2008 CADILLAC XLR brake fluid

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

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.
3-66

Service............................................................6-3
Accessories and Modications..........................6-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................6-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements......6-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................6-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................6-4
Fuel................................................................6-5
Gasoline Octane............................................6-5
Gasoline Specications....................................6-5
California Fuel...............................................6-6
Additives.......................................................6-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................6-7
Filling the Tank..............................................6-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................6-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................6-10
Hood Release..............................................6-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................6-12
Engine Oil...................................................6-16
Engine Oil Life System..................................6-20
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................6-22
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................6-24
Engine Coolant.............................................6-24
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................6-27Engine Overheating.......................................6-27
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................6-29
Cooling System............................................6-30
Power Steering Fluid.....................................6-35
Windshield Washer Fluid................................6-36
Brakes........................................................6-37
Battery........................................................6-40
Jump Starting...............................................6-41
Rear Axle.......................................................6-46
Headlamp Aiming...........................................6-47
Headlamp Vertical Aiming..............................6-48
Bulb Replacement..........................................6-50
Windshield Replacement.................................6-50
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............6-50
Tires..............................................................6-52
Winter Tires (XLR-V).....................................6-53
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................6-54
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................6-56
Run-Flat Tires..............................................6-58
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................6-60
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................6-61
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................6-63
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-1

A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 6-40.
B. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-42.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 6-94.
D. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 6-35.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6-22.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-16.G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-16.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 6-37.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on
page 6-27.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-36.
6-13

A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 6-40.
B. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-42.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 6-94.
D. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 6-35.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6-22.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-16.G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-16.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 6-37.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on
page 6-27.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-36.
6-15

Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder
reservoir is lled with
DOT-3 brake uid.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 6-12
for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid level in
the reservoir might go down. The rst is that the
brake uid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the uid level goes back up. The other reason is
that uid is leaking out of the brake hydraulic system.
If it is, you should have the brake hydraulic system xed,
since a leak means that sooner or later the brakes
will not work well.It is not a good idea to top off the brake uid. Adding
brake uid will not correct a leak. If uid is added when
the linings are worn, there will be too much uid
when new brake linings are installed. Add or remove
brake uid, as necessary, only when work is done on the
brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can spill on
the engine. The uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system. See “Checking Brake Fluid”
in this section.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to check the brake uid. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 7-4.
6-37

Checking Brake Fluid
The brake uid can be checked without taking off the
cap by looking at the brake uid reservoir. The uid level
should be above the MIN mark on the reservoir. If it is
not, have the brake hydraulic system checked to see
if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure the level is between the MIN and MAX marks.
What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3 brake
uid. Refer toRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 7-11. Use new brake uid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This helps keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the brake
hydraulic system, the brakes might not work
well. This could cause a crash. Always use the
proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in the brake hydraulic system can damage
brake hydraulic system parts so badly that they
will have to be replaced. Do not let someone
put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake uid on your
vehicle. If you do, wash it off immediately.
SeeWashing Your Vehicle on page 6-83.
6-38

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilThe engine requires a special
engine oil meeting GM Standard
GM4718M. Oils meeting this
standard can be identied as
synthetic, and should also be
identied with the American
Petroleum Institute (API) Certied
for Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol. However, not all synthetic
API oils with the starburst symbol
will meet this GM standard. Look
for and use only an oil that meets
GM Standard GM4718M. For the
proper viscosity, seeEngine Oil on
page 6-16.
Engine Cooling
System50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 6-24.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Intercooler
System
(4.4L V8
Supercharged
engine)50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
WasherOptikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184,
in Canada 89021186).
XLR-V: Chassis
Lubrication
(Rear Toe-Link
Outer Ends)Chassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
7-11