2009 CADILLAC XLR steering

Traveling Across Regions
If driving across several states, the selected region
might have to be changed to represent the destination.
There are two ways to plan a destination when
traveling across regions.
The following method is suggested and provides the
most route guidance and map display functions:
1. Change the selected search area region as you get
closer to the destination. See “Setting the Search
Area” underMaps on page 4-38.
2. Enter the destination and route settings. SeeEnter
Destination on page 4-27for more information.
If not using the rst method, keep the currently
selected search area region and enter the destination.
This method allows a destination selection from the
easy planning route method or from the All Points of
Interest (POI) categories with the “All Search Areas”
comment for US Only. For example, Tourist is a category
that features this comment. SeeEnter Destination on
page 4-27for more information.If traveling in or to Canada and the regional border is
crossed, the only map scale views available are 4 mi,
8 mi, 31 mi, and 128 mi (8 km, 16 km, 64 km and
256 km). Change the selected search area region when
you get closer to the destination. See “Setting the Search
Area” underMaps on page 4-38for more information.
Keyless Access System
When the engine is started, Driver 1 or Driver 2 displays
on the screen. A message will not appear on the
screen if the driver is unknown. The number on the back
of the transmitter corresponds to driver 1 or driver 2.
The navigation system can store memory points for
drivers 1 and 2 individually. SeeKeyless Access System
Operation on page 2-5for more information.
OnStar®System
When using the OnStar®system, the audio system
mutes and the navigation voice prompts become
disabled during the call. The volume of the OnStar call
can be adjusted by using the steering wheel volume
controls. SeeOnStar
®System on page 2-42for
more information.
4-48

current station. If the current station does not broadcast
traffic announcements, the audio system seeks to a
station which will. When the audio system nds a station
which broadcasts traffic announcements, it will stop.
If no station is found, TA will turn off.
While a traffic announcement plays, the audio system
uses TA volume. To increase TA volume, touch the VOL
button on the steering wheel or use the VOL up or down
buttons during the announcement. See “Voice Guidance
Volume Settings” underSetup Menu on page 4-12for
more information.
When a traffic announcement comes on the current radio
station or a related network station, it will be heard even
if the volume is muted or a CD is playing. If the audio
system tunes to a related network station for a traffic
announcement, it returns to the original station when the
announcement is nished. If the CD player was being
used, the CD will stay in the player and resume play at
the point where it stopped.
Touch RDS followed by TA again to turn TA off.
SG (Message):When RDS is on, if the current station
has a message, MSG displays. Touch MSG from the
preset menu to view the message. If the whole message
does not appear on the display, parts of the message
appears every three seconds until the message iscompleted. Once the complete message has been
displayed, MSG disappears from the display until another
new message is received. MSG remains available
allowing the entire message to be displayed again.
PTY:PTY seeks only to stations with desired types of
programming. This button is used to turn on and off
Program Type (PTY) features.
With RDS on, touch RDS, followed by PTY. The PTY
display turns on. Touch RDS followed by this button
again to turn the PTY display off.
Select PTY (Select Program Type):With RDS and
PTY on, touch RDS, then SEL PTY. The PTY menu
appears. Use the up and down arrows to select a PTY.
Touch the PTY selection and the system returns to
the screen with the preset stations shown. See Steps 1
through 7 under “Preset Station Menu” to store the
selected PTYs. The selected PTY is then stored on the
preset. Touch the PTY preset to recall your settings.
When the PTY display is on, press TUNE/SEEK
and SCAN to nd radio stations of the PTY selected.
The last PTY selected is used for seek and scan modes.
If a station with the selected PTY is not found, NONE
FOUND appears on the display. If both PTY and TA
are on, the audio system searches for stations with
traffic announcements and the selected PTY.
4-61

PTY (Program Type) Presets:The six presets let you
return to favorite PTYs. These presets have factory
PTY preset stations. See “RDS Program Type (PTY)
Selections” later in this section. Up to 12 PTYs, 6 FM 1
and 6 FM2 can be set. To save a PTY preset:
1. Touch FM1 or FM2.
2. Touch RDS to enter the RDS menu.
3. Touch RDS ON/OFF to turn RDS on.
4. Touch PTY.
5. Touch SEL PTY and select the desired PTY from
the list.
6. Touch and hold one of the six presets for more
than two seconds until a beep is heard. Whenever
that numbered preset is touched for less than
two seconds, the PTY that was set, returns.
7. Repeat the steps for each preset.
Once a PTY is stored for each of the preset stations, a
PTY preset can be recalled by touching the preset station
for less than two seconds. Then use TUNE/SEEK or
SCAN to locate a station for that PTY selection.ALERT:This type of announcement warns of national
or local emergencies. Alert announcements cannot
be turned off. Alert announcements come on even if
RDS mode is turned off. ALERT appears on the display
when an alert announcement plays. The audio system
uses TA volume during these announcements.
To increase volume, touch the VOL button on the
steering wheel or use the VOL up and down buttons
during the announcement. See “Voice Guidance Volume
Settings” underSetup Menu on page 4-12for more
information. When an alert announcement comes on the
tuned radio station or a related network station, it will
be heard even if the volume is muted or a CD is playing.
If the audio system tunes to a related network station
for an alert announcement, it returns to the original
station when the announcement is nished. If the CD
player is playing, the player stops for the announcement
and resume when the announcement is nished.
4-62

Voice Recognition
The navigation system’s voice recognition allows for
hands-free operation of navigation and audio system
features. Voice recognition can be used when the
ignition is on or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
is active.
This feature only works if the map DVD is inserted and
I AGREE has been selected. If voice recognition is used
without the map DVD inserted, the system displays
“Please insert the navigation map DVD to use the voice
recognition feature.” See “Installing the DVD Map Disc”
underMaps on page 4-38.
To use navigation voice recognition:
1. Push and hold the talk
symbol steering wheel
control until a beep is
heard. The audio
system mutes.2. Clearly state one of the commands listed on the
following pages. For example, say “FM1”.
3. The system states the command being implemented.
For example, the system says “FM1 Radio” and
change the audio system to the FM1 source.
The voice recognition can be ended by not speaking
any commands. After about ve seconds of silence, the
system automatically cancels voice recognition.
At times, the system may not understand a spoken
command. If this happens, try saying the command
again. If a spoken command is not available, the system
provides feedback based on availability.
While using voice recognition, make sure to keep
interior noise levels to a minimum. Otherwise, the
system might not recognize voice commands.
The system only recognizes commands spoken in
English.
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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 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

Magnetic Ride Control™
With this feature, Magnetic Ride Control automatically
adjusts the ride of the vehicle based on driving
conditions. The controller receives input from the system
to determine the proper ride. If the controller detects
a problem within the system, the DIC will display a
SERVICE RIDE CONTROL message. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-60for more
information. See your dealer/retailer for service.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Vehicles with a limited-slip rear axle can give more
traction on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like
a standard axle most of the time, but when traction
is low, this feature allows the drive wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist
Steering System
This system continuously adjusts the effort you feel
when steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides ease
when parking, yet a rm, solid feel at highway speeds.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tires
and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is
banked, and your speed. While in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
If you need to reduce speed, do it before you enter the
curve, while the front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust the speed so you can drive through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait
to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
5-10