Black plate (64,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Speed Rating :
An alphanumeric code assigned
to a tire indicating the maximum speed at which a
tire can operate.
Traction :
The friction between the tire and the
road surface. The amount of grip provided.
Tread :
The portion of a tire that comes into
contact with the road.
Treadwear Indicators :
Narrow bands, sometimes
called wear bars, that show across the tread of a
tire when only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread
remains. See When It Is Time for New Tires
on
page 7 ‑ 73
.
UTQGS (Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards) :
A tire information system that
provides consumers with ratings for a tire's
traction, temperature, and treadwear. Ratings
are determined by tire manufacturers using
government testing procedures. The ratings are
molded into the sidewall of the tire. See Uniform
Tire Quality Grading
on page 7 ‑ 76 . Vehicle Capacity Weight :
The number of
designated seating positions multiplied by 150 lbs
(68 kg) plus the rated cargo load. See Loading the
Vehicle
on page 6 ‑ 32 .
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 inflation pressure. See “ Tire and
Loading Information Label ” under Loading the
Vehicle
on page 6 ‑ 32 .
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Black plate (66,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
How to Check Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to check
tire pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are
properly inflated simply by looking at them. Radial
tires may look properly inflated even when they
are underinflated. Check the tire's inflation
pressure when the tires are cold. Cold means
your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than
1 mile (1.6 km).
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem.
Press the tire gauge firmly onto the valve to get a
pressure measurement. If the cold tire inflation
pressure matches the recommended pressure on
the Tire and Loading Information label, no further
adjustment is necessary. If the pressure is low,
add air until you reach the recommended amount.
If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on
the metal stem in the center of the tire valve.
Recheck the tire pressure with the tire gauge.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture. High-Speed Operation
{ WARNING: Driving at high speeds, 160 km/h (100 mph) or
higher, puts an additional strain on tires.
Sustained high-speed driving causes excessive
heat build up and can cause sudden tire failure.
You could have a crash and you or others could
be killed. Some high-speed rated tires require
inflation pressure adjustment for high speed
operation. When speed limits and road conditions
are such that a vehicle can be driven at high
speeds, make sure the tires are rated for high
speed operation, in excellent condition, and set to
the correct cold tire inflation pressure for the
vehicle load.
If your vehicle has P265/65R18 or P285/45R22 size
tires and you will be driving at high speeds, speeds of
100 mph (160 km/h) or higher, set the cold inflation
pressure to 3 psi (20 kPa) above the recommended tire
pressure shown on the Tire and Loading Information
Label. When you end this high ‐ speed driving, return the
tires to the cold inflation pressure shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See Loading the Vehicle
on
page 6 ‑ 32 and Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 7 ‑ 65 .
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Black plate (67,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Tire Pressure Monitor System The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses radio
and sensor technology to check tire pressure levels.
The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in your
vehicle's tires and transmit tire pressure readings to a
receiver located in the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be
checked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation
pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label, you should determine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under ‐ inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale
illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure. Driving on a significantly under ‐ inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under ‐ inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver's responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under ‐ inflation
has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start ‐ ups as long as the malfunction
exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the
system may not be able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur
for a variety of reasons, including the installation of
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle
that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and
wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.
See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation on page 7 ‑ 68 for
additional information.
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Black plate (68,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) and Industry Canada See Radio Frequency Statement on page 9 ‑ 21 for
information regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) rules and Industry
Canada Standards RSS-210/220/310.
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation If your vehicle is a Two ‐ mode Hybrid, see the
Two ‐ mode Hybrid manual for more information.
This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS). The TPMS is designed to warn the driver when
a low tire pressure condition exists. TPMS sensors are
mounted onto each tire and wheel assembly, excluding
the spare tire and wheel assembly. The TPMS sensors
monitor the air pressure in the vehicle's tires and
transmit the tire pressure readings to a receiver located
in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure
condition is detected, the
TPMS illuminates the low
tire pressure warning light
located on the instrument
panel cluster. At the same time a message to check the pressure in a
specific tire appears on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) display. The low tire pressure warning light and
the DIC warning message come on at each ignition
cycle until the tires are inflated to the correct inflation
pressure. Using the DIC, tire pressure levels can be
viewed by the driver. For additional information and
details about the DIC operation and displays see DIC
Operation and Displays
on page 4 ‑ 42 and DIC
Warnings and Messages on page 4 ‑ 49 .
