2008 CADILLAC XLR check engine

Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability, and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your dealer/retailer can assist you with these
checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7-11.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Notice:It is important to check the engine oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level. Failure to
keep the engine oil at the proper level can cause
damage to the engine not covered by your warranty.
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 6-16.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 6-24.
Intercooler Coolant Level Check
(4.4L Supercharged Engine)
Check the coolant level and add DEX-COOL®coolant
mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant on page 6-24.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer uid reservoir and add the proper uid if
necessary. SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 6-36.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inspection and Ination Check
Inspect your vehicle’s tires for wear and make sure they
are inated to the correct pressures. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 6-60.
7-8

At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-30.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle
should start only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the vehicle starts in any other position, contact
your dealer/retailer for service.
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-30.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off and without applying the regular
brake, try to move the shift lever out of PARK (P)
with normal effort. If the shift lever moves out
of PARK (P), contact your dealer/retailer for service.
7-9

Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With the
engine running and transmission in NEUTRAL (N),
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to PARK (P).
Then release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
7-10

ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc.
on the World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example, your
vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and control
engine and transmission performance, to monitor the
conditions for airbag deployment and deploy airbags in a
crash and, if so equipped, to provide antilock braking to
help the driver control the vehicle. These modules may
store data to help your dealer/retailer technician service
your vehicle. Some modules may also store data about
how you operate the vehicle, such as rate of fuel
consumption or average speed. These modules may also
retain the owner’s personal preferences, such as radio
pre-sets, seat positions, and temperature settings.
8-17

Check
Engine Light...............................................3-54
Checking Things Under the Hood......................6-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................6-87
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-30
Infants and Young Children...........................1-26
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-32
Older Children.............................................1-23
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-32
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-37
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............6-85
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................6-84
Fabric/Carpet..............................................6-81
Fiberglass Springs.......................................6-87
Finish Care.................................................6-84
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................6-82
Interior.......................................................6-80
Leather......................................................6-82
Speaker Covers..........................................6-82
Tires..........................................................6-86
Underbody Maintenance...............................6-87
Washing Your Vehicle...................................6-83Cleaning (cont.)
Weatherstrips..............................................6-83
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................6-85
Wood Panels..............................................6-82
Climate Control System
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-42
Dual..........................................................3-38
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-42
Collision Damage Repair..................................8-12
Competitive Driving, Racing or Other.................5-13
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 5-3
Convenience Net............................................2-53
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage
............................3-53
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................6-27
Cooled Seats................................................... 1-3
Cooling System..............................................6-30
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-32
Cruise Control................................................3-12
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-52
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation................................8-10
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 8-5
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 8-5
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 8-2
3

Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................6-22
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-54
Coolant......................................................6-24
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-53
Drive Belt Routing.......................................7-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................6-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-34
Oil .............................................................6-16
Oil Life System...........................................6-20
Oil Pressure Gage.......................................3-57
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........6-29
Overheating................................................6-27
Running While Parked..................................2-35
Starting......................................................2-24
Enter Destination............................................4-28
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-32
Event Data Recorders.....................................8-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-23
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-28
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-32F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................6-22
Finish Damage...............................................6-87
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................6-78
Floor Mats.....................................................2-52
Fluid.............................................................6-24
Power Steering...........................................6-35
Windshield Washer......................................6-36
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-30
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-58
Fuel............................................................... 6-5
Additives...................................................... 6-6
California Fuel.............................................. 6-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................6-10
Filling the Tank............................................. 6-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 6-7
Gage.........................................................3-59
Gasoline Octane........................................... 6-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 6-5
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................6-90
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................6-90
Underhood Fuse Block.................................6-94
Windshield Wiper.........................................6-90
5

G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-53
Engine Oil Pressure.....................................3-57
Fuel..........................................................3-59
Speedometer..............................................3-45
Tachometer.................................................3-45
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-50
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-44
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 6-5
Specications............................................... 6-5
Getting Started
Getting Started, Navigation............................. 4-4
Global Positioning System (GPS)......................4-50
Glove Box.....................................................2-52
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 8-7
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................6-47
Vertical Aiming............................................6-48Headlamps
Adaptive Forward Lighting System.................3-30
Bulb Replacement.......................................6-50
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-29
Exterior Lamps............................................3-28
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-9
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-9
On Reminder..............................................3-29
Washer......................................................3-12
Wiper Activated...........................................3-29
Head-Up Display (HUD)...................................3-33
Heated Seats................................................... 1-3
Heated Steering Wheel..................................... 3-7
Heater...........................................................3-38
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-58
Highway Hypnosis...........................................5-16
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................5-16
Hood
Checking Things Under................................6-10
Release.....................................................6-11
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-11
6

Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-63
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®.....2-36
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror.................2-37
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-38
Outside Power Heated Mirrors.......................2-36
Park Assist.................................................2-37
MyGMLink.com................................................ 8-4
N
Navigation.................................................4-2, 4-4
Using the System........................................4-11
Navigation System, Privacy..............................8-19
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-23
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............7-13
O
Odometer......................................................3-45
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-45
Off-Road Recovery..........................................5-11Oil
Engine.......................................................6-16
Engine Oil Pressure Gage............................3-57
Life Indicator...............................................3-80
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................6-20
Older Children, Restraints................................1-23
Online Owner Center........................................ 8-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................8-19
OnStar
®System.............................................4-50
OnStar®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-41
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-45
Ordering
Map DVDs.................................................4-53
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-42
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-36
Outside
Automatic Dimming Mirror.............................2-37
Convex Mirror.............................................2-38
Power Heated Mirrors..................................2-36
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . 6-29
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 7-8
Owners, Canadian.............................................. iii
9