light CADILLAC XLR V 2007 1.G Owners Manual

Gasoline Octane
If your vehicle has the 4.6L V8 engine (VIN
Code A), use premium unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 91 or higher. You may also
use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87
octane or higher, but your vehicle’s acceleration
may be slightly reduced, and you may notice
a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred
to as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87,
you may notice a heavy knocking noise when you
drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87
octane or higher as soon as possible. Otherwise,
you might damage your engine. If you are
using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and
you hear heavy knocking, your engine needs
service.
If your 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 may also hear audible spark knock during
acceleration. Rell your tank with premium fuel as
soon as possible to avoid damaging your
engine. If you are using gasoline rated at 91
octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking,
your engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines may
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT). General Motors recommends against the
use of gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives
on page 367for additional information.
366

The CHECK GAS CAP message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will be displayed if
the fuel cap is not properly installed.
{CAUTION:
If a re starts while you are refueling, do
not remove the nozzle. Shut off the ow of
fuel by shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant. Leave the
area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to
get the right type. Your dealer can get one
for you. If you get the wrong type, it may not
t properly. This may cause your malfunction
indicator lamp to light and may damage
your fuel tank and emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 196.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it
is in your vehicle. Static electricity
discharge from the container can ignite the
gasoline vapor. You can be badly burned
and your vehicle damaged if this occurs.
To help avoid injury to you and others:
Dispense gasoline 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 gasoline.
371

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

How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filters
To inspect the air cleaner/lters, remove the lters
from the vehicle and lightly shake the lters to
release loose dust and dirt. If the lters remain
caked with dirt, new lters are required.
To inspect or replace the lters, do the following:
1. Some XLR-V vehicles, have a single piece
black cover that snaps over the entire air
cleaner assembly. For vehicles with this cover,
simply pull it’s left/right sides toward the
outside of the vehicle and lift up to remove
cover. Reinstall the cover when you are
nished inspecting/replacing the lters.2. Move the clasps on the top of the engine air
cleaner/lter cover forward to unlatch the
cover.
3. Lift the front of the cover at an angle and
remove. This is necessary due to the four
tabs located on the rear of the cover.
4. Remove the engine air cleaner/lter element
and any loose debris that might be found in
the air cleaner base.
383

Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 467, and
be sure to use the uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 473.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs
rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended
life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 388.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Giving freezing protection down to−34°F
(−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing sooner, at
the rst maintenance service after each
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
385

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that
make a high-pitched warning sound when the
brake pads are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound may come and go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving, except when you
are pushing on the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon the brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause
a brake squeal when the brakes are rst applied or
lightly applied. This does not mean something is
wrong with your brakes.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return
to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
As you make brake stops, your disc brakes
automatically adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. Your vehicle was designed and tested with
top-quality GM brake parts. When you replace parts
of your braking system — for example, when your
brake linings wear down and you need new ones
put in — be sure you get new approved GM
replacement parts. If you do not, your brakes may
no longer work properly. For example, if someone
puts in brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle,
the balance between your front and rear brakes can
change — for the worse. The braking performance
you have come to expect can change in many other
ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
401

Notice:If you leave your radio or other
accessories on during the jump starting
procedure, they could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Always turn off your radio and other
accessories when jump starting your 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 374for 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.
{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause
battery gas to explode. People have been
hurt doing this, and some have been
blinded. Use a ashlight if you need more
light.
Be sure the battery has enough water.
You do not need to add water to the
battery installed in your new vehicle. But
if a battery has ller caps, be sure the
right amount of uid is there. If it is low,
add water to take care of that rst. If you
do not, explosive gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can burn
you. Do not get it on you. If you
accidentally get it in your eyes or on your
skin, ush the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
404

The vehicle should be properly prepared as
follows:
The vehicle should be placed so the
headlamps are 25 ft (7.6 m) from a light
colored wall.
The vehicle must have all four tires on a
perfectly level surface which is level all
the way to the wall.
The vehicle should be placed so it is
perpendicular to the wall.
The vehicle should not have any snow, ice or
mud attached to it.
The vehicle should be fully assembled and all
other work stopped while headlamp aiming is
being done.
The vehicle should be normally loaded with a
full tank of fuel and one person or 160 lbs
(75 kg) on the driver’s seat.
Tires should be properly inated.
Start the vehicle and rock it to level the
suspension.Headlamp aiming is done with the low-beam
headlamps. The high-beam headlamps are
correctly aimed if the low-beam headlamps are
aimed properly.
The headlamp aiming
device is under the
hood near the
headlamps.
Adjustment screws can be turned with an
E8 Torx
®socket or T15 Torx screwdriver.
409

Headlamp Vertical Aiming
To properly prepare the vehicle for vertical
headlamp aiming seeHeadlamp Aiming on
page 408for more information.
To adjust the vertical aim, do the following:
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.
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on
page 373for 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.
410

7. Locate the vertical headlamp aiming screws,
which are under the hood near each headlamp
assembly.
The adjustment screw can be turned with a
6 mm male hex.
8. Turn the vertical
aiming screw until
the headlamp
beam is aimed to
the horizontal
tape line.
9. The top edge of the cut-off should be
positioned at the bottom edge of the horizontal
tape line.10. Make sure that the light from the headlamp is
positioned at the bottom edge of the horizontal
tape line. The lamp on the left (A) shows
the correct headlamp aim. The lamp on the
right (B) shows the incorrect headlamp aim.
11. Repeat Steps 7 through 9 for the opposite
headlamp.
411