2009 CADILLAC XLR steering wheel

Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective than
braking. For example, you come over a hill and nd a
truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out
from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked
cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these
problems by braking — if you can stop in time. But
sometimes you cannot; there is not room. That is the time
for evasive action — steering around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like
these. First apply the brakes. SeeBraking on page 5-4.
It is better to remove as much speed as you can from a
possible collision. Then steer around the problem, to the
left or right depending on the space available.
An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you
can turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer
quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel
once you have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving
at all times and wear safety belts properly.
5-11

Off-Road Recovery
Your vehicle’s right wheels can drop off the edge of a
road onto the shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer
so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement.
Turn the steering wheel 3 to 5 inches, 76 to 127 mm,
(about one-eighth turn) until the right front tire contacts
the pavement edge. Then turn the steering wheel to go
straight down the roadway.
Passing
Passing another vehicle on a two-lane road can be
dangerous. To reduce the risk of danger while passing:
Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads
for situations that might affect a successful pass.
If in doubt, wait.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and
lines that could indicate a turn or an intersection.
Never cross a solid or double-solid line on your side
of the lane.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to
pass. Doing so can reduce your visibility.
Wait your turn to pass a slow vehicle.
When you are being passed, ease to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the
driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
5-12

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels are
not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only
the acceleration skid. If your traction control system
is off, then an acceleration skid is best handled
by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you
will want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your
best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower
gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on
the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
5-13

Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the
tires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet ice
can occur at about 32°F (0°C) when freezing rain
begins to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can be
treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerate
gently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the surface under
the tires slick, so there is even less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too
fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface
under the tires even more.
TheTraction Control System (TCS) on page 5-8
improves the ability to accelerate on slippery roads, but
slow down and adjust your driving to the road conditions.
TheStabiliTrak
®System on page 5-6might also activate.
When driving through deep snow, turn off the traction
control system to help maintain vehicle motion at lower
speeds.TheAntilock Brake System (ABS) on page 5-5improves
vehicle stability during hard stops on a slippery roads,
but apply the brakes sooner than when on dry
pavement.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery road
and watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur on
otherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surface
of a curve or an overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped, on slippery surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a serious situation.
Stay with the vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use theRoadside Service on page 8-7.
To get help and keep everyone in the vehicle safe:
Turn on theHazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
5-18

If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the
vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 5-20.
If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often help
to free a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle’s traction
system in the Index. If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the traction system off
and use the rocking method.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high speed,
they can explode, and you or others could be
injured. The vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment re or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and avoid going above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire chains on the vehicle,
seeTire Chains on page 6-68.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area
around the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stability
system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes a
rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that does not
get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to be
towed out. If the vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 5-26.
5-20

Fuses Usage
CLSTR/HUDInstrument Panel Cluster, Heads-up
Display (HUD)
COLUMN LK
MDLNot Used
DECK LID
CLOSE/PRK/
BRK BTrunk Close Button, Parking Brake
Solenoid B
DR LOCKS Door Locks
ECM Engine Control Module
EMPTY Not Used
EMPTY Not Used
EMPTY Not Used
EMPTY Not Used
EMPTY Not Used
FOLDING
TOP/TRUNK
LATCHRetractable Hardtop, Trunk Latch
FUSE PULLER Fuse Puller
GMLAN
DEVICESGMLAN Devices
HTD STR WHL Heated Steering Wheel
HTD/SEAT LH Driver Side Heated Seat
HTD/SEAT RH Passenger Side Heated Seat
HVAC/PWR
SNDClimate Control System, Power
SounderFuses Usage
IGN SW/INTR
SNSRIgnition Switch, Intrusion Sensor
INTERIOR
LIGHTSInterior Lights
ISRVM/HVACInside Rearview Mirror, Climate
Control System, Column Lock,
Power Sounder
ONSTAR OnStar
®
PRK/BRK
SOL AParking Brake Solenoid A
PWR FLDG
MIR-EXT/RETPower Folding Mirror
PWR LUMBAR
LH/RHPower Lumbar
RADIO/S-BAND/
VICSRadio, S-Band, CD Changer
REAR
FOG/ALDLRear Fog Lamps, Diagnostic Link
Connector
REVERSE
LAMPReverse Lamp
REVERSE
LAMPSReverse Lamps
RPA/H/C
SEAT/WPR
RELAYSRear Park Aid, Heated/Cooled
Seats, Windshield Wiper Relays
RUN/ACSRY
PWRRun, Accessory Power
6-85

Fuses Usage
RUN/CRANK Starter/Crank
SDM/PSIR SW Airbags
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse
STOP LAMP Stoplamp
STR WHL
DIMMINGSteering Wheel Control Button
Lights
TILT/TELE
SW/MEM SEAT
MOD/TOP SWPower Tilt Wheel, Telescopic
Steering Column, Memory Seat,
Driver Seat Switch, Retractable
Hardtop Switch
TUTD
SW/STRG
COL SWTap-Up/Tap-Down Switch
WPR DWELL Rainsense™Relays Usage
PRK/BRK
HOLDPark Brake Hold
PRK/BRK
RELEASEPark Brake Release
F/MIR
RETRACTNot Used
FOG RR Not Used
F/MIR EXTEND Not Used
FUEL DR Fuel Door
Circuit
BreakersUsage
PWR SEAT Power Seats
DR CNTRLS Door Controls
6-86

Ashtray.........................................................3-35
Audio System.........................................3-76, 4-52
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-88
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-91
Care of Your CDs ........................................3-91
Diversity Antenna System.............................3-91
Radio Reception..........................................3-90
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-88
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-91
Automatic Door Lock.......................................2-13
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................6-21
Operation...................................................2-28
Avoid Point/Area, Edit......................................4-25
B
Battery..........................................................6-35
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-30
Run-Down Protection...................................3-31
Bluetooth
®.....................................................3-77
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 5-6
Brake Fluid....................................................6-32
Brakes..........................................................6-32
System Warning Light..................................3-47Braking........................................................... 5-4
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 5-6
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-24
Bulb Replacement...........................................6-45
Headlamp Aiming........................................6-42
Buying New Tires...........................................6-62
C
California Fuel.................................................. 6-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 6-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 6-4
Canadian Owners............................................... iii
Capacities and Specications............................6-90
Carbon Monoxide...........................2-14, 2-36, 5-18
Care of
Safety Belts................................................6-76
Your CD Player...........................................3-91
Your CDs ...................................................3-91
CD
Six-Disc Changer.........................................4-65
CD/DVD Player..............................................4-68
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-53
Chains, Tire...................................................6-68
Charging System Light....................................3-46
2