2008 CADILLAC XLR center console

Storage Areas................................................2-52
Glove Box...................................................2-52
Cupholder(s)................................................2-52
Center Console Storage.................................2-52
Floor Mats...................................................2-52Rear Storage Area........................................2-53
Convenience Net..........................................2-53
Retractable Hardtop........................................2-54
Lowering the Retractable Hardtop...................2-54
Raising the Retractable Hardtop......................2-55
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-2

Driver Shift Control (DSC)
The Driver Shift Control (DSC) feature lets you manually
control over the operation of the transmission.
To use this feature, move
the shift lever from the
DRIVE (D) position to the
left and into the driver
shift control gate.
The Sport Automatic Mode is selected by moving the
shift lever into the DSC area without shifting towards
the + (plus) or−(minus) symbols. While in the
Sport Automatic Mode, the transmission computer
determines when the vehicle is being driven in a
competitive manner. It then selects and holds the
transmission in lower gears giving more noticeable
upshifts for a sportier vehicle performance. Once you
shift to the + (plus) or−(minus) controls, the driver
manual gear selection is activated. A + (plus) symbol
appears on the shift console above the DRIVE (D)
indicator and minus symbol appears below the indicator.The Head-Up Display (HUD) also displays the requested
gear, though the actual upshift or downshift could be
delayed until the engine speed is correct for that gear.
The requested gear displays on the HUD until the
next time you upshift or downshift. The gear selected
and shown in the HUD is one of a number of gears
available. The vehicle does not upshift beyond
the chosen gear. The actual gear that the vehicle shifts
to depends on a combination of the driver-requested
gear range, vehicle speed and throttle position.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle at high RPMs
without upshifting while using Driver Shift Control
(DSC), you could damage your vehicle. Always
upshift when necessary while using DSC.
If you do not upshift as the engine approaches the red
line on the engine RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) gage,
the engine speed is controlled to limit the engine RPM.
Not all manual downshift requests will be allowed by
the transmission. To prevent excessive engine RPMs,
each gear has a maximum vehicle speed associated
with it. Any downshift request above this speed is
not allowed by the transmission.
If shifting is prevented for any reason, the current
gear ashes multiple times in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), indicating that the transmission has
not shifted gears.
2-29

Storage Areas
Glove Box
To open, lift the handle up. Use the key to lock
and unlock.
Cupholder(s)
The cupholders are located under a lid in the front
console to the right of the shift lever. Press the
left side of the lid and it will open automatically.
Center Console Storage
There is a center console storage area located between
the seats. To open this storage area, push the latch
button and lift the lid.
There is also an upright center console storage area
between the seatbacks. To open the storage area, press
and release the button near the top so it extends out.
Then, turn the button in either direction to unlatch the lid
and pull the console lid down. After you close the lid,
press the release button back in.
Floor Mats
The driver’s side oor mat is held in place by two snaps
and the passenger’s side is held in place by one.
To remove the oor mats, pull up on the rear of the
mat to disconnect from the snaps. To reinstall the oor
mats, line up the openings in the oor mat over the
snaps and push down into place.
Be sure that the driver’s side oor mat is properly
placed on the oor so that it does not block the
movement of the accelerator pedal.
2-52

5. Push and hold
the bottom of the
retractable hardtop
button located on
the console behind
the shifter lever.
The windows will automatically lower and the top will
automatically lower into the storage area. A chime
will sound when the top has lowered completely.
If the radio is on, the sound may be muted briey while
the retractable top is lowered. This occurs because
a new audio system equalization is being loaded.
Under certain conditions, the Driver Information Center
(DIC) may display messages regarding the retractable
hardtop. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-63for more information.
If the retractable hardtop does not operate, and there
are no messages displayed on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), then perform the “Power Window Initialize”
steps underPower Windows on page 2-17.Raising the Retractable Hardtop
1. Park on a level surface. Shift the transmission
into PARK (P).
2. The vehicle’s engine must be on or in Acc.
3. Lower both sun visors.
Notice:Raising or lowering the top while the vehicle
is in motion can cause damage to the top or top
mechanism. Make sure the vehicle is in PARK (P)
to lower or raise the top.
4. Make sure nothing or no one is on or around the
top. Make sure the trunk cargo cover is in place
with no cargo on top of or in front of the cargo
cover. SeeRear Storage Area on page 2-53for
more information. Also, be sure the valet lockout
switch is off.
5. Push and hold the
top of the retractable
hardtop button located
behind the shift lever.
The windows will
automatically lower
and the top will raise.
A chime will sound
when the top has
raised completely.
2-55

Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent the battery
from being drained, in case the underhood lamp, vanity
mirror lamps, cargo lamps, reading lamps, console, or
glove box lamps are accidentally left on, or something is
left plugged into the accessory power outlet or cigarette
lighter. If any of the accessory lamps are left on, they will
automatically time-out after about 10 minutes. To reset
the battery protection, all of the above lamps must be
turned off or the ignition must be in the Acc. position.
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{CAUTION:
If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in
your eld of view, it may take you more time to
see things you need to see when it is dark
outside. Be sure to keep the HUD image dim
and placed low in your eld of view.
The Head-Up Display (HUD) allows you to see some of
the driver information that appears on your instrument
panel cluster.The information may be displayed in English or metric
units and appears as an image focused out toward
the front of your vehicle. To change from English
to metric units, seeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-60.
The HUD consists of the following information:
Speedometer
Turn Signal Indicators
High-Beam Indicator Symbol
Tap-Up/Tap-Down Transmission Feature
Check Gages Icon
Adaptive Cruise Control Features and Indicators
Radio Features
3-33

The following Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) messages
may appear in the HUD:
CRUISE SPEED LIMITED:This message indicates that
your vehicle speed has been reduced below your set
speed due to ACC limitations. Your set speed is too high
and ACC cannot detect other vehicles at far enough
distances for the system to operate properly.
TIGHT CURVE:This message indicates that ACC has
reduced your vehicle speed due to a tight curve in
the road. Once the road straightens, ACC will return to
your selected set speed or follow distance setting.
See “Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)” underTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-8for more
information.
You may also see an ACC active symbol, alert symbol
or vehicle ahead symbol. See “Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC)” underTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever
on page 3-8for more information.Accessory Power Outlet(s)
The accessory power outlet can be used to connect
electrical equipment such as a cellular phone or
CB radio.
The accessory power outlet is located inside the
center console storage compartment, on the forward
left side.
To use the outlet, remove the tethered cap. When not
using it, always cover the outlet with the protective cap.
Notice:When using an accessory power outlet,
maximum electrical load must not exceed 20 amps.
Always turn off any electrical equipment when
not in use. Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain your vehicle’s battery.
Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could result
in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a
problem, see your dealer for additional information
on accessory power outlets.
3-36

Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
This light should
come on briey as
you start the engine.
If the light does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
The light will also come on while the StabiliTrak
®system
warms up and the STABILITRAK WARMING message
will be displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC).
If it stays on, or comes on and the DIC shows a
SERVICE TRACTION SYS message when you are
driving, there is a problem with your Traction Control
System (TCS) and your vehicle needs service.
When this light is on, the system will not limit wheel
spin. Adjust your driving accordingly. If the driver turns
off TCS by pressing the button on the console, the
TCS light will come on and the TRACTION SYSTEM
OFF message will show on the DIC.If the light stays on or comes on while you are driving,
a chime sounds and a SERVICE STABILITRAK
message appears on the DIC, there is a problem with
your StabiliTrak
®and the vehicle needs service.
You can acknowledge this message by pressing the
RESET button. When the SERVICE STABILITRAK
message is displayed, the StabiliTrak
®system will not
assist you in controlling the vehicle. You should have the
system serviced as soon as possible. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
When the system is working, you will see the
STABILITRAK ACTIVE message displayed in the DIC.
You may also feel of hear the system working.
This is normal.
If you turn off the StabiliTrak
®system, by pressing the
front part of the button on the console for ve seconds,
the TCS light will come on, a chime will sound and
the TRAC/STABILITRAK OFF message will be
displayed in the DIC. The TCS will also be turned off.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-63
for more information.
If the StabiliTrak
®system and TCS are turned off,
pressing the console button momentarily will
turn both systems on. The DIC will display the
TRAC/STABILITRAK ON message, the instrument
cluster light will be off and a chime will sound.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-63for
more information.
3-52

LOW WASHER FLUID
This message displays when the windshield washer
uid is low. Fill the windshield washer uid reservoir as
soon as possible. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 6-12for the location of the windshield
washer uid reservoir. Also, seeWindshield Washer
Fluid on page 6-36for more information.
MAX (Maximum) SPEED
XX MPH (XX KM/H)
This message displays when a failure in the magnetic
ride control system has occurred. The Powertrain
Control Module (PCM) determines the speed to which
your vehicle is limited. Have your vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer if this message appears.
NO FOB DETECTED
This message displays if the vehicle does not detect the
presence of a keyless access transmitter when you
have attempted to start the vehicle or a vehicle door has
just closed. The following conditions may cause this
message to appear:
Driver-added equipment plugged into the accessory
power outlet on the center console is causing
interference. Examples of these devices are cell
phones and cell phone chargers, two-way radios,
power inverters, or similar items. Try moving the
keyless access transmitter away from these devices
when starting the vehicle. In addition, PDA devices
and remote garage and gate openers may also
generate Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) that
may interfere with the keyless access transmitter.
Do not carry the keyless access transmitter in the
same pocket or bag as these devices.
The vehicle is experiencing Electromagnetic
Interference (EMI). Some locations, such as airports,
automatic toll booths, and some gas stations, have
EMI elds which may interfere with your keyless
access transmitter.
3-68