2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV flat tire

Black plate (78,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
9-78 Driving and Operating Total Weight on the Vehicle's
Tires Be sure the vehicle's tires are
inflated to the inflation pressures
found on the Certification label on
the driver door or see Vehicle
Load Limits on page 9 ‑ 24 for more
information. Make sure not to
exceed the GVWR limit for the
vehicle, or the RGAWR, with the tow
vehicle and trailer fully loaded for
the trip including the weight of the
trailer tongue. If using a weight
distributing hitch, make sure not to
exceed the RGAWR before applying
the weight distribution spring bars. Weight of the Trailering
Combination It is important that the combination
of the tow vehicle and trailer
does not exceed any of its weight
ratings — GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR,
Trailer Weight Rating or Tongue
Weight. The only way to be sure
it is not exceeding any of these
ratings is to weigh the tow vehicle
and trailer combination, fully loaded
for the trip, getting individual
weights for each of these items.
Towing Equipment Hitches The correct hitch equipment helps
maintain combination control. Most
small-to-medium trailers can be
towed with a weight carrying hitch
which simply features a coupler latched to the hitch ball. Larger
trailers may require a weight
distributing hitch that uses spring
bars to distribute the trailer tongue
weight among the two vehicle and
trailer axles. See “ Weight of the
Trailer Tongue ” in Trailer Towing on
page 9 ‑ 74 for rating limits with
various hitch types.
If a step-bumper hitch will be used,
the bumper could be damaged
in sharp turns. Make sure there
is ample room when turning to
avoid contact between the trailer
and the bumper.
Consider using sway controls
with any trailer. Ask a trailering
professional about sway controls or
refer to the trailer manufacturer's
recommendations and instructions.

Black plate (2,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-2 Vehicle Care When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-60
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Different Size Tires and
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-65
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-66
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-66
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68
Secondary Latch System . . . 10-79
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . 10-81
Jump Starting Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-82
Towing Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 10-87
Recreational Vehicle
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-87
Appearance Care Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-90
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-94
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-98 General Information For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California
Proposition 65 Warning Most motor vehicles, including this
one, contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems,
many fluids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.

Black plate (34,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-34 Vehicle Care
Headlamp Aiming The vehicle has a visual optical
headlamp aiming system. The aim
of the headlamps have been preset
at the factory and should need no
further adjustment.
However, if the vehicle is damaged
in a crash, the aim of the headlamps
may be affected and adjustment
may be necessary.
If oncoming vehicles flash their high
beams at you, this may mean the
vertical aim of the headlamps needs
to be adjusted.
It is recommended that the vehicle
is taken to your dealer for service if
the headlamps need to be adjusted.
It is possible however, to re-aim the
headlamps as described. The vehicle should: .
Be placed so the headlamps are
7.6 m (25 ft.) from a light colored
wall or other flat surface. .
Have all four tires on a level
surface which is level all the way
to the wall or other flat surface. .
Be placed so it is perpendicular
to the wall or other flat surface. .
Not have any snow, ice, or mud
on it. .
Be fully assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp
aiming is being performed. .
Be normally loaded with a full
tank of fuel and one person or
75 kg (160 lbs) sitting on the
driver seat. .
Have the tires properly inflated. .
Have the spare tire is in its
proper location in the vehicle. Headlamp aiming is done with the
vehicle's low-beam headlamps.
The high-beam headlamps will be
correctly aimed if the low-beam
headlamps are aimed properly.
To adjust the vertical aim:
1. Open the hood. See Hood on
page 10 ‑ 5 for more information.
2. Locate the center of the
projector lens of the low ‐ beam
headlamp.

Black plate (47,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-47WARNING (Continued) .
Underinflated tires pose the
same danger as overloaded
tires. The resulting crash
could cause serious injury.
Check all tires frequently to
maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure
should be checked when the
tires are cold. .
Overinflated tires are more
likely to be cut, punctured,
or broken by a sudden
impact — such as when
hitting a pothole. Keep tires at
the recommended pressure. .
Worn or old tires can cause
a crash. If the tread is badly
worn, replace them. .
Replace any tires that have
been damaged by impacts
with potholes, curbs, etc.
(Continued) WARNING (Continued) .
Improperly repaired tires
can cause a crash. Only the
dealer or an authorized tire
service center should repair,
replace, dismount, and mount
the tires. .
Do not spin the tires in
excess of 55 km/h (35 mph)
on slippery surfaces such
as snow, mud, ice, etc.
Excessive spinning may
cause the tires to explode.
See Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation on page 10 ‑ 54 for
inflation pressure adjustment for
high speed driving.
22 ‐ Inch Tires
If your vehicle has the optional
22 ‐ inch P285/45R22 size tires,
they are classified as touring
tires and are designed for
on ‐ road use. The low ‐ profile, wide tread design is not
recommended for off ‐ road
driving. See Off-Road Driving on
page 9 ‑ 7 , for additional
information.
Notice: If the vehicle has
low ‐ profile tires, they are
more susceptible to damage
from road hazards or curb
impact than standard profile
tires. Tire and/or wheel
assembly damage can occur
when coming into contact
with road hazards like,
potholes, or sharp edged
objects, or when sliding into
a curb. The vehicle warranty
does not cover this type of
damage. Keep tires set to the
correct inflation pressure and,
when possible avoid contact
with curbs, potholes, and
other road hazards.

