2008 CADILLAC XLR ignition

A thick layer of additional material, such as a blanket or
cushion, or aftermarket equipment such as seat
covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers can affect
how well the passenger sensing system operates.
We recommend that you not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment other than any that GM has
approved for your specic vehicle. SeeAdding
Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 1-51for more information about modications that
can affect how the system operates.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s seat
or between the passenger’s seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the proper
operation of the passenger sensing system.
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several places
around your vehicle. Your dealer/retailer and the service
manual have information about servicing your vehicle
and the airbag system. To purchase a service manual,
seeService Publications Ordering Information on
page 8-16.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
airbag can still inate during improper service.
You can be injured if you are close to an
airbag when it inates. Avoid yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualied to do so.
1-50

Keys...............................................................2-3
Keyless Access System...................................2-5
Keyless Access System Operation....................2-6
Doors and Locks............................................2-10
Door Locks..................................................2-10
Power Door Locks........................................2-12
Automatic Door Lock.....................................2-12
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock.............2-12
Lockout Protection........................................2-12
Trunk..........................................................2-13
Windows........................................................2-16
Power Windows............................................2-17
Sun Visors...................................................2-19
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-19
Theft-Deterrent System..................................2-19
Valet Lockout Switch.....................................2-21
Immobilizer..................................................2-21
Immobilizer Operation....................................2-22
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-23
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-23
Ignition Positions..........................................2-23
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-24Starting the Engine.......................................2-24
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-26
Parking Brake..............................................2-30
Shifting Into PARK (P)...................................2-32
Shifting Out of PARK (P)...............................2-33
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-34
Engine Exhaust............................................2-34
Running the Engine While Parked...................2-35
Mirrors...........................................................2-36
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®............................................2-36
Outside Power Heated Mirrors........................2-36
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror..................2-37
Park Assist Mirror.........................................2-37
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-38
Object Detection Systems...............................2-38
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)..............2-38
OnStar
®System.............................................2-41
Universal Home Remote System......................2-44
Universal Home Remote System.....................2-44
Universal Home Remote System Operation
(With Three Round LED)............................2-45
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

This key, located inside
the keyless access
transmitter, can be used
for the glove box and
the trunk, if vehicle power
is lost. SeeTrunk on
page 2-13for more
information.To remove the key, press
the button (A) near the
bottom of the keyless
access transmitter, and
pull the key out. Never pull
the key out without
pressing the button.
Your vehicle has a keyless access system with
pushbutton start. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-23
for information on starting the vehicle.
Notice:If you ever lose your transmitter(s) and/or
key, it could be difficult to get into your vehicle.
You may even have to damage your vehicle to get
in. Be sure you have a spare transmitter and/or key.
In an emergency, contact Cadillac Roadside Assistance.
SeeRoadside Service on page 8-7.
2-4

Power Door Locks
The power door lock switches are located on the doors.
There is an indicator light on the rear of the door
near the window.
K(Unlock):Press to unlock the doors.
When pressed, a beep sounds. If the door is closed
when pressed, the light ashes twice. If the door is
open when pressed, the light ashes.
Q(Lock):Press to lock the doors.
When pressed, a beep sounds. If the door is closed
when pressed, the light comes on for a few seconds,
then turns off. If the door is open when pressed,
the light stays on.
Automatic Door Lock
Your vehicle is programmed so that, when the doors are
closed, the ignition is on and the shift lever is moved
out of PARK (P), all the doors will lock.
If someone needs to get out while the vehicle is not in
PARK (P), have the person use the power door unlock
switch. When the door is closed again, the doors will lock
either when your foot is removed from the brake or the
vehicle speed becomes faster than 8 mph (13 km/h).
Programmable Automatic
Door Unlock
Your vehicle is programmed so that, when the shift
lever is moved into PARK (P), both doors will unlock.
With the vehicle in PARK (P) and the engine running,
door unlocking can be programmed through prompts
displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
These prompts allow the driver to choose various
unlock settings. For programming information,
seeDIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-76.
Lockout Protection
Your vehicle can be programmed to sound the horn
three times and unlock the driver’s door when both
doors are closed and there is a keyless access
transmitter inside the vehicle. When the driver’s door
is opened, a reminder chime will sound continuously.
The vehicle will remain locked only when at least
one transmitter has been removed from the vehicle
and both doors are closed. SeeDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-76.
2-12

