2005 CADILLAC SRX Owners Manual

Temperature – A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a specied indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underination, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The tires and wheels on your vehicle were aligned and
balanced carefully at the factory to give you the longest
tire life and best overall performance. Adjustments to
wheel alignment and tire balancing will not be necessary
on a regular basis. However, if you notice unusual tire
wear or your vehicle pulling to one side or the other, the
alignment may need to be checked. If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your
tires and wheels may need to be rebalanced. See your
dealer for proper diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the
wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it (except some
aluminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired).
See your dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted
the same way as the one it replaces.
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If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM
original equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to
have the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for your vehicle.
{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 on page 5-70for 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.
Tire Chains
Notice:Use tire chains only where legal and only
when you must. Use only SAE Class “S” type chains
that are the proper size for your tires. Install them
on the rear axle tires and tighten them as tightly as
possible with the ends securely fastened. Drive
slowly and follow the chain manufacturer’s
instructions. If you can hear the chains contacting
your vehicle, stop and retighten them. If the contact
continues, slow down until it stops. Driving too
fast or spinning the wheels with chains on will
damage your vehicle.
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If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it is 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 would;
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.{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without
the appropriate safety equipment and training.
The jack provided with your vehicle is
designed only for changing a at tire. If it is
used for anything else, you or others could be
badly injured or killed if the vehicle slips off
the jack. Use the jack provided with your
vehicle only for changing a at tire.
If a tire goes at, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a at tire safely.
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Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your vehicle’s
hazard warning ashers. SeeHazard Warning Flashers
on page 3-6for more information.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured or even killed. Find a level place to
change your tire. To help prevent the vehicle
from moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart
while the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the
vehicle.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
To be even more certain the vehicle will not
move, you should put blocks at the front and
rear of the tire farthest away from the one
being changed. That would be the tire, on the
other side, at the opposite end of the vehicle.
When your vehicle has a at tire, use the following
example as a guide to assist you in the placement of
wheel blocks.
The following information will tell you next how to use
the jack and change a tire.
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Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you will need is located in the rear
of the vehicle. To access the equipment, do the
following:
1. Remove the storage bin to access the jack if your
vehicle has the cargo management system.
If your vehicle has the third row seat, remove the
head rest storage tray to access the jack.
2. Turn the wing nut (A) holding the jack (B) (and
storage tray, if applicable) counterclockwise and
remove it.
3. Remove the jack and wheel wrench (C).
Removing the Spare Tire
The compact spare tire is located under the vehicle,
ahead of the rear bumper. SeeCompact Spare Tire on
page 5-84for more information about the compact spare.
To remove the spare tire from the vehicle, do the
following:
A. Wheel Wrench
B. Cable
C. Retainer
D. Compact Spare Tire
1. Open the liftgate. SeeLiftgate on page 2-12for
more information.
2. Open the storage compartment door of the cargo
management system that is nearest the liftgate
and remove the container.
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3. Attach the wheel wrench (A) into the hoist shaft.
4. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to
lower the spare tire to the ground. Continue turning
the wrench until the spare tire (D) can be pulled
out from under the vehicle.5. Tilt the retainer (C) and slip it through the wheel
opening to remove the spare tire from the cable (B).
6. Turn the wrench clockwise until you feel two slips
or hear two clicks after removing the spare tire to
raise the cable back up.
Do not store a full-size or a at road tire under the
vehicle. SeeStoring a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools on page 5-81.
To continue changing the at tire, seeRemoving the
Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire on page 5-73.
If the spare tire will not lower, the secondary latch may
be engaged causing the tire not to lower.
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Do the following to check the cable:
1. Check under the
vehicle to see if the
cable is visible. If it is
not visible, see
Secondary Latch
System on page 5-79.
2. If it is visible, rst try to tighten the cable by turning
the wheel wrench clockwise until you hear two
clicks or feel it skip twice. You cannot over-tighten
the cable.
3. Loosen the cable then by turning the wrench
counterclockwise three or four turns.
4. Tighten the cable all the way and then loosen it at
least two times, if the spare tire has not lowered.
If the spare tire did lower to the ground, continue
with Step 4 underRemoving the Spare Tire
and Tools on page 5-71.
If you still cannot lower the spare tire to the ground, see
Secondary Latch System on page 5-79.Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
To remove the at tire and install the spare, do the
following:
1. Using the at end of the wheel wrench, pry off the
center cap at the notch. Be careful; the edges may
be sharp. Don’t try to remove the cover with
your bare hands.
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2. Loosen the wheel nuts — but do not remove
them — using the wheel wrench. Turn the
handle about 180 degrees, then ip the handle
back to the starting position. This avoids taking the
wrench off the lug nut for each turn.3. Find the jacking
location using the
hoisting notches
located in the plastic
molding. The notches
in the plastic molding
are marked with a
triangle shape to help
you nd them.
4. Attach the wheel wrench to the jack.{CAUTION:
Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is
dangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack you
could be badly injured or killed. Never get
under a vehicle when it is supported only
by a jack.
5-74