2007 CADILLAC CTS V wheel

Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough
for long-distance driving? Are the tires
all inated to the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather
outlook along your route? Should you
delay your trip a short time to avoid a major
storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway
hypnosis? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the
wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of
awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road
with the same scenery, along with the hum of
the tires on the road, the drone of the engine,
and the rush of the wind against the vehicle that
can make you sleepy. Do not let it happen to you!If it does, your vehicle can leave the road in less
than a second, and you could crash and be
injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis?
First, be aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated,
with a comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead
and to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors
and your instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get
some exercise, or both. For safety, treat
drowsiness on the highway as an emergency.
313

You will need a well-charged battery to restart the
vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window
almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as
little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as
you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of
the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you
need to spin the wheels, but you do not want
to spin the wheels too fast. The method known as
rocking can help you get out when you are
stuck, but you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or
others could be injured. And, the
transmission or other parts of the vehicle
can overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment re or other damage. When
you are stuck, spin the wheels as little as
possible. Do not spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer.
Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy parts
of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you
spin the wheels too fast while shifting
the transmission back and forth, you can
destroy the transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 418.
320

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right.
That will clear the area around the front wheels.
You should turn the traction control system
off. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) (CTS) on
page 293orTraction Control System (TCS)
(CTS-V) on page 295. Then shift back and forth
between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear,
or with a manual transmission, between FIRST (1)
or SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R), spinning
the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly
on the accelerator pedal when the transmission
is in gear. By slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse directions, you will cause
a rocking motion that may free your vehicle.
If that does not get your vehicle out after a few
tries, it may need to be towed out. If your vehicle
does need to be towed out, seeTowing Your
Vehicle on page 326.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and includes the weight of
all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight it may properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label, and the Certication
label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
321

If you put things inside your vehicle, like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else, they will go as
fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn
quickly, or if there is a crash, they will keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle.
In a trunk, put them as far forward as
you can. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle
towed. SeeRoadside Service on page 488.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes (such as behind
a motorhome), see Recreational Vehicle Towing
following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your
vehicle behind another vehicle – such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are known as “dinghy
towing” (towing your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground) and “dolly towing” (towing your
vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).
326

With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.
Here are some important things to consider before
you do recreational vehicle towing:
What is the towing capacity of the towing
vehicle? Be sure you read the tow vehicle
manufacturer’s recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they
can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as
you would prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on
a Long Trip on page 312.
Dinghy Towing
Notice:If you tow your vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, the drivetrain
components could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground.
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with
all four wheels on the ground. If your vehicle
must be towed, you should use a dolly.
See “Dolly Towing” following for more information.
327

Dolly Towing
Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow
your vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the rear wheels on the dolly.
2. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the
tow vehicle.3. Put the vehicle in PARK (P) for an automatic
transmission or in NEUTRAL for a manual
transmission.
4. Set the parking brake and then remove
the key.
5. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for
towing.
6. Release the parking brake.
Towing a Trailer
Your vehicle is neither designed nor intended to
tow any trailer.
328

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 390
Tires............................................................ 392
Winter Tires.............................................. 393
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 394
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 397
Run-Flat Tires (CTS-V).............................. 400
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 402
High-Speed Operation............................... 404
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 405
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 409
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 411
Buying New Tires...................................... 411
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 414
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 414
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 416
Wheel Replacement.................................. 416
Tire Chains............................................... 418
Lifting Your Vehicle (CTS-V)...................... 418
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 422
Changing a Flat Tire (CTS Only)............... 424
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
(CTS Only)............................................ 425Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire (CTS Only)..................... 426
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
(CTS Only)............................................ 433
Compact Spare Tire (CTS Only)................ 434
Appearance Care........................................ 435
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 435
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 437
Leather...................................................... 438
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces..................................... 438
Wood Panels............................................. 439
Speaker Covers........................................ 439
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 439
Weatherstrips............................................ 439
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 439
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 440
Finish Care............................................... 440
Windshield and Wiper Blades.................... 441
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim................................................ 441
Tires......................................................... 442
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
330

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.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon the brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle serviced.Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause
a brake squeal when the brakes are rst applied or
lightly applied. This does not mean something is
wrong with your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and evenly tighten
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to GM torque
specications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.
373