2005 CADILLAC XLR tires

Tire Sidewall Labelling
Useful information about a tire is molded into its sidewall.
The example below shows a typical passenger (p-metric)
tire sidewall.
(A) Tire Size:The tire size is a combination of letters
and numbers used to dene a particular tire’s width,
height, aspect ratio, construction type and service
description. See the “Tire Size” illustration later in this
section for more detail.(B) 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.
(C) DOT (Department of Transportation):The
Department of Transportation (DOT) code indicates that
the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of
Transportation Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
(D) Tire Identication Number (TIN):The letters and
numbers following DOT code are 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.
(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 6-59.
(G) Maximum Cold Ination Load Limit:Maximum
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load. Passenger (P-Metric) Tire Example
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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 “wear bars,” that show across the tread of a tire
when only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread remains. See
When It Is Time for New Tires on page 6-58.
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. SeeUniform
Tire Quality Grading on page 6-59.Vehicle Capacity Weight:The number of designated
seating positions multiplied by 150 lbs (68 kg) plus
the rated cargo load. SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 5-30.
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 vehicle’s capacity weight and
the original equipment tire size and recommended
ination pressure. See “Tire and Loading Information
Label” underLoading Your Vehicle on page 5-30.
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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 deated
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 125 miles (201 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
deated 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. 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
seeRoadside Service on page 8-6.
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{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.
The valve stems on your run-at tires have sensors that
are part of the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 6-55. These
sensors contain batteries which are designed to last
for 10 years under normal driving conditions. See your
dealer if you ever need to have a wheel replaced,
or if the sensors ever need replacement.
Notice:Using liquid sealants can damage the tire
valves and tire pressure monitor sensors in your
run-at tires. This damage would not be covered
by warranty. Don’t use liquid sealants in your
run-at tires.
Ination - Tire Pressure
Tires need the correct amount of air pressure to operate
effectively.
Notice:Do not let anyone tell you that
under-ination or over-ination is all right. It is not.
If your tires do not have enough air (under-ination),
you can get the following:
Too much exing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Premature or irregular wear
Poor handling
Reduced fuel economy
If your tires have too much air (over-ination), you
can get the following:
Unusual wear
Poor handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards
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A Tire and Loading Information label is attached to the
center pillar, below the driver’s door latch. This label
shows your vehicle’s original equipment tires and
the correct ination pressures for your tires when they
are cold. The recommended cold tire ination pressure,
shown on the label, is the minimum amount of air
pressure needed to support your vehicle’s maximum
load carrying capacity.
For additional information regarding how much weight
your vehicle can carry, and an example of the tire
and loading information label, seeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 5-30. How you load your vehicle affects
vehicle handling and ride comfort, never load your
vehicle with more weight than it was designed to carry.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are properly inated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look properly
inated even when they are underinated. Check the
tire’s ination pressure when the tires are cold. Cold
means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three
hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem. Press
the tire gage rmly onto the valve to get a pressure
measurement. If the cold tire ination pressure matches
the recommended pressure on the Tire and Loading
Information label, no further adjustment is necessary. If
the ination pressure is low, add air until you reach
the recommended amount.
If you overll the tire, release air by pushing on the
metal stem in the center of the tire valve. Recheck the
tire pressure with the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
Your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) that
sends tire pressure information to the Driver Information
Center (DIC). Using the DIC control buttons, the
driver is able to check tire pressure levels in all four
road tires. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on
page 6-55andDIC Controls and Displays on page 3-61
for additional information.
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Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) System on your vehicle,
uses radio and sensor technology to check tire pressure
levels. Sensors, mounted on each tire and wheel
assembly transmit tire pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle. The TPM sensors transmit tire
pressure readings once every 60 seconds while the
vehicle is being driven and once every 60 minutes when
the vehicle is stationary for more than 15 minutes. Using
the Driver Information Center (DIC), tire pressure levels
can be viewed by the driver. The TPM system also uses
the DIC to warn the driver when air pressure, in one or
more tires, falls below 25 psi (172 kPa) or is above
42 psi (290 kPa). For additional information and details
about the DIC operation and displays seeDIC Controls
and Displays on page 3-61andDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-64.
A low tire warning light also appears on the instrument
panel cluster when a low tire condition exists. The
DIC message, CHECK TIRE PRESSURE and the low
tire pressure warning light will be shown each time
the engine is started and stay on until the low tire
condition is corrected.When the tire pressure
monitoring system warning
light is lit, one or more
of your tires is signicantly
under-inated.
You should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inate them to the proper pressure as
indicated on the vehicle’s tire information placard.
Driving on a signicantly under-inated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-ination
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability. Each
tire, including the spare, should be checked monthly
when cold and set to the recommended ination pressure
as specied in the vehicle placard and owner’s manual.
The Tire and Loading Information Label (tire information
placard) is on the rear edge of the driver’s door, below the
door latch. This label shows the size of your vehicle’s
original tires and the correct ination pressure for your
vehicle’s tires when they are cold. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 5-30.
Your vehicle’s TPM system can alert you about a low or
high tire pressure condition but it does not replace
normal tire maintenance. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6-57
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Each TPM sensor has a unique identication code that
is matched to one of the four tire positions on your
vehicle. The tire and wheel assembly positions are, left
front (LF); right front (RF); right rear (RR) and left
rear (LR). Any time you rotate your vehicle’s tires or
replace one or more TPM sensors, the identication
codes will need to be matched to the new tire and wheel
position. The TPM matching process is performed in
a specic sequence and time limit. A special tool is also
required. See your dealer for service.
The SVC TIRE MONITOR message is displayed when
the TPM system is malfunctioning. For example,
one or more TPM sensors may be inoperable or
missing. See your dealer for service.The TPM system operates on a radio frequency subject
to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules
and with Industry and Science Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and
with RSS-210 of Industry and Science Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
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Tire Inspection and Rotation
Your vehicle’s tires should be inspected regularly for
wear. Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires
as soon as possible and check wheel alignment. Also
check for damaged tires or wheels. SeeWhen It Is Time
for New Tires on page 6-58andWheel Replacement on
page 6-61for additional information.
When rotating your vehicle’s tires, always use the
correct rotation pattern shown here.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear ination pressures as shown on the tire and loading
information label, seeInation - Tire Pressure on
page 6-53andLoading Your Vehicle on page 5-30.Vehicles equipped with 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. SeeWheel Replacement on page 6-61and
“Wheel Nut Torque” underCapacities and Specications
on page 6-85.
{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 a crash. 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 you need to, to get all the
rust or dirt off.
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