2009 CADILLAC XLR service indicator

In many crashes severe enough to inate the airbag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. Additional
windshield breakage may also occur from the right front
passenger airbag.
Airbags are designed to inate only once. After an
airbag inates, you will need some new parts for the
airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag
system will not be there to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include airbag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
The vehicle has a crash sensing and diagnostic
module which records information after a crash.
SeeVehicle Data Recording and Privacy on
page 8-16andEvent Data Recorders on page 8-17.
Let only qualied technicians work on the airbag
system. Improper service can mean that the airbag
system will not work properly. See your dealer/
retailer for service.
Passenger Sensing System
The vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the
right front passenger position. The passenger airbag
status indicator will be visible in the rearview mirror
when the vehicle is started.The words ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off,
will be visible during the system check. When the system
check is complete, either the word ON or OFF, or the
symbol for on or off, will be visible. SeePassenger Airbag
Status Indicator on page 3-45. United States
Canada
1-45

The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off
the right front passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted
side impact airbag if:
The right front passenger seat is unoccupied.
The system determines that an infant is present in a
rear-facing infant seat.
The system determines that a small child is present
in a child restraint.
The system determines that a small child is present
in a booster seat.
A right front passenger takes his/her weight off of the
seat for a period of time.
The right front passenger seat is occupied by a
smaller person, such as a child who has outgrown
child restraints.
Or, if there is a critical problem with the airbag
system or the passenger sensing system.
When the passenger sensing system has turned off the
right front passenger frontal airbag, and seat-mounted
side impact airbag, the off indicator will light and stay lit
to remind you that the airbag(s) are off. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-45.The passenger sensing system is designed to turn on
(may inate) the right front passenger frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag anytime the system
senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in
the right front passenger seat.
When the passenger sensing system has allowed the
airbags to be enabled, the on indicator will light and stay
lit to remind you that the airbags are active.
For some children who have outgrown child restraints
and for very small adults, the passenger sensing system
may or may not turn off the right front passenger frontal
airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag, depending
upon the person’s seating posture and body build.
Everyone in the vehicle who has outgrown child restraints
should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there
is an airbag for that person.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes on and
stays on, it means that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help avoid injury to
yourself or others, have the vehicle serviced right
away. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-44
for more information, including important safety
information.
1-47

Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal is
located to the left of the
regular brake pedal,
near the driver door.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down, then push the parking brake pedal down.
If the ignition is on, the parking brake indicator light on
the instrument panel cluster should come on. If it
does not, you need to have the vehicle serviced.When you move out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) and the
engine is running, the parking brake should release.
If the parking brake has not been fully released and you
try to drive off with the parking brake on, the parking
brake indicator light will come on and stay on.
If the parking brake does not fully release, you can
manually release the pedal.
{CAUTION:
Always shift to P (Park) before pulling the manual
release lever. If your hand or arm is in the way of
the pedal you could be hurt. The pedal springs
back quickly. Keep your hand and arm away when
you use the manual release lever.
Before releasing the manual parking brake, be sure to
put the vehicle in P (Park) and turn the ignition off.
2-32

Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger sensing system.
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-45for
important safety information. The rearview mirror has
a passenger airbag status indicator.
When the vehicle is started, the passenger airbag status
indicator will light ON and OFF, or the symbol for on
and off, for several seconds as a system check. Then,
after several more seconds, the status indicator willlight either ON or OFF, or either the on or off symbol to
let you know the status of the right front passenger
frontal and seat-mounted side impact airbags.
If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the right front
passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact
airbag are enabled (may inate).
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the passenger
sensing system has turned off the right front passenger
frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag.
If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the passenger sensing
system. See your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes on and
stays on, it means that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help avoid injury to
yourself or others, have the vehicle serviced right
away. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-44
for more information, including important safety
information. United StatesCanada
3-45

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

Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the tire
pressure light, it 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.
This light also comes on when one or more of the tires
is signicantly underinated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC) can accompany the light. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-60for more
information.
Stop and check the tires as soon as it is safe to do so.
If underinated, inate the tire to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 6-46for more information.
If a problem is detected with the Tire Pressure Monitor
System, this light ashes for approximately 60 seconds
and then stays on for the remainder of the ignition
cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 6-55
for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems. It makes
sure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
This comes on briey
while starting the engine.
If it does not come on,
have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer.
If the check engine light comes on and stays on, while
the engine is running, this indicates that there is an
OBD II problem and service is required.
3-50

CHANGE OIL NOW
This message displays when the life of the engine oil
has expired. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 7-4.
After an oil change, the Oil Life Indicator must be
reset. SeeOil Life Indicator on page 3-76andEngine
Oil Life System on page 6-18.
CHARGE SYSTEM FAULT
This message displays when a problem with the
charging system has been detected. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays if the fuel cap has not been fully
tightened. Check the fuel cap to make sure that it is
on properly.
CLEAN RADAR CRUISE
If the vehicle has this feature, this message displays
when the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system
is disabled because the radar is blocked and cannot
detect vehicles in your path. It may also activate during
heavy rain or due to road spray. To clean the system,
seeAdaptive Cruise Control on page 3-14.
CLOSE CARGO DIVIDER
This message displays if the cargo divider is not in
place. Open the trunk and make sure the cargo divider
is secure and no objects are on the divider. SeeRear
Storage Area on page 2-54for more information.
COOLANT OVER TEMP (Temperature)
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle in P (Park) until it cools down and the message is
removed. Do not increase engine speed above a
normal idle. If it does not cool down, turn off the engine
and have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer
before driving it again. Severe engine damage can result
from an overheated engine. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 6-27.
CRUISE NOT READY
This message indicates that the Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC) will not activate due to a temporary condition.
The vehicle does not require service. If this message
displays when you attempt to activate the system,
continue driving for several minutes, then try to activate
the system again.
3-61

If the vehicle has the 4.4L V8 engine (VIN Code D),
use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 91 or higher. For best performance, use
premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 93. In an emergency, you can use regular
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher.
If 87 octane fuel is used, do not perform any aggressive
driving maneuvers such as wide open throttle
applications. You might also hear audible spark knock
during acceleration. Rell the tank with premium fuel as
soon as possible to avoid damaging the engine. If you are
using gasoline rated at 91 octane or higher and you hear
heavy knocking, the engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specication
D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511
in Canada. Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 6-6
for additional information.
California Fuel
If the vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specications. See the underhood
emission control label. If this fuel is not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, the
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specications, but emission control system performance
might be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp
could turn on and the vehicle might fail a smog-check
test. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-50.
If this occurs, return to your authorized dealer/retailer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is
caused by the type of fuel used, repairs might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors
6-6