2008 CADILLAC XLR low oil pressure

Engine Oil Pressure Gage
The engine oil pressure gage shows the engine oil
pressure in psi (pounds per square inch) or kPa
(kilopascals) when the engine is running.
Oil pressure should be 20 to 80 psi (140 to 550 kPa).
In certain situations such as long, extended idles on
hot days, it could read as low as 6 psi (40 kPa) and still
be considered normal. It may vary with engine speed,
outside temperature and oil viscosity. The Driver
Information Center (DIC) may display messages
regarding the oil condition. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-63andEngine Oil on page 6-16.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil. United States
Canada
3-57

AVERAGE SPEED:This feature shows the average
speed the vehicle has traveled since the last time
the value was reset. To reset the value, press the
information button to display AVERAGE SPEED, then
press and hold the RESET button until AVERAGE
SPEED 00.0 is displayed.
ELAPSED TIME:This feature is like a stopwatch, in
that you can clock the time it takes to get from one point
to another.
To operate, press the information button to display
ELAPSED TIME. Each of the elds for the hours,
minutes, and seconds are two numeric digits.
Once ELAPSED TIME 00:00:00 is displayed, press the
RESET button to start the timing feature. Press the
RESET button again to stop it. If you will be starting and
stopping your vehicle, during a trip for instance, the
ELAPSED TIME feature will automatically start timing
where it left off when you last stopped. To reset it,
press and hold the RESET button until the display
reads ELAPSED TIME 00:00:00. Press the information
button to exit from the ELAPSED TIME display.FRONT Lxx Rxx PSI:This feature shows the tire
pressure for the front left and right tires.
REAR Lxx Rxx PSI:This feature shows the tire
pressure for the rear left and right tires.
OIL LIFE:This feature shows the estimated oil life
remaining. SeeOil Life Indicator on page 3-80for more
information. To reset the engine oil life system, see
Engine Oil Life System on page 6-20. This only needs
to be reset after you have had the oil changed.
In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring oil
life, additional maintenance is recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule in this manual. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 7-4andEngine Oil on page 6-16
for more information.
ENG/METRIC (English/Metric):This feature allows
you to switch the DIC displays between English
and Metric. Press the RESET button to switch the
display between English and Metric. There will be
an arrow next to the option that is selected.
3-62

LOW OIL LEVEL
For correct operation of the low oil sensing system,
your vehicle should be on a level surface. A false
LOW OIL LEVEL message may display if the vehicle
is parked on a grade. The oil level sensing system does
not check for actual oil level if the engine has been
off for a short period of time, and the oil level is never
checked while the engine is running. If the LOW
OIL LEVEL message displays, and your vehicle has
been parked on level ground with the engine off for at
least 30 minutes, the oil level should be checked by
observing the oil dipstick. Prior to checking the oil level,
make sure the engine has been off for a few minutes
and your vehicle is on a level surface. Then check
the dipstick and add oil if necessary. SeeEngine Oil
on page 6-16.
LOW OIL PRESSURE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
oil pressure is low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure warning appears on the
Driver Information Center (DIC), stop the vehicle
as soon as possible. Do not drive the vehicle until
the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected.
SeeEngine Oil on page 6-16for more information.If this message displays while the engine is running,
stop the engine and do not operate the vehicle until the
cause of low oil pressure is corrected. Severe damage
to the engine can result. A multiple chime sounds when
this message is displayed.
LOW VOLTAGE
This message displays when the electrical system
is charging less than 10 volts or if the battery has been
drained. If this message displays immediately after
starting, it is possible that the generator can still
recharge the battery. The battery should recharge while
driving, but may take a few hours to do so. Consider
using an auxiliary charger to boost the battery after
returning home or to a nal destination. Make sure you
follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If this message
displays while driving or after starting your vehicle
and stays on, have it checked immediately by your
dealer/retailer to determine the cause of this problem.
To help the generator recharge the battery quickly,
you can reduce the load on the electrical system
by turning off the accessories. You can monitor battery
voltage on the DIC by pressing the INFO button.
The normal range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts.
3-67

TRAC (Traction)/STABILITRAK ON
This message displays when both the Traction Control
System (TCS) and the StabiliTrak®System are on.
TRACTION SYSTEM OFF
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is off, but the StabiliTrak®System
remains on.
TRACTION SYSTEM ON
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is on.
TRUNK AJAR
This message displays when the trunk is open while
the vehicle is running and is not in PARK (P).
WAIT FOR STABILITRAK
This message displays after driving 19 mph (30 km/h)
for 10 seconds if the steering is not centered.
The StabiliTrak
®System is not available until the
steering centers itself and the STABILITRAK READY
message is displayed in the DIC.
Other Messages
Here are more messages that you can receive on the
Driver Information Center (DIC). To acknowledge a
message and read another message that may have
come on at the same time, press the RESET button.
ACCESSORY MODE ON
SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-23.
CHANGE OIL SOON
SeeEngine Oil on page 6-16andEngine Oil
Life System on page 6-20.
FOB BATTERY LOW
See “Battery Replacement” underKeyless
Access System Operation on page 2-6.
HIGH TIRE PRESS LF
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 6-60.
HIGH TIRE PRESS RF
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 6-60.
HIGH TIRE PRESS LR
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 6-60.
HIGH TIRE PRESS RR
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 6-60.
3-74

Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up under
your vehicle’s tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and
you are going fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when the road
is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather driving tips
include:
Allow extra following distance.
Pass with caution.
Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape.
Keep the windshield washer uid reservoir lled.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 6-52.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having
it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Reservoir full?
Windows clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires inated to
recommended pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to travel?
Have up-to-date maps?
5-15

Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL LEVEL or LOW OIL PRESSURE
message on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
appears, check the engine oil level right away.
For more information, see LOW OIL LEVEL and
LOW OIL PRESSURE underDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-63. You should check the engine
oil level regularly; this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on
level ground.The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not
do this, the oil dipstick might not show the
actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper
towel or cloth, then push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip down, and check
the level.
6-16

Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fan
B. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure Cap{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood
can start up even when the engine is not
running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
do not do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.
A low coolant level should be indicated by a LOW
COOLANT message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). If it is, you may have a leak at the
pressure cap or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump, or somewhere else in the cooling
system.
6-30

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see if
coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not at the FULL COLD mark
on the front of the coolant surge tank, add a 50/50
mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
coolant at the coolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling
system, including the coolant surge tank pressure
cap, is cool before you do it. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 6-24for more information.
If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant as
follows:
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the coolant
surge tank pressure cap — even a little — they
can come out at high speed. Never turn the
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
cap when the cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and coolant surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have to
turn the pressure cap.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. The vehicle’s
coolant warning system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, the engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
The engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
6-32