2009 CADILLAC XLR brakes

Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
P (Park):This position locks the rear wheels. It is
the best position to use when starting the engine
because the vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is running
unless you have to. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or
others could be injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into Park on
page 2-33.
Be sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before starting
the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply the regular brakes
rst and then press the shift lever button before you can
shift from P (Park) when the vehicle is running. If you
cannot shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on the shift
lever and push the shift lever all the way into P (Park)
as you maintain brake application. Then press the shift
lever button and move the shift lever into another gear.
SeeShifting Out of Park on page 2-35.
2-28

R (Reverse):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice,
or sand without damaging the transmission, seeIf Your
Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 5-20.
N (Neutral):In this position, the engine does not connect
with the wheels. To restart when you are already moving,
use N (Neutral) only. Also, use N (Neutral) when the
vehicle is being towed. Use N (Neutral) if the vehicle
must be moved with the engine off for short distances.
Please seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 5-26.
{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, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is
not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive):This position is for normal driving.
It provides the best fuel economy for the 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 the vehicle 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.
2-29

How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically when the shift lever is
moved into R (Reverse). The rear display briey
illuminates to indicate the system is working.
URPA operates only at speeds less than 3 mph (5 km/h).
If the vehicle is above this speed, the red light on the rear
display will ash.
To be detected, objects must be at least 10 inches
(25.4 cm) off the ground and below trunk level. Objects
must also be within 5 feet (1.5 m) from the rear bumper.
This distance may be less during warmer or humid
weather.
A single beep will sound the rst time an object is
detected between 20 inches (0.5 m) and 5 feet (1.5 m)
away. Beeping will occur when the vehicle is closer
than 20 inches (0.5 m) from the object.
The following describes what will occur with the URPA
display as the vehicle gets closer to a detected object:
Description English Metric
amber light 5 ft 1.5 m
amber/amber lights 40 in 1.0 m
amber/amber/red
lights/continuous beep20 in 0.5 m
amber/amber/red
lights ashing and
continuous beep1 ft 0.3 m
When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
If the URPA system will not activate due to a temporary
condition, a red light will be shown on the rear URPA
display when the shift lever is moved into R (Reverse).
This occurs under the following conditions:
The ultrasonic sensors are not clean. Keep the
vehicle’s rear bumper free of mud, dirt, snow,
ice and slush. For cleaning instructions, see
Washing Your Vehicle on page 6-77.
An object was hanging out of the trunk during the
last drive cycle. Once the object is removed,
URPA will return to normal operation.
The vehicle’s bumper is damaged. Take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer to repair the system.
Other conditions may affect system performance,
such as vibrations from a jackhammer or the
compression of air brakes on a very large truck.
If the system is still disabled after driving forward at
least 15 mph (25 km/h), take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
2-41

Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to increase speed:
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press
Tat the end of the lever, then
release the button and the accelerator pedal.
The vehicle will now cruise at the higher speed.
If the accelerator pedal is held longer than
60 seconds, cruise control will turn off.
Move the cruise switch fromRtoS. Hold it there
until the desired speed is reached, and then
release the switch. To increase the vehicle speed
in small amounts, move the switch briey to
resume/accelerate. Each time this is done, the
vehicle goes about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control

Press and hold the set button until the lower speed
desired is reached, then release it.
To slow down in small amounts, briey press the
set button. Each time this is done, the vehicle
goes about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, the vehicle
slows down to the cruise control speed set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control works on hills depends
upon the vehicle speed, load and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to
step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you might have to brake or shift
to a lower gear to keep your vehicle’s speed down.
When the brakes are applied the cruise control turns off.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal
Move the cruise control switch to9
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased when
the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
3-13

