Page 343 of 432
Black plate (75,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 11/9/12
Vehicle Care 10-75
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools
1. Extension
2. Jack
3. Wheel Wrench
4. Wing NutTo access the spare tire and tools:
1. Open the liftgate. See
Liftgate
on page 2‑13.2. Press on the bottom of the handle assembly to unlatch it
and lift up on the handle.
The prop rod locks into place
when open.
3. Remove the spare tire cover.
4. Remove the rubber cover.
Page 344 of 432

Black plate (76,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 11/9/12
10-76 Vehicle Care
5. Remove the nut retaining thespare tire.
6. Remove the spare tire and place it next to the tire being changed.
7. Remove the wing nut.
8. Remove the extension, jack, and wheel wrench and place them
near the tire being changed.
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
Take off the wheel cover or center
cap, if the vehicle has one, to reach
the wheel bolts.
1. Do a safety check beforeproceeding. See If a Tire Goes
Flat on page 10‑65 for more
information.
2. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to loosen and
remove the wheel nut caps.
Do not try to remove plastic caps
from the cover or center cap.
3. Pull the cover or center cap away from the wheel. Store the
wheel cover in the cargo area
until you have the flat tire
repaired or replaced.
4. Turn the wheel wrenchcounterclockwise to loosen all
the wheel nuts, but do not
remove them yet.
5. Place the jack near the flat tire.
Notice: Make sure that the jack
lift head is in the correct position
or you may damage your vehicle.
The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty.
Page 346 of 432

Black plate (78,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 11/9/12
10-78 Vehicle Care
8. Turn the extension with thewheel wrench clockwise to raise
the jack lift head until the jack
just fits under the vehicle.
9. Raise the vehicle by turning the
wheel wrench clockwise until the
slots in the jack head fit into the
metal flange located behind the
triangle on the plastic moulding. Notice:
Using a jack to raise the
vehicle without positioning it
correctly could damage your
vehicle. When raising your
vehicle on a jack, be sure to
position it correctly under the
frame and avoid contact with the
plastic molding.
10. Put the compact spare tire
near you.
Remove all of the wheel nuts.
11. Remove 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
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
Page 347 of 432

Black plate (79,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 11/9/12
Vehicle Care 10-79
12. Remove any rust or dirt fromthe wheel bolts, mounting
surfaces, and spare wheel.
13. Place the compact spare tire on the wheel-mounting surface.
{WARNING
Never use oil or grease on bolts
or nuts because the nuts might
come loose. The vehicle's wheel
could fall off, causing a crash. 14. Reinstall the wheel nuts.
Tighten each nut by hand until
the wheel is held against
the hub.
15. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise.
{WARNING
Wheel 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.
16. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence, as
shown.
Page 357 of 432

Black plate (89,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 11/9/12
Vehicle Care 10-89
Notice:Towing the vehicle from
the rear could damage it. Also,
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Never have
the vehicle towed from the rear.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.
Use a de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, and have the
locks greased after using. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
Notice: Do not use
petroleum-based, acidic,
or abrasive cleaning agents as
they can damage the vehicle's
paint, metal, or plastic parts.
If damage occurs, it would not be
covered by the vehicle's warranty.
Approved cleaning products can
be obtained from your dealer. Follow all manufacturer
directions regarding correct
product usage, necessary safety
precautions, and appropriate
disposal of any vehicle care
product.
Notice:
Avoid using
high-pressure washes closer
than 30 cm (12 in) to the surface
of the vehicle. Use of power
washers exceeding 8,274 kPa
(1,200 psi) can result in damage
or removal of paint and decals.
Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after, to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water
spotting.
Page 359 of 432

Black plate (91,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 11/9/12
Vehicle Care 10-91
Weatherstrips
Apply silicone grease on
weatherstrips to make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or
squeak. Lubricate weatherstrips
once a year. Black marks from
rubber material on painted surfaces
can be removed by rubbing with a
clean cloth. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 11‑13.
Tires
Use a stiff brush with tire cleaner to
clean the tires.
Notice: Using petroleum-based
tire dressing products on the
vehicle may damage the paint
finish and/or tires. When applying
a tire dressing, always wipe off
any overspray from all painted
surfaces on the vehicle.
Wheels and Trim —Aluminum
or Chrome
Use a soft, clean cloth with mild
soap and water to clean the wheels.
After rinsing thoroughly with clean
water, dry with a soft, clean towel.
A wax may then be applied.
Notice: Chrome wheels and other
chrome trim may be damaged if
the vehicle is not washed after
driving on roads that have been
sprayed with magnesium,
calcium, or sodium chloride.
These chlorides are used on
roads for conditions such as
ice and dust. Always wash the
chrome with soap and water after
exposure.
Notice: To avoid surface damage,
do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
cleaners, brushes, or cleaners
that contain acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels. Use only
approved cleaners. Also, never
drive a vehicle with aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels through an automatic car wash that uses
silicone carbide tire cleaning
brushes. Damage could occur
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect the front and rear
suspension and steering system for
damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear. Inspect the power
steering for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Visually
check constant velocity joints,
rubber boots, and axle seals for
leaks.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges, and the
steel fuel door hinge unless the
components are plastic. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
Page 364 of 432
Black plate (96,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 11/9/12
10-96 Vehicle Care
Removing and Replacing the
Floor Mats
The driver side floor mat is held in
place by two button-type retainers.
The passenger side floor mat is held
in place by one button-type retainer.
1. Pull up on the rear of the floormat to unlock each retainer and
remove. 2. Reinstall by lining up the floor
mat retainer openings over the
carpet retainers and snapping
into position.
3. Make sure the floor mat is properly secured and verify that
it does not interfere with the
pedals.
Page 369 of 432

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 11/9/12
Service and Maintenance 11-5
.Visually inspect windshield
wiper blades for wear, cracking,
or contamination. SeeExterior
Care on page 10‑89. Replace
worn or damaged wiper blades.
See Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 10‑25.
.Check tire inflation pressures.
See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑51.
.Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑57.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑11.
.Inspect brake system.
.Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of
wear. See Exterior Care on
page 10‑89.
.Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑19.
.Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
.Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts.
.Lubricate body components. See
Exterior Care on page 10‑89.
.Check starter switch. See Starter
Switch Check on page 10‑23.
.Check automatic transmission
shift lock control function. See
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function Check on
page 10‑24.
.Check parking brake and
automatic transmission park
mechanism. See Park Brake and
P (Park) Mechanism Check on
page 10‑24.
.Check accelerator pedal for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
.Visually inspect gas strut for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage. Check the hold open
ability of the strut. See your
dealer if service is required.
.Check tire sealant expiration
date, if equipped. See Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit on
page 10‑67.
.Inspect sunroof track and seal,
if equipped. See Sunroof on
page 2‑25.