2009 CADILLAC XLR tow

Driver Shift Control (DSC)
The Driver Shift Control (DSC) feature lets you manually
control the operation of the transmission.
To use this feature, move
the shift lever from the
D (Drive) position to the left
and into the driver shift
control gate.
The Sport Automatic Mode is selected by moving the
shift lever into the DSC area without shifting towards
the + (plus) or−(minus) symbols. While in the Sport
Automatic Mode, the transmission computer determines
when the vehicle is being driven in a competitive manner.It then selects and holds the transmission in lower gears
giving more noticeable upshifts for sportier vehicle
performance. Once you shift to the + (plus) or−(minus)
controls, the driver manual gear selection is activated.
A + (plus) symbol appears on the shift console above the
D (Drive) indicator and minus symbol appears below the
indicator. The Head-Up Display (HUD) also displays the
requested gear, though the actual upshift or downshift
could be delayed until the engine speed is correct for
that gear.
The requested gear displays on the HUD until the next
time you upshift or downshift. The gear selected
and shown in the HUD is one of a number of gears
available. The vehicle does not upshift beyond the
chosen gear. The actual gear that the vehicle shifts
to depends on a combination of the driver-requested
gear range, vehicle speed and throttle position.
Notice:If you drive the vehicle at high RPMs
without upshifting while using Driver Shift Control
(DSC), you could damage the vehicle. Always upshift
when necessary while using DSC.
If you do not upshift as the engine approaches the red
line on the engine RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) gage,
the engine speed is controlled to limit the engine RPM.
2-30

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

Leaving the Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the
engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly if
the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake rmly set. And, if you leave the vehicle with
the engine running, it could overheat and even
catch re. You or others could be injured. Do not
leave the vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running,
be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking brake is
rmly set before you leave it. After you have moved the
shift lever into P (Park), hold down the regular brake
pedal. See if you can move the shift lever away from
P (Park) without rst pulling it toward you. If you can, it
means that the shift lever was not fully locked into
P (Park).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift the
transmission into P (Park) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of P (Park). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into P (Park) properly before you leave the
driver seat. To nd out how, see “Shifting Into Park”
listed previously in this section.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
P (Park) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of P (Park).
2-34

Shifting Out of Park
Shift lock release prevents shifting out of P (Park)
unless the vehicle is running or in Accessory mode and
the brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in
the case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than
9-volt) battery. SeeJump Starting on page 6-36for
more information.
To shift out of P (Park) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.If you still are unable to shift out of P (Park):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift
lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under the vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that
can burn.
2-35

Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
This vehicle has an automatic dimming inside rearview
mirror with OnStar®controls. SeeOnStar®System on
page 2-42for more information.
O(On/Off):Press to turn the dimming feature
on or off.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
Automatic dimming reduces the glare of lights from
behind the vehicle. The dimming feature comes on and
the indicator light illuminates each time the vehicle is
started.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror. Use a
soft towel dampened with water.
Outside Power Mirrors
Controls for the outside
power mirrors are located
on the driver’s door
armrest.
1. Move
}or|(selector switches) to the left or right
to choose the driver’s or passenger side mirror.
2. Press one of the four edges located on the control
pad to move the mirror to the desired direction.
3. Adjust each outside mirror so that a little of the
vehicle and the area behind can be seen.
Keep the selector switch in the center position when not
adjusting either outside mirror.
Manually fold the mirrors inward by pulling them toward
the vehicle. This feature may be useful when going
through a car wash or a conned space. Push the
mirrors away from the vehicle, to the normal position,
before driving.
2-38

Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning ashers warns others that you have
a problem. The button is located near the center of
the instrument panel.
|:Press to make the front and rear turn signal lamps
ash on and off. Press again to turn the ashers off.
The hazard warning ashers work no matter what mode
the ignition is in, even if the ignition is turned off.
When the hazard warning ashers are on, the turn
signals will not work.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on the steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic
Steering Column
The power tilt and
telescope wheel control is
located on the outboard
side of the steering
column.
To operate the power tilt feature, push the control up
and the steering wheel tilts up. Push the control
down and the steering wheel goes down.
Push the control forward and the steering wheel moves
toward the front of the vehicle. Push the control rearward
and the steering wheel moves toward the rear of the
vehicle. To set the memory position, seeDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-72andMemory Seat, Mirrors
and Steering Wheel on page 1-3.
3-6

If after signaling a turn or a lane change the arrows
ash rapidly or do not come on, a signal bulb could be
burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb is not burned out,
check the fuses. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers
on page 6-83.
Turn Signal on Chime
A chime will remind you if the turn signal is left on for
more than 3/4 mile (1.2 km) of driving.
If you need to leave the turn signal on for more than
3/4 mile (1.2 km), turn off the signal and then turn it
back on.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
Push the turn signal lever all the way forward to
change the headlamps from low beam to high beam.
When the high beams are on, this light
$appears on
the instrument panel cluster.
Pull the lever rearward to change the headlamps back
to low beam.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use the high-beam headlamps to
signal the driver in front of you that you want to pass.
Pull and hold the turn signal lever toward you to use.
When you do, the following will occur:
If the low-beam headlamps are on, the high-beam
headlamps will turn on. They will stay on as long as
you hold the lever there. Release the lever to turn
them off.
If the headlamps are on high-beam, they will switch
to low-beam. To return to high beam, push the lever
away from you.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper lever is located on the right side of
the steering column.
3-8

{CAUTION:
When the Adaptive Cruise Control radar is blocked
by snow, ice, or dirt, it may not detect a vehicle
ahead. Adaptive Cruise Control may not have time
to slow your vehicle enough to avoid a collision.
Do not use Adaptive Cruise Control when the
radar is blocked by snow, ice, or dirt. Keep your
radar clean. See “Cleaning the System” later in
this section.
Adaptive Cruise Control automatically slows the vehicle
down when approaching a slower moving vehicle.
It then adjusts your speed to follow the vehicle in front
at the selected following distance. Your speed increases
or decreases to follow the vehicle in front of you, but
will not exceed the set speed. It may apply limited
braking, if necessary. When braking is active, the brake
lights come on. It may feel or sound different than if
you were applying the brakes yourself. This is normal.
Stationary or Very Slow-Moving Objects
{CAUTION:
Adaptive Cruise Control may not detect and react
to stationary or slow-moving vehicles or other
objects ahead of you. You could crash into an
object ahead of you. Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control when approaching stationary or
slow-moving vehicles or other objects.
{CAUTION:
Adaptive Cruise Control may not detect and react
to stationary or slow-moving vehicles or other
objects ahead of you. Your vehicle may accelerate
toward objects, such as a stopped vehicle that
suddenly appears after the lead vehicle changes
lanes. Your complete attention is always required
while driving and you should be ready to take
action and apply the brakes.
3-21