2006 CADILLAC CTS tires

A Tire and Loading Information label is attached to the
vehicle’s center pillar, below the driver’s door latch. This
label lists your vehicle’s original equipment tires and
shows 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 4-32. 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. Do not forget to
check the compact spare tire, if your vehicle has one.
The compact spare should be at 60 psi (420 kPa).
For additional information regarding the compact spare
tire, seeCompact Spare Tire (CTS Only) on page 5-94.
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. Re-check
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.
5-66

High Speed Operation (CTS-V)
{CAUTION:
Driving at high speeds, 100 mph (160 km/h)
or higher, puts an additional strain on tires.
Sustained high-speed driving causes
excessive heat build up and can cause sudden
tire failure. You could have a crash and you or
others could be killed. Some high-speed rated
tires require ination pressure adjustment for
high speed operation. When speed limits and
road conditions are such that a vehicle can be
driven at high speeds, make sure the tires are
rated for high speed operation, in excellent
condition, and set to the correct cold tire
ination pressure for the vehicle load.
The CTS-V high-performance tires, size 245/45R18 96V
and P245/45ZR18 96W require ination pressure
adjustment when driving your vehicle at speeds of
100 mph (160 km/h) or higher. Set the cold tire ination
pressure to the maximum ination pressure shown
on the tire sidewall, or 41 psi (282 kPa), whichever
is lower.See the example following.
Example:
You will nd the maximum load and ination pressure
molded on the tire’s sidewall, in small letters, near
the rim ange. It will read something like this: Maximum
load 710 kg (1565 lbs) 350 kPa (51 psi) Max. Press.
For this example, you would set the cold ination
pressure for high-speed driving at 41 psi (282 kPa)
When you end high-speed driving, return the tires to
the cold ination pressures shown on the tire and
loading information label. SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-32.
5-67

Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses radio
and sensor technology to check tire pressure levels.
If your vehicle has this feature, sensors are mounted on
the tire and wheel assembly. The TPMS sensors
transmit tire pressure readings to a receiver located in
the vehicle once every 60 seconds while the vehicle
is being driven, and once every 60 minutes if the vehicle
is stationary for more than 15 minutes.
If your vehicle has the base audio system, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) displays TPMS warnings and
messages on the radio’s display screen. SeeSystem
Controls on page 3-53andDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-61for additional information and details about
the DIC operation and displays. If your vehicle has the
Navigation system, TPMS warnings and messages are
displayed on the message center screen, located inside
the tachometer. SeeMessage Center (CTS-V) on
page 3-47for information about the message center
operation and displays.
If a low tire pressure condition is detected, the TPMS
will display the Check Tire Pressure message on
the DIC or message center and, at the same time,
illuminate the low tire pressure warning symbol on
the instrument panel cluster.Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be
checked monthly when cold and inated to the ination
pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the vehicle placard or tire ination pressure label.
When the low tire pressure
telltale is illuminated, 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.
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.
The Tire and Loading Information label shows the size
of your vehicle’s original tires and their recommended
cold ination pressures. SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-32, for the location of the tire and loading
information label. Also seeInation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-65.
5-68

Your vehicle’s TPMS can alert you about a low tire
pressure condition but it does not replace normal tire
maintenance. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-71andTires on page 5-57.
Notice:Do not use a tire sealant if your vehicle
has Tire Pressure Monitors. The liquid sealant can
damage the tire pressure monitor sensors.
TPMS Sensor Identication Codes
Each TPMS sensor has a unique identication code.
Any time you replace one or more of the TPMS sensors
or rotate the tires, the identication codes will need to
be matched to the new tire and wheel position. The
sensors are matched, to the tire and wheel positions,
in the following order: left front (LF), right front (RF), right
rear (RR), and left rear (LR) using a TPMS diagnostic
tool. See your GM dealer for service.
The TPMS sensors may also be matched to each tire
and wheel position by increasing or decreasing the
tire’s air pressure. When increasing tire pressure do
not exceed the maximum ination pressure indicated
on the tire’s sidewall.
You will have two minutes to match the rst tire and
wheel position, and ve minutes overall, to match all
four tire and wheel positions. If it takes longer than
two minutes, to match the rst tire and wheel, or more
than ve minutes to match all four tire and wheel
positions the matching process stops and you will
need to start over.The TPM matching process is outlined below:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition switch to ON with the engine off.
3. Using the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter,
lock and unlock the vehicle’s doors.
4. Press the lock and unlock buttons, at the same
time, on the RKE transmitter. A single horn chirp
will sound, indicating that the TPMS system is
ready, and the sensor matching process can begin.
5. Start with the driver’s side front tire.
6. Remove the valve cap from the valve stem.
Activate the TPMS sensor by increasing or
decreasing the tire’s air pressure for ve seconds,
or until a horn chirp sounds. The horn chirp,
which may take up to 30 seconds, conrms that the
sensor identication code has been matched to
this tire position. To decrease the tire’s air-pressure
use the pointed end of the valve cap, a pencil-style
air pressure gage, or a key.
7. Proceed to the passenger’s side front tire, and
repeat the procedure in Step 6.
8. Proceed to the passenger’s side rear tire, and
repeat the procedure in Step 6.
9. Proceed to the driver’s side rear tire, and repeat
the procedure in Step 6.
5-69

