2008 CADILLAC CTS winter tires

{CAUTION:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could get
so hot that they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or even none
going down a hill. You could crash. Shift down
to let the engine assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
{CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. The brakes will have
to do all the work of slowing down and they
could get so hot that they would not work well.
You would then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could crash.
Always have the engine running and the
vehicle in gear when going downhill.
Stay in your own lane. Do not swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds
that let you stay in your own lane.
Top of hills: Be alert — something could be in your
lane (stalled car, accident).
Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks
area, winding roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You might want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer uid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, a ashlight, a red
cloth, and a couple of reective warning triangles. And,
if you will be driving under severe conditions, include
a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet, or a couple of
burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
Also seeTires on page 5-58.
4-17

Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between the tires and
the road, you can have a very slippery situation.
You have a lot less traction, or grip, and need to be
very careful.What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold snow
or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice
can be even more trouble because it can offer the least
traction of all. You can get wet ice when it is about
freezing, 32°F (0°C), and freezing rain begins to fall.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews
can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed, blowing,
or loose snow — drive with caution.
The Traction Control System (TCS) improves your
ability to accelerate when driving on a slippery road.
Even though you have TCS, slow down and adjust your
driving to the road conditions. Under certain conditions,
you might want to turn the TCS off, such as when
driving through deep snow and loose gravel, to help
maintain vehicle motion at lower speeds. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-6. Also see
StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-8,If Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-21,
and “Winter Tires” underTires on page 5-58.
4-18

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

CAUTION: (Continued)

Underinated tires pose the same
danger as overloaded tires. The
resulting accident could cause serious
injury. Check all tires frequently to
maintain the recommended pressure.
Tire pressure should be checked when
your tires are cold. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-66.
Overinated tires are more likely
to be cut, punctured, or broken by
a sudden impact — such as when
you hit a pothole. Keep tires at the
recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If
your tread is badly worn, or if your tires
have been damaged, replace them.
SeeHigh-Speed Operation on page 5-68for
ination pressure adjustment for high
speed driving.
Low-Prole Performance Tires
If your vehicle has 235/50ZR18 or P235/50R18
size tires, they are classied as low-prole tires.
These tires are designed for very responsive driving
on wet or dry pavement. You may also notice more
road noise with low-prole performance tires and
that they tend to wear faster.
Notice:If the vehicle has low-prole tires,
they are more susceptible to damage from road
hazards or curb impact than standard prole
tires. Tire and/or wheel assembly damage can
occur when coming into contact with road
hazards like, potholes, or sharp edged objects,
or when sliding into a curb. The vehicle
warranty does not cover this type of damage.
Keep tires set to the correct ination pressure
and, when possible avoid contact with curbs,
potholes, and other road hazards.
Summer Performance Tires
Many General Motors high performance models
come factory-equipped with tires that are optimized
for maximum dry and wet road performance while
still retaining satisfactory tread life, excellent
durability, and low noise levels. In severe winter
climates where snowfall may be signicant, these
tires may be found to provide less traction.
5-59

Winter Tires
If you expect to drive on snow or ice covered roads
often, you may want to get winter tires for your vehicle.
All season tires provide good overall performance on
most surfaces but they may not offer the traction
you would like or the same level of performance
as winter tires on snow or ice covered roads.
Winter tires, in general, are designed for increased
traction on snow and ice covered roads. With winter
tires, there may be decreased dry road traction,
increased road noise, and shorter tread life. After
switching to winter tires, be alert for changes in
vehicle handling and braking.
See your dealer/retailer for details regarding winter tire
availability and proper tire selection. Also, seeBuying
New Tires on page 5-76.
If you choose to use winter tires:
Use tires of the same brand and tread type on all
four wheel positions.
Use only radial ply tires of the same size, load
range, and speed rating as the original equipment
tires.
Winter tires with the same speed rating as your original
equipment tires may not be available for H, V, W, Y,
and ZR speed rated tires. If you choose winter tires with
a lower speed rating, never exceed the tire’s maximum
speed capability.
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is molded into its
sidewall. The examples below show a typical
passenger vehicle tire and a compact spare tire
sidewall.
(A) Tire Size
:The tire size is a combination of
letters and numbers used to dene a particular
tire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction type,
and service description. See the “Tire Size”
illustration later in this section for more detail.Passenger (P-Metric) Tire Example
5-60

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

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

Storage Areas
Center Console Storage Area........................2-63
Convenience Net.........................................2-63
Cupholders.................................................2-62
Glove Box..................................................2-62
Instrument Panel Storage Area......................2-63
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow.....................4-21
Sun Visors.....................................................2-27
Sunroof.........................................................2-63
T
Tachometer....................................................3-32
Telescopic Steering Column, Power Tilt Wheel...... 3-7
Telescopic Wheel.............................................. 3-6
Theft-Deterrent, Radio....................................3-124
Theft-Deterrent System....................................2-28
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-28
Immobilizer.................................................2-29
Immobilizer Operation..........................2-30, 2-31
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-6
Tire
Pressure Light.............................................3-41
Tires.............................................................5-58
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels,
Cleaning...............................................5-118
Buying New Tires........................................5-76Tires (cont.)
Chains.......................................................5-82
Changing a Flat Tire..................................5-102
Cleaning...................................................5-118
Compact Spare Tire...................................5-111
Different Size..............................................5-78
High-Speed Operation..................................5-68
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-82
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-66
Inspection and Rotation................................5-74
Installing the Spare Tire..............................5-105
Pressure Monitor Operation...........................5-70
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-69
Removing the Flat Tire...............................5-105
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools..............5-104
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools..........5-110
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit...........5-84, 5-93
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-60
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-63
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-78
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-80
Wheel Replacement.....................................
5-80
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-75
Winter Tires................................................5-60
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-28
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-30
Your Vehicle...............................................4-28
12