2009 CADILLAC XLR Owners Manual

When the CHANGE OIL NOW message appears, the
following services, checks, and inspections are required:
❑Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on
page 6-15. Reset oil life system. SeeEngine Oil Life
System on page 6-18.An Emission Control Service.
❑Visually check for any leaks or damage.
See footnote (a).
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace
lter. SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-20.
See footnote (h).
❑Check tires for ination pressures and wear. SeeTires
on page 6-46. If tire rotation is recommended for the
vehicle, rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 6-60.
❑Inspect brake system.See footnote (l).❑Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid
levels. If the vehicle has the 4.4L V8 supercharged
engine, check intercooler uid level. Add uid as
needed.
❑Perform any needed additional services. See
“Additional Required Services” in this section.
❑Inspect suspension and steering components.
See footnote (n).
❑Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (m).
❑Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (b).
❑Inspect restraint system components.
See footnote (c).
❑Lubricate body components.See footnote (d).
7-5

Additional Required Services
The following services should be performed at the rst maintenance service after the indicated miles (kilometers)
shown for each item.
Additional Required Services
Service and Miles (Kilometers)25,000
(40 000)50,000
(80 000)75,000
(120 000)100,000
(160 000)125,000
(200 000)150,000
(240 000)
Inspect fuel system for damage or leaks.•••
Inspect exhaust system for loose or
damaged components.•
Replace engine air cleaner lter. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-20.•••
Replace passenger compartment air
lter.See footnote (e).• •••••
Change automatic transmission uid and
lter (severe service).See footnote (f).•••
Change automatic transmission uid and
lter (normal service).•
Replace spark plugs.An Emission
Control Service.•
7-6

Additional Required Services (cont’d)
Service and Miles (Kilometers)25,000
(40 000)50,000
(80 000)75,000
(120 000)100,000
(160 000)125,000
(200 000)150,000
(240 000)
Engine cooling system service (or every
ve years, whichever occurs rst).
An Emission Control Service.
See footnote (g).•
4.4L Supercharged Engine: Intercooler
system service (or every ve years,
whichever occurs rst).See footnote (k).•
Inspect engine accessory drive belt.
An Emission Control Service.
See footnote (j).•
Maintenance Footnotes
(a)A fluid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the fluid level checked. Add fluid if needed.
(b)Inspect wiper blades for wear, cracking, or
contamination. Clean the windshield and wiper blades, if
contaminated. Replace wiper blades that are worn or
damaged. See Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 6-45 and Windshield and Wiper Blades
on page 6-78 for more information.(c)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and safety
belt assemblies are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed
safety belts replaced. Also see Checking the Restraint
Systems on page 1-52.
7-7

(d)Lubricate the trunk key lock cylinder. Lubricate all
body door hinges. Lubricate all hinges and latches,
including those for the hood, trunk, console door, and
any folding seat hardware. More frequent lubrication may
be required when exposed to a corrosive environment.
Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips with a clean
cloth will make them last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
(e)If driving regularly under dusty conditions, the filter
may require replacement more often.
(f)Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
Uses such as high performance operation.
(g)Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer/retailer
perform this service. See Engine Coolant on page 6-23
for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator,
condenser, pressure cap, and filler neck. Pressure
test the cooling system and pressure cap.
(h)If driving regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the filter at each engine oil change.(j)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or
obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.
(k)Drain, flush, and refill intercooler system. This
service can be complex; you should have your dealer/
retailer perform this service. See Engine Coolant on
page 6-23 for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean pressure
cap and filler neck. Pressure test the system and
pressure cap.
(l)Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface
condition. Inspect other brake parts, including calipers,
parking brake, etc.
(m)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if
they are cracked, swollen, or deteriorated. Inspect all
pipes, fittings, and clamps; replace with genuine parts as
needed. To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test
of the cooling system and pressure cap and cleaning the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.
(n)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear. Inspect power steering lines and hoses
for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing,
etc. XLR-V Only: Lubricate the outer ends of both rear
toe-links every other oil change.
7-8

Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure vehicle safety,
dependability, and emission control performance. Your
dealer/retailer can assist with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to the
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7-11.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Notice:It is important to check the engine oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level. Failure to
keep the engine oil at the proper level can cause
damage to the engine not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 6-15.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 6-23.
Intercooler Coolant Level Check
(4.4L Supercharged Engine)
Check the coolant level and add DEX-COOL®coolant
mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant on page 6-23.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level
Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer uid reservoir and add the proper uid if
necessary. SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 6-31.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inspection and Ination Check
Inspect the vehicle’s tires for wear and make sure they
are inated to the correct pressures. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 6-54.
7-9

At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If the vehicle moves, you or
others could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough
room around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-32.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle
should start only in P (Park) or N (Neutral). If the
vehicle starts in any other position, contact
your dealer/retailer for service.
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If the vehicle moves, you or
others could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough
room around the vehicle. It should be parked on a
level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-32.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off and without applying the regular
brake, try to move the shift lever out of P (Park)
with normal effort. If the shift lever moves out
of P (Park), contact your dealer/retailer for service.
7-10

Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission P (Park) Mechanism
Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
begin to move. You or others could be injured and
property could be damaged. Make sure there is
room in front of the vehicle in case it begins to roll.
Be ready to apply the regular brake at once
should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing downhill.
Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the parking
brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With the
engine running and transmission in N (Neutral),
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.
To check the P (Park) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to P (Park). Then
release the parking brake followed by the regular
brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilThe engine requires a special engine
oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M.
Oils meeting this standard can be
identied as synthetic, and should
also be identied with the American
Petroleum Institute (API) Certied for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol.
However, not all synthetic API oils
with the starburst symbol will meet
this GM standard. Look for and use
only an oil that meets GM Standard
GM4718M. For the proper viscosity,
seeEngine Oil on page 6-15.
7-11

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Cooling
System50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 6-23.
Intercooler
System
(4.4L V8
Supercharged
engine)50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
WasherOptikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184,
in Canada 89021186).
XLR-V: Chassis
Lubrication
(Rear Toe-Link
Outer Ends)Chassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985,
in Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Trunk Key Lock
CylinderMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Rear Axle
(Limited-Slip
Differential)DEXRON
®LS Gear Oil
(GM Part No. U.S. 88862624,
in Canada 88862625) meeting
GM Specication 9986290.
SeeRear Axle on page 6-41.
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring
Anchor, and
Release PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346293,
in Canada 992723) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door
HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningWeatherstrip Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 3634770,
in Canada 10953518) or
Dielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579,
in Canada 992887).
7-12