2005 CADILLAC CTS flat tire

Tire Pressure Warning Message
When you see this ashing
symbol, one or more of the
vehicle’s tires is either
under or over-inated.
To acknowledge this warning, press either button on the
outboard switch on the left spoke of the steering
wheel. There are three levels of warning for this display:
1. High Tire Pressure (above 42 psi (290 kPa))
2. Low Tire Pressure (below 25 psi (170 kPa))
3. Flat Tire (below 5 psi (35 kPa))
For conditions 1 and 2, this warning will ash ve times
and the display will then show the tire pressure gage.
For condition 3, this warning will ash continuously until
the driver acknowledges it. In any of the three cases,
the warning will redisplay every 10 minutes until
the situation is corrected. Conditions 2 and 3 will also
display a warning light elsewhere on the cluster that will
stay illuminated after this warning is acknowledged.
SeeTire Pressure Light (CTS-V) on page 3-44for more
information. Also seeTire Pressure Monitor System
(CTS-V) on page 5-65for more information on tire
pressure specications.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
The DIC gives you the status of many of your vehicle’s
systems. It is also used to display driver personalization
features and warning/status messages. All messages
will appear on the audio system display which is also the
display for the Navigation system.
If your vehicle has the Base audio system, use the
information contained in this manual for instructions on
operating the DIC for your vehicle.
If your vehicle has the Navigation system, see the
CTS/CTS-V Navigation system manual for instructions
on operating the DIC for your vehicle.
3-57

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
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...................................................5-16
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-19
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-22
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-24
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-25
Engine Coolant.............................................5-25
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-28
Engine Overheating.......................................5-28Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-30
Cooling System............................................5-31
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-37
Brakes........................................................5-38
Battery........................................................5-41
Jump Starting...............................................5-42
Rear Axle.......................................................5-48
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-49
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting............5-49
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-49
Front Turn Signal and Fog Lamps...................5-50
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Sidemarker Lamps.....................................5-50
Back-Up and License Plate Lamps..................5-51
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-52
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-52
Tires..............................................................5-54
Tire Sidewall Labelling...................................5-56
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-58
Run-Flat Tires (CTS-V)..................................5-61
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-62
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Tire Pressure Monitor System (CTS-V)..............5-65
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-67
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-69
Buying New Tires.........................................5-69
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-70
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-72
Wheel Replacement......................................5-72
Tire Chains..................................................5-74
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-74
Changing a Flat Tire (CTS)............................5-76
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools (CTS).......5-77
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire (CTS).......................................5-79
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools (CTS).......5-84
Compact Spare Tire (CTS).............................5-85
Appearance Care............................................5-86
Fabric/Carpet...............................................5-86
Vinyl...........................................................5-88
Leather.......................................................5-88
Instrument Panel..........................................5-88
Interior Plastic Components............................5-88
Wood Panels...............................................5-89
Speaker Covers............................................5-89
Glass Surfaces.............................................5-89
Care of Safety Belts......................................5-89Weatherstrips...............................................5-89
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-90
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.....................5-90
Finish Care..................................................5-90
Windshield and Wiper Blades.........................5-91
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels................5-91
Tires...........................................................5-92
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-92
Finish Damage.............................................5-92
Underbody Maintenance................................5-93
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-93
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..................5-93
Vehicle Identication......................................5-94
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN).................5-94
Service Parts Identication Label.....................5-95
Electrical System............................................5-95
Add-On Electrical Equipment..........................5-95
Windshield Wiper Fuses................................5-95
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-96
Fuses and Circuit Breakers............................5-96
Underhood Fuse Block..................................5-96
Rear Underseat Fuse Block..........................5-101
Capacities and Specications........................5-107
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

(A) Temporary Use Only:The compact spare tire or
temporary use tire has a tread life of approximately
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and should not be driven
at speeds over 65 mph (105 km/h). The compact spare
tire is for emergency use when a regular road tire
has lost air and gone at. If your vehicle has a compact
spare tire, seeCompact Spare Tire (CTS) on page 5-85
andIf a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-74.
(B) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and number of
plies in the sidewall and under the tread.(C) Tire Identication Number (TIN):The letters
and numbers following the DOT (Department of
Transportation) code is the Tire Identication 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.
(D) Maximum Cold Ination Load Limit:Maximum
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load.
(E) Tire Ination:The temporary use tire or compact
spare tire should be inated to 60 psi (420 kPa).
For more information on tire pressure and ination see
Ination - Tire Pressure on page 5-62.
(F) Tire Size:A combination of letters and numbers
dene a tire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction
type and service description. The letter T as the
rst character in the tire size means the tire is for
temporary use only.
(G) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Specication):Original equipment tires designed to
GM’s specic tire performance criteria have a TPC
specication code molded onto the sidewall. GM’s
TPC specications meet or exceed all federal safety
guidelines. Compact Spare Tire Example
5-57

Run-Flat Tires (CTS-V)
If your vehicle has run-at tires, there is no spare tire
and no tire changing equipment. Your vehicle also has
a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) which will alert you if
there is a loss of tire pressure in any of the tires. See
Tire Pressure Monitor System (CTS-V) on page 5-65.
{CAUTION:
When the low tire warning light is displayed on
the instrument panel cluster, your vehicle’s
handling capabilities will be reduced during
severe maneuvers. If you drive too fast, you
could lose control of your vehicle. You or
others could be injured. Don’t drive over
55 mph (90 km/h) when the low tire warning
light is displayed. Drive cautiously and check
your tire pressures as soon as you can.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 tire can operate effectively with no air
pressure for up to 65 miles (105 km) at speeds up
to 55 mph (90 km/h). The shorter the distance you
drive and the slower the speed, the greater the chance
that the tire will not 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 deated run-at 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 deated 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.
5-61

If your vehicle has a compact spare tire, do not include
it in the tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear ination pressures as shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-33, for an example of the tire and loading
information label and its location on your vehicle.
If your vehicle has run-at tires, the Tire Pressure
Monitor (TPM) system will need to have the sensors
reset after a tire rotation is performed. A special tool is
needed to reset the sensor identication codes. See
your dealer for service.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” underCapacities and
Specications on page 5-107.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, you can use a cloth or a
paper towel to do this; but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later, if needed, to get
all the rust or dirt off. SeeChanging a Flat
Tire (CTS) on page 5-76.
5-68

{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have
a collision in which you or others could be
injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts and wheel nuts for replacement.
Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problems
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire (CTS) on page 5-76for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been
used or how far it’s been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause a crash. If you have to
replace a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
5-73

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
Do not use tire chains. There is not enough
clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes, suspension or
other vehicle parts. The area damaged by the
tire chains could cause you to lose control of
your vehicle and you or others may be injured
in a crash. Use another type of traction device
only if its manufacturer recommends it for use
on your vehicle and tire size combination and
road conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, re-adjust or remove
the device if it is contacting your vehicle,
and do not spin your wheels. If you do nd
traction devices that will t, install them on
the rear tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to “blowout” while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. See
Tires on page 5-54. If air goes out of a tire, it’s much
more likely to leak out slowly. But if you should
ever have a “blowout”, here are a few tips about what
to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel rmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake
to a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like
a skid and may require the same correction you’d use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control
by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer.
Gently brake to a stop — well off the road if possible.
5-74