2009 CADILLAC STS flat tire

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements......5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle.................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-18
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-21
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-23
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-25
Cooling System............................................5-26
Engine Coolant.............................................5-27
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-34
Engine Overheating.......................................5-34Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-36
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-37
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-42
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-47
Rear Axle.......................................................5-48
Front Axle......................................................5-49
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-50
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-51
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting............5-51
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-51
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-52
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-52
Windshield Replacement.................................5-52
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-52
Tires..............................................................5-54
Winter Tires.................................................5-55
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-56
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-59
Run-Flat Tires (STS-V)..................................5-62
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-64
High-Speed Operation...................................5-65
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-66
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-68
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-71
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-73
Buying New Tires.........................................5-74
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-76
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-77
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-79
Wheel Replacement......................................5-79
Tire Chains..................................................5-81
Lifting the Vehicle (STS-V).............................5-82
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-84
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
(Without Selector Switch)............................5-87
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
(With Selector Switch)................................5-96
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit Storage.......5-104
Changing a Flat Tire...................................5-104
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools..............5-106
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire.........................................5-107
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...........5-112
Compact Spare Tire....................................5-114
Appearance Care..........................................5-115
Interior Cleaning.........................................5-115
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-116
Leather......................................................5-117
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-117Wood Panels..............................................5-117
Speaker Covers..........................................5-118
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-118
Weatherstrips.............................................5-118
Washing Your Vehicle..................................5-118
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-119
Finish Care................................................5-119
Windshield and Wiper Blades.......................5-120
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim................................................5-120
Tires.........................................................5-121
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-121
Finish Damage...........................................5-121
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-121
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-122
Vehicle Identication.....................................5-122
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)................5-122
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-122
Electrical System..........................................5-123
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................5-123
Headlamp Wiring........................................5-123
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-123
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-123
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................5-123
Underhood Fuse Block................................5-124
Rear Underseat Fuse Block..........................5-128
Capacities and Specications........................5-134
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

(F) Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG):Tire manufacturers are required to grade
tires based on three performance factors:
treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance.
For more information seeUniform Tire Quality
Grading on page 5-77.
(G) Maximum Cold Ination Load Limit
:Maximum load that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed to support that load.(A) Temporary Use Only
:The compact
spare tire or temporary use tire has a tread life of
approximately 3,000 miles (5 000 km) and should
not be driven at speeds over 65 mph (105 km/h).
The compact spare tire is for emergency use when
a regular road tire has lost air and gone at. If your
vehicle has a compact spare tire, seeCompact
Spare Tire on page 5-114andIf a Tire Goes Flat
on page 5-84.
(B) Tire Ply Material
:The type of cord and
number of plies in the sidewall and under
the tread.
(C) Tire Identication Number (TIN)
:The letters
and numbers following the DOT (Department of
Transportation) code is the Tire Identication
Number (TIN). The TIN shows the manufacturer
and plant code, tire size, and date the tire was
manufactured. The TIN is molded onto both sides
of the tire, although only one side may have the
date of manufacture.
(D) Maximum Cold Ination Load Limit
:Maximum load that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed to support that load.
(E) Tire Ination
:The temporary use tire or
compact spare tire should be inated to 60 psi
(420 kPa). For more information on tire pressure
and ination seeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-64. Compact Spare Tire Example
5-57

Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire:Load on
an individual tire due to curb weight, accessory
weight, occupant weight, and cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard
:A label permanently attached
to a vehicle showing the vehicle’s capacity
weight and the original equipment tire size and
recommended ination pressure. See “Tire and
Loading Information Label” underLoading the
Vehicle on page 4-24.
Run-Flat Tires (STS-V)
If your vehicle has run-at tires, there is no spare tire
and no tire changing equipment. Your vehicle also has a
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) which will alert
you if there is a loss of tire pressure in any of the tires.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-66.
{CAUTION:
When the low tire warning light is displayed
on the instrument panel cluster, your vehicle’s
handling capabilities will be reduced during severe
maneuvers. If you drive too fast, you could lose
control of your vehicle. You or others could be
injured. Do not drive over 55 mph (90 km/h)
when the low tire warning light is displayed.
Drive cautiously and check your tire pressures
as soon as you can.
5-62

When rotating P235/50R17 size tires or
255/45ZR18 size tires, always use the correct
rotation pattern shown here.
If the vehicle has a compact spare tire, do not
include the compact spare tire in the tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front
and rear ination pressures as shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-64andLoading the Vehicle on
page 4-24.Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor Operation on page 5-68.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-134.
{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 5-104.
5-72

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.
{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 5-104for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on the 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.
5-80

Lifting From the Rear
The rear lifting points can be accessed from either side
of your vehicle, in front of the rear tires.
1. Locate the rear lifting points using the diagram
above. The rear lifting location is about 7 inches
(17 cm) from the front edge of the rear wheel well.2. Place a block or pad between the jack and the
vehicle.
3. Lift the vehicle with the jack, making sure the jack
is centered on the rear lifting point.
SeeDoing Your Own Service Work on page 5-4.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. SeeTires
on page 5-54. 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 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.
5-84

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.
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 the vehicle. Set the parking brake rmly and
put the shift lever in P (Park).
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 5-104.
To use the tire sealant and compressor kit, see
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit on page 5-87.
5-85