2008 CADILLAC XLR fuel additives

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

Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the
proper maintenance of your vehicle. To help keep the
engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle performance,
we recommend the use of gasoline advertised as TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline.
The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
shows the code letter or number that identies your
vehicle’s engine. The VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle Identification Number
(VIN) on page 6-89.
Gasoline Octane
If your vehicle has the 4.6L V8 engine (VIN Code A),
use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 91 or higher. You can also use regular
unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but
your vehicle’s acceleration could be slightly reduced,
and you might notice a slight audible knocking noise,
commonly referred to as spark knock. If the octane
is less than 87, you might notice a heavy knocking noise
when you drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher as soon as possible. Otherwise, you
could damage the engine. If you are using gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy
knocking, the engine needs service.If your vehicle has the 4.4L V8 engine (VIN Code D),
use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher. For best performance,
use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 93. In an emergency, you can use regular
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher.
If 87 octane fuel is used, do not perform any aggressive
driving maneuvers such as wide open throttle
applications. You might also hear audible spark knock
during acceleration. Rell the tank with premium fuel
as soon as possible to avoid damaging the engine.
If you are using gasoline rated at 91 octane or higher
and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs service.Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specication
D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or
3.511 in Canada. Some gasolines contain an
octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend
against the use of gasolines containing MMT.
SeeAdditives on page 6-6for additional information.
6-5

California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specications. See the underhood
emission control label. If this fuel is not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specications, but emission control system
performance might be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp could turn on and your vehicle might fail
a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 3-54. If this occurs, return to your authorized
dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined that
the condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs
might not be covered by your warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel
injectors and intake valves clean, or if your vehicle
experiences problems due to dirty injectors or valves,look for gasoline that is advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline. Also, your dealer/retailer has
additives that will help correct and prevent most
deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available
in your area. We recommend that you use these
gasolines, if they comply with the specications
described earlier. However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than 10% ethanol must
not be used in vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under your
warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend against
the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can
reduce the life of spark plugs and the performance
of the emission control system could be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp might turn on. If this
occurs, return to your dealer/retailer for service.
6-6

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 6-3
Adaptive Cruise Control...................................3-15
Adaptive Forward Lighting System.....................3-30
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-51
Additives, Fuel................................................. 6-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................6-89
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................6-22
Air Conditioning..............................................3-38
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-47
Readiness Light..........................................3-46
Airbag System................................................1-36
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-44
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-41
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-39
Airbag Systems
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-51
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-43
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-45
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-50
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-43
Antenna, Diversity Antenna System...................3-85Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System......................................................3-85
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 5-5
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-51
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............6-85
Care of Safety Belts....................................6-83
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................6-87
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................6-84
Fabric/Carpet..............................................6-81
Fiberglass Springs.......................................6-87
Finish Care.................................................6-84
Finish Damage............................................6-87
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................6-82
Interior Cleaning
..........................................6-80
Leather......................................................6-82
Sheet Metal Damage...................................6-86
Speaker Covers..........................................6-82
Tires..........................................................6-86
Underbody Maintenance...............................6-87
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................6-88
Washing Your Vehicle...................................6-83
Weatherstrips..............................................6-83
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................6-85
Wood Panels..............................................6-82
1

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