2008 CADILLAC CTS warning

Winter tires with the same speed rating as your vehicle’s
original equipment tires may not be available for H, V,
W, Y, and ZR speed rated tires. If you choose snow tires
with a lower speed rating, never exceed the tire’s
maximum speed capability.
{CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose
control while driving. If you mix tires of
different sizes, brands, or types (radial
and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may
not handle properly, and you could have
a crash. Using tires of different sizes,
brands, or types may also cause damage
to your vehicle. Be sure to use the correct
size, brand, and type of tires on all wheels.
It is all right to drive with your compact
spare temporarily, as it was developed for
use on your vehicle. SeeCompact Spare
Tire on page 5-111.
{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on the vehicle, the
wheel rim anges could develop cracks
after many miles of driving. A tire and/or
wheel could fail suddenly, causing a
crash. Use only radial-ply tires with the
wheels on the vehicle.
If you must replace your vehicle’s tires with those that
do not have a TPC Spec number, make sure they are the
same size, load range, speed rating, and construction
type (radial and bias-belted tires) as your vehicle’s
original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire pressure monitoring system
could give an inaccurate low-pressure warning if
non-TPC Spec rated tires are installed on your vehicle.
Non-TPC Spec rated tires may give a low-pressure
warning that is higher or lower than the proper warning
level you would get with TPC Spec rated tires. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor System on page 5-69.
Your vehicle’s original equipment tires are listed on
the Tire and Loading Information Label. SeeLoading the
Vehicle on page 4-22, for more information about the
Tire and Loading Information Label and its location
on your vehicle.
5-77

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specied
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and a half (1.5) times
as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices, and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s
ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specied government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
{WARNING:
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
5-79

Temperature – A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a
specied indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than
the minimum required by law.
{WARNING:
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underination, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The tires and wheels on your vehicle were aligned and
balanced carefully at the factory to give you the longest
tire life and best overall performance. Adjustments to
wheel alignment and tire balancing will not be necessary
on a regular basis. However, if you notice unusual tire
wear or your vehicle pulling to one side or the other, the
alignment might need to be checked. If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road, the tires
and wheels might need to be rebalanced. See your
dealer/retailer for proper diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts, and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
dealer/retailer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer/retailer will know the kind of wheel
you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset, and be mounted
the same way as the one it replaces.
5-80

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

To install a new sealant canister:
1. Align the sealant lling hose with the slot in the air
compressor.
2. Push the sealant canister down and turn it
clockwise.
3. Wrap the sealant lling hose around the air
compressor channel to stow it in its original location.
4. Push the air only hose onto the sealant canister inlet
and push the lever down.
Changing a Flat Tire
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. SeeHazard Warning Flashers
on page 3-6for 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 P (Park).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart
while the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the
vehicle.
CAUTION: (Continued)
5-102

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-4
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-22
Adaptive Forward Lighting System.....................3-19
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-70
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-8
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-122
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-21
Air Conditioning..............................................3-24
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-35
Readiness Light..........................................3-34
Airbag System................................................1-56
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-70
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-63
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-65
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-70
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-63
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-64
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-61
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-58
All-Wheel Drive...............................................5-50
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System........................... 4-9
Analog Clock..................................................3-23
Antenna, Backglass.......................................3-126Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System........................................3-126
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-5
Anti-lock Brake, System Warning Light...............3-39
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-118
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-115
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-119
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................5-116
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-113
Finish Care...............................................5-116
Finish Damage..........................................5-119
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................5-115
Interior Cleaning........................................5-112
Leather....................................................5-114
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-119
Speaker Covers.........................................5-115
Tires........................................................5-118
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-119
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-120
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-116
Weatherstrips............................................5-115
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-117
Wood Panels............................................5-115
Appointments, Scheduling Service.....................7-10
Ashtray.........................................................3-23
1

Audio System.................................................3-82
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-124
Backglass Antenna.....................................3-126
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual.................................................3-111
Radio Reception........................................3-125
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-124
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-126
Audio System(s).............................................3-83
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-25
Operation...................................................2-38
B
Backglass Antenna........................................3-126
Battery..........................................................5-44
Electric Power Management..........................3-21
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-20
Run-Down Protection...................................3-22
Bluetooth
®....................................................3-111
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-41
Panic Assist................................................. 4-9
System Warning Light..................................3-38
Braking........................................................... 4-4
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-32Bulb Replacement...........................................5-55
Front Turn Signal and Fog Lamps..................5-56
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-55
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-52
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting...........5-55
License Plate Lamps....................................5-56
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-57
Buying New Tires...........................................5-76
C
Calibration.....................................................3-53
California Fuel.................................................. 5-7
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-5
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-5
Canadian Owners............................................... iii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-129
Carbon Monoxide...........................2-21, 2-48, 4-17
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-115
CD, MP3 .....................................................3-106
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-63
Chains, Tire...................................................5-82
Charging System Light....................................3-37
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-41
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-119
2

Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-39
Infants and Young Children...........................1-35
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-43
Older Children.............................................1-32
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-49
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-52
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-42
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-23
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-118
Exterior Lamps/Lenses................................5-116
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-113
Finish Care...............................................5-116
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.....................................5-115
Interior.....................................................5-112
Leather....................................................5-114
Speaker Covers.........................................5-115
Tires........................................................5-118
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-119
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-116
Weatherstrips............................................5-115
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-117
Wood Panels............................................5-115Climate Control System
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-29
Dual ..........................................................3-24
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-28
Clock............................................................3-23
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-27
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-12
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-111
Compass.......................................................3-53
Competitive Driving.........................................4-14
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant....................5-84, 5-93
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Convenience Net............................................2-63
Coolant
Engine.......................................................5-28
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-40
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-40
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-31
Cooling System..............................................5-34
Cruise Control................................................3-14
Cruise Control Light........................................3-46
Cupholders....................................................2-62
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation................................7-11
Customer Assistance for
Text Telephone (TTY) Users........................ 7-6
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-6
3