2009 CADILLAC XLR ABS

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

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this light comes on
briey when the engine
is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is not
on, the vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning light is also on,
the vehicle does not have antilock brakes and there is a
problem with the regular brakes. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-47.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-60for all
brake related DIC messages.
StabiliTrak®/Traction Control
System (TCS) Warning Light
The Traction Control
System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
system warning light
comes on briey as the
engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator lights go off.
If the light stays on, or comes on while driving and
the DIC shows a SERVICE TRACTION SYS or
a SERVICE STABILITRAK message, there is a
problem with the Traction Control System (TCS)
or the StabiliTrak
®system and the vehicle needs
service.
3-48

DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages appear if there is a problem detected
in one of the vehicle’s systems. You must then press
RESET to clear the display screen for further use.
However, be sure to take any message that appears
on the display screen seriously and remember that
pressing the RESET button will only make the message
disappear, not the problem.
DIC messages can also be displayed in English,
French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish.
ABS (Antilock Brake System) ACTIVE
This message displays when the Antilock Brake
System (ABS) is adjusting brake pressure to help avoid
a braking skid.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this message
displays, so adjust your driving accordingly. The
message may stay on for a few seconds after the
system stops adjusting brake pressure.
BUCKLE PASSENGER
This message reminds you to buckle the passenger
safety belt.
This message displays and a chime sounds when
the ignition is on, the driver safety belt is buckled,
the passenger safety belt is unbuckled with thepassenger airbag enabled, and the vehicle is in
motion. You should have the passenger buckle their
safety belt.
The reminder will be repeated if the ignition is on, the
vehicle is in motion, the driver is buckled and the
passenger is still unbuckled, and the passenger airbag
is enabled. If the passenger safety belt is already
buckled, this message and chime will not come on.
BUCKLE SEAT BELT
This message reminds you to buckle the driver
safety belt.
This message displays and a chime sounds when the
ignition is on, the driver safety belt is unbuckled, and the
vehicle is in motion. You should buckle the safety belt.
If the driver remains unbuckled when the ignition is
on and the vehicle is in motion, the reminder will
be repeated. If the driver safety belt is already buckled,
this message and chime will not come on.
This message is an additional reminder to the Safety
Belt Reminder Light in the instrument panel cluster.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-44for more
information.
3-60

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

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

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

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