2007 CADILLAC STS flat tire

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

(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 seeUniform Tire Quality Grading on
page 444.
(G) Maximum Cold Ination Load Limit:
Maximum load that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed to support that load.
(A) Temporary Use Only:The compact spare
tire or temporary use tire has a tread life of
approximately 3,000 miles (5 000 km) and should
not be driven at speeds over 65 mph (105 km/h).
The compact spare tire is for emergency use when
a regular road tire has lost air and gone at. If
your vehicle has a compact spare tire, see
Compact Spare Tire on page 475andIf a Tire
Goes Flat on page 451.
Compact Spare Tire Example
424

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.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New Tires on page 440.
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 444.
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 349.
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 349.Run-Flat Tires (STS-V)
If your vehicle has run-at tires, there is no spare
tire and no tire changing equipment. Your
vehicle also has a Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS) which will alert you if there is a
loss of tire pressure in any of the tires. See
Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 433.
{CAUTION:
When the low tire warning light is
displayed on the instrument panel cluster,
your vehicle’s handling capabilities will be
reduced during severe maneuvers. If you
drive too fast, you could lose control of
your vehicle. You or others could be
injured. Do not drive over 55 mph
(90 km/h) when the low tire warning light
is displayed. Drive cautiously and check
your tire pressures as soon as you can.
429

When rotating P235/50R17 size tires or
255/45ZR18 size tires, always use the correct
rotation pattern shown here.
If your vehicle has a compact spare tire, do not
include the compact spare tire 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.
Vehicles that have the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS) will need to have the TPMS
sensors reset after a tire rotation, seeTire
Pressure Monitor System on page 433.Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specications on page 498.
{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 on page 464.
439

Each new wheel should have the same
load-carrying capacity, diameter, width, offset and
be mounted the same way as the one it
replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel
bolts, or wheel nuts, replace them only with
new GM original equipment parts. This way, you
will be sure to have the right wheel, wheel
bolts, and wheel nuts for your vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels,
wheel bolts, or wheel nuts on your vehicle
can be dangerous. It could affect the
braking and handling of your vehicle,
make your tires lose air and make you
lose control. You could have a collision in
which you or others could be injured.
Always use the correct wheel, wheel bolts,
and wheel nuts for replacement.Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake cooling,
speedometer or odometer calibration,
headlamp aim, bumper height, vehicle ground
clearance, and tire or tire chain clearance
to the body and chassis.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 464for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You cannot know how it has
been used or how far it has been driven. It
could fail suddenly and cause a crash. If
you have to replace a wheel, use a new
GM original equipment wheel.
446

If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are
driving, especially if you maintain your tires
properly. SeeTires on page 421. If air goes out of
a tire, It is much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a blowout, here are a
few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your
foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the steering
wheel rmly. Steer to maintain lane position,
and then gently brake to a stop well out of the
traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much
like a skid and may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any rear blowout,
remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get
the vehicle under control by steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may be very bumpy
and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road if possible.If a tire goes at, and your vehicle has a compact
spare tire, seeChanging a Flat Tire on page 464.
This information shows you how to use your
vehicle’s tire changing equipment and how
to change a at tire safely.
{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous
without the appropriate safety equipment
and training. The jack provided with your
vehicle is designed only for changing a
at tire. If it is used for anything else, you
or others could be badly injured or killed
if the vehicle slips off the jack. Use the
jack provided with your vehicle only for
changing a at tire.
If your vehicle has 255/45ZR18 size tires, there is
no spare tire, jack, or tire changing equipment.
A tire inator kit, included with your vehicle, may
be used to seal small punctures in the tread
area of the tire. SeeTire Inator Kit on page 452.
451

Run-Flat Tires (STS-V)
If your vehicle has run-at tires, there is no spare
tire and no tire changing equipment. Run-at
tires can operate effectively with no air pressure
for a limited distance and speed. These tires
perform so well without any air pressure that a Tire
Pressure Monitor (TPM) is used to alert you
when there is a low tire condition.
{CAUTION:
When the low tire warning light is
displayed on the instrument panel cluster,
your vehicle’s handling capabilities will be
reduced during severe maneuvers. If you
drive too fast, you could lose control of
your vehicle. You or others could be
injured. Do not drive over 55 mph
(90 km/h) when the low tire warning light
is displayed. Drive cautiously and check
your tire pressures as soon as you can.SeeRun-Flat Tires (STS-V) on page 429andTire
Pressure Monitor System on page 433, for
additional information.
{CAUTION:
Special tools and procedures are required
to service a run-at tire. If these special
tools and procedures are not used you or
others could be injured and your vehicle
could be damaged. Always be sure the
proper tools and procedures, as described
in the service manual, are used.
To order a service manual seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 543.
Tire Inator Kit
Your vehicle has a tire inator kit. There is no jack
or spare tire. The kit uses a liquid tire sealant
and air at the same time to seal small punctures
in the tread area of the tire. Be sure to read
and follow all of the tire inator kit instructions.
452

Changing a Flat Tire
If you have an STS-V model, there is no spare tire
and no tire changing equipment. Your vehicle is
equipped with run-at tires. SeeRun-Flat
Tires (STS-V) on page 429for more information. If
you have an STS model, your vehicle may be
equipped with a tire inator kit. SeeTire Inator Kit
on page 452for more information. If your vehicle
is not equipped with a tire inator kit, follow
the directions for changing a at tire in this section.
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel
damage by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on
your vehicle’s hazard warning ashers. See
Hazard Warning Flashers on page 180for more
information.{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over
or fall on you or other people. You and
they could be badly injured or even killed.
Find a level place to change your tire. To
help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart
while the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in
the vehicle.
To be even more certain the vehicle will
not move, you should put blocks at the
front and rear of the tire farthest away
from the one being changed. That would
be the tire, on the other side, at the
opposite end of the vehicle.
464