The low tire pressure warning light may come on in cool
weather when the vehicle is first started, and then turn
off as you start to drive. This could be an early indicator
that the air pressure in the tire(s) are getting low and
need to be inflated to the proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information label, attached to your
vehicle, shows the size of your vehicle's original
equipment tires and the correct inflation pressure for
your vehicle's tires when they are cold. See Loading the
Vehicle
on page 6 ‑ 32 , for an example of the Tire and
Loading Information label and its location on your
vehicle. Also see Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 7 ‑ 65 .
Your vehicle's TPMS can warn you about a low tire
pressure condition but it does not replace normal tire
maintenance. See Tire Inspection and Rotation
on
page 7 ‑ 71 and Tires on page 7 ‑ 58 .
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Black plate (73,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
When It Is Time for New Tires Various factors, such as maintenance, temperatures,
driving speeds, vehicle loading, and road conditions,
influence when you need new tires.
One way to tell when it is
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which appear
when your tires have only
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or less
of tread remaining. Some
commercial truck tires
may not have treadwear
indicators.
You need new tires if any of the following statements
are true: .
You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire. .
You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire's rubber. .
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut, or snagged
deep enough to show cord or fabric. .
The tire has a bump, bulge, or split. .
The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage that
cannot be repaired well because of the size or
location of the damage.
The rubber in tires degrades over time, even if they are
not being used. This is also true for the spare tire,
if your vehicle has one. Multiple conditions affect how
fast this aging takes place, including temperatures,
loading conditions, and inflation pressure maintenance.
With proper care and maintenance tires will typically
wear out before they degrade due to age. If you are
unsure about the need to replace your tires as they get
older, consult the tire manufacturer for more information.
Buying New Tires GM has developed and matched specific tires for your
vehicle. The original equipment tires installed on your
vehicle, when it was new, were designed to meet
General Motors Tire Performance Criteria Specification
(TPC spec) system rating. If you need replacement
tires, GM strongly recommends that you get tires with
the same TPC Spec rating. This way, your vehicle will
continue to have tires that are designed to give the
same performance and vehicle safety, during normal
use, as the original tires.
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Black plate (74,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
GM's exclusive TPC Spec system considers over a
dozen critical specifications that impact the overall
performance of your vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling, traction control, and tire
pressure monitoring performance. GM's TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire's sidewall near the tire
size. If the tires have an all ‐ season tread design, the
TPC spec number will be followed by an MS for mud
and snow. See Tire Sidewall Labeling
on page 7 ‑ 60 for
additional information.
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. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on page 7 ‑ 71
for information on proper tire rotation.
{ WARNING: 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
might not handle properly, and you could have a
crash. Using tires of different sizes, brands,
or types could also cause damage to your vehicle.
Be sure to use the same size, brand, and type of
tires on all wheels.
Your vehicle may have a different size spare than
the road tires (those originally installed on your
vehicle). When new, your vehicle included a spare
tire and wheel assembly with a similar overall
diameter as your vehicle's road tires and wheels,
so it is all right to drive on it. Because this spare
was developed for use on your vehicle, it will not
affect vehicle handling.
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Black plate (75,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
{ WARNING: If you use bias-ply tires on the vehicle, the
wheel rim flanges 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
may 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. See Tire
Pressure Monitor System on page 7 ‑ 67 .
Your vehicle's original equipment tires are listed on the
Tire and Loading Information Label. See Loading the
Vehicle on page 6 ‑ 32 , 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 could
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 anti ‐ lock brakes, rollover
airbags, traction control, and electronic stability control,
the performance of these systems can be affected.
{ WARNING: 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 specific wheel and tire
systems developed for your vehicle, and have
them properly installed by a GM certified
technician.
See Buying New Tires
on page 7 ‑ 73 and Accessories
and Modifications on page 7 ‑ 4 for additional
information.
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Black plate (79,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2010
WARNING: (Continued) vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer's
instructions. To help avoid damage to the vehicle,
drive slowly, re ‐ adjust or remove the device if it is
contacting the vehicle, and do not spin the
wheels. If you do find traction devices that will fit,
install them on the rear tires.
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 flat tire creates a drag that pulls
the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
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.
{ WARNING: 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 flat 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 flat tire.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use the
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
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