2009 CADILLAC XLR brake

SERVICE ABS (Antilock Brake System)
If this message displays when you are driving, stop
as soon as possible and turn the ignition off. Then start
the engine again to reset the system. If the message
stays on, or comes back on again while you are driving,
the vehicle is in need of service. See your dealer/retailer.
If the SERVICE ABS message is being displayed, the
Traction Control System (TCS) and StabiliTrak
®System
will also be disabled. The Driver Information Center
will scroll three messages: SERVICE ABS, SERVICE
TRACTION SYS, and SERVICE STABILITRAK, and the
antilock brake system and traction control warning
lights on the instrument panel cluster will be illuminated.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light on
page 3-48andStabiliTrak
®/Traction Control System
(TCS) Warning Light on page 3-48. The driver can
acknowledge these messages by pressing the RESET
button three times. When the service message is
displayed, the computer controlled systems will not
assist the driver and you should have the system
repaired by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
SERVICE AFS (Adaptive Forward
Lighting System) LAMPS
This message displays when the Adaptive Forward
Lighting System (AFS) is disabled and needs service.
See your dealer/retailer. SeeAdaptive Forward Lighting
System on page 3-28for more information.
SERVICE ELECT (Electrical) SYSTEM
This message displays if an electrical problem has
occurred within the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE FUEL SYSTEM
This message displays when the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM) has detected a problem within the fuel
system. Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
This message will also be displayed when the cluster is
not getting fuel information from the PCM.
SERVICE RADAR CRUISE
If the vehicle has this feature, this message displays
when the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system
is disabled and needs service. See your dealer/retailer.
3-67

SERVICE RIDE CONTROL
This message displays when there is a problem with
the Magnetic Ride Control System. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE TRACTION SYS (System)
This message displays when there is a problem with
the Traction Control System (TCS). Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
If this message displays, it means there may be a
problem with the stability enhancement system. If you
see this message, try to reset the system. Stop, turn off
the engine, then start the engine again. If this message
still comes on, it means there is a problem. You should
see your dealer/retailer for service. Reduce your
speed and drive accordingly. A single chime also
sounds when this message is displayed.
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays when there is a problem with
the transmission. Have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays when a non-emissions related
powertrain malfunction occurs. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SHIFT TO PARK
This message displays if the vehicle is not in P (Park)
when the engine is being turned off. The vehicle will be
in accessory mode. Once the shift lever is moved to
P (Park), the vehicle will turn off.
STABILITRAK ACTIVE
You may see this message on the DIC. It means that
an advanced, computer-controlled system has come on
to help the vehicle continue to go in the direction in
which you are steering. This stability enhancement
system activates when the computer senses that the
vehicle is just starting to spin, as it might if you hit
a patch of ice or other slippery spot on the road.
When the system is on, you may hear a noise or
feel a vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal.
When this message is on, continue to steer in the
direction you want to go. The system is designed to help
you in bad weather or other difficult driving situations by
making the most of whatever road conditions will permit.
If this message comes on, you will know that something
has caused the vehicle to start to spin, so consider
slowing down. A single chime also sounds when this
message is displayed.
3-68

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle............5-2
Defensive Driving...........................................5-2
Drunk Driving.................................................5-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................5-3
Braking.........................................................5-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................5-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................5-6
StabiliTrak
®System........................................5-6
Traction Control System (TCS).........................5-8
Magnetic Ride Control™................................5-10
Limited-Slip Rear Axle...................................5-10
Steering......................................................5-10
Off-Road Recovery.......................................5-12
Passing.......................................................5-12
Loss of Control.............................................5-12
Racing or Other Competitive Driving (XLR-V)......5-14Driving at Night............................................5-14
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................5-15
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................5-16
Highway Hypnosis........................................5-16
Hill and Mountain Roads................................5-17
Winter Driving..............................................5-18
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................5-20
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................5-20
Loading the Vehicle......................................5-21
Towing..........................................................5-26
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................5-26
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................5-26
Towing a Trailer...........................................5-26
Section 5 Driving Your Vehicle
5-1

