open hood CADILLAC XLR 2009 1.G Owners Manual

There is also a sensor located behind the front bumper.
This sensor reads the outside air temperature and
helps maintain the temperature inside the vehicle.
The outside temperature will be displayed in the
navigation system only when the engine is running.
Any cover on the front of the vehicle could give a false
reading of the temperature.
If the outside temperature goes up, the display
temperature will not change until:
The vehicle’s speed is above 15 mph (24 km/h)
for ve minutes.
The vehicle’s speed is above 32 mph (51 km/h)
for two and one-half minutes.
These delays prevent false readings. If the temperature
goes down, the outside temperature will be shown
when the vehicle is started. If it has been turned off for
less than three hours, the temperature will be recalled
from the previous vehicle operation.
There is also an inside temperature sensor located to
the left of the ignition button. The automatic climate
control system uses this sensor to receive information,
so if it is blocked or covered, the system will not
function properly.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the thumbwheel to open or close the outlets.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into the vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the area around the base of the instrument
panel console and air path under the seats clear
of objects to help circulate the air inside of the
vehicle more effectively.
3-40

Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment air lter removes certain
particles from the air, including pollen and dust particles.
Reductions in airow, which may occur more often in
dusty areas, indicate that the lter may need to be
replaced early.
The lter should be replaced as part of the routine
scheduled maintenance. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 7-4for more information.
To check or replace the air lter, do the following:
1. With the hood open, unlatch and remove the
access panel.
The passenger compartment air lter and access
panel are located on the passenger side of the
engine compartment near the battery. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 6-12for more
information on location.
2. Pull the old lter out of the housing.
3. Insert the new lter into the housing.
4. Reinstall the air lter access panel.
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
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 the warning lights and gages could prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is
a problem with one of the vehicle’s functions. Some
warning lights come on briey when the engine is started
to indicate they are working.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of the vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to indicate a problem with
the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
while driving, or when one of the gages shows there
may be a problem, check the section that explains
what to do. Follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to
do repairs can be costly and even dangerous.
3-41

If the vehicle has the 4.4L V8 engine (VIN Code D),
use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 91 or higher. For best performance, use
premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 93. In an emergency, you can use regular
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher.
If 87 octane fuel is used, do not perform any aggressive
driving maneuvers such as wide open throttle
applications. You might also hear audible spark knock
during acceleration. Rell the tank with premium fuel as
soon as possible to avoid damaging the engine. If you are
using gasoline rated at 91 octane or higher and you hear
heavy knocking, the engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specication
D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511
in Canada. Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 6-6
for additional information.
California Fuel
If the vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specications. See the underhood
emission control label. If this fuel is not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, the
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specications, but emission control system performance
might be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp
could turn on and the vehicle might fail a smog-check
test. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-50.
If this occurs, return to your authorized dealer/retailer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is
caused by the type of fuel used, repairs might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors
6-6

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it is in the
vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel vapor. You can be
badly burned and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:
Dispense fuel only into approved containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed, or on
any surface other than the ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the inside
of the ll opening before operating the nozzle.
Contact should be maintained until the lling
is complete.
Do not smoke while pumping fuel.
Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping fuel.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a re. These include liquids like fuel, oil,
coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and other
uids, and plastic or rubber. You or others could
be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill things
that will burn onto a hot engine.
6-10

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

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

If Steam Is Coming From The Engine
Compartment
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Turn it off and get everyone away from the
vehicle until it cools down. Wait until there is no sign
of steam or coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when the vehicles engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop the engine if it
overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 6-29for information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
An overheat warning, along with a low coolant message,
can indicate a serious problem.
If an engine overheat warning is displayed with no low
coolant message, but no steam can be seen or
heard, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when the vehicle:
Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
Stops after high-speed driving.
Idles for long periods in traffic.
Tows a trailer.
6-28

Notice:If you try to start your vehicle by pushing
or pulling it, you could damage your vehicle. Do not
push or pull your vehicle to start it; instead, use
the jump starting procedure in this manual to start
your vehicle when the battery has run down.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-volt
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you do not want. You would not be able
to start your vehicle, and the bad grounding
could damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake rmly on both vehicles involved in
the jump start procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or a manual transmission
in NEUTRAL before setting the parking brake.Notice:If you leave the radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not be covered by the
warranty. Always turn off the radio and other
accessories when jump starting the vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or the accessory power outlet. Turn off
the radio and all lamps that are not needed. This
will avoid sparks and help save both batteries. And
it could save the radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive (+) and negative (−) terminal locations on
each vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 6-12for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
An electric fan 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.
6-37

Headlamp Vertical Aiming
To properly prepare the vehicle for vertical headlamp
aiming, seeHeadlamp Aiming on page 6-42for
more information.
Notice:Horizontal aiming must be performed
before making any adjustments to the vertical aim.
Adjusting the vertical aim rst will result in an
incorrect headlamp aim.
To adjust the vertical aim:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 6-11
for more information.
2. Locate the aim dot on the inner projector lens of the
low-beam headlamp.
3. Measure the distance from the ground to the aim
dot on each low-beam headlamp. Record this
distance.4. At the wall or other at surface, measure from the
ground upward (A) to the recorded distance from
Step 3 and mark it.
Notice:Do not cover a headlamp to improve beam
cut-off when aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up which may cause
damage to the headlamp.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line (B) on the wall or at
surface the width of the vehicle at the height of the
mark in Step 4.
6. Turn on the low-beam headlamps and place a
piece of cardboard in front of the headlamp not
being aimed. This should allow only the beam of
light from the headlamp being aimed to be seen on
the at surface.
6-43

Underhood Fuse Block
The underhood fuse block
is located next to the
engine on the passenger
side of the vehicle.
For more information on
location, seeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 6-12.
Notice:Spilling liquid on any electrical components
on the vehicle may damage it. Always keep the
covers on any electrical component.
To access the fuses, push in the tab located at the end
of the fuse block cover. Then lift the cover open.
Fuses Usage
1Antilock Brake System, Electronic
Suspension Control, Adaptive
Forward Lighting System (AFS)
2 Horn
3Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC),
Transmission Controls
6-87