — or even fatal — collision if you drive
after drinking. Do not drink and drive or ride
with a driver who has been drinking. Ride
home in a cab; or if you are with a group,
designate a driver who will not drink.
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is
a global tragedy.
Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a
vehicle: judgment, muscular coordination, vision, and
attentiveness.
5-2

An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you
can turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer
quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel
once you have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving
at all times and wear safety belts properly.
Off-Road Recovery
You may nd that your vehicle’s right wheels have
dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while
you are driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way,
steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the
pavement. You can turn the steering wheel up to
one-quarter turn until the right front tire contacts the
pavement edge. Then turn the steering wheel to
go straight down the roadway.
5-11