2009 CADILLAC XLR engine

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

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
The vehicle idles in areas with poor ventilation
(parking garages, tunnels, deep snow that may
block underbody airow or tail pipes).
The exhaust smells or sounds strange or
different.
The exhaust system leaks due to corrosion or
damage.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

The vehicle’s exhaust system has been
modied, damaged or improperly repaired.
There are holes or openings in the
vehicle body from damage or after-market
modications that are not completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or if it is suspected
that exhaust is coming into the vehicle:
Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
Have the vehicle repaired immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the engine running in
an enclosed area such as a garage or a building
that has no fresh air ventilation.
2-36

Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has
no fresh air ventilation. For more information, see
Engine ExhaustEngine Exhaust on page 2-36.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if
the automatic transmission 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park on page 2-33.
2-37

Rear Storage Area
There is a cargo divider located in the trunk to keep
cargo from getting in the way of the retractable hardtop.
The cargo divider must be in place for the top to move.
To install the cargo divider, snap the bottom of the
divider onto the snaps (B) located on the oor of the
trunk. Then, pull the divider up and place the pins
on each side of the divider into the notches (A) on either
side of the trunk.
There is also a storage compartment located in the
trunk on the passenger side.To access the storage compartment, unsnap the lid.
To reinstall the lid, line up the opening in the lid over the
snap and push down into place.
Convenience Net
Use the convenience net, located in the rear, to store
small loads as far forward as possible. The net
should not be used to store heavy loads.
Retractable Hardtop
The following procedures explain the proper operation
of the retractable hardtop. The retractable hardtop
will not operate if the valet lockout switch is on.
If the retractable hardtop is lowered or raised multiple
times, the engine should be running while doing so
to prevent drain on the vehicle’s battery.
{CAUTION:
When the retractable hardtop is opened or closed,
people can be injured by the parts that move: the
hardtop and its mechanism, the trunk lid, and the
side windows. Keep people away from these parts
when you are lowering or raising the top.
2-54

Lowering the Retractable Hardtop
Notice:Leaving the retractable hardtop down and
exposing the interior of the vehicle to outdoor
conditions may cause damage. Always close the
retractable hardtop if leaving the vehicle outdoors.
1. Park on a level surface and shift the transmission
into P (Park).
2. The vehicle’s engine must be on or in Acc.
3. Lower both sun visors.
Notice:Raising or lowering the top while the vehicle
is in motion can cause damage to the top or top
mechanism. Make sure the vehicle is in P (Park) to
lower or raise the top.
Notice:Lowering the top if it is damp, wet, or dirty
can cause stains, mildew, and damage to the inside
of your vehicle. Dry off the top before lowering it.
4. Make sure that nothing or no one is on or around
the top. Make sure the trunk cargo cover is in
place with nothing on top or in front of the cargo
cover. SeeRear Storage Area on page 2-54
for more information. Also, make sure the valet
lockout switch is off.5. Push and hold the
bottom of this button
located on the console
behind the shifter lever.
The windows will automatically lower and the top will
automatically lower into the storage area. A chime
will sound when the top has lowered completely.
If the radio is on, the sound may be muted briey while
the retractable top is lowered. This occurs because
a new audio system equalization is being loaded.
Under certain conditions, the Driver Information Center
(DIC) may display messages regarding the retractable
hardtop. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-60
for more information.
If the retractable hardtop does not operate, and there
are no messages displayed on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), then perform the “Power Window Initialize”
steps underPower Windows on page 2-18.
2-55

Raising the Retractable Hardtop
1. Park on a level surface. Shift the transmission into
P (Park).
2. The vehicle’s engine must be on or in Acc.
3. Lower both sun visors.
Notice:Raising or lowering the top while the vehicle
is in motion can cause damage to the top or top
mechanism. Make sure the vehicle is in P (Park) to
lower or raise the top.
4. Make sure nothing or no one is on or around the
top. Make sure the trunk cargo cover is in place
with no cargo on top of or in front of the cargo
cover. SeeRear Storage Area on page 2-54for
more information. Also, be sure the valet lockout
switch is off.5. Push and hold the top
of this button located
behind the shift lever.
The windows will automatically lower and the top will
raise. A chime will sound when the top has raised
completely.
After the top is fully raised, release the retractable
hardtop button.
If the radio is on, you may notice a brief mute in sound.
This is normal and due to a new audio system
equalization being loaded for the vehicle with the top
raised.
Under certain conditions, the Driver Information
Center (DIC) may display messages regarding the
retractable hardtop. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-60for more information.
2-56

Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-41
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-42
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-43
Trip Odometer..............................................3-43
Tachometer.................................................3-43
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-44
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-44
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-45
Charging System Light..................................3-46
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-46
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-47
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light.....3-48
StabiliTrak
®/Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-48
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-49
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-50
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-50
Engine Oil Pressure Gage.............................3-54
Security Light...............................................3-55
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-55Lights On Reminder......................................3-55
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-55
Fuel Gage...................................................3-56
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-57
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-57
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-60
Other Messages...........................................3-70
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-72
Trip Computer................................................3-76
Oil Life Indicator...........................................3-76
Audio System(s).............................................3-76
Bluetooth®...................................................3-77
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-88
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-88
Radio Reception...........................................3-90
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-91
Care of the CD Player...................................3-91
Diversity Antenna System..............................3-91
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.............3-91
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2