2009 CADILLAC XLR ABS

Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the
tires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet ice
can occur at about 32°F (0°C) when freezing rain
begins to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can be
treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerate
gently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the surface under
the tires slick, so there is even less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too
fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface
under the tires even more.
TheTraction Control System (TCS) on page 5-8
improves the ability to accelerate on slippery roads, but
slow down and adjust your driving to the road conditions.
TheStabiliTrak
®System on page 5-6might also activate.
When driving through deep snow, turn off the traction
control system to help maintain vehicle motion at lower
speeds.TheAntilock Brake System (ABS) on page 5-5improves
vehicle stability during hard stops on a slippery roads,
but apply the brakes sooner than when on dry
pavement.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery road
and watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur on
otherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surface
of a curve or an overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped, on slippery surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a serious situation.
Stay with the vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use theRoadside Service on page 8-7.
To get help and keep everyone in the vehicle safe:
Turn on theHazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
5-18

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12for
the location of the engine air cleaner/lters.
Notice:If you spray water into the engine air
cleaner/lter intake and water enters the engine air
cleaner/lter housing, you could damage your
vehicle’s engine. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Do not spray water into the
engine air cleaner/lter intake and/or housing.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filters
Inspect the air cleaner/lters at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace them at the rst oil change after
each 50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 7-4for more information.
If you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the
lters at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filters
To inspect the air cleaner/lters, remove the lters from
the vehicle and lightly shake the lters to release loose
dust and dirt. If the lters remain caked with dirt, new
lters are required.To inspect or replace the lters:
1. Some XLR-V vehicles, have a single piece black
cover that snaps over the entire air cleaner
assembly. For vehicles with this cover, simply pull it’s
left/right sides toward the outside of the vehicle and
lift up to remove cover. Reinstall the cover when you
are nished inspecting/replacing the lters.
2. For vehicles that do not have a single piece black
cover, move the clasps on the top of the engine air
cleaner/lter cover forward to unlatch the cover.
3. Lift the front of the cover at an angle and remove.
This is necessary due to the four tabs located on
the rear of the cover.
6-20

Laundry detergents or dishwashing soaps with
degreasers can leave residue that streaks and
attracts dirt. For liquid cleaners, about 20 drops
per gallon (3.78 L) of water is a good guide.
Use only mild, neutral-pH soaps.
Too much cleaner that saturates the upholstery.
Organic solvents such as naptha, alcohol, etc. that
can damage your vehicle’s interior.
Fabric/Carpet
Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment
frequently to remove dust and loose dirt. A canister
vacuum with a beater bar in the nozzle may only be used
on oor carpet and carpeted oor mats. For any soil,
always try to remove it rst with plain water or club soda.
Before cleaning, gently remove as much of the soil as
possible using one of the following techniques:
For liquids: gently blot the remaining soil with a paper
towel. Allow the soil to absorb into the paper towel
until no more can be removed.
For solid dry soils: remove as much as possible and
then vacuum.
To clean:
1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white cloth with water or
club soda.
2. Wring the cloth to remove excess moisture.3. Start on the outside edge of the soil and gently rub
toward the center. Continue cleaning, using a clean
area of the cloth each time it becomes soiled.
4. Continue to gently rub the soiled area until the
cleaning cloth remains clean.
5. If the soil is not completely removed, use a mild
soap solution and repeat the cleaning process
that was used with plain water.
If any of the soil remains, a commercial fabric cleaner or
spot lifter may be necessary. When a commercial
upholstery cleaner or spot lifter is to be used, test a
small hidden area for colorfastness rst. If the locally
cleaned area gives any impression that a ring formation
may result, clean the entire surface.
After the cleaning process has been completed, a paper
towel can be used to blot excess moisture from the
fabric or carpet.
Leather
A soft cloth dampened with water can be used to remove
dust. If a more thorough cleaning is necessary, a soft
cloth dampened with a mild soap solution can be used.
Allow the leather to dry naturally. Do not use heat to dry.
Never use steam to clean leather. Never use spot lifters
or spot removers on leather. Many commercial leather
cleaners and coatings that are sold to preserve and
protect leather may permanently change the appearance
and feel of your leather and are not recommended.
6-75

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 6-3
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-34
Adaptive Cruise Control...................................3-14
Adaptive Forward Lighting System.....................3-28
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-50
Additives, Fuel................................................. 6-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................6-82
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................6-20
Air Conditioning..............................................3-36
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-45
Readiness Light..........................................3-44
Airbag System................................................1-38
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-50
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
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-44
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-42
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-40
Antenna, Diversity Antenna System...................3-91Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System......................................................3-91
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 5-5
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-48
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............6-79
Care of Safety Belts....................................6-76
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................6-81
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................6-77
Fabric/Carpet..............................................6-75
Fiberglass Springs.......................................6-81
Finish Care.................................................6-78
Finish Damage............................................6-80
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................
6-76
Interior Cleaning..........................................6-74
Leather......................................................6-75
Sheet Metal Damage...................................6-80
Speaker Covers..........................................6-76
Tires..........................................................6-80
Underbody Maintenance...............................6-80
Washing Your Vehicle...................................6-77
Weatherstrips..............................................6-77
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................6-78
Wood Panels..............................................6-76
Appointments, Scheduling Service.....................8-10
1

Instrument Panel
Brightness..................................................3-30
Cluster.......................................................3-42
Overview..................................................... 3-4
J
Jump Starting.................................................6-36
K
Keyless Access System.............................2-4, 4-48
Keyless Access System, Operation...................... 2-5
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................6-48
Lamp
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-50
Lamps
Courtesy....................................................3-30
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-30
Reading.....................................................3-30
Twilight Sentinel
®........................................3-29Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-20
LATCH System for Child Restraints...................1-33
Lifting the Vehicle, Tires...................................6-68
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-44
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning............3-48
Brake System Warning.................................3-47
Charging System.........................................3-46
Fog Lamp ..................................................3-55
Highbeam On.............................................3-55
Lights On Reminder.....................................3-55
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-45
Safety Belt Reminders..................................3-44
Security.....................................................3-55
StabiliTrak
®/Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light..........................................3-48
Tire Pressure..............................................3-50
Lighting
Entry/Exit...................................................3-30
Lights
Exterior Lamps............................................3-26
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-27
Limited-Slip Rear Axle.....................................5-10
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................5-21
Lockout Protection..........................................2-13
7