CADILLAC XLR 2009 1.G Owners Manual

Reach under the driver side of the instrument panel and
pull down on the manual release lever, which is located
behind the parking brake pedal. Pull down on the yellow
tab. If the parking brake does not release, you should
have the vehicle towed to your dealer/retailer for service.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Shifting Into Park
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake rmly set. The vehicle can roll. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, use the steps that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking
brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 2-32for more
information.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by pushing the
lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition off.
2-33

Leaving the Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the
engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly if
the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake rmly set. And, if you leave the vehicle with
the engine running, it could overheat and even
catch re. You or others could be injured. Do not
leave the vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running,
be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking brake is
rmly set before you leave it. After you have moved the
shift lever into P (Park), hold down the regular brake
pedal. See if you can move the shift lever away from
P (Park) without rst pulling it toward you. If you can, it
means that the shift lever was not fully locked into
P (Park).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift the
transmission into P (Park) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of P (Park). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into P (Park) properly before you leave the
driver seat. To nd out how, see “Shifting Into Park”
listed previously in this section.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
P (Park) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of P (Park).
2-34

Shifting Out of Park
Shift lock release prevents shifting out of P (Park)
unless the vehicle is running or in Accessory mode and
the brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in
the case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than
9-volt) battery. SeeJump Starting on page 6-36for
more information.
To shift out of P (Park) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.If you still are unable to shift out of P (Park):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift
lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under the vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that
can burn.
2-35

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
The vehicle idles in areas with poor ventilation
(parking garages, tunnels, deep snow that may
block underbody airow or tail pipes).
The exhaust smells or sounds strange or
different.
The exhaust system leaks due to corrosion or
damage.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

The vehicle’s exhaust system has been
modied, damaged or improperly repaired.
There are holes or openings in the
vehicle body from damage or after-market
modications that are not completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or if it is suspected
that exhaust is coming into the vehicle:
Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
Have the vehicle repaired immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the engine running in
an enclosed area such as a garage or a building
that has no fresh air ventilation.
2-36

Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has
no fresh air ventilation. For more information, see
Engine ExhaustEngine Exhaust on page 2-36.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if
the automatic transmission shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake rmly set.
The vehicle can roll. Do not leave the vehicle when
the engine is running unless you have to. If you
have left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake
and move the shift lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park on page 2-33.
2-37

Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
This vehicle has an automatic dimming inside rearview
mirror with OnStar®controls. SeeOnStar®System on
page 2-42for more information.
O(On/Off):Press to turn the dimming feature
on or off.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
Automatic dimming reduces the glare of lights from
behind the vehicle. The dimming feature comes on and
the indicator light illuminates each time the vehicle is
started.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror. Use a
soft towel dampened with water.
Outside Power Mirrors
Controls for the outside
power mirrors are located
on the driver’s door
armrest.
1. Move
}or|(selector switches) to the left or right
to choose the driver’s or passenger side mirror.
2. Press one of the four edges located on the control
pad to move the mirror to the desired direction.
3. Adjust each outside mirror so that a little of the
vehicle and the area behind can be seen.
Keep the selector switch in the center position when not
adjusting either outside mirror.
Manually fold the mirrors inward by pulling them toward
the vehicle. This feature may be useful when going
through a car wash or a conned space. Push the
mirrors away from the vehicle, to the normal position,
before driving.
2-38

Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror
The driver’s side mirror adjusts for the glare of
headlamps behind you. This feature is controlled by the
on and off settings on the inside automatic dimming
rearview mirror. SeeAutomatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror on page 2-38for more information.
Park Assist Mirror
Vehicles with the memory package are capable of having
the passenger mirror tilt to a preselected position when
the vehicle is in R (Reverse). This feature lets the driver
view the curb when parallel parking. If further adjustment
is needed after the mirror is tilted, the mirror switch may
be used. The mirror then returns to this new position
when the vehicle is shifted into R (Reverse).
When the vehicle is shifted out of R (Reverse) and a
ve-second delay has occurred, the passenger
side mirror returns to its original position.
Turn this feature on or off through the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle Personalization on
page 3-72for more information.
Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you could
hit a vehicle on the right. Check the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex shaped. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen from
the driver’s seat.
Outside Heated Mirrors
<(Rear Window Defogger):Press to heat the
mirrors. See “Rear Window Defogger” underDual
Climate Control System on page 3-36.
Store the preferred mirror position by using the memory
option. SeeMemory Seat, Mirrors and Steering
Wheel on page 1-3.
2-39

Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA)
For vehicles with the URPA system, it operates at speeds
less than 3 mph (5 km/h), and assists the driver with
parking and avoiding objects while in R (Reverse).
The sensors on the rear bumper are used to detect the
distance to an object up to 5 feet (1.5 m) behind the
vehicle, and at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) off the ground.
{CAUTION:
The Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) system
does not replace driver vision. It cannot detect:
objects that are below the bumper, underneath
the vehicle, or if they are too close or far from
the vehicle
children, pedestrians, bicyclists, or pets.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If you do not use proper care before and while
backing; vehicle damage, injury, or death could
occur. Even with URPA, always check behind the
vehicle before backing up. While backing, be sure
to look for objects and check the vehicle’s mirrors.
The display is located
between the driver and
passenger seatbacks.
URPA uses three color-coded lights to provide distance
and system information.
2-40

How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically when the shift lever is
moved into R (Reverse). The rear display briey
illuminates to indicate the system is working.
URPA operates only at speeds less than 3 mph (5 km/h).
If the vehicle is above this speed, the red light on the rear
display will ash.
To be detected, objects must be at least 10 inches
(25.4 cm) off the ground and below trunk level. Objects
must also be within 5 feet (1.5 m) from the rear bumper.
This distance may be less during warmer or humid
weather.
A single beep will sound the rst time an object is
detected between 20 inches (0.5 m) and 5 feet (1.5 m)
away. Beeping will occur when the vehicle is closer
than 20 inches (0.5 m) from the object.
The following describes what will occur with the URPA
display as the vehicle gets closer to a detected object:
Description English Metric
amber light 5 ft 1.5 m
amber/amber lights 40 in 1.0 m
amber/amber/red
lights/continuous beep20 in 0.5 m
amber/amber/red
lights ashing and
continuous beep1 ft 0.3 m
When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
If the URPA system will not activate due to a temporary
condition, a red light will be shown on the rear URPA
display when the shift lever is moved into R (Reverse).
This occurs under the following conditions:
The ultrasonic sensors are not clean. Keep the
vehicle’s rear bumper free of mud, dirt, snow,
ice and slush. For cleaning instructions, see
Washing Your Vehicle on page 6-77.
An object was hanging out of the trunk during the
last drive cycle. Once the object is removed,
URPA will return to normal operation.
The vehicle’s bumper is damaged. Take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer to repair the system.
Other conditions may affect system performance,
such as vibrations from a jackhammer or the
compression of air brakes on a very large truck.
If the system is still disabled after driving forward at
least 15 mph (25 km/h), take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
2-41

OnStar®System
OnStar uses several innovative technologies and live
advisors to provide a wide range of safety, security,
information, and convenience services. If the airbags
deploy, the system is designed to make an automatic
call to OnStar Emergency advisors who can request
emergency services be sent to your location. If the keys
are locked in the vehicle, call OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR
to have a signal sent to unlock the doors. OnStar
Hands-Free Calling, including 30 trial minutes good
for 60 days, is available on most vehicles. OnStar
Turn-by-Turn Navigation service, with one trial route, is
available on most vehicles. Press the OnStar button to
have an OnStar advisor contact Roadside Service.OnStar service is provided subject to the OnStar Terms
and Conditions included in the OnStar Subscriber
glove box literature.
Some services such as Remote Door Unlock or Stolen
Vehicle Location Assistance may not be available until
the owner of the vehicle registers with OnStar. After the
rst prepaid year, contact OnStar to select a monthly or
annual subscription payment plan. If a payment plan is
not selected, the OnStar system and all services,
including airbag notication and emergency services,
may be deactivated and no longer available. For more
information visit onstar.com (U.S.) or onstar.ca (Canada),
or press the OnStar button to speak with an advisor.
Not all OnStar services are available on all vehicles.
To check if this vehicle is able to provide the services
described below, or for a full description of OnStar
services and system limitations, see the OnStar Owner’s
Guide in the glove box or visit onstar.com (U.S.) or
onstar.ca (Canada), contact OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827) or TTY 1-877-248-2080, or press the
OnStar button to speak with an OnStar advisor 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week.
2-42