10. After hearing the conrming double horn chirp,
for the left rear tire, exit the matching process
by turning the ignition switch to OFF.
11. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the tire and loading
information label.
12. Put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
The TPMS will not function properly, if one or more
of the TPMS sensors are missing or inoperable. If your
vehicle has a compact spare tire, the spare tire and
wheel assembly does not contain a TPMS sensor.
If you replace one of the road tires with the spare, or
if the system detects a missing or inoperable sensor, the
Service Tire Monitor System message will be displayed
on the DIC. If you have replaced a tire and wheel
assembly without transferring the TPMS sensors, the
error message will be displayed. Once you re-install the
TPMS sensors, the message should go off. See your
GM dealer for service if all TPMS sensors are installed
and the error message comes on and stays on. Have
your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
If your vehicle has a message center and the system
detects a missing or inoperable sensor an error
message of several dashes–––willbeshown on
the message center display. If you have replaced
a tire and wheel assembly without transferring the
TPMS sensors, the error message will be displayed.Once you re-install the TPMS sensors, the error
message should go off. See your GM dealer for service
if all TPMS sensors are installed and the error
message comes on and stays on.
The TPMS 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.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
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.
5-70

Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km).
If your vehicle has P245/45ZR18 96W size tires,
GM recommends rotating these tires at 3,000 mile
(4 800 km) intervals. These tires are optimized for dry
traction and handling performance. Tread life may
be 15,000 miles (24 140 km) or less for these tires,
depending on how and where you drive.
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your vehicle’s
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 5-72andWheel
Replacement on page 5-77for more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The rst rotation
is the most important. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4.When rotating your vehicle’s tires, always use the
correct rotation pattern shown here.
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 4-32, for an example of the tire and loading
information label and its location on your vehicle.
5-71

If your vehicle has the Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) the TPMS sensors will need to be reset
and matched to the tire/wheel position. A special TPMS
diagnostic tool is used 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 5-115.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after 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 Only) on page 5-84.
When It Is Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it is
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires
have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of tread
remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:
You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut, or snagged
deep enough to show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge, or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage that
cannot be repaired well because of the size or
location of the damage.
5-72

Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched specic tires for
your vehicle. The original equipment tires installed
on your vehicle, when it was new, were designed to
meet General Motors Tire Performance Criteria
Specication (TPC Spec) system rating. If you need
replacement tires, GM strongly recommends that you
get tires with the same TPC Spec rating. This way,
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give the same performance and vehicle safety,
during normal use, as the original tires.
GM’s exclusive TPC Spec system considers over a
dozen critical specications that impact the overall
performance of your vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling, traction control, and
tire pressure monitoring performance. GM’s TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire’s sidewall by the tire
manufacturer. If the tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC Spec number will be followed by a
MS for mud and snow. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling
on page 5-58for additional information.The 18-inch performance tires, size 245/45R18 96V,
used on some vehicles, meet the General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria Specication (TPC Spec) rating
but the TPC Spec code has not been molded onto
the tire’s sidewall. If your vehicle has these tires, and
you need to replace them, you can still get these
TPC Spec rated tires by asking your GM dealer.
Your GM dealer can order these tires by part number.
This way, your vehicle will continue to give the
proper endurance, handling, traction, and ride as the
original tires.
5-73