check engine light CADILLAC XLR 2007 1.G Owners Manual

Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages
that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will
help you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that
something is wrong before it becomes serious
enough to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to your warning
lights and gages could also save you or others
from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As
you will see in the details on the next few
pages, some warning lights come on briey when
you start the engine just to let you know they
are working. If you are familiar with this section,
you should not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often
gages and warning lights work together to let
you know when there is a problem with your
vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and
stays on when you are driving, or when one of the
gages shows there may be a problem, check
the section that tells you what to do about
it. Please follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to
do repairs can be costly — and even dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights and
gages. They are a big help.
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center that
works along with the warning lights and gages.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 203
for more information.
185

Voltmeter Gage
When the vehicle is in
accessory mode, the
voltmeter shows
the voltage output of
your battery. When the
engine is running, it
shows the voltage
output of the charging
system.
The reading will change as the rate of charge
changes (with engine speed, for example), but if
the voltmeter reads at 9 volts or below, your
instrument panel cluster and other systems may
shut down. The Driver Information Center (DIC) will
read LOW VOLTAGE when your vehicle is at
10 volts or below. Have it checked right away.
Driving with the voltmeter reading at 10 volts
or below could drain your battery and disable your
vehicle.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
This light should come on when you start the
engine. If it does not come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If this warning light stays on after you start the
engine, the parking brake may still be set or there
could be a brake problem. Refer toParking
Brake on page 97to see if it is set. If the parking
brake is not set, have your brake system
inspected right away.
United StatesCanada
192

Tire Pressure Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
the ignition on.
This light will also come on when one or more of
your tires are signicantly underinated.
A LOW TIRE PRESS DIC message will
accompany the light, seeOther Messages on
page 219for more information.Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do
so. If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 413for more information.
This light will ash for about 60 seconds and then
turn on solid if a problem is detected with the
Tire Pressure Monitor system.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 423
for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which
monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition,
and emission control
systems.
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This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable
levels for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce
a cleaner environment. The check engine light
comes on to indicate that there is a problem and
service is required. Malfunctions often will be
indicated by the system before any problem is
apparent. This may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle. This system is also designed to
assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, your emission
controls may not work as well, your fuel
economy may not be as good, and your engine
may not run as smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that may not be covered by your
warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of your vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those of the sameTire Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect your
vehicle’s emission controls and may cause
this light to come on. Modications to these
systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This may also result
in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 363.
This light should come on briey, as a check to
show you it is working, as you start the engine. If
the light does not come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in
one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has
been detected. A misre increases vehicle
emissions and may damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis and
service may be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on your
vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
197

Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 366. Poor fuel
quality will cause the engine not to run as
efficiently as designed. You may notice this as
stalling after start-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is
warmed up.) This will be detected by the system
and cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the
light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light
turn off, your dealer can check the vehicle.
Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or may begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on or not working properly.
To perform a check engine light bulb check with the
keyless ignition, make sure the transmitter fob is in
the passenger compartment. SeeIgnition Positions
on page 88. Press the bottom of the Acc. button on
the instrument panel and hold the button down for
ve seconds. The instrument panel, including the
check engine light, will light up and the ignition will
be on, but the engine will not start — if you press
the bottom of the Acc. button only briey, less than
ve seconds, the accessory power mode will be
turned on, but not the ignition. After the bulb check,
be sure to press and release the Acc. button again
to turn the ignition off and avoid draining the
vehicle’s battery.
199

{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is
low. If you do, your engine can become so
hot that it catches re. You or others
could be burned. Check your oil as soon
as possible and have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
Security Light
For information
regarding this light, see
Theft-Deterrent
Systems on page 84.
Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamps light will
come on when the fog
lamps are in use.
The light will go out when the fog lamps are
turned off. SeeFog Lamps on page 168for more
information.
201

