2009 CADILLAC XLR ignition

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time the new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake linings.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
Ignition Positions
The vehicle has an
electronic keyless ignition
with push-button start.
In order to shift out of P (Park), the vehicle must be
running or in OFF/ACCESSORY mode and the regular
brake pedal must be applied.
/(START):Press while your foot is on the brake to
start the engine. The shifter must be in P (Park) or
N (Neutral) to start the engine and the keyless access
transmitter must be in the vehicle for the ignition to work.
2-24

9Acc. (OFF/ACCESSORY):When this button is
pressed, the engine will turn off even if the shifter is not
in P (Park). If the shifter is in P (Park), 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 2-25for more information.
If the shifter is not in P (Park), the ignition mode will
change to Acc. SeeShifting Into Park on page 2-33.
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 the vehicle in motion while the engine is off, for
example, if the 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, the vehicle may be
near a strong radio antenna signal causing interference to
the keyless access system. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-60for 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)
Power to the following accessories continues to work for
up to 10 minutes after the engine is turned off or until
a door is opened:
Audio System
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Power Windows
For an 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.
2-25

Starting the Engine
To place the transmission in the proper gear:
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). To restart
the engine when the vehicle is already moving, use
N (Neutral).
Notice:Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage
the transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when
the vehicle is stopped.
The keyless access transmitter must be inside the
vehicle for the ignition to work.
Cell phone chargers can interfere with the operation of
the Keyless Access System. Battery chargers should
not be plugged in when starting or turning off the engine.
To start the vehicle, do the following:
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot on the brake pedal, press the
START button located on the instrument panel.
If there is not a keyless access transmitter in
the vehicle or if there is something causing
interference with it, the DIC will display NO FOBS
DETECTED. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-60for more information.2. When the engine begins cranking, let go of the
button and the engine cranks automatically until
it starts. If the battery in the keyless access
transmitter is weak, the DIC displays KEY FOB
BATTERY LOW. You can still drive the vehicle.
See “Battery Replacement” underKeyless Access
System Operation on page 2-5for more information.
If the fob battery is dead, you need to insert the
fob into the fob slot to enable engine starting.
See “No Fobs Detected” underDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-60.
3. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts.
4. If the engine does not start and no DIC message is
displayed, wait 15 seconds before trying again to let
the cranking motor cool down.
If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below
0°F or−18°C), it could be ooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator pedal all the
way to the oor while cranking for up to 15 seconds
maximum.
2-26

Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal is
located to the left of the
regular brake pedal,
near the driver door.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down, then push the parking brake pedal down.
If the ignition is on, the parking brake indicator light on
the instrument panel cluster should come on. If it
does not, you need to have the vehicle serviced.When you move out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) 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 P (Park) 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 P (Park) and turn the ignition off.
2-32

Reach under the driver 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 the vehicle towed to your dealer/retailer 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.
Shifting Into Park
{CAUTION:
It can be 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. 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, use the steps that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking
brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 2-32for more
information.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by pushing the
lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition off.
2-33

To program up to three devices:
1. Press START or put the vehicle in accessory mode.
SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-24for additional
information.
Programming can only occur when the vehicle is
running or in accessory mode.
2. From inside the vehicle, press the two outside
buttons at the same time for one to two seconds,
and immediately release them.3. Locate in the garage, the garage door opener
receiver (motor-head unit). Locate the “Learn”
or “Smart” button. It can usually be found where the
hanging antenna wire is attached to the motor-head
unit and may be a colored button. Press this
button. After pressing this button, complete the
following steps in less than 30 seconds.
2-47

4. Immediately return to the vehicle. Press and hold
the Universal Home Remote button that will be
used to control the garage door until the garage
door moves. The indicator light, above the selected
button, should slowly blink. This button may
need to be held for up to 20 seconds.
5. Immediately, within one second, release the button
when the garage door moves. The indicator light
blinks rapidly until programming is complete.
6. Press and release the same button again.
The garage door should move, conrming
that programming is successful and complete.
To program another Rolling Code device such as an
additional garage door opener, a security device,
or home automation device, repeat Steps 1-6, choosing
a different function button in Step 4 than what was
used for the garage door opener.
If these instructions do not work, the garage door
opener is probably a Fixed Code unit. Follow the
Programming instructions that follow for a Fixed Code
garage door opener.Programming Universal Home
Remote — Fixed Code
For questions or help programming the Universal Home
Remote System, call 1-866-572-2728 or go to
learcar2u.com.
Most garage door openers sold before 1996 are Fixed
Code units.
Programming a garage door opener involves
time-sensitive actions, so read the entire procedure
before starting. Otherwise, the device will time out and
the procedure will have to be repeated.
To program up to three devices:
1. Press START or put the vehicle in accessory mode.
SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-24for additional
information.
Programming can only occur when the vehicle is
running or in accessory mode.
2-48

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A.Head-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-31orInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-30.
B.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.Cruise
Control on page 3-11.Exterior Lamps on page 3-26.
Fog Lamps on page 3-28.
C.Instrument Panel Cluster on page 3-42.
D.Windshield Wipers on page 3-8andWindshield
Washer on page 3-10.
E. Driver Information Center (DIC) Controls/Interior
Lamps. SeeDIC Operation and Displays on
page 3-57.
F.Outlet Adjustment on page 3-40.
G.Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
H.Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-88.
Adaptive Cruise Control on page 3-14(If Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel on page 3-7. Voice
Commands. SeeOnStar
®System on page 2-42.I.Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering Column
on page 3-6.
J.Horn on page 3-6.
K.Ignition Positions on page 2-24.
L. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-28.
M.Traction Control System (TCS) on page 5-8.
N.Retractable Hardtop on page 2-54.
O.Cupholders on page 2-53.
P. Cigarette Lighter. SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-35.
Q.Dual Climate Control System on page 3-36.
R. Audio/Navigation System. SeeNavigation System
Overview on page 4-2.
S.Glove Box on page 2-53.
3-5