Police records show that almost 40 percent of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases,
these deaths are the result of someone who was
drinking and driving. In recent years, more than
17,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths have been
associated with the use of alcohol, with about
250,000 people injured.
For persons under 21, it is against the law in every
U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol
and then drive.
Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s
system can make crash injuries worse, especially
injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This meansthat when anyone who has been drinking — driver
or passenger — is in a crash, that person’s chance of
being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if the
person had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control your vehicle
while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator.
At times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to
ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. Meaning, you can lose control of
your vehicle. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 5-8andStabiliTrak
®System on page 5-6.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 6-3.
5-3

Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-47.
Braking action involves perception time and reaction
time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to bring
up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement or
gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is wet, dry, or
icy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes; the weight of
the vehicle; and the amount of brake force applied.Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. The brakes might not have time to cool
between hard stops. The brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are driving,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If you do,
the pedal could get harder to push down. If the
engine stops, you will still have some power brake
assist. But you will use it when you brake. Once the
power assist is used up, it can take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 6-3.
5-4

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS),
an advanced electronic braking system that will
help prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and begin to drive away,
ABS will check itself. You might hear a momentary
motor or clicking noise while this test is going on, and
you might even notice that the brake pedal moves
a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light will
stay on. SeeAntilock Brake
System (ABS) Warning
Light on page 3-48.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, as
required, faster than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time you need to
get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you will not have time to apply the brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let antilock work for you. You might hear
a motor or clicking noise and feel the brake pedal
move a little during a stop, but this is normal.
5-5

Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same time.
In many emergencies, steering can help more than even
the very best braking.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a Brake Assist feature designed to
assist the driver in stopping or decreasing vehicle speed
in emergency driving conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake control module to
supplement the power brake system under conditions
where the driver has quickly and forcefully applied
the brake pedal in an attempt to quickly stop or slow
down the vehicle. The stability system hydraulic
brake control module increases brake pressure at each
corner of the vehicle until the ABS activates. Minor
brake pedal pulsations or pedal movement during this
time is normal and the driver should continue to
apply the brake pedal as the driving situation dictates
The Brake Assist feature will automatically disengage
when the brake pedal is released or brake pedal
pressure is quickly decreased.
StabiliTrak®System
The StabiliTrak System is a computer controlled system
that helps the driver maintain directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions. This is accomplished
by selectively applying any one of the vehicle’s brakes.
The Traction Control
System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
light is located on the
instrument panel.
STABILITRAK ACTIVE comes on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) when the system is working. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-60for more
information. The system may be heard or felt while it is
working. This is normal.
The TCS/StabiliTrak light comes on the instrument panel,
a chime will sound, and SERVICE STABILITRAK comes
on the DIC if there is a problem with the system.
5-6

Performance Mode — XLR-V Only
Notice:When traction control is turned off, or
Performance Mode is active, it is possible to lose
traction. If a shift is attempted with the rear wheels
spinning with a loss of traction, it is possible to
cause damage to the transmission. Do not attempt to
shift when the rear wheels do not have traction.
Damage caused by misuse of the vehicle is not
covered. See the warranty book for additional
information.
For vehicles with this feature, the Performance Mode
can be selected by pressing the TCS/StabiliTrak button
on the console two times quickly. PERFORMANCE
MODE comes on the DIC. Performance Mode allows the
driver to have full control of the rear wheels while the
StabiliTrak System helps maintain directional control of
the vehicle by applying the brakes as necessary.
The TCS/StabiliTrak light will not be on. The TCS will
not be operating. Adjust your driving accordingly.
When the TCS/StabiliTrak button is pressed again, the
StabiliTrak and Traction Control Systems will be on.
The TRAC/STABILITRAK ON message will be displayed
briey in the DIC and a chime will be heard.
Traction Control System (TCS)
The vehicle has a traction control system that limits
wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the rear wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system works the rear brakes and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The TRAC SYSTEM ACTIVE message will display on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) when the traction
control system is limiting wheel spin. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-60. The system may be
heard or felt while it is working, but this is normal.
If cruise control is being used when the traction control
system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control
will automatically disengage. Cruise control may be
reengaged when road conditions allow. SeeAdaptive
Cruise Control on page 3-14orCruise Control on
page 3-11for more information.
5-8