2008 CADILLAC XLR windshield wipers

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

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic
Steering Column.........................................3-7
Heated Steering Wheel...................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-8
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-9
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers........................................3-10
Rainsense™ Wipers......................................3-11
Windshield Washer.......................................3-12
Headlamp Washer........................................3-12
Cruise Control..............................................3-12
Adaptive Cruise Control.................................3-15
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-28
Wiper Activated Headlamps............................3-29
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-29
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-29
Adaptive Forward Lighting System...................3-30
Fog Lamps..................................................3-30Twilight Sentinel®..........................................3-31
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver........................3-32
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-32
Courtesy Lamps...........................................3-32
Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................3-32
Reading Lamps............................................3-32
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-33
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-33
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-36
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-37
Climate Controls............................................3-38
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-38
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-42
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-42
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-43
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-44
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-45
Trip Odometer..............................................3-45
Tachometer.................................................3-45
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-46
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-46
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-47
Charging System Light..................................3-49
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Head-Up Display (HUD) Controls/Instrument Panel
Brightness Controls. SeeHead-Up Display (HUD)
on page 3-33orInstrument Panel Brightness
on page 3-32.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-8.Cruise
Control. SeeCruise Control on page 3-12. Exterior
Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-28.
Fog Lamps. SeeFog Lamps on page 3-30.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-44.
D. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever. See “Windshield
Wipers” underTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever
on page 3-8.
E. Driver Information Center (DIC) Controls/Interior
Lamps. SeeDIC Operation and Displays on
page 3-60.
F. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-42.
G. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
H. Voice Commands/Audio Controls. SeeOnStar
®
System on page 2-41orAudio Steering Wheel
Controls on page 3-82.
I. Adaptive Cruise Controls (If Equipped).
See “Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)” under
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-8.J. Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering Button.
SeePower Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering
Column on page 3-7.
K. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
L. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-82.
M. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-23.
N. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-26.
O. Traction Control Button. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 5-6.
P. Retractable Hardtop Button. SeeRetractable
Hardtop on page 2-54.
Q. Cupholders. SeeCupholder(s) on page 2-52.
R. Cigarette Lighter. SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-37.
S. Climate Controls. SeeDual Climate Control System
on page 3-38.
T. Audio/Navigation System. SeeNavigation System
Overview on page 4-2.
U. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-52.
3-5

Windshield Wipers
Use the lever located on the right side of the steering
column to operate the windshield wipers.
1(High Speed):Move the lever to this position for
steady wiping at high speed.
6(Low Speed):Move the lever to this position
for steady wiping at low speed.
&(Delay):Move the lever to this position to set a
delay between wipes.
x(Delay Adjustment):Move the lever to this
position to choose a delayed wiping cycle. Turn the
intermittent adjust band down for a longer delay or up
for a shorter delay. The wiper speed can only be
manually adjusted when the lever is in this position.
9(Off):Move the lever to this position to turn off the
windshield wipers.
8(Mist):Move the lever all the way down to mist
and release for a single wiping cycle. The windshield
wipers will stop after one wipe. If you want more wipes,
hold the band on mist longer.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wipers. If this
occurs, a circuit breaker will stop the wipers until the
motor cools. So, be sure to clear any ice and snow
from the windshield wiper blades before using them.
If the wiper blades are frozen to the windshield, carefully
loosen them or warm the windshield before turning
the wipers on. If your blades do become worn or
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
3-10

Rainsense™ Wipers
Your vehicle has Rainsense™ wipers. The moisture
sensor for this feature is mounted on the interior side of
the windshield below the rearview mirror and is used to
automatically operate the wipers by monitoring the
amount of moisture build-up on the windshield. Wipes
occur as needed to clear the windshield depending on
driving conditions and the sensitivity setting. In light rain
or snow, fewer wipes will occur. In heavy rain or snow,
wipes will occur more frequently. The Rainsense™
wipers operate in a delay mode as well as a continuous
low or high speed as needed. If the system is left on for
long periods of time, occasional wipes may occur without
any moisture on the windshield. This is normal and
indicates that the Rainsense™ system is activated.
The Rainsense™ system is also sensitive to vibration.
The system may activate if something hits the windshield
or if the vehicle hits a bump.
The Rainsense™ system can be activated by moving
the wiper lever up to the delay position and turning the
delay adjust band to one of the ve sensitivity levels.
The bottom delay adjust position is the lowest sensitivity
setting, level one. This allows more rain or snow to collect
on the windshield between wipes. Turning the delay
adjust band away from you to the higher sensitivity levels
allows less rain or snow to collect on the windshield
between wipes.The top position is the highest sensitivity setting, level
ve. A single wipe will occur each time you turn the
delay adjust band to a higher sensitivity level to indicate
that the sensitivity level has been increased.
Notice:Going through an automatic car wash with
the wipers on can damage them. Turn the wipers
off when going through an automatic car wash.
The mist and wash cycles operate as normal and are not
affected by the Rainsense™ function. The Rainsense™
system can be overridden at any time by manually
changing the wiper control to low or high speed.
When Rainsense™ is active, the headlamps will turn on
automatically. If it is dark, they will remain on. See
“Wiper-Activated Headlamps” underExterior Lamps on
page 3-28for more information.
Notice:Do not place stickers or other items on the
exterior glass surface directly in front of the moisture
sensor. Doing this could cause the moisture sensor
to malfunction.
3-11

