CADILLAC XLR 2008 1.G Owners Manual

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 in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on,
it means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens, have
the vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-46for more on this, including
important safety information.
Charging System Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
on the ignition, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show
you it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the charging system. A charging system
Driver Information Center (DIC) message may also
appear. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-63
for more information. This light could indicate that you
have problems with a generator drive belt, or another
electrical problem. Have it checked right away.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as
the radio and air conditioner.
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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 2-30
to see if it is set. If the parking brake is not set, have
your brake system inspected right away.
United StatesCanada
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If the light comes on while you are driving and you have
a LOW BRAKE FLUID message showing on the DIC,
pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice
that the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may
go closer to the oor. It may take longer to stop.
If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 5-27.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning
light on can lead to an accident. If the light
is still on after you have pulled off the road
and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
Antilock Brake System
Warning Light
For vehicles with
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this
light will come on
briey when you
start the engine.
That is normal. If the light does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off, if the light
comes on when you are 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 still
stays on, or comes on again while you are driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, you still have brakes, but you do
not have antilock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you do not have antilock
brakes and there is a problem with your regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-50
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-63for
all brake related DIC messages.
3-51

Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
This light should
come on briey as
you start the engine.
If the light does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
The light will also come on while the StabiliTrak
®system
warms up and the STABILITRAK WARMING message
will be displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC).
If it stays on, or comes on and the DIC shows a
SERVICE TRACTION SYS message when you are
driving, there is a problem with your Traction Control
System (TCS) and your vehicle needs service.
When this light is on, the system will not limit wheel
spin. Adjust your driving accordingly. If the driver turns
off TCS by pressing the button on the console, the
TCS light will come on and the TRACTION SYSTEM
OFF message will show on the DIC.If the light stays on or comes on while you are driving,
a chime sounds and a SERVICE STABILITRAK
message appears on the DIC, there is a problem with
your StabiliTrak
®and the vehicle needs service.
You can acknowledge this message by pressing the
RESET button. When the SERVICE STABILITRAK
message is displayed, the StabiliTrak
®system will not
assist you in controlling the vehicle. You should have the
system serviced as soon as possible. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
When the system is working, you will see the
STABILITRAK ACTIVE message displayed in the DIC.
You may also feel of hear the system working.
This is normal.
If you turn off the StabiliTrak
®system, by pressing the
front part of the button on the console for ve seconds,
the TCS light will come on, a chime will sound and
the TRAC/STABILITRAK OFF message will be
displayed in the DIC. The TCS will also be turned off.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-63
for more information.
If the StabiliTrak
®system and TCS are turned off,
pressing the console button momentarily will
turn both systems on. The DIC will display the
TRAC/STABILITRAK ON message, the instrument
cluster light will be off and a chime will sound.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-63for
more information.
3-52

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
As the pointer nears 260°F (125°C), your engine coolant
temperature is high. A message may display on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) depending on how high
the temperature is. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-63for more information.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 6-27for more
information.
Tire Pressure Light
This light will come
on briey when the
engine is started.
This light will also come on when one or more of your
tires are signicantly underinated.
A tire pressure Driver Information Center (DIC) message
will accompany the light, seeOther Messages on
page 3-74for 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 6-52for more information.
If a problem is detected with the Tire Pressure Monitor
System, this light will ash for approximately 60 seconds
and then stay on solid for the remainder of the ignition
cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 6-61
for more information. United States
Canada
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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.
The check engine light
comes on to indicate
that there is an OBD II
problem and service
is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before
any problem is apparent. This can 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 a while, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel economymight not be as good, and the engine might not
run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs
that might 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 same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This could
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 6-3.
This light comes on briey, as a check to show it is
working, as you start the engine. If the light does not
come on, have it repaired. This light also comes
on during a malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and could damage the emission control system
on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service might
be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
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If the Light Is Flashing
The following can prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the engine off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart
the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If the
Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still ashing,
follow the previous steps, and see your dealer/retailer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You might be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install the
cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 6-7. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off orimproperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap allows
fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips
with the cap properly installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your vehicle’s electrical system might be wet. The
condition is usually corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 6-5. Poor fuel quality causes
the engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You
might 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 might 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/retailer can check the vehicle. Your
dealer/retailer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or electrical
problems that might have developed.
3-55

Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or might 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 2-23. 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.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines that
critical emission control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would
be considered not ready for inspection. This can
happen if you have recently replaced the battery or
if the battery has run down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and your
vehicle still does not pass the inspection for lack of
OBD system readiness, your dealer/retailer can prepare
the vehicle for inspection.
3-56

Engine Oil Pressure Gage
The engine oil pressure gage shows the engine oil
pressure in psi (pounds per square inch) or kPa
(kilopascals) when the engine is running.
Oil pressure should be 20 to 80 psi (140 to 550 kPa).
In certain situations such as long, extended idles on
hot days, it could read as low as 6 psi (40 kPa) and still
be considered normal. It may vary with engine speed,
outside temperature and oil viscosity. The Driver
Information Center (DIC) may display messages
regarding the oil condition. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-63andEngine Oil on page 6-16.
{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. United States
Canada
3-57

Security Light
For information regarding
this light and the vehicle’s
security system, see
Theft-Deterrent System
on page 2-19.
Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp 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 3-30for more information.
Lights On Reminder
This light comes
on whenever the
headlamps are on.
SeeHorn on page 3-6for more information.
Highbeam On Light
This light comes on
when the high-beam
headlamps are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-9
for more information.
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