2008 CADILLAC XLR service indicator

In many crashes severe enough to inate the airbag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from
the right front passenger airbag.
Airbags are designed to inate only once. After an
airbag inates, you will need some new parts for
the airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag
system will not be there to help protect you in
another crash. A new system will include airbag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
Your vehicle has a crash sensing and diagnostic
module which records information after a crash.
SeeVehicle Data Recording and Privacy on
page 8-17andEvent Data Recorders on
page 8-18.
Let only qualied technicians work on the airbag
system. Improper service can mean that the
airbag system will not work properly. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
Passenger Sensing System
Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system for
the right front passenger’s position. The passenger
airbag status indicator will be visible in the rearview
mirror when you start your vehicle.
The words ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off,
will be visible during the system check. When the
system check is complete, either the word ON or the
word OFF, or the symbol for on or the symbol for off, will
be visible. SeePassenger Airbag Status Indicator on
page 3-47.United States
Canada
1-45

Some automatic downshifts can occur to maintain
minimum engine speed. This only happens if the vehicle
is left in too high of a gear for the vehicle’s speed.
For example, if you have been driving in sixth gear
range and come to a stop without manually
downshifting, the transmission automatically downshifts
to rst gear and displays rst gear on the HUD. As
you begin to drive and accelerate, the transmission
remains in rst gear until the driver selects an upshift.
DSC can be used while using cruise control, but
transmission shifting is different while the cruise control
is on. This is not a malfunction and is necessary to
let proper operation of the cruise control.
To return to fully automatic operation, move the shift
lever to the right and back into DRIVE (D).
When accelerating your vehicle from a stop in snowy
and icy conditions, you may want to shift into second
gear. A higher gear lets you gain more traction on
slippery surfaces.
In higher gears, on the XLR only, an automatic downshift
occurs if you press the accelerator pedal to the oor.
This feature provides adequate acceleration capabilities
if you forget to downshift manually. Tap the shifter
forward and the vehicle upshifts.Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal is
located to the left of the
regular brake pedal,
near the driver’s door.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot and push the parking brake
pedal down with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the parking brake indicator light
on the instrument panel cluster should come on.
If it does not, you need to have your vehicle serviced.
2-30

When you move out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
and the engine is running, the parking brake should
release. If the parking brake has not been fully released
and you try to drive off with the parking brake on, the
parking brake indicator light will come on and stay on.
If the parking brake does not fully release, you can
manually release the pedal.
{CAUTION:
Always shift to PARK (P) before pulling the
manual release lever. If your hand or arm is in
the way of the pedal you could be hurt. The
pedal springs back quickly. Keep your hand
and arm away when you use the manual
release lever.
Before releasing the manual parking brake, be sure to
put the vehicle in PARK (P) and turn the ignition off.Reach under the driver’s side of the instrument panel and
pull down on the manual release lever, which is located
behind the parking brake pedal. Pull down on the yellow
tab. If the parking brake does not release, you should
have your vehicle towed to your dealer for service.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before driving.
2-31

{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not inate in a crash, or they
could even inate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when you start the engine. If the light does not
come on then, have it xed immediately. If there is a
problem with the airbag system, an airbag Driver
Information Center (DIC) message may also come on.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-63for
more information.
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system. Your
rearview mirror has a passenger airbag status indicator.
When you start the vehicle, the passenger airbag status
indicator will light ON and OFF, or the symbol for on
and off, for several seconds as a system check. Then,
after several more seconds, the status indicator will
light either ON or OFF, or either the on or off symbol,
to let you know the status to let you know the status of
the right front passenger’s frontal and seat-mounted
side impact airbags.United States
Canada
3-47

If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the passenger sensing system.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on,
it means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens, have
the vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-46for more on this, including
important safety information.
Charging System Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
on the ignition, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show
you it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the charging system. A charging system
Driver Information Center (DIC) message may also
appear. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-63
for more information. This light could indicate that you
have problems with a generator drive belt, or another
electrical problem. Have it checked right away.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as
the radio and air conditioner.
3-49

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems.
It makes sure that emissions are at acceptable levels
for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
The check engine light
comes on to indicate
that there is an OBD II
problem and service
is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before
any problem is apparent. This can prevent more serious
damage to your vehicle. This system is also designed
to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing
any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after a while, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel economymight not be as good, and the engine might not
run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
your vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This could
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 6-3.
This light comes on briey, as a check to show it is
working, as you start the engine. If the light does not
come on, have it repaired. This light also comes
on during a malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and could damage the emission control system
on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service might
be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
3-54

If the driver remains unbuckled when the ignition is
on and the vehicle is in motion, the reminder will
be repeated. If the driver’s safety belt is already buckled,
this message and chime will not come on.
This message is an additional reminder to the Safety
Belt Reminder Light in the instrument panel cluster.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-46for more
information.
CHANGE OIL NOW
This message displays when the life of the engine oil
has expired. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 7-4.
After an oil change, the Oil Life Indicator must be
reset. SeeOil Life Indicator on page 3-80andEngine
Oil Life System on page 6-20.
CHARGE SYSTEM FAULT
This message displays when a problem with the
charging system has been detected. Have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays if the fuel cap has not been
fully tightened. Check the fuel cap to make sure that
it is on properly.
CLEAN RADAR CRUISE
If your vehicle has this feature, this message displays
when the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system is
disabled because the radar is blocked and cannot
detect vehicles in your path. It may also activate during
heavy rain or due to road spray. To clean the system,
seeAdaptive Cruise Control on page 3-15.
CLOSE CARGO DIVIDER
This message displays if the cargo divider is not in
place. Open the trunk and make sure the cargo divider
is secure and no objects are on the divider. See
Rear Storage Area on page 2-53for more information.
COOLANT OVER TEMP (Temperature)
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow your vehicle to
idle in PARK (P) until it cools down and the message
is removed. Do not increase engine speed above
a normal idle. If it does not cool down, turn off the
engine and have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer before driving it again. Severe engine
damage can result from an overheated engine.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 6-27.
3-64

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