CADILLAC XLR 2008 1.G Owners Manual

Hood Release
To lift the hood, use the following steps:
1. Pull the lever with this
symbol on it. It is
located on the lower
left side of the
instrument panel.
2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and nd the
secondary hood release lever. The lever is
located under the hood near the center of the
vehicle. Move the release lever to the right and raise
the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all ller caps are on
properly. Then pull the hood down and close it rmly.
6-11

Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 4.6L V8 engine, here is what you will see:
6-12

A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 6-40.
B. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-42.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 6-94.
D. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 6-35.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6-22.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-16.G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-16.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 6-37.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on
page 6-27.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-36.
6-13

When you open the hood on the 4.4L V8 XLR-V engine, here is what you will see:
6-14

A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 6-40.
B. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-42.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 6-94.
D. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 6-35.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6-22.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-16.G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-16.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 6-37.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on
page 6-27.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-36.
6-15

Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL LEVEL or LOW OIL PRESSURE
message on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
appears, check the engine oil level right away.
For more information, see LOW OIL LEVEL and
LOW OIL PRESSURE underDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-63. You should check the engine
oil level regularly; this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on
level ground.The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not
do this, the oil dipstick might not show the
actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper
towel or cloth, then push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip down, and check
the level.
6-16

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip
of the dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of the
recommended oil. This section explains what kind of
oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on page 6-97.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be damaged.SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 6-12for
the location of the
engine oil ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the
way back in when you are through.
6-17

What Kind of Engine Oil to UseLook for three things:
GM4718M
Your vehicle’s engine requires a special oil
meeting GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting
this standard may be identied as synthetic.
However, not all synthetic oils will meet this
GM standard. Look for and use only an oil that
meets GM Standard GM4718M.
Notice:If you use oils that do not have the
GM4718M Standard designation, you can cause
engine damage not covered by your warranty.
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best
for your vehicle.
These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity
oils such as SAE 20W-50.
American Petroleum Institute (API) starburst symbol
6-18

Oils meeting these
requirements should have
the starburst symbol on
the container. This symbol
indicates that the oil
has been certied by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
Look for this on the oil container, and use only those
oils that are identied as meeting GM Standard
GM4718M and have the starburst symbol on the front of
the oil container.
Your vehicle’s engine is lled at the factory with a
Mobil 1
®synthetic oil, which meets all requirements for
your vehicle.Substitute Engine Oil: When adding oil to maintain
engine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M
may not be available. You can add substitute oil
designated SAE 5W-30 with the starburst symbol at all
temperatures. Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard
GM4718M should not be used for an oil change.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM4718M are all you need for good performance and
engine protection.
6-19

Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and lter. This is
based on engine revolutions and engine temperature,
and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated
can vary considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, you must reset the system every time the oil
is changed.
Notice:If your vehicle is an XLR-V model, the
engine uses a special oil lter. The use of any other
engine oil lter could lead to lter failure and
result in severe engine damage. Damage caused by
use of the wrong engine oil lter would not be
covered by your new vehicle warranty.When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE OIL NOW message in the DIC
will come on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-63. Change the oil as soon as possible within the
next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if you
are driving under the best conditions, the oil life system
might not indicate that an oil change is necessary for
over a year. However, the engine oil and lter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the
system must be reset. Your dealer/retailer has trained
service people who will perform this work using genuine
parts and reset the system. It is also important to
check the oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change
the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
6-20