2008 CADILLAC CTS flat tire

Tires..............................................................5-58
Winter Tires.................................................5-60
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-60
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-63
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-66
High-Speed Operation...................................5-68
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-69
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-70
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-74
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-75
Buying New Tires.........................................5-76
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-78
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-78
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-80
Wheel Replacement......................................5-80
Tire Chains..................................................5-82
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-82
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
(With Sealant Selector Switch)....................5-84
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
(Without Sealant Selector Switch)................5-93
Changing a Flat Tire...................................5-102
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools..............5-104
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..............................................5-105Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...........5-110
Compact Spare Tire....................................5-111
Appearance Care..........................................5-112
Interior Cleaning.........................................5-112
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-113
Leather......................................................5-114
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-115
Wood Panels..............................................5-115
Speaker Covers..........................................5-115
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-115
Weatherstrips
.............................................5-115
Washing Your Vehicle..................................5-116
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-116
Finish Care................................................5-116
Windshield and Wiper Blades.......................5-117
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim................................................5-118
Tires.........................................................5-118
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-119
Finish Damage...........................................5-119
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-119
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-119
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-120
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

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, seeCompact
Spare Tire on page 5-111andIf a Tire Goes Flat
on page 5-82.
(B) Tire Ply Material
:The type of cord and
number of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(C) Tire Identication Number (TIN)
:The letters
and numbers following the DOT (Department of
Transportation) code is the Tire Identication
Number (TIN). The TIN shows the manufacturer
and plant code, tire size, and date the tire was
manufactured. The TIN is molded onto both sides
of the tire, although only one side may have the
date of manufacture.
(D) Maximum Cold Ination Load Limit
:Maximum load that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed to support that load.
(E) Tire Ination
:The temporary use tire or
compact spare tire should be inated to 60 psi
(420 kPa). For more information on tire pressure
and ination seeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-66.(F) Tire Size
:A combination of letters and
numbers dene a tire’s width, height, aspect
ratio, construction type, and service description.
The letter T as the rst character in the tire
size means the tire is for temporary use only.
(G) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Specication)
:Original equipment tires designed
to GM’s specic tire performance criteria have a
TPC specication code molded onto the sidewall.
GM’s TPC specications meet or exceed all federal
safety guidelines.
Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of a
typical passenger 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.
5-62

After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front
and rear ination pressures as shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-66andLoading the Vehicle on
page 4-22.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor Operation on page 5-70.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-129.
{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 5-102.
When It Is Time for New Tires
Various factors, such as maintenance, temperatures,
driving speeds, vehicle loading, and road conditions
inuence when you need 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.
5-75

If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts,
wheel nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
sensors, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have
the right wheel, wheel bolts, wheel nuts, and TPMS
sensors 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 5-102for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on the 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.
5-81

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
Do not use tire chains. There is not enough
clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes, suspension, or
other vehicle parts. The area damaged by the
tire chains could cause you to lose control of
your vehicle and you or others may be injured
in a crash. Use another type of traction device
only if its manufacturer recommends it for use
on your vehicle and tire size combination and
road conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, re-adjust or remove the
device if it is contacting your vehicle, and do
not spin your wheels. If you do nd traction
devices that will t, install them on the rear
tires.
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 5-58. 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.
5-82

If a tire goes at, and your vehicle has a compact
spare tire, seeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-102.
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.
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
If your vehicle has a factory installed tire sealant and
compressor kit, there is no spare tire, no tire changing
equipment and no place to store a tire.
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place and stopping.
1. Turn on the hazard warning ashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
2. Park your vehicle. If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake rmly and put
the shift lever in PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park
(Automatic Transmission) on page 2-45. If your
vehicle has a manual transmission, move the
shift lever to REVERSE (R) and set the parking
brake rmly. SeeParking the Vehicle (Manual
Transmission) on page 2-47for additional
information.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the at tire.
5-83

Using the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
Follow these directions closely for correct sealant
usage.
A. Selector Switch
B. On/Off Button
C. Air Pressure Gage
D. Tire Sealant
CanisterE. Air Compressor
Accessory Plug
F. Sealant/Air Hose
(Clear)
G. Air Only Hose1. Do a safety check before proceeding. SeeIf a Tire
Goes Flat on page 5-82.
2. Inspect the damaged tire.
The sealant cannot seal sidewall damage, large
punctures, or a tire that has unseated from
the wheel. SeeRoadside Service on page 7-7.
Do not remove any objects that have penetrated
the tire.
3. Place the sealant and compressor kit on the ground
and unwrap the sealant/air hose (F) hose from the
compressor.
The sealant/air hose (F) is the top, clear hose.
4. Remove the valve stem cap from the at tire by
turning it counterclockwise.
5. Attach the sealant lling hose (F) onto the tire valve
stem. Turn it clockwise until it is tight.
6. Unwrap and plug the air compressor accessory
plug (E) into an accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. SeeAccessory Power Outlet(s) on
page 3-22for more information.
Do not pinch the compressor accessory plug cord in
the door or window.
5-86

Using the Air Compressor without
Sealant
To use the air compressor to inate a tire with air only
and not sealant:
Your tire sealant and compressor kit has an accessory
adapter located in a compartment on the bottom of
its housing that may be used to inate air mattresses,
balls, etc.A. Selector Switch
B. On/Off Button
C. Air Pressure Gage
D. Tire Sealant
CanisterE. Air Compressor
Accessory Plug
F. Sealant/Air Hose
(Clear)
G. Air Only Hose
1. Do a safety check before proceeding. SeeIf a Tire
Goes Flat on page 5-82.
2. Unwrap the air only hose (G) from the bottom of the
air compressor.
5-90