2008 CADILLAC SRX wheel

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.
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.
5-72

{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 5-76for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your 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.
5-73

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P255/50R20 size tires, do not
use tire chains. They can damage your vehicle
because 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, readjust or remove the
device if it is contacting your vehicle, and do
not spin the vehicle’s wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the rear tires.Notice:If your vehicle has a tire size other than
P255/50R20 use tire chains only where legal and only
when you must. Use chains that are the proper size
for your tires. Install them on the tires of the rear axle.
Do not use chains on the tires of the front axle.
Tighten them as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
5-74

If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are driving,
especially if you maintain your vehicle’s tires properly.
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 creates 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.{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.
If a tire goes at, the next part shows how to use the
jacking equipment to change a at tire safely.
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 PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart
while the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in
the vehicle.
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.
5-76

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.Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment is located in the rear of the vehicle.
To access the equipment:
1. Remove the storage bin to access the jack if your
vehicle has the cargo management system.
If your vehicle has the third row seat, remove the
head rest storage tray to access the jack.
2. Turn the wing nut (A) holding the jack (B)
(and storage tray, if applicable) counterclockwise
and remove it.
3. Remove the jack and wheel wrench (C).
5-77

Removing the Spare Tire
The compact spare tire is located under the vehicle,
ahead of the rear bumper. SeeCompact Spare Tire on
page 5-90for more information about the compact spare.
To remove the spare tire from the vehicle, do the
following:
A. Wheel Wrench
B. CableC. Retainer
D. Compact Spare Tire
1. Open the liftgate. SeePower Liftgate on page 2-13
for more information.
2. Open the storage compartment door of the cargo
management system that is nearest the liftgate
and remove the container.3. Attach the wheel wrench (A) into the hoist shaft.
4. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to
lower the spare tire to the ground. Continue turning
the wrench until the spare tire (D) can be pulled
out from under the vehicle.
5. Tilt the retainer (C) and slip it through the wheel
opening to remove the spare tire from the cable (B).
5-78

6. Turn the wrench clockwise until you feel two slips
or hear two clicks after removing the spare tire to
raise the cable back up.
Do not store a full-size or a at road tire under
the vehicle. SeeStoring a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools on page 5-87.
To continue changing the at tire, seeRemoving the
Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire on page 5-80.
If the spare tire will not lower, the secondary latch
might be engaged causing the tire not to lower.
Do the following to check the cable:
1. Check under the
vehicle to see if
the cable is visible.
If it is not visible,
seeSecondary Latch
System on page 5-84.2. If it is visible, rst try to tighten the cable by
turning the wheel wrench clockwise until you
hear two clicks or feel it skip twice. You cannot
over-tighten the cable.
3. Loosen the cable then by turning the wrench
counterclockwise three or four turns.
4. Tighten the cable all the way and then loosen it at
least two times, if the spare tire has not lowered.
If the spare tire did lower to the ground, continue
with Step 4 underRemoving the Spare Tire
and Tools on page 5-77.
If you still cannot lower the spare tire to the ground,
seeSecondary Latch System on page 5-84.
5-79