2005 CADILLAC XLR wheel

Service............................................................6-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................6-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................6-5
Fuel................................................................6-5
Gasoline Octane............................................6-5
Gasoline Specications....................................6-5
California Fuel...............................................6-5
Additives.......................................................6-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................6-6
Filling Your Tank............................................6-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................6-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................6-10
Hood Release..............................................6-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................6-12
Engine Oil...................................................6-13
Engine Oil Life System..................................6-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................6-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................6-20
Engine Coolant.............................................6-20
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................6-23
Engine Overheating.......................................6-23
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................6-25
Cooling System............................................6-26
Power Steering Fluid.....................................6-31Windshield Washer Fluid................................6-32
Brakes........................................................6-33
Battery........................................................6-36
Jump Starting...............................................6-37
Rear Axle.......................................................6-41
Headlamp Aiming...........................................6-42
Headlamp Vertical Aiming..............................6-43
Bulb Replacement..........................................6-44
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............6-45
Tires..............................................................6-46
Tire Sidewall Labelling...................................6-47
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................6-49
Run-Flat Tires..............................................6-52
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................6-53
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................6-55
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................6-57
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................6-58
Buying New Tires.........................................6-58
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................6-59
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................6-61
Wheel Replacement......................................6-61
Tire Chains..................................................6-63
Lifting Your Vehicle.......................................6-64
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................6-68
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-1

Appearance Care............................................6-70
Fabric/Carpet...............................................6-70
Vinyl...........................................................6-72
Leather.......................................................6-72
Instrument Panel..........................................6-72
Interior Plastic Components............................6-72
Wood Panels...............................................6-72
Speaker Covers............................................6-73
Glass Surfaces.............................................6-73
Care of Safety Belts......................................6-73
Weatherstrips...............................................6-73
Washing Your Vehicle...................................6-74
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.....................6-74
Finish Care..................................................6-74
Windshield and Wiper Blades.........................6-75
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels................6-76
Tires...........................................................6-76Sheet Metal Damage.....................................6-77
Finish Damage.............................................6-77
Underbody Maintenance................................6-77
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................6-77
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..................6-78
Vehicle Identication......................................6-79
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN).................6-79
Service Parts Identication Label.....................6-79
Electrical System............................................6-80
Add-On Electrical Equipment..........................6-80
Windshield Wiper Fuses................................6-80
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......6-80
Fuses and Circuit Breakers............................6-80
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................6-81
Underhood Fuse Block..................................6-83
Capacities and Specications..........................6-85
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-2

Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake uid without taking off the cap.
Look at the brake uid reservoir. The uid level should
be above the MIN mark on the reservoir. If it is not, have
your brake system checked to see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure the level is between the MIN and MAX marks.
What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3 brake
uid. Refer toRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 7-11. Use new brake uid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system parts so
badly that they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake uid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. SeeAppearance
Care on page 6-70.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving, except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal rmly.
6-34

Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of a typical
passenger (p-metric) vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter P as the
rst character in the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to standards set by the U. S.
Tire and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates the
tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that indicates the
tire height-to-width measurements. For example, if
the tire size aspect ratio is 60, as shown in item C of
the illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The letter
R means radial ply construction; the letter D means
diagonal or bias ply construction; and the letter B means
belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:These characters represent
the load range and speed rating of the tire. The load
index represents the load carry capacity a tire is certied
to carry. The load index can range from 1 to 279. The
speed rating is the maximum speed a tire is certied
to carry a load. Speed ratings range from A to Z.
6-48

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.
6-52

{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
6-53

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
6-55

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.
6-56