2007 CADILLAC STS Owners Manual

Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity
Weight for Example 3=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 200 lbs
(91 kg)×5=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
CAvailable Cargo
Weight =0 lbs (0 kg)
Refer to your vehicle’s Tire and Loading
Information label for specic information about
your vehicle’s capacity weight and seating
positions. The combined weight of the driver,
passengers, and cargo should never exceed your
vehicle’s capacity weight.
Certication Label
A vehicle specic Certication label is attached to
either the driver’s door edge or the lower center
pillar on the driver’s side of the vehicle. This label
shows the gross weight capacity of your vehicle,
called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
Example 3
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The GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel, and cargo. The Certication
label also shows the maximum weights for the
front and rear axles, called the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). Never exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR for either the front or rear axle.
{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.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.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.
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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 531.
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”).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 will want to make sure your vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving
on a Long Trip on page 340.
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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” later in this section for more information.
Dolly Towing (Rear-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles) (STS Only)
Notice:Dolly towing or dinghy towing your
vehicle may cause damage because of reduced
ground clearance. Always tow your vehicle
using the dolly towing or dinghy towing
procedure listed in this section or put your
vehicle on a atbed truck.If your vehicle is a rear-wheel drive, it 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. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).
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3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for
towing.
5. Release the parking brake.
Dolly Towing (STS-V)
Notice:Dolly towing or dinghy towing your
vehicle may cause damage because of reduced
ground clearance. Always put your vehicle
on a atbed truck.
If you have an STS-V, it can only be towed on a
at-bed trailer.
Dolly Towing (All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles)
Notice:Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground, or even
with only two of its wheels on the ground, will
damage drivetrain components. Do not tow
an all-wheel-drive vehicle if any of its wheels
will be on the ground.
If you have an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle, it
can only be towed on a at-bed trailer.
Towing a Trailer
Your vehicle is neither designed nor intended to
tow a trailer.
357

✍NOTES
358

Service........................................................ 362
Accessories and Modications................... 363
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 363
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 364
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle................................................... 365
Fuel............................................................. 365
Gasoline Octane........................................ 365
Gasoline Specications.............................. 366
California Fuel........................................... 366
Additives................................................... 367
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 368
Filling the Tank......................................... 368
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 371
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 372
Hood Release........................................... 372
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 373
Engine Oil................................................. 380
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 383
Supercharger Oil....................................... 385
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 386
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 388Engine Coolant.......................................... 389
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 393
Engine Overheating................................... 393
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 395
Cooling System......................................... 396
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 403
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 404
Brakes...................................................... 405
Battery...................................................... 408
Jump Starting............................................ 408
All-Wheel Drive........................................... 414
Rear Axle.................................................... 416
Front Axle................................................... 417
Bulb Replacement....................................... 417
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting..... 418
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 418
Back-Up Lamps......................................... 418
Replacement Bulbs................................... 419
Windshield Replacement............................ 419
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 419
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
359

Tires............................................................ 421
Winter Tires.............................................. 422
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 423
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 426
Run-Flat Tires (STS-V).............................. 429
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 431
High-Speed Operation............................... 432
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 433
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 438
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 440
Buying New Tires...................................... 441
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 443
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 444
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 445
Wheel Replacement.................................. 445
Tire Chains............................................... 447
Lifting Your Vehicle (STS-V)...................... 448
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 451
Tire Inator Kit.......................................... 452
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 464
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 465
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire....................................... 466Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...... 473
Compact Spare Tire.................................. 475
Appearance Care........................................ 476
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 476
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 477
Leather...................................................... 478
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces..................................... 479
Wood Panels............................................. 479
Speaker Covers........................................ 479
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 479
Weatherstrips............................................ 480
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 480
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 480
Finish Care............................................... 481
Windshield and Wiper Blades.................... 481
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels......... 482
Tires......................................................... 483
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 483
Finish Damage.......................................... 483
Underbody Maintenance............................ 483
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 484
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 484
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
360