2008 CADILLAC DTS warning

TPMS Malfunction Light and Message
The TPMS will not function properly if one or more of
the TPMS sensors are missing or inoperable. When the
system detects a malfunction, the low tire warning light
ashes for about one minute and then stays on for the
remainder of the ignition cycle. A DIC warning message
is also displayed. The low tire warning light and DIC
warning message come on at each ignition cycle until
the problem is corrected. Some of the conditions that
can cause the malfunction light and DIC message to
come on are:
One of the road tires has been replaced with the
spare tire. The spare tire does not have a TPMS
sensor. The TPMS malfunction light and DIC
message should go off once you re-install the
road tire containing the TPMS sensor.
The TPMS sensor matching process was started but
not completed or not completed successfully after
rotating the vehicle’s tires. The DIC message and
TPMS malfunction light should go off once the TPMS
sensor matching process is performed successfully.
See “TPMS Sensor Matching Process” later in this
section.
One or more TPMS sensors are missing or
damaged. The DIC message and the TPMS
malfunction light should go off when the TPMS
sensors are installed and the sensor matching
process is performed successfully. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
Replacement tires or wheels do not match your
vehicle’s original equipment tires or wheels. Tires
and wheels other than those recommended for your
vehicle could prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-71.
Operating electronic devices or being near facilities
using radio wave frequencies similar to the TPMS
could cause the TPMS sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning it cannot detect or
signal a low tire condition. See your dealer/retailer for
service if the TPMS malfunction light and DIC message
comes on and stays on.
5-66

{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your 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 your 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 5-63.
Your vehicle’s original equipment tires are listed on
the Tire and Loading Information Label. SeeLoading
the Vehicle on page 4-20, for more information about the
Tire and Loading Information Label and its location on
your vehicle.
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 5-71andAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3for additional information.
5-73

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.
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.
5-74

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. Some aluminum wheels can
sometimes be repaired. See your GM dealer/retailer if
any of these conditions exist.
Your GM 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.
5-75

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)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
When your vehicle has a at tire, use the following
example as a guide to assist you in the placement of
wheel blocks.
The following information tells you how to use the jack
and change a tire.
5-79

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-40
Adaptive Cruise Control...................................3-19
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-69
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-100
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Air Conditioning..............................................3-42
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-58
Readiness Light..........................................3-57
Airbag System................................................1-53
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-69
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-61
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-63
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-68
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-61
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-62
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-59
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-56
Analog Clock..................................................3-42
Antenna, Backglass.......................................3-120
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-120
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-4
Anti-lock Brake, System Warning Light...............3-61Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-96
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-93
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-98
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-94
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-91
Finish Care.................................................5-94
Finish Damage............................................5-97
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-93
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-90
Leather......................................................5-92
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-97
Speaker Covers..........................................5-93
Tires..........................................................5-97
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-97
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-98
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-94
Weatherstrips..............................................5-94
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-95
Wood Panels..............................................5-93
Appointments, Scheduling Service.....................7-11
Ashtray(s)......................................................3-41
Audio System.................................................3-96
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-118
Backglass Antenna.....................................3-120
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual.................................................3-118
Radio Reception........................................3-119
Setting the Clock.........................................3-97
1

Audio System (cont.)
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-118
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-120
Audio System(s)............................................3-100
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-27
B
Backglass Antenna........................................3-120
Battery..........................................................5-40
Electric Power Management..........................3-39
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-37
Inadvertent Power Saver..............................3-40
Load Management.......................................3-38
Run-Down Protection...................................3-40
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-37
Panic Assist................................................. 4-7
System Warning Light..................................3-60
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-22
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-50
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-47
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting...........5-50
Buying New Tires...........................................5-71
C
Calibration...............................................1-9, 2-36
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-109
Carbon Monoxide...........................2-12, 2-34, 4-16
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-93
CD, MP3 .....................................................3-111
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-59
Center Flex Storage Unit.................................2-60
Center Seat..................................................... 1-8
Chains, Tire...................................................5-77
Charging System Light....................................3-60
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-65
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-98
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-38
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-41
Older Children.............................................1-31
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-47
2

Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Center Front Seat Position........................1-49
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-50
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-40
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-96
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-94
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-91
Finish Care.................................................5-94
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-93
Interior.......................................................5-90
Leather......................................................5-92
Speaker Covers..........................................5-93
Tires..........................................................5-97
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-97
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-94
Weatherstrips..............................................5-94
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-95
Wood Panels..............................................5-93
Climate Control System
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-51
Dual ..........................................................3-42
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-48
Rear ..........................................................3-49
Clock............................................................3-42
Clock, Setting.................................................3-97Coinholder(s)..................................................2-59
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-13
Compass.................................................1-9, 2-36
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-19
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Convenience Net............................................2-60
Coolant
Engine.......................................................5-24
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-64
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-63
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-27
Cooled Seats................................................... 1-3
Cooling System..............................................5-30
Cornering Lamps............................................3-37
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-37
Cruise Control................................................3-16
Cruise Control, Forward Collision Alert (FAC)
System......................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-68
Cupholders....................................................2-59
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation................................7-11
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-6
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-6
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-7
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-16
3