Page 465 of 548

Black plate (63,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-63
{ WARNINGIf different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety
if tires not recommended for
those wheels are selected. This
increases the chance of a crash
and serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems
developed for the vehicle, and
have them properly installed by a
GM certified technician.
See Buying New Tires on
page 10 ‑ 61 and Accessories and
Modifications on page 10 ‑ 3 for
additional information. Uniform Tire Quality
Grading Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires
by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This
applies only to vehicles sold in
the United States. The grades
are molded on the sidewalls
of most passenger car tires. The
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver, or temporary
use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production
tires.
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.
All Passenger Car Tires Must
Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements In Addition To
These Grades.
Page 470 of 548
Black plate (68,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-68 Vehicle Care
Tire Changing Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools The equipment you will need is
stored under the storage tray, which
is located on the driver side trim
panel (over the rear wheelhouse).
Regular Wheelbase shown,
Extended Wheelbase similar.
1. Remove the tray to access the
tools by pulling up on the finger
depression under the jack
symbol. 2. Remove the wing nut (B) used to
retain the tool bag by turning it
counterclockwise.
3. Turn the knob (A) on the jack
counterclockwise to release the
jack and wheel blocks from the
bracket.
4. Remove the wheel blocks and
the wheel block retainer by
turning the wing nut (C)
counterclockwise. The tools you will be using include
the following:
A. Jack
B. Wheel Blocks
C. Jack Handle
D. Jack Handle Extensions
E. Wheel Wrench
Page 471 of 548
Black plate (69,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-69To access the spare tire:
A. Hoist Assembly
B. Hoist Shaft
C. Hoist Shaft Access Cover/Hole
D. Jack Handle Extensions
E. Wheel Wrench
F. Hoist Cable
G. Tire/Wheel Retainer
H. Spare Tire (Valve Stem
Pointed Down)
I. Hoist Shaft Access Hole J. Hoist End of Extension Tool
K. Spare Tire Lock
1. To reach the hoist shaft access
cover (C), you will first need to
remove the hitch cover. Remove
it by turning the two fasteners
located at the bottom of the
cover counterclockwise and then
pull the cover down and rotate
towards you.
2. Open the hoist shaft access
cover (C) on the bumper to
access the spare tire lock (K). 3. To remove the spare tire lock
insert the ignition key, turn it
clockwise and then pull the
lock out.
4. Assemble the two jack handle
extensions (D) and wheel
wrench (E) as shown.
Page 472 of 548
Black plate (70,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-70 Vehicle Care
5. Insert the open end of the
extension (J) through the hole in
the rear bumper (I) (hoist shaft
access hole).
Be sure the hoist end (J) of the
extension (D) connects to the
hoist shaft (B). The ribbed
square end of the extension is
used to lower the spare tire. 6. Turn the wheel wrench (E)
counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire (H) to the ground.
Continue to turn the wheel
wrench until the spare tire can
be pulled out from under the
vehicle.
If the spare tire does not lower to
the ground, the secondary latch
is engaged causing the tire not
to lower. See Secondary Latch
System on page 10 ‑ 79 for more
information.
7. Use the wheel wrench hook
that allows you to pull the hoist
cable towards you, to assist in
reaching the spare tire.
Page 473 of 548
Black plate (71,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-71
8. Tilt the tire toward the vehicle
with some slack in the cable to
access the tire/wheel retainer.
Separate the retainer from the
guide pin by sliding the retainer
up the pin while pressing down
on the latch. Once the retainer is separated
from the pin, tilt the retainer and
pull it through the center of the
wheel along with the cable and
latch.
9. Put the spare tire near the
flat tire. Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire 1. Do a safety check before
proceeding. See If a Tire Goes
Flat on page 10 ‑ 66 for more
information.
2. To remove the center cap, place
the chiseled end of the wheel
wrench in the slot on the wheel
and gently pry the cap out.
Page 475 of 548

Black plate (73,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-73
Front Position
Front Tire Flat: If the flat tire is
on a front tire of the vehicle,
you will need to use the jack
handle and only one jack handle
extension. Attach the wheel
wrench to the jack handle
extension. Attach the jack
handle to the jack (A). Position
the jack on the frame behind the
flat tire where the frame sections
overlap. Turn the wheel wrench
clockwise to raise the vehicle. Raise the vehicle far enough off
the ground so there is enough
room for the spare tire to clear
the ground.
Rear Position
Rear Tire Flat: If the flat tire is
on a rear tire of the vehicle,
you will need to use the jack
handle (B) and both jack handle extensions (C). Attach the wheel
wrench (D) to the jack handle
extensions (C). Attach the jack
handle (B) to the jack (A). Use
the jacking pad (E) provided on
the rear axle. Turn the wheel
wrench (D) clockwise to raise the
vehicle. Raise the vehicle far
enough off the ground so there
is enough room for the spare tire
to clear the ground.
Page 476 of 548

Black plate (74,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
10-74 Vehicle Care
5. Remove all of the wheel nuts.
6. Take off the flat tire.
{ WARNING
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
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
(Continued) WARNING (Continued) an emergency, 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. See If a Tire Goes Flat
on page 10 ‑ 66 .
7. Remove any rust or dirt from the
wheel bolts, mounting surfaces,
and spare wheel. { WARNINGNever use oil or grease on bolts
or nuts because the nuts might
come loose. The vehicle's wheel
could fall off, causing a crash.
8. Put the wheel nuts back on with
the rounded end of the nuts
toward the wheel after mounting
the spare tire.
9. Tighten each wheel nut by hand.
Then use the wheel wrench to
tighten the nuts until the wheel is
held against the hub.
10. Turn the wheel wrench
counterclockwise to lower
the vehicle. Lower the jack
completely.
Page 477 of 548

Black plate (75,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-75
{ WARNINGWheel nuts that are improperly or
incorrectly tightened can cause
the wheels to become loose or
come off. The wheel nuts should
be tightened with a torque wrench
to the proper torque specification
after replacing. Follow the torque
specification supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel
nuts. See Capacities and
Specifications on page 12 ‑ 2 for
original equipment wheel nut
torque specifications.
Notice: Improperly tightened
wheel nuts can lead to brake
pulsation and rotor damage. To
avoid expensive brake repairs,
evenly tighten the wheel nuts in
the proper sequence and to the
proper torque specification. See
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12 ‑ 2 for the wheel nut
torque specification. 11. Tighten the nuts firmly in a
crisscross sequence as shown
by turning the wheel wrench
clockwise.
When you reinstall the regular
wheel and tire, you must also
reinstall the center cap. Line the tab
on the back of the cap with the slot
in the wheel. Place the cap on the
wheel and press until it snaps into
place. Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools
{ WARNINGStoring a jack, a tire, 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 all these in
the proper place.
Notice: Storing an aluminum
wheel with a flat tire under your
vehicle for an extended period
of time or with the valve stem
pointing up can damage the
wheel. Always stow the wheel
with the valve stem pointing
down and have the wheel/tire
repaired as soon as possible.
Store the tire under the rear of the
vehicle in the spare tire carrier.