Black plate (49,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-49(G) Maximum Cold Inflation
Load Limit :
Maximum load
that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed
to support that load. For
information on recommended
tire pressure see Tire Pressure
on page 10 ‑ 52 and Vehicle Load
Limits on page 9 ‑ 24 .
Tire Designations Tire Size
The following examples show
the different parts of a tire size.
Passenger (P ‐ Metric) Tire
(A) Passenger (P ‐ Metric) Tire :
The United States version of a
metric tire sizing system. The
letter P as the first character in the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to
standards set by the U.S. Tire
and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width :
The three ‐ digit
number indicates the tire section
width in millimeters from
sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio :
A two ‐ digit
number that indicates the tire
height ‐ to ‐ width measurements.
For example, if the tire size
aspect ratio is 75, as shown
in item C of the light truck
(LT ‐ Metric) tire illustration, it
would mean that the tire's
sidewall is 75% as high as it
is wide.
(D) Construction Code :
A
letter code is used to indicate
the type of ply construction in
the tire. The letter R means
radial ply construction; the
letter D means diagonal or bias ply construction; and the
letter B means belted ‐ bias ply
construction.
(E) Rim Diameter :
Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description :
These
characters represent the load
index and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents
the load carrying capacity a tire
is certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a
tire is certified to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and
Definitions Air Pressure :
The amount
of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch
of the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch).

Black plate (51,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-51Load Index :
An assigned
number ranging from 1 to 279
that corresponds to the load
carrying capacity of a tire.
Maximum Inflation Pressure :
The maximum air pressure to
which a cold tire can be inflated.
The maximum air pressure is
molded onto the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating :
The
load rating for a tire at the
maximum permissible inflation
pressure for that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle
Weight :
The sum of curb
weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight, and
production options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight :
The
number of occupants a vehicle
is designed to seat multiplied by
68 kg (150 lbs). See Vehicle
Load Limits on page 9 ‑ 24 . Occupant Distribution :
Designated seating positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall :
The
side of an asymmetrical tire that
has a particular side that faces
outward when mounted on a
vehicle. The side of the tire
that contains a whitewall,
bears white lettering, or bears
manufacturer, brand, and/or
model name molding that is
higher or deeper than the same
moldings on the other sidewall
of the tire.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire :
A
tire used on passenger cars
and some light duty trucks and
multipurpose vehicles.
Recommended Inflation
Pressure :
Vehicle
manufacturer's recommended
tire inflation pressure as shown
on the tire placard. See Tire Pressure on page 9 ‑ 24
and Vehicle Load Limits on
page 9 ‑ 24 .
Radial Ply Tire :
A pneumatic
tire in which the ply cords that
extend to the beads are laid at
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
Rim :
A metal support for a tire
and upon which the tire beads
are seated.
Sidewall :
The portion of a tire
between the tread and the bead.
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.

Black plate (52,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-52 Vehicle Care Treadwear Indicators :
Narrow
bands, sometimes called wear
bars, that show across the tread
of a tire when only 1.6 mm
(1/16 in) of tread remains. See
When It Is Time for New Tires
on page 10 ‑ 60 .
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 10 ‑ 63 . Vehicle Capacity Weight :
The number of designated
seating positions multiplied by
68 kg (150 lbs) plus the rated
cargo load. See Vehicle Load
Limits on page 9 ‑ 24 .
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
capacity weight and the
original equipment tire size
and recommended inflation
pressure. See “ Tire and Loading
Information Label ” under Vehicle
Load Limits on page 9 ‑ 24 .Tire Pressure If the vehicle is a hybrid, see
the hybrid supplement for more
information.
Tires need the correct amount
of air pressure to operate
effectively.
Notice: Neither tire
underinflation nor
overinflation is good.
Underinflated tires, or
tires that do not have
enough air, can result in: .
Tire overloading and
over-heating which
could lead to a blowout. .
Premature or
irregular wear. .
Poor handling. .
Reduced fuel economy.

Black plate (53,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-53Overinflated tires, or tires
that have too much air, can
result in: .
Unusual wear. .
Poor handling. .
Rough ride. .
Needless damage from
road hazards.
A vehicle specific Tire and
Loading Information label is
attached to your vehicle. This
label shows your vehicle's
original equipment tires and the
correct inflation pressures for
your tires when they are cold.
The recommended cold tire
inflation pressure, shown on the
label, is the minimum amount of
air pressure needed to support
your vehicle's maximum load
carrying capacity. For additional information
regarding how much weight
your vehicle can carry, and an
example of the Tire and Loading
Information label, see Vehicle
Load Limits on page 9 ‑ 24 .
How you load your vehicle
affects vehicle handling and
ride comfort. Never load your
vehicle with more weight than it
was designed to carry.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month
or more.
Do not forget to check the
pressure of the spare tire.
See Full-Size Spare Tire on
page 10 ‑ 81 for additional
information. 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 1.6 km (1 mile).
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.