2004 CADILLAC XLR tires

The Tire and Loading Information label shows the
seating capacity and the total weight your vehicle can
properly carry. This weight is called the vehicle capacity
weight. If your vehicle has the Tire and Loading
Information label, Example 1, the label is attached to
the center pillar, near the driver's door latch. If your
vehicle has the Tire-Loading Information label,
Example 2, the label is on the rear edge of the
driver's door.
The Tire and Loading Information label also gives you
the size and recommended in¯ation pressure for
the factory-installed, original equipment tires on your
vehicle. For more information on tires and in¯ation see
Tires on page 5-50andIn¯ation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-57.
There is also important loading information on the
Certi®cation label. It tells you the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for the front and rear axle; see ªCerti®cation
Labelº later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement ªThe combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX
poundsº on your vehicle placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting ®gure equals the available amount
of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example,
if the ªXXXº amount equals 1400 lbs. and there
will be ®ve 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400-750
(5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight
may not safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine how this reduces
the available cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
Your vehicle is neither designed nor intended to tow
a trailer.
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Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Speci®cations....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under
the Hood....................................................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-19
Engine Coolant.............................................5-20
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-23
Engine Overheating.......................................5-23
Cooling System............................................5-26
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-32Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-33
Brakes........................................................5-35
Battery........................................................5-38
Jump Starting...............................................5-39
Rear Axle.......................................................5-45
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-46
Headlamp Vertical Aiming..............................5-47
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-49
Tires..............................................................5-50
Run-Flat Tires..............................................5-56
In¯ation - Tire Pressure.................................5-57
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-58
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-60
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-62
Buying New Tires.........................................5-63
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-64
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-65
Wheel Replacement......................................5-66
Tire Chains..................................................5-68
Lifting Your Vehicle.......................................5-69
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-73
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Headlamp Aiming
Your vehicle has a visual optical headlamp aiming
system equipped with horizontal aim indicators. The aim
has been preset at the factory and should need no
further adjustment. This is true even though your
horizontal aim indicators may not fall exactly on
the ª0º (zero) marks on their scales.
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp
aim may be affected. Aim adjustment to the low beam
may be necessary if it is difficult to see lane markers (for
horizontal aim), or if oncoming drivers ¯ash their high
beams at you (for vertical aim). If you believe your
headlamps need to be re-aimed, we recommend that
you take your vehicle to your dealer for service.
However, it is possible for you to re-aim your headlamps
as described in the following procedure.
Notice:To make sure your headlamps are aimed
properly, read all the instructions before beginning.
Failure to follow these instructions could cause
damage to headlamp parts.
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 or other ¯at
surface.
·The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface which is level all the way to the wall
or other ¯at surface.
·The vehicle should be placed so it is perpendicular
to the wall or other ¯at surface.
·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 in¯ated.
·Start the vehicle and rock it to level the suspension.
5-46

Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your GM Warranty booklet for details. For additional
information refer to the tire manufacturer's booklet
included with your vehicle's Owner's Manual.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
·Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and a
serious accident. See ªLoading Your
Vehicleº in the Index.
·Underin¯ated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
·
Overin¯ated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact Ð such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
·Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If
your tread is badly worn, or if your tires
have been damaged, replace them.
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is molded into its
sidewall. The following illustration shows an example of
a passenger car tire sidewall.
5-50

A. Tire Size
B. Tire Performance Criteria Speci®cation (TPC Spec)
C. Department of Transportation (DOT)
D. Tire Identi®cation Number (TIN)
E. Tire Ply Material
F. Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
G. Maximum Cold In¯ation Load Limit
(A) Tire Size:The tire size code is a combination of
letters and numbers used to de®ne a particular
tire's width, height, aspect ratio, construction type and
service description. See the ªTire Size º illustration later
in this section for more detail.
(B) Tire Performance Criteria Speci®cation (TPC
Spec):Original equipment tires designed to GM's
speci®c tire performance criteria have a TPC
speci®cation code molded onto the sidewall. GM's TPC
speci®cations meet or exceed all federal safety
guidelines.
(C) Department of Transportation (DOT):The
Department of Transportation (DOT) code indicates that
the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of
Transportation Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
5-51

