2011 CADILLAC DTS warning

Black plate (71,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to
Federal Safety Requirements In Addition To
These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and a half (1½) 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 significantly 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
specified 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.
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
specified 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 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 inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combination, can
cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
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Black plate (72,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
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 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 if any
of these conditions exist.
Your GM dealer 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 originalequipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts, wheel nuts, and TPMS sensors
for your vehicle.
{WARNING:
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.
If your vehicle is a professional model, the wheels have
a unique offset and bolt hole diameter. Each of the
wheels on the professional vehicle have eight wheels
nuts. The wheels on the non-professional vehicle
have five wheel nuts. See Changing a Flat Tire
on
page 6‑83for more information.
6-72

Black plate (73,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Used Replacement Wheels
{WARNING:
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.
Tire Chains
{WARNING:
Do not use tire chains. 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 the
vehicle and you or others may be injured in a
crash.(Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on the
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer's
instructions. To help avoid damage to the
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it is contacting the vehicle, and do not
spin the vehicle's wheels. If you do find traction
devices that will fit, install them on the front 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 off the road, if possible.
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Black plate (74,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
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:
Driving on a flat tire will cause permanent damage
to the tire. Re-inflating a tire after it has been
driven on while severely under-inflated or flat
may cause a blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire that has been
driven on while severely under-inflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized tire service
center repair or replace the flat tire as soon as
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.
This vehicle may come with a jack and spare tire or a
tire sealant and compressor kit. To use the jack and
spare tire, follow the instructions below. To use the tire
sealant and compressor kit, see Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
on page 6‑75.
6-74

Black plate (75,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
{WARNING:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains
Carbon Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or
smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and even
death. Never run the engine in an enclosed area
that has no fresh air ventilation. For more
information, seeEngine Exhaust on page 3‑33.
{WARNING:
Over-inflating a tire could cause the tire to rupture
and you or others could be injured. Be sure to
read and follow the tire sealant and compressor
kit instructions and inflate the tire to its
recommended pressure. Do not exceed the
recommended pressure.
{WARNING:
Storing the tire sealant and compressor kit or
other equipment in the passenger compartment of
the vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could strike someone.
Store the tire sealant and compressor kit in its
original location.
If this vehicle has a tire sealant and compressor kit,
there may not be a spare tire, tire changing equipment,
and on some vehicles there may not be a place to store
a tire.
The tire sealant and compressor can be used to
temporarily seal punctures up to 6 mm (¼ inch) in the
tread area of the tire. It can also be used to inflate an
under inflated tire.
If the tire has been separated from the wheel, has
damaged sidewalls, or has a large puncture, the tire is
too severely damaged for the tire sealant and
compressor kit to be effective. See Roadside Service
on page 8‑7.
6-75

Black plate (77,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Using the Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit to Temporarily Seal and Inflate a
Punctured Tire
Follow the directions closely for correct sealant usage.
When using the tire sealant and compressor kit
during cold temperatures, warm the kit in a heated
environment for five minutes. This will help to inflate the
tire faster.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. SeeHazard Warning Flashers
on
page 4‑3. See
If a Tire Goes Flat
on page 6‑73for other
important safety warnings.
Do not remove any objects that have penetrated
the tire.
1. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from its storage location. See Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit Storage on page 6‑82.
2. Unwrap the sealant/air hose (F) and the power plug (G).
3. Place the kit on the ground. Make sure the tire valve stem is positioned close to
the ground so the hose will reach it.
4. Remove the valve stem cap from the flat tire by turning it counterclockwise.
5. Attach the sealant/air hose (F) onto the tire valve stem. Turn it clockwise until it is tight.
6. Plug the power plug (G) into the accessory power outlet in the vehicle. Unplug all items from other
accessory power outlets. See Accessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 4‑33.
If the vehicle has an accessory power outlet, do
not use the cigarette lighter.
If the vehicle only has a cigarette lighter, use the
cigarette lighter.
Do not pinch the power plug cord in the door or
window.
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Black plate (80,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Using the Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit without Sealant to Inflate a Tire
(Not Punctured)
To use the air compressor to inflate a tire with air only
and not sealant:
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. SeeHazard Warning Flashers
on
page 4‑3. See
If a Tire Goes Flat
on page 6‑73for other
important safety warnings.
1. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from its storage location. See Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit Storage on page 6‑82.
2. Unwrap the air only hose (E) and the power plug (G).
3. Place the kit on the ground. Make sure the tire valve stem is positioned close to
the ground so the hose will reach it.
4. Remove the tire valve stem cap from the flat tire by turning it counterclockwise.
5. Attach the air only hose (E) onto the tire valve stem by turning it clockwise until it is tight.
6. Plug the power plug (G) into the accessory power outlet in the vehicle. Unplug all items from other
accessory power outlets. See Accessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 4‑33.
If the vehicle has an accessory power outlet, do
not use the cigarette lighter.
If the vehicle only has a cigarette lighter, use the
cigarette lighter.
Do not pinch the power plug cord in the door or
window.
6-80

Black plate (83,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place, well off the road,
if possible. Turn on the hazard warning flashers. See
Hazard Warning Flashers on page 4‑3.
{WARNING:
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 firmly.
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.
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 the vehicle has a flat tire (B), use the following
example as a guide to assist you in the placement of
wheel blocks (A).
A. Wheel Block
B. Flat Tire
The following information explains how to use the jack
and change a tire.
6-83