Windshield Washer
K(Washer Fluid):The lever on the right side of the
steering column also controls the windshield washer.
There is a button at the end of the lever. To spray
washer uid on the windshield, press the button and
hold it. The washer will spray until you release the
button. The wipers will continue to clear the window for
about six seconds after the button is released and
then stop or return to your preset speed.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
If the uid in the windshield washer uid reservoir is
low, the message LOW WASHER FLUID will appear
on the Driver Information Center (DIC) display.
It will take 60 seconds after the bottle is relled for this
message to turn off. For information on the correct
washer uid mixture to use, seeWindshield Washer
Fluid on page 6-36andRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 7-11.
Headlamp Washer
The headlamps washer only functions every fourth time
the washer button is depressed and if the headlamps
are on.
Cruise Control
Your vehicle has cruise control.
9(Off):This position
turns the system off.
R(On):This position turns the system on.
+ (Resume/Accelerate):This position makes the
vehicle accelerate or resume to a previously set speed.
T(Set):Press this button at the end of the lever
to set the speed.
3-12

Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking
lamps after the windshield wipers have been in use for
approximately six seconds and the multifunction lever is
in the AUTO position. SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-28.
When the exterior lamp control has been turned off or is
in the parking lamp position and the wiper control is
on delay, low speed or high speed, the HEADLAMPS
SUGGESTED message will appear on the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
When the ignition is turned off, the wiper-activated
headlamps will immediately turn off.
Headlamps on Reminder
A warning chime will sound if the exterior lamp control
is left on in either the headlamp or parking lamp position
and the driver’s door is opened with the ignition off.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
DRL are required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.The DRL system makes the front turn signal lamps
come on when the following conditions are met:
It is still daylight and the ignition is on.
The exterior lamp control is in the off position.
The transmission is not in PARK (P).
When DRL are on, only the front turn signal lamps are
on. No other exterior lamps such as the parking lamps,
taillamps, etc. are on when the DRL are used. Your
instrument panel is not be lit up either.
When it is dark enough outside, the front turn signal
lamps turn off and normal low-beam headlamps turn on.
When it is bright enough outside, the regular lamps go off,
and the front turn signal lamps take over. If you start your
vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic headlamp system
comes on immediately. Once you leave the garage, it
takes about one minute for the automatic headlamp
system to change to DRL if it is light outside. During that
delay, the instrument panel cluster might not be as bright
as usual. Make sure the instrument panel brightness
knob is in the full bright position. SeeInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-32for more information.
If it is dark enough outside and the exterior lamp control
is off, a HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED message displays
on the Driver’s Information Center (DIC). This message
informs the driver that turning on the exterior lamps is
recommended. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-63.
3-29

Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield with glass cleaner.
Clean the rubber blades using a lint free cloth or
paper towel soaked with windshield washer uid or a
mild detergent. Wash the windshield thoroughly when
cleaning the blades. Bugs, road grime, sap, and a
buildup of vehicle wash/wax treatments may cause wiper
streaking. Replace the wiper blades if they are worn
or damaged.
Wipers can be damaged by:
Extreme dusty conditions
Sand and salt
Heat and sun
Snow and ice, without proper removal
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels and Trim
Your vehicle may have either aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.
Keep the wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with mild
soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After rinsing
thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax may then
be applied.
Notice:Chrome wheels and other chrome trim may
be damaged if you do not wash your vehicle after
driving on roads that have been sprayed with
magnesium, calcium or sodium chloride. These
chlorides are used on roads for conditions such as
ice and dust. Always wash your vehicle’s chrome
with soap and water after exposure.
Notice:If you use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, cleaners, brushes, or cleaners
that contain acid on aluminum or chrome-plated
wheels, you could damage the surface of the
wheel(s). The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Use only approved cleaners on aluminum
or chrome-plated wheels.
6-85