(D) Tire Identi®cation Number (TIN):The letters and
numbers following DOT code are the Tire Identi®cation
Number (TIN). The TIN shows the manufacturer
and plant code, tire size, and date the tire was
manufactured. The TIN is molded onto both sides of the
tire, although only one side may have the date of
manufacture.
(E) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and number of
plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(F) Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG):Tire
manufacturers are required to grade tires based on three
performance factors: treadwear, traction and
temperature resistance. For more information see
Uniform Tire Quality Grading on page 5-64.
(G) Maximum Cold In¯ation Load Limit:Maximum
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load. For more information on
recommended tire pressure see
In¯ation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-57andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
Tire Size Codes
The following illustration shows an example of a typical
passenger car tire size.
A. P-Metric Tire
B. Tire Width
C. Aspect RatioD. Construction Code
E. Rim Diameter
F. Service Description
5-52

Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:A tire used on passenger
cars and some light duty trucks and multipurpose
vehicles.
Recommended In¯ation Pressure:Vehicle
manufacturer's recommended tire in¯ation pressure and
shown on the tire placard. See
In¯ation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-57andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
Radial Ply tire:A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords
that extend to the beads are laid at 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Rim:A metal support for a tire and upon which the tire
beads are seated.
Sidewall:The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.
Speed Rating:An alphanumeric code assigned to a
tire indicating the maximum speed at which a tire
can operate.
Traction:The friction between the tire and the road
surface. The amount of grip provided.
Tread:The portion of a tire that comes into contact
with the road.Treadwear Indicators:Narrow bands, sometimes
called ªwear bars,º that show across the tread of a tire
when only 2/32 inch of tread remains. See
When It
Is Time for New Tires on page 5-62.
UTQGS:Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards, a tire
information system that provides consumers with
ratings for a tire's traction, temperature and treadwear.
Ratings are determined by tire manufacturers using
government testing procedures. The ratings are molded
into the sidewall of the tire. See
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading on page 5-64.
Vehicle Capacity Weight:The number of designated
seating positions multiplied by 150 lbs. (68 kg) plus
the rated cargo load. See
Loading Your Vehicle
on page 4-32.
Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire:Load on an
individual tire due to curb weight, accessory weight,
occupant weight and cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard:A label permanently attached to a
vehicle showing the original equipment tire size
and recommended in¯ation pressure. See
Loading Your
Vehicle on page 4-32.
5-55

Run-Flat Tires
Your vehicle, when new, had run-¯at tires. There's no
spare tire, no tire changing equipment and no place
to store a tire in the vehicle. Run-¯at tires perform so
well without any air that a Tire Pressure Monitor
(TPM) is used to alert you if a tire has lost pressure.
If a tire goes ¯at, you won't need to stop on the side of
the road to change the tire. You can just keep on
driving. The shorter the distance you drive and the
slower the speed, the greater the chance that the tire will
not have to be replaced. If you drive on a de¯ated
run- ¯at tire for 50 miles (80 km) or less and at speeds
of 55 mph (90 km/h) or less, there is a good chance
that the tire can be repaired. The tire can operate
effectively with no air pressure for up to 200 miles
(320 km) at speeds up to 55 mph (90 km/h), but the tire
would then have to be replaced. When a tire is ®lled
with air, it provides a cushion between the road and the
wheel. Because you won't have this cushion when
driving on a de¯ated tire, try to avoid potholes that could
damage your wheel and require replacement of it.Some road hazards can damage a tire beyond repair.
This damage could occur even before you've driven
on the tire in a de¯ated condition. When a tire has been
damaged, or if you've driven any distance on a
run-¯at tire, check with an authorized run-¯at tire service
center to determine whether the tire can be repaired
or should be replaced. To maintain your vehicle's run-¯at
feature, all replacement tires must be self-supporting
tires. As soon as possible, contact the nearest
authorized GM or run-¯at servicing facility for inspection
and repair or replacement. To locate the nearest GM
or run-¯at servicing facility, call Roadside Assistance.
For phone numbers and Roadside Service details
see
Roadside Service on page 7-5.
{CAUTION:
Run-¯at tires are constructed differently than
other tires and could explode during improper
service. You or others could be injured or
killed if you attempt to repair, replace,
dismount, or mount a run-¯at tire. Let only an
authorized run-¯at service center repair,
replace, dismount and mount run-¯at tires.
5-56