Cadillac 2007 XLR Owner's Manual page 96

Not all manual downshift requests will be allowed
by the transmission. To prevent excessive
engine RPMs, each gear has a maximum vehicle
speed associated with it. Any downshift request
above this speed is not allowed by the
transmission.
If shifting is prevented for any reason, the current
gear flashes multiple times in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), indicating that the
transmission has not shifted gears.
Some automatic downshifts can occur to maintain
minimum engine speed. This only happens if the
vehicle is left in too high of a gear for the vehicle's
speed. For example, if you have been driving in
sixth gear range and come to a stop without
manually downshifting, the transmission
automatically downshifts to first gear and displays
first gear on the HUD. As you begin to drive and
accelerate, the transmission remains in first gear
until the driver selects a downshift.
96
DSC can be used while using cruise control, but
transmission shifting is different while the
cruise control is on. This is not a malfunction and
is necessary to let proper operation of the
cruise control.
To return to fully automatic operation, move the
shift lever to the right and back into DRIVE (D).
When accelerating your vehicle from a stop
in snowy and icy conditions, you may want to shift
into second gear. A higher gear lets you gain
more traction on slippery surfaces.
In higher gears, on the XLR only, an automatic
downshift occurs if you press the accelerator pedal
to the floor. This feature provides adequate
acceleration capabilities if you forget to downshift
manually. Tap the shifter forward and the
vehicle upshifts.