2008 CADILLAC XLR tow

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-6
Child Restraints
.......................................1-23
Airbag System
.........................................1-36
Restraint System Check
............................1-52
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-19
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-23
Mirrors
....................................................2-36
Object Detection Systems
..........................2-38
OnStar
®System
......................................2-41
Universal Home Remote System
................2-44
Storage Areas
.........................................2-52
Retractable Hardtop
..................................2-54Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-38
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
.............................................3-43
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-60
Trip Computer
.........................................3-80
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-81
Navigation System.......................................... 4-1
Overview
.................................................. 4-2
Features and Controls
..............................4-11
Navigation Audio System
...........................4-54
Voice Recognition
....................................4-76
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 5-1
Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
.......................................... 5-2
Towing
...................................................5-27
2008 Cadillac XLR/XLR-V Owner ManualM

A second mirror, seating and steering wheel position
can be programmed by repeating the above steps and
pressing button 2 (for driver 2). Each time a memory
button is pressed and released, a single beep will sound.
Each time button 1 or 2 is pressed and released while
the vehicle is in PARK (P), the memory positions will be
recalled after a brief delay. If the vehicle is not in
PARK (P), three beeps will be heard and the memory
position will not be recalled.
When the engine is started, the seat, mirrors, and
steering wheel may automatically adjust to their
programmed positions.
To stop recall movement of the memory feature at any
time, press one of the power seat controls, power
mirror control buttons, memory buttons, or power
steering column control.
Two personalized exit positions can be set by rst
recalling the driving position (by pressing 1 or 2), then
positioning the steering wheel and seat in the desired
exit positions and then pressing and holding the
exit button until two beeps are heard. The exit button is
located between buttons 1 and 2. With the vehicle in
PARK (P), the exit position for the previously set driver
can be recalled by pressing the exit button.
When you use the keyless access transmitter to unlock
your vehicle, automatic seat and steering wheel
movement to the exit position may occur. The numbers
on the back of the transmitter, 1 and 2, corresponds
to the numbers on the memory buttons.Further programming for automatic seat and mirror
movement can be done using the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
For programming information, seeDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-76.
Power Reclining Seatbacks
Your seats have power
reclining seatbacks.
Use the vertical power seat control located on the
outboard side of the seat to operate them.
To recline the seatback, press the control toward
the rear of the vehicle.
To raise the seatback, press the control toward the
front of the vehicle.
1-4

What Makes an Airbag Inate?
In a deployment event, the sensing system sends an
electrical signal triggering a release of gas from
the inator. Gas from the inator lls the airbag
causing the bag to break out of the cover and deploy.
The inator, the airbag, and related hardware are all
part of the airbag module.
Frontal airbag modules are located inside the steering
wheel and instrument panel. For vehicles with
seat-mounted side impact airbags, there are airbag
modules in the side of the front seatbacks closest to
the door.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel
or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside
of the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection provided by safety
belts. Frontal airbags distribute the force of the
impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually. Seat-mounted
side impact airbags distribute the force of the impact
more evenly over the occupant’s upper body.
But airbags would not help in many types of collisions,
primarily because the occupant’s motion is not
toward those airbags. SeeWhen Should an Airbag
Inflate? on page 1-41for more information.
Airbags should never be regarded as anything more
than a supplement to safety belts.
1-43

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

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

NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
Use Neutral (N) if the vehicle must be moved with the
engine off for short distances. Please seeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 5-27.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting your vehicle.DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving.
It provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle.
If you need more power for passing and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h),
push the accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (56km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding, see “Skidding” underLoss of
Control on page 5-12.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. The repair will
not be covered by your warranty. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Maximum engine speed is limited to protect driveline
components from improper operation.
2-28

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

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