2009 CADILLAC CTS warning

GM recommends replacing tires in sets of four. This is
because uniform tread depth on all tires will help
keep your vehicle performing most like it did when the
tires were new. Replacing less than a full set of tires can
affect the braking and handling performance of your
vehicle. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on page 5-76.
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 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 (other
than those originally installed on your vehicle),
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 (other
than those originally installed on your vehicle),
brands or types, may also cause damage to your
vehicle. Be sure to use the correct size, brand,
and type tires on all four wheels.
{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 it. 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 5-71.
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.
5-79

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.
5-81

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.
CTS-V models should only use adhesive wheel weights
to balance the tires and wheels.
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.
5-82

If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow out while you are driving,
especially if you maintain the tires properly. SeeTires on
page 5-61. If air goes out of a tire, it is much more likely to
leak out slowly. But, if you should ever have a blow out,
here are a few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create 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 blow out, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you would use
in a skid. In any rear blow out, 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.
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 P (Park). If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, move the shift lever to
R (Reverse) and set the parking brake rmly.3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the at tire.
{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and training. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, it 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. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, only use it for changing a at tire.
This vehicle may come with a jack and spare tire or a
tire sealant and compressor kit. To use the jack and
spare tire, seeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-96.To
use the tire sealant and compressor kit, seeTire Sealant
and Compressor Kit on page 5-86.
5-85

Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit with
Pressure Deation Button
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-19.
2. Remove the retainer that holds the tire sealant and
compressor kit in place.
3. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from
the foam container.
To store the tire sealant and compressor kit, reverse
the steps.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage by
driving slowly to a level place. Turn on the hazard
warning ashers. SeeHazard Warning Flashers on
page 3-6.
{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).
CAUTION: (Continued)
5-96

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-22
Adaptive Forward Lighting System.....................3-19
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-73
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-114
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-25
Air Conditioning..............................................3-24
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-37
Readiness Light..........................................3-36
Airbag System................................................1-58
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-73
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-65
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-67
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-72
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-65
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-66
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-63
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-61
All-Wheel Drive...............................................5-51
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System........................... 4-9
Analog Clock..................................................3-23Antenna, Backglass.......................................3-128
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-128
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-4
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-40
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-112
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-109
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-113
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................5-110
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-107
Finish Care...............................................5-110
Finish Damage..........................................5-113
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.....................................5-108
Interior Cleaning........................................5-106
Leather....................................................5-108
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-113
Speaker Covers.........................................5-109
Tires........................................................5-113
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-113
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-110
Weatherstrips............................................5-109
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-111
Wood Panels............................................5-109
Appointments, Scheduling Service.....................7-10
Ashtray.........................................................3-23
1

Audio System.................................................3-85
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-126
Backglass Antenna.....................................3-128
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual............................3-113
Radio Reception........................................3-127
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-126
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-128
Audio System(s).............................................3-86
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-29
Operation...................................................2-36
B
Backglass Antenna........................................3-128
Battery..........................................................5-45
Electric Power Management..........................3-21
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-20
Run-Down Protection...................................3-22
Bluetooth
®....................................................3-113
Boost Gage...................................................3-50
Brake
Electric Parking...........................................2-44
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brake Fluid....................................................5-42
Brakes..........................................................5-42
System Warning Light..................................3-39
Braking........................................................... 4-4Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-30
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-57
Front Turn Signal and Fog Lamps..................5-58
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-57
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-53
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting...........5-57
License Plate Lamps....................................5-59
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-59
Buying New Tires...........................................5-78
C
Calibration.....................................................3-56
California Fuel.................................................. 5-7
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners............................................... iii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-127
Carbon Monoxide...........................2-19, 2-50, 4-17
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-109
CD, MP3 .....................................................3-108
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-65
Chains, Tire...................................................5-84
Charging System Light....................................3-38
Check
Engine Lamp..............................................3-43
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
2

Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-113
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-41
Infants and Young Children...........................1-37
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-45
Older Children.............................................1-34
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-51
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-54
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-44
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-23
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-112
Exterior Lamps/Lenses................................5-110
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-107
Finish Care...............................................5-110
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.....................................5-108
Interior.....................................................5-106
Leather....................................................5-108
Speaker Covers.........................................5-109
Tires........................................................5-113
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-113
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-110
Weatherstrips............................................5-109
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-111
Wood Panels............................................5-109Climate Control System
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-29
Dual ..........................................................3-24
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-29
Clock............................................................3-23
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-30
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-105
Compass.......................................................3-56
Competitive Driving.........................................4-13
Compressor Kit
Storing.......................................................5-95
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant............................5-86
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Convenience Net............................................2-65
Coolant
Engine.......................................................5-32
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-42
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-41
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-37
Cooling System..............................................5-31
Cruise Control................................................3-14
Cruise Control Light........................................3-48
Cupholders....................................................2-64
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation................................7-10
Customer Assistance for
Text Telephone (TTY) Users........................ 7-6
3