BUCKLE PASSENGER
This message reminds you to buckle the
passenger’s safety belt.
This message displays and a chime sounds when
the ignition is on, the driver’s safety belt is
buckled, the passenger’s safety belt is unbuckled
with the passenger 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’s safety belt is already buckled, this
message and chime will not come on.
BUCKLE SEAT BELT
This message reminds you to buckle the driver’s
safety belt.
This message displays and a chime sounds when
the ignition is on, the driver’s safety belt is
unbuckled, and the vehicle is in motion. You
should buckle your 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’s 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 Reminder Light on
page 187for more information.
CHANGE OIL NOW
This message displays when the life of the engine
oil has expired. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 465. After an oil change, the Oil Life Indicator
must be reset. SeeOil Life Indicator on page 224
andEngine Oil Life System on page 380.
CHARGE SYSTEM FAULT
This message displays when a problem with the
charging system has been detected. Have
your vehicle serviced by your dealer.
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.
207

ENGINE PROTECTION REDUCE
ENGINE RPM
If this message displays, the control system has
determined that continued operation at the existing
engine speed may lead to engine overheating.
Lower the engine speed by upshifting the
transmission or drive at a lower speed.
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
This message displays if it is dark enough outside
and the headlamps and Twilight Sentinel®
controls are off. This message informs the driver
that turning on the exterior lamps is recommended.
It has become dark enough outside to require
the headlamps and/or other exterior lamps. This
message also displays if the optional Rainsense™
wiping feature is on and the Twilight Sentinel
®
is off.
HIGH TRANS (Transmission) TEMP
(Temperature)
This message displays when the transmission uid
in your vehicle is too hot. Stop and allow your
vehicle to idle until it cools down or until this
message is removed.
HIGH VOLTAGE
This message displays when the electrical
charging system is overcharging. To avoid being
stranded, have the electrical system checked
by your dealer. You can reduce the charging
overload by using the accessories. Turn on the
lamps and radio, set the climate control on AUTO
and the fan speed on HI, and turn the rear
window defogger on. You can monitor battery
voltage on the DIC by pressing the information
button. The normal range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts
when the engine is running.
HOT ENGINE–A/C OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating
temperature. You can continue to drive your
vehicle. If this message continues to display, have
the system repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible to avoid compressor damage.
ICE POSSIBLE
This message displays when the outside air
temperature is cold enough to create icy road
conditions. Adjust your driving accordingly.
209

SHIFT TO PARK
This message displays if the vehicle is not in
PARK (P) when the engine is being turned off. The
vehicle will be in accessory mode. Once the
shift lever is moved to PARK (P), the vehicle will
turn off.
STABILITRAK ACTIVE
You may see this message on the DIC. It means
that an advanced, computer-controlled system
has come on to help your vehicle continue to go in
the direction in which you are steering. This
stability enhancement system activates when the
computer senses that your vehicle is just
starting to spin, as it might if you hit a patch of ice
or other slippery spot on the road. When the
system is on, you may hear a noise or feel
a vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal.
When this message is on, continue to steer in the
direction you want to go. The system is designed
to help you in bad weather or other difficult driving
situations by making the most of whatever roadconditions will permit. If this message comes on,
you will know that something has caused your
vehicle to start to spin, so consider slowing down.
A single chime also sounds when this message
is displayed.
STABILITRAK READY
If this message displays and a chime sounds, the
system has completed the functional check of
the StabiliTrak
®System.
STABILITRAK WARMING
When you rst start your vehicle and drive away,
especially during cold winter weather, this
message may display along with a chime and the
traction control warning light. This is normal.
You can acknowledge this message by pressing
the RESET button. The StabiliTrak
®System
performance is affected until the STABILITRAK
READY message is displayed in the DIC,
which can take up to 15 minutes.
216

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by
heavy braking — rather than keeping pace with
traffic. This is a mistake. The brakes may not have
time to cool between hard stops. The brakes
will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy
braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and
allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 363.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that
will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You may hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on, and you may even notice that
your brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem
with ABS, this warning
light will stay on.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning
Light on page 193.
327