warning light CADILLAC XLR V 2006 1.G User Guide

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster and Driver Information Center (DIC) are designed to let you know at a glance how the
vehicle is running. You will know how fast you are going, about how much fuel you have left and many other things you
will need to know to drive safely and economically. The instrument panel cluster indicator warning lights, gages and
DIC messages are explained on the following pages.
United States Base Cluster shown, Canada and Uplevel similar
3-49

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 2-29
to see if it is set. If the parking brake is not set, have
your brake system inspected right away.
United StatesCanada
3-54

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 5-37.
{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.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light will come
on when your engine is
started and may stay
on for several seconds.
That is normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition off. Or, if the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as possible
and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine again to
reset the system. If the 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 anti-lock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning light is also on, you
do not have anti-lock brakes and there is a problem with
your regular brakes. See “Service ABS” underDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-67.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on
briey when you turn the ignition on. This 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.
3-55

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 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 system
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 traction control system light will come on, a chime will
sound and the TRAC/STABILITRAK OFF message will
be displayed in the DIC. The Traction Control System will
also be turned off. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-67for more information.
If the StabiliTrak
®system and Traction Control System
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 3-67for
more information.
3-56

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 3-67for more information.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 6-25for more
information.
Tire Pressure Light
This light should come
on briey as you start the
engine. It will then come on
only when a at or low tire
pressure condition exists.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 6-59for
more information.
United States
Canada
3-57

The Driver Information Center will scroll three messages:
SERVICE ABS, SERVICE TRACTION SYS and
SERVICE STABILITRAK, and the anti-lock brake system
and traction control warning lights on the instrument
panel cluster will be illuminated. SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light on page 3-55andTraction
Control System (TCS) Warning Light on page 3-56. The
driver can acknowledge these messages by pressing
the RESET button three times. When the service
message is displayed, the computer controlled systems
will not assist the driver and you should have the
system repaired by your GM dealer as soon as possible.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
SERVICE AFS LAMPS:This message indicates that
the Adaptive Forward Lighting System (AFS) is disabled
and needs service. See your GM dealer. SeeAdaptive
Forward Lighting System on page 3-31for more
information.
SERVICE ELECT (Electrical) SYSTEM:This message
will display if an electrical problem has occurred within
the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). Have your vehicle
serviced by your GM dealer.
SERVICE FUEL SYSTEM:The Powertrain Control
Module (PCM) has detected a problem within the
fuel system when this message appears. Have your
vehicle serviced by your GM dealer. This message will
also be displayed when the cluster is not getting
fuel information from the PCM.SERVICE RADAR CRUISE:If your vehicle has this
feature, this message indicates that the Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) system is disabled and needs service.
See your GM dealer.
SERVICE RIDE CONTROL:This message indicates
there is a problem with the Magnetic Ride Control
System. Have your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer.
SERVICE TRACTION SYS (System):This message
indicates there is a problem with the Traction Control
System (TCS). Have your vehicle serviced by your
GM dealer.
SERVICE STABILITRAK:If this message appears,
it means there may be a problem with your stability
enhancement system. If you see this message, try to
reset the system. Stop, turn off the engine, then start the
engine again. If the SERVICE STABILITRAK message
still comes on, it means there is a problem. You should
see your GM dealer for service. Reduce your speed and
drive accordingly. A single chime will also sound when
this message is displayed.
SERVICE TRANSMISSION:This message indicates
that there is a problem with the transmission. Have your
vehicle serviced by your GM dealer.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON:This message is displayed
when a non-emissions related powertrain malfunction
occurs. Have your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer
as soon as possible.
3-74

SHIFT TO PARK:This message indicates that the
vehicle is not in PARK (P) when the engine is being
turned off. The vehicle will be in accessory mode. Once
the shifter is moved to PARK (P), the vehicle will turn off.
STABILITRAK ACTIVE:You may see the
STABILITRAK ACTIVE message on the DIC. It means
that an advanced, computer-controlled system has
come on to help your vehicle continue to go in
the direction in which you are steering. This stability
enhancement system activates when the computer
senses that your vehicle is just starting to spin, as it
might if you hit a patch of ice or other slippery spot
on the road. When the system is on, you may hear
a noise or feel a vibration in the brake pedal.
This is normal.
When the STABILITRAK ACTIVE message is on, you
should continue to steer in the direction you want to go.
The system is designed to help you in bad weather
or other difficult driving situations by making the
most of whatever road conditions will permit. If the
STABILITRAK ACTIVE message comes on, you will
know that something has caused your vehicle to start to
spin, so you should consider slowing down. A single
chime will also sound when this message is displayed.
STABILITRAK READY:If this message appears
and a chime sounds, the system has completed the
functional check of the StabiliTrak
®System.STABILITRAK WARMING:When you rst start your
vehicle and drive away, especially during cold winter
weather, the STABILITRAK WARMING message may
be displayed in the DIC along with a chime and the
traction control warning light. This is normal. You can
acknowledge this message by pressing the RESET
button. The StabiliTrak
®performance is affected until the
STABILITRAK READY message is displayed in the
DIC, which can take up to 15 minutes.
SVC (Service) TIRE MONITOR:If this message comes
on, a part on the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) is not
working properly. If you drive your vehicle while any of the
four sensors are missing or inoperable, the warning will
come on in approximately 10 minutes. If all four sensors
are missing, the warning will come on in approximately
15 to 20 minutes. All the sensors would be missing, for
example, if you put different wheels on your vehicle
without transferring the sensors. If the warning comes on
and stays on, there may be a problem with the TPM.
See your GM dealer.
TOOCOLDTOMOVETOP:This message will display
when the retractable hardtop button is pressed and the
hardtop pump motor temperature is below−4°F (−20°C).
Wait for the hardtop pump motor to warm up before using
the retractable hardtop.
3-75

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering, and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work
at the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice,
it is easy to ask more of those control systems than the
tires and road can provide. That means you can lose
control of your vehicle. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 5-9andStabiliTrak
®System on
page 5-11.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 6-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-54.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That is perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement
or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is
wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of your brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake
force applied.
5-6

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you
keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following
distances, you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 6-3.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS),
an advanced electronic braking system that will
help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
ABS will check itself. You may hear a momentary motor
or clicking noise while this test is going on, and you
may even notice that your brake pedal moves a
little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light will
stay on. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-55.
5-7

This warning light will
come on to let you know
if there is a problem
with your traction
control system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-56. When this warning light is on, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery road conditions, you should always
leave the system on. But you can turn the traction control
system off if you ever need to. You should turn the
system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud
or snow and rocking the vehicle is required. SeeRocking
Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 5-32andIf Your
Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 5-32
for more information.To turn the system off,
press the front part of
the traction control button
located on the center
console.
The TRACTION SYSTEM-OFF message will display on
the DIC and the traction control system warning light
will come on. If the system is limiting wheel spin when
you press the button, the TRACTION SYSTEM-OFF
message will display — but the system will not turn off
right away. It will wait until there is no longer a
current need to limit wheel spin.
You can turn the system back on at any time by pressing
the button again. The TRACTION SYSTEM-ON message
should display briey on the Driver Information Center.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 6-3for more information.
5-10