2008 CADILLAC XLR engine

If the Light Is Flashing
The following can prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the engine off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart
the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If the
Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still ashing,
follow the previous steps, and see your dealer/retailer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You might be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install the
cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 6-7. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off orimproperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap allows
fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips
with the cap properly installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your vehicle’s electrical system might be wet. The
condition is usually corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 6-5. Poor fuel quality causes
the engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You
might notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when
you put the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration — these
conditions might go away once the engine is warmed up.
This will be detected by the system and cause the
light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn
off, your dealer/retailer can check the vehicle. Your
dealer/retailer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or electrical
problems that might have developed.
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Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or might begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the check
engine light is on or not working properly.
To perform a check engine light bulb check with the
keyless ignition, make sure the transmitter fob is
in the passenger compartment. SeeIgnition Positions
on page 2-23. Press the bottom of the Acc. button
on the instrument panel and hold the button down for
ve seconds. The instrument panel, including the check
engine light, will light up and the ignition will be on,but the engine will not start — if you press the bottom
of the Acc. button only briey, less than ve seconds,
the accessory power mode will be turned on, but not
the ignition. After the bulb check, be sure to press and
release the Acc. button again to turn the ignition off
and avoid draining the vehicle’s battery.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines that
critical emission control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would
be considered not ready for inspection. This can
happen if you have recently replaced the battery or
if the battery has run down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and your
vehicle still does not pass the inspection for lack of
OBD system readiness, your dealer/retailer can prepare
the vehicle for inspection.
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Engine Oil Pressure Gage
The engine oil pressure gage shows the engine oil
pressure in psi (pounds per square inch) or kPa
(kilopascals) when the engine is running.
Oil pressure should be 20 to 80 psi (140 to 550 kPa).
In certain situations such as long, extended idles on
hot days, it could read as low as 6 psi (40 kPa) and still
be considered normal. It may vary with engine speed,
outside temperature and oil viscosity. The Driver
Information Center (DIC) may display messages
regarding the oil condition. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-63andEngine Oil on page 6-16.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil. United States
Canada
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AVERAGE SPEED:This feature shows the average
speed the vehicle has traveled since the last time
the value was reset. To reset the value, press the
information button to display AVERAGE SPEED, then
press and hold the RESET button until AVERAGE
SPEED 00.0 is displayed.
ELAPSED TIME:This feature is like a stopwatch, in
that you can clock the time it takes to get from one point
to another.
To operate, press the information button to display
ELAPSED TIME. Each of the elds for the hours,
minutes, and seconds are two numeric digits.
Once ELAPSED TIME 00:00:00 is displayed, press the
RESET button to start the timing feature. Press the
RESET button again to stop it. If you will be starting and
stopping your vehicle, during a trip for instance, the
ELAPSED TIME feature will automatically start timing
where it left off when you last stopped. To reset it,
press and hold the RESET button until the display
reads ELAPSED TIME 00:00:00. Press the information
button to exit from the ELAPSED TIME display.FRONT Lxx Rxx PSI:This feature shows the tire
pressure for the front left and right tires.
REAR Lxx Rxx PSI:This feature shows the tire
pressure for the rear left and right tires.
OIL LIFE:This feature shows the estimated oil life
remaining. SeeOil Life Indicator on page 3-80for more
information. To reset the engine oil life system, see
Engine Oil Life System on page 6-20. This only needs
to be reset after you have had the oil changed.
In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring oil
life, additional maintenance is recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule in this manual. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 7-4andEngine Oil on page 6-16
for more information.
ENG/METRIC (English/Metric):This feature allows
you to switch the DIC displays between English
and Metric. Press the RESET button to switch the
display between English and Metric. There will be
an arrow next to the option that is selected.
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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.
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CRUISE NOT READY
This message indicates that the Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC) will not activate due to a temporary condition.
Your vehicle does not require service. If this message
displays when you attempt to activate the system,
continue driving for several minutes, then try to activate
the system again.
DRIVER NO. X (1 OR 2)
This message displays when the vehicle is started or
when there is a change of driver. The message
shows which driver is activating the personalization
feature. It will only stay on for ve seconds.
ENGINE HOT, STOP ENGINE
This message displays when the engine has overheated.
Stop and turn the engine off immediately to avoid
severe engine damage. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 6-27. A multiple chime also sounds when this
message displays.
ENGINE PROTECTION REDUCE
ENGINE RPM
If this message displays, the control system has
determined that continued operation at the existing
engine speed may lead to engine overheating.
Lower the engine speed by upshifting the transmission
or drive at a lower speed.
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
This message displays if it is dark enough outside and
the headlamps and Twilight Sentinel®controls are
off. This message informs the driver that turning on the
exterior lamps is recommended. It has become dark
enough outside to require the headlamps and/or other
exterior lamps. This message also displays if the
optional Rainsense™ wiping feature is on and the
Twilight Sentinel
®is off.
HIGH TRANS (Transmission) TEMP
(Temperature)
This message displays when the transmission uid in
your vehicle is too hot. Stop and allow your vehicle
to idle until it cools down or until this message is
removed.
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HIGH VOLTAGE
This message displays when the electrical charging
system is overcharging. To avoid being stranded, have
the electrical system checked by your dealer/retailer.
You can reduce the charging overload by using
the accessories. Turn on the lamps and radio, set the
climate control on AUTO and the fan speed on HI,
and turn the rear window defogger on. You can monitor
battery voltage on the DIC by pressing the information
button. The normal range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts when the
engine is running.
HOT ENGINE–A/C OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
You can continue to drive your vehicle. If this message
continues to display, have the system repaired by
your dealer/retailer as soon as possible to avoid
compressor damage.
ICE POSSIBLE
This message displays when the outside air temperature
is cold enough to create icy road conditions.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
LEFT DOOR AJAR
This message displays anytime the engine is running,
the transmission is not in PARK (P), and the driver door
is open or ajar. A chime sounds when the vehicle’s
speed is greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
LOW BRAKE FLUID
This message displays if the engine is running to inform
the driver that the brake uid level is low. Have the
brake system serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon
as possible. See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes on
page 6-37.
LOW COOLANT
This message displays when there is a low level of
engine coolant. Have the cooling system serviced by
your dealer/retailer as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 6-24.
LOW FUEL
This message displays when the fuel supply is less
than 5 gallons (18.9 L) and the display is turned off.
A single chime also sounds when this message is
displayed.
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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.
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