2008 CADILLAC CTS spare wheel

Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size than
your original equipment wheels and tires, this may affect
the way your vehicle performs, including its braking, ride
and handling characteristics, stability, and resistance
to rollover. Additionally, if your vehicle has electronic
systems such as, antilock brakes, traction control, and
electronic stability control, the performance of these
systems can be affected.
{CAUTION:
If you add different sized wheels, your
vehicle may not provide an acceptable
level of performance and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels are selected.
You may increase the chance that you will crash
and suffer serious injury. Only use GM specic
wheel and tire systems developed for your
vehicle, and have them properly installed
by a GM certied technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-76andAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-4for additional information.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which
grades tires by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States. The grades are
molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car
tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver, or temporary use spare
tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors
passenger cars and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they must also conform
to federal safety requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
5-78

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

If the tire has been separated from the wheel, has
damaged sidewalls, or has a puncture larger than a
14inch (6 mm), the tire is too severely damaged for
the tire sealant and compressor kit to be effective.
SeeRoadside Service on page 7-7.
If the tire has a puncture less than a
14inch (6 mm)
in the tread area of the tire, seeTire Sealant and
Compressor Kit (With Sealant Selector Switch) on
page 5-84orTire Sealant and Compressor Kit
(Without Sealant Selector Switch) on page 5-93.
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
(With Sealant Selector Switch)
Your vehicle has a tire sealant and compressor kit that
is capable of temporarily sealing a puncture up to 6 mm in
the tread area of the tire. There is no jack or spare tire.
The kit inates the tire with liquid sealant and air. The tire
sealant and compressor kit can also be used to inate
an underinated tire. After the tire is inated to the
recommended ination pressure, seeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-66for more information, the vehicle
must be driven for ve miles to distribute the sealant in
the tire and seal the puncture. After driving ve miles the
tire pressure must be rechecked and adjusted as needed.See Using the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit later in
this section. Be sure to read and follow all of the tire
sealant and compressor kit instructions. The kit includes:
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
After temporarily sealing the tire sealant and compressor
kit, it is recommended to take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer/retailer as soon as possible. If the
sealant is removed within 100 miles (161 kilometers) of
driving, then it is easier to clean from the tire and you are
less likely to require a replacement tire.
5-84

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
A. Wing Nut
B. Spare Tire
C. JackD. Wheel Wrench
E. Extension
F. Strap
The equipment you will need is in the trunk.To gain access to the spare tire and jacking equipment,
do the following:
1. Remove the spare tire cover.
2. Remove the stow rod cap by pulling it straight up
off of the rod.
3. Turn the wing nut (A) on the compact spare tire (B)
counterclockwise to remove it.
4. Remove the spare tire and place it next to the
at tire.
5. The tools you will be using next include the jack (C),
wheel wrench (D), and extension (E).
5-104

Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. Do a safety check before proceeding. SeeChanging
a Flat Tire on page 5-102for more information.
2. Loosen the wheel nuts, but do not remove them
yet, using the wheel wrench. Turn the handle
about 180 degrees, then return the handle back
to the starting position. This avoids taking the
wrench off the lug nut for each turn.3. Find the jacking location using the diagram above
and corresponding V-shaped locating notches
located in the plastic molding.
5-105

Notice:If you position the jack under the rocker
molding and attempt to raise the vehicle, you could
break the molding and/or cause other damage to
your vehicle. Always position the jack so that when
the jack head is raised, it will t rmly in the
notch located inboard from the rocker molding.
5. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the jack lift head until the jack ts under the vehicle.
6. Raise the jack by turning the wheel wrench
clockwise until the slots in the jack head t into the
metal ange located behind the V–shaped locating
notches on the plastic molding as shown.7. Put the compact spare tire near you.
8. Raise the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the
ground for the compact spare tire to t under the
vehicle.
9. Remove all the wheel
nuts and the at tire.
5-107

{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.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on bolts or nuts.
Because the nuts might come loose. The
vehicle’s wheel could fall off, causing a crash.10. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces, and
spare wheel.
11. Install the spare tire.
12. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end of
the nuts toward the wheel.
13. Tighten each wheel nut by turning it clockwise with
your hand until the wheel is held against the hub.
14. Lower the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
5-108

Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools
{CAUTION:
Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision,
loose equipment could strike someone.
Store all these in the proper place.
After you have put the compact spare tire on your
vehicle, you will need to store the at tire in your trunk.
The compact spare is for temporary use only. Replace
the compact spare tire with a full-size tire as soon
as you can.Use the following diagram as a guide for storing the
compact spare tire in the trunk:
A. Wing Nut
B. Compact Spare Tire
or Flat Tire (valve
stem down)C. Jack
D. Wheel Wrench
E. Extension
F. Strap
5-110