{CAUTION:
Adaptive Cruise Control will not apply hard braking
or bring the vehicle to a complete stop. It will not
respond to stopped vehicles, pedestrians or
animals. When you are approaching a vehicle or
object, Adaptive Cruise Control may not have time
to slow your vehicle enough to avoid a collision.
Your complete attention is always required while
driving and you should be ready to take action
and apply the brakes. For more information,
seeDefensive Driving on page 5-2.
{CAUTION:
On winding roads, Adaptive Cruise Control
may not detect a vehicle ahead. You could
crash into a vehicle ahead of you. Do not use
Adaptive Cruise Control on winding roads.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Adaptive Cruise Control may not have time to
slow your vehicle enough to avoid a crash
when you are driving in conditions where
vehicles may suddenly slow or stop ahead of
you, enter your lane, or cross your vehicle’s
path. If you are driving in these conditions, do
not use Adaptive Cruise Control. The warning
beep and alert symbol may indicate that
you are driving in conditions where Adaptive
Cruise Control should not be used.
See “Alerting the Driver” in this section.
On slippery roads, fast changes in tire traction
can cause needless wheel spinning, and you
could lose control. Do not use cruise control
on slippery roads.
When weather limits visibility, such as when in
fog, rain, or snow conditions, Adaptive Cruise
Control performance is limited. There may not
be enough distance to adapt to the changing
traffic conditions. Do not use cruise control
when visibility is low.
3-15

The set speed is selected by the driver. This is the
speed you will travel if there is no vehicle detected in
your path.
To set Adaptive Cruise Control, do the following:
1. Make sure the Head-Up Display (HUD) is on and
properly adjusted. You cannot engage Adaptive
Cruise Control unless the HUD is on. SeeHead-Up
Display (HUD) on page 3-31for more information.
2. Move the switch to the on position.
3. Get up to the desired speed.
4. Press
Tat the end of the lever and release
the button.
5. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Once Adaptive Cruise Control is set, it might
immediately apply the brakes if it detects a vehicle
ahead that is too close or moving slower than your
vehicle.This symbol appears on
the Head-Up Display
(HUD) to indicate that
Adaptive Cruise Control
is active.
SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-31for more
information.
Make sure the set speed is visible on the HUD so you
know the speed your vehicle will accelerate to if a
vehicle is not detected in your path. Keep in mind
speed limits, surrounding traffic speeds, and weather
conditions when adjusting your set speed.
If the vehicle is in Adaptive Cruise Control when the
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin,
the Adaptive Cruise Control automatically disengages.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 5-8
andStabiliTrak
®System on page 5-6. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, the Adaptive
Cruise Control can be turned back on.
3-17

Increasing Set Speed While Using Adaptive
Cruise Control
There are two ways to increase the set speed:
Use the accelerator to get to the higher speed.
Press
Tat the end of the lever, then release
the button and the accelerator pedal. The vehicle
will now cruise at the higher speed.
Move the Adaptive Cruise Control switch from
RtoS. Hold it there until the desired set speed
is displayed in the HUD, then release the switch.
To increase the set speed in small amounts, move
the switch briey to resume/increase. Each time
this is done, the vehicle set speed increases
by about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
Your vehicle will not reach the set speed until the
system determines there is no vehicle in front of you.
At that point, your vehicle speed will increase to the
set speed.
Decreasing Set Speed While Using
Adaptive Cruise Control
PressTon the end of the lever until the lower
desired speed is reached, then release the button.
To slow down in small amounts, briey press
T.
Each this is done, the set speed will be 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
slower.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the brakes are applied while the Adaptive Cruise
Control is at a set speed, this disengages the Adaptive
Cruise Control. But it does not need to be reset.
Once the vehicle reaches about 25 mph (40 km/h) or
more, move the Adaptive Cruise Control switch
briey from
RtoS. Adaptive Cruise Control will be
engaged with the speed selected previously.
3-18

Alerting the Driver
This symbol ashes on the
HUD and a warning beep
sounds when driver
action is required.
Driver action is required when:
Adaptive Cruise Control cannot apply sufficient
braking because you are approaching a vehicle
too rapidly.
The vehicle speed drops below about
20 mph (32 km/h).
A temporary condition prohibits Adaptive Cruise
Control from operating. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-60for more information.
A malfunction is detected in the system. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-60for more
information.
SeeDefensive Driving on page 5-2.
{CAUTION:
Adaptive Cruise Control has only limited braking
ability to slow your vehicle. In some cases,
Adaptive Cruise Control may not have time to slow
your vehicle enough to avoid a collision. Be ready
to take action and apply the brakes yourself.
SeeDefensive Driving on page 5-2.
Approaching and Following a Vehicle
This symbol only appears
on the HUD when a
vehicle ahead is detected
in your path.
If this symbol does not appear, or disappears briey,
Adaptive Cruise Control will not respond to vehicles you
may see ahead.
3-20