2008 CADILLAC XLR wiper blades

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

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

Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................6-65
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................6-66
Buying New Tires.........................................6-67
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................6-68
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................6-69
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................6-70
Wheel Replacement......................................6-70
Tire Chains..................................................6-73
Lifting Your Vehicle.......................................6-74
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................6-78
Appearance Care............................................6-80
Interior Cleaning...........................................6-80
Fabric/Carpet...............................................6-81
Leather.......................................................6-82
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces........................................6-82
Wood Panels...............................................6-82
Speaker Covers............................................6-82
Care of Safety Belts......................................6-83
Weatherstrips...............................................6-83
Washing Your Vehicle...................................6-83
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.....................6-84Finish Care..................................................6-84
Windshield and Wiper Blades.........................6-85
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim..................................................6-85
Tires...........................................................6-86
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................6-86
Finish Damage.............................................6-87
Underbody Maintenance................................6-87
Fiberglass Springs (Composite Springs)...........6-87
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................6-87
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..................6-88
Vehicle Identication......................................6-89
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN).................6-89
Service Parts Identication Label.....................6-89
Electrical System............................................6-89
Add-On Electrical Equipment..........................6-89
Windshield Wiper Fuses................................6-90
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......6-90
Fuses and Circuit Breakers............................6-90
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................6-90
Underhood Fuse Block..................................6-94
Capacities and Specications..........................6-97
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-2

9. The top edge of the cut-off should be positioned at
the bottom edge of the horizontal tape line.
10. Make sure that the light from the headlamp is
positioned at the bottom edge of the horizontal tape
line. The lamp on the left (A) shows the correct
headlamp aim. The lamp on the right (B) shows the
incorrect headlamp aim.
11. Repeat Steps 7 through 9 for the opposite
headlamp.Bulb Replacement
It is recommended that all bulbs be replaced by your
dealer/retailer.
Windshield Replacement
Your windshield is part of the Head-Up Display (HUD)
system. If you ever have to get your windshield
replaced, get one that is designed for HUD or your
HUD image may look out of focus.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected for wear
and cracking. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 7-4
for more information.
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways. For proper type and length,
seeNormal Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 7-13.
6-50

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

Scheduled Maintenance
To maintain the ride, handling, and performance of your
vehicle, it is important that the rst tire rotation service be
performed when you notice unusual wear. Check tires for
ination pressures and wear. SeeTires on page 6-52.If
tire rotation is recommended for your vehicle, rotate tires.
SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on page 6-65.
When the CHANGE OIL NOW message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) comes on, it means that service
is required for your vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km).
It is possible that, if you are driving under the best
conditions, the engine oil life system may not indicate that
vehicle service is necessary for over a year. However,
your engine oil and lter must be changed at least once
a year and at this time the system must be reset. Your
dealer/retailer has trained service technicians who will
perform this work using genuine parts and reset the
system.
If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 6-20for information on
the Engine Oil Life System and resetting the system.When the CHANGE OIL NOW message appears, the
following services, checks, and inspections are required:
❑Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on
page 6-16. Reset oil life system. SeeEngine Oil Life
System on page 6-20.An Emission Control Service.
❑Visually check for any leaks or damage.
See footnote (a).
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace
lter. SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-22.
See footnote (h).
❑Check tires for ination pressures and wear. SeeTires
on page 6-52. If tire rotation is recommended for your
vehicle, rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 6-65.
❑Inspect brake system.See footnote (l).
❑Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid
levels. If you have the 4.4L V8 supercharged engine,
check intercooler uid level. Add uid as needed.
❑Perform any needed additional services. See
“Additional Required Services” in this section.
❑Inspect suspension and steering components.
See footnote (n).
❑Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (m).
❑Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (b).
❑Inspect restraint system components.
See footnote (c).
❑Lubricate body components.See footnote (d).
7-4

Additional Required Services (cont’d)
Service and Miles (Kilometers)25,000
(40 000)50,000
(80 000)75,000
(120 000)100,000
(160 000)125,000
(200 000)150,000
(240 000)
Engine cooling system service (or every
ve years, whichever occurs rst).
An Emission Control Service.
See footnote (g).•
4.4L Supercharged Engine: Intercooler
system service (or every ve years,
whichever occurs rst).See footnote (k).•
Inspect engine accessory drive belt.
An Emission Control Service.
See footnote (j).•
Maintenance Footnotes
(a)A fluid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the fluid level checked. Add fluid if needed.
(b)Inspect wiper blades for wear, cracking, or
contamination. Clean the windshield and wiper blades,
if contaminated. Replace wiper blades that are worn
or damaged. See Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 6-50 and Windshield and Wiper Blades on
page 6-85 for more information.(c)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and safety
belt assemblies are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing
its job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed
safety belts replaced. Also see Checking the Restraint
Systems on page 1-52.
7-6

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 6-3
Adaptive Cruise Control...................................3-15
Adaptive Forward Lighting System.....................3-30
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-51
Additives, Fuel................................................. 6-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................6-89
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................6-22
Air Conditioning..............................................3-38
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-47
Readiness Light..........................................3-46
Airbag System................................................1-36
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-44
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-41
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-39
Airbag Systems
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-51
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-43
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-45
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-50
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-43
Antenna, Diversity Antenna System...................3-85Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System......................................................3-85
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 5-5
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-51
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............6-85
Care of Safety Belts....................................6-83
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................6-87
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................6-84
Fabric/Carpet..............................................6-81
Fiberglass Springs.......................................6-87
Finish Care.................................................6-84
Finish Damage............................................6-87
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................6-82
Interior Cleaning
..........................................6-80
Leather......................................................6-82
Sheet Metal Damage...................................6-86
Speaker Covers..........................................6-82
Tires..........................................................6-86
Underbody Maintenance...............................6-87
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................6-88
Washing Your Vehicle...................................6-83
Weatherstrips..............................................6-83
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................6-85
Wood Panels..............................................6-82
1