Power Windows
{CAUTION:
Leaving children, helpless adults, or pets in a
vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous.
They can be overcome from extreme heat in
warm or hot weather and suffer permanent
injuries or even death from heat stroke.
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons, children
or others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or
other controls or even make the vehicle move.
The windows will function with the keys in the
ignition and they could be seriously injured
or killed if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave keys in a vehicle with
children.
When there are children in the rear seat
use the window lockout button to prevent
unintentional operation of the windows.The power window
switches are located
on each door near
the armrest.
Press the up or down arrows on the switches to raise
or lower the windows.
Your vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
that allows you to use the power windows once
the ignition has been turned off. For more information,
seeRetained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-24.
2-17

Immobilizer Operation
Your vehicle has a passive theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed when the ignition
mode transitions to OFF.
The immobilization system is disarmed when the ignition
mode transitions to ACCESSORY or START and a
valid transmitter is found in the vehicle.
You do not have to manually arm or disarm the system.
The security light will come on if there is a problem
with arming or disarming the theft-deterrent system.
The system has one or more keyless access
transmitters that are matched to an immobilizer control
unit in your vehicle. Only a correctly matched keyless
access transmitter will start the vehicle. If the keyless
access transmitter is ever damaged, you may not
be able to start your vehicle.
When trying to start the vehicle, if the engine does
not start and the security light comes on, there may
be a problem with your immobilizer system. Press the
START button again.If the vehicle does not start and the keyless access
transmitter appears to be undamaged, try another
keyless access transmitter. Or, you may try placing the
transmitter in the transmitter pocket. See “NO FOBS
DETECTED” underDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-63for additional information. At this time,
you may also want to check the fuse. SeeFuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 6-90. If the engine
still does not start with the other transmitter, your
vehicle needs service. If the engine does start, the
rst transmitter may be faulty. See your dealer/retailer
who can service the theft-deterrent system and
have a new keyless access transmitter programmed
to the vehicle.
It is possible for the immobilizer system to learn new or
replacement keyless access transmitters. Up to 4 keyless
access transmitters can be programmed for the vehicle.
To program additional transmitters, see “Matching
transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle” underKeyless Access
System Operation on page 2-6.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms or
deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle.
2-22

Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time the new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake linings.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
Ignition Positions
Your vehicle has an
electronic keyless ignition
with pushbutton start.
In order to shift out of PARK (P), the vehicle must be
running or in ACCESSORY mode and the regular brake
pedal must be applied.
/(START):Press this button while your foot is on
the brake to start the engine. The shifter must be
in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) to start the engine and
the keyless access transmitter must be in the vehicle
for the ignition to work.
2-23

9Acc. (OFF/ACCESSORY):When this button is
pressed, the engine will turn off even if the shifter is not in
PARK (P). If the shifter is in PARK (P), the ignition mode
will change to Retained Accessory Power (RAP), if all
doors are closed. The ignition mode will change to off, if a
front door is opened. SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 2-24for more information. If the shifter is
not in PARK (P), the ignition mode will change to Acc..
SeeShifting Into PARK (P) on page 2-32.
When the engine is off, press this button to place the
vehicle in accessory mode. ACCESSORY MODE ON will
display on the Driver Information Center (DIC). This mode
allows you to use things like the radio and the windshield
wipers while the engine is off. Use accessory mode if you
must have your vehicle in motion while the engine is off,
for example, if your vehicle is being towed. If the door is
open while in accessory mode, the key in reminder chime
will sound continuously.
If the push-button start is not working, your vehicle
may be near a strong radio antenna signal causing
interference to the keyless access system. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-63for more
information.
After being in ACCESSORY mode for about 20 minutes,
the vehicle will automatically enter RAP or will turn off,
depending on if the doors are opened or closed.Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
Audio System
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Power Windows
Power to these accessories continues to work for up to
10 minutes or until a door is opened. For additional
10 minutes of operation, close all the doors and press
the Acc. button to place the vehicle in accessory mode.
Press the button again to return to RAP.
Starting the Engine
To place the transmission in the proper gear:
Move the shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). To
restart when you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N).
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
The keyless access transmitter must be inside the
vehicle for the ignition to work.
2-24