oil level CADILLAC XLR 2007 1.G Owners Manual

LEFT DOOR AJAR
This message displays anytime the engine is
running, the transmission is not in PARK (P), and
the driver’s door is open or ajar. A chime
sounds when the vehicle’s speed is greater than
3 mph (5 km/h).
LOW BRAKE FLUID
This message displays if the engine is running to
inform the driver that the brake uid level is
low. Have the brake system serviced by your
dealer as soon as possible. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 399.
LOW COOLANT
This message displays when there is a low level
of engine coolant. Have the cooling system
serviced by your dealer as soon as possible. See
Engine Coolant on page 385.
LOW FUEL
This message displays when the fuel supply is
less than 5 gallons (18.9 L) and the display
is turned off. A single chime also sounds when
this message is displayed.
LOW OIL LEVEL
For correct operation of the low oil sensing
system, your vehicle should be on a level surface.
A false LOW OIL LEVEL message may display
if the vehicle is parked on a grade. The oil
level sensing system does not check for actual oil
level if the engine has been off for a short
period of time, and the oil level is never checked
while the engine is running. If the LOW OIL
LEVEL message displays, and your vehicle has
been parked on level ground with the engine off for
at least 30 minutes, the oil level should be
checked by observing the oil dipstick. Prior to
checking the oil level, make sure the engine has
been off for a few minutes and your vehicle is on a
level surface. Then check the dipstick and add
oil if necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 377.
LOW OIL PRESSURE
If this message displays while the engine is
running, stop the engine and do not operate the
vehicle until the cause of low oil pressure is
corrected. Severe damage to the engine can
result. A multiple chime sounds when this
message is displayed.
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XM™ Satellite Radio Service
XM™ Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio
reception from coast-to-coast in the 48 contiguous
United States, and in Canada. Just as with FM,
tall buildings or hills can interfere with satellite
radio signals, causing the sound to fade in and out.
In addition, traveling or standing under heavy
foliage, bridges, garages, or tunnels may cause
loss of XM signal for a period of time. The
radio may display NO XM SIGNAL to indicate
interference.
Cellular Phone Usage
Cellular phone usage may cause interference with
your vehicle’s radio. This interference may
occur when making or receiving phone calls,
charging the phone’s battery, or simply having the
phone on. This interference is an increased
level of static while listening to the radio. If static
is received while listening to the radio, unplug
the cellular phone and turn it off.
Care of Your CDs
Handle CDs carefully. Store them in their original
cases or other protective cases and away from
direct sunlight and dust. The CD player scans the
bottom surface of the disc. If the surface of a
CD is damaged, such as cracked, broken,
or scratched, the CD will not play properly or not
at all. If the surface of a CD is soiled, take a
soft, lint free cloth or dampen a clean, soft cloth in
a mild, neutral detergent solution mixed with
water, and clean it. Make sure the wiping process
starts from the center to the edge.
Do not touch the bottom side of a CD while
handling it; this could damage the surface. Pick up
CDs by grasping the outer edges or the edge of
the hole and the outer edge.
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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 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.Racing or Other Competitive
Driving (XLR-V)
See your warranty book before using your vehicle
for racing or other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for racing or
other competitive driving, the engine may
use more oil than it would with normal use.
Low oil levels can damage the engine. Be sure
to check the oil level often during racing or
other competitive driving and keep the level at
or near 2 quarts (2 L) above the upper mark
that shows the proper operating range on the
engine oil dipstick. For information on how
to add oil, seeEngine Oil on page 377.
After the competitive driving, remove excess
oil so that the level on the dipstick is not above
the upper mark that shows the proper
operating range.
338

Once you are moving on the freeway, make
certain you allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your
exit, do not, under any circumstances, stop and
back up. Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite
sharply. The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce
your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any
distance at higher speeds, you may tend to think
you are going slower than you actually are.Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If
you must start when you are not fresh — such
as after a day’s work — do not plan to make too
many miles that rst part of the journey. Wear
comfortable clothing and shoes you can easily
drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it
needs service, have it done before starting out. Of
course, you will nd experienced and able
service experts in GM dealerships all across North
America. They will be ready and willing to help
if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir
full? Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you
checked all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses
clean?
345

A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 402.
B. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 184.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood
Fuse Block on page 455.
D. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 396.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 382.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 377.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 377.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 399.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on
page 388.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 397.Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL LEVEL or LOW OIL PRESSURE
message on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) appears, it means you need to check the
engine oil level right away. For more information,
see LOW OIL LEVEL and LOW OIL PRESSURE
underDIC Warnings and Messages on page 206.
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 374
for 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.
377

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip
of the dipstick, you will need to add at least one
quart/liter of oil. But you must use the right
kind. This section explains what kind of oil to use.
For engine oil crankcase capacity, seeCapacities
and Specications on page 458.
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 374for 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.
378

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 will need for good
performance and engine protection.
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.
380

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 206. Change your 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 may
not indicate that an oil change is necessary for
over a year. However, your engine oil and
lter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. Your dealer
has GM-trained service people who will perform
this work using genuine GM parts and reset
the system. It is also important to check your oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your 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.How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System and the Oil Life Indicator
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to
change your engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Anytime your oil is changed, reset the
system so it can calculate when the next oil
change is required. If a situation occurs where you
change your oil prior to a CHANGE OIL NOW
message in the DIC being turned on, reset
the system.
After the oil has been changed, the CHANGE OIL
NOW message and the oil life indicator must
be reset. To reset the message use the following
procedure:
1. Press the up or down arrow to scroll the DIC
to show OIL LIFE.
2. Once the XXX% ENGINE OIL LIFE menu item
is highlighted, press and hold the RESET
button until the percentage shows 100%.
If the percentage does not return to 100% or if
the CHANGE OIL NOW message comes
back on when you start your vehicle,
the engine oil life system has not reset.
Repeat the procedure.
381

What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may
be unhealthy for your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very
long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly
dispose of clothing or rags containing used engine
oil. See the manufacturer’s warnings about the use
and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the
ground, into sewers, or into streams or bodies of
water. Instead, recycle it by taking it to a place
that collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of your used oil, ask your
dealer, a service station, or a local recycling center
for help.
Supercharger Oil
Because they are technically qualied and have
the proper tools, you should have your dealer
perform this maintenance.
When to Check
SeeAdditional Required Services on page 467for
when the oil level should be checked.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Use only the recommended supercharger oil. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 473.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 374
for the location of the engine air cleaner/lters.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filters
Inspect the air cleaner/lters at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace them at the rst oil change
after each 50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 465for more
information. If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the lters at each engine oil
change.
382

Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is
what you will see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fan
B. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure Cap{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the
hood can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
391