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VEHICLE CARE 369
also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) standards.
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
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 one-half
(1½) times as well on the
government course as a tiregraded 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
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
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
Cadillac XT6 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15218998) -
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370 VEHICLE CARE
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance
The tires and wheels were aligned and
balanced at the factory to provide the
longest tire life and best overall
performance. Adjustments to wheel
alignment and tire balancing are not
necessary on a regular basis. Consider
an alignment check if there is unusual
tire wear or the vehicle is significantly
pulling to one side or the other. Some
slight pull to the left or right,
depending on the crown of the road
and/or other road surface variations
such as troughs or ruts, is normal.
If the vehicle is vibrating when driving
on a smooth road, the tires and
wheels may 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 nutsshould be replaced. If the wheel leaks
air, replace it. Some aluminum wheels
can be repaired. See your dealer if any
of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of
wheel that is needed.
Each new wheel should have the same
load-carrying capacity, diameter,
width, offset, and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
Replace wheels, wheel bolts, wheel
nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) sensors with new GM original
equipment parts.
{Warning
Using the wrong replacement
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts
can be dangerous. It could affect
the braking and handling of the
vehicle. Tires can lose air and cause
loss of control, resulting in a crash.
Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts, and wheel nuts for
replacement.
Caution
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.
Used Replacement Wheels
{Warning
Replacing a wheel with a used one
is dangerous. How it has been used
or how far it has been driven may
be unknown. It could fail suddenly
and cause a crash. When replacing
wheels, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{Warning
If the vehicle has 265/45R21 size
tires, do not use tire chains. There
is not enough clearance. Tire chains
(Continued)
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VEHICLE CARE 371
Warning (Continued)
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 loss of control
and a crash. Use another type of
traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for
the vehicle's tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slow
and readjust or remove the traction
device if it contacts the vehicle. Do
not spin the wheels. If traction
devices are used, install them on
the front tires.
Caution
If the vehicle is equipped with a tire
size other than 265/45R21, use tire
chains only where legal and only
when necessary. Use low profile
chains that add no more than(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
12 mm thickness to the tire tread
and inner sidewall. Use chains that
are the proper size for the tires.
Install them on the tires of the
front axle. Do not use chains on the
tires of the rear axle. Tighten them
as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly and
follow the chain manufacturer's
instructions. If the chains contact
the vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow
down until it stops. Driving too fast
or spinning the wheels with chains
on will damage the vehicle.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow out
while driving, especially if the tires are
maintained properly. See Tires0351.
If air goes out of a tire, it is much
more likely to leak out slowly. But if
there is ever 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.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and may
require the same correction as used in
a skid. Stop pressing the accelerator
pedal and steer to straighten the
vehicle. It may be very bumpy and
noisy. 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
underinflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash. Never
attempt to re-inflate a tire that has
been driven on while severely
underinflated or flat. Have your
(Continued)
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Warning (Continued)
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.
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 0142.
{Warning
Changing a tire can be dangerous.
The vehicle can slip off the jack and
roll over or fall causing injury or
death. Find a level place to change
the tire. To help prevent the vehicle
from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a manual
transmission in 1 (First) or
R (Reverse).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart while the vehicle is
raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle.
5. Place wheel blocks, if equipped, on both sides of the tire at the
opposite corner of the tire
being changed.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (2),
use the following example as a guide
to assist in the placement of the
wheel blocks (1), if equipped.
1. Wheel Block (If Equipped)
2. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to repair or change a tire.
Tire Changing
Performance Brake Package
RPO J56
The original spare tire/wheel will not
fit onto the front axle if equipped with
the performance brake package RPO
J56. If there is a flat tire on the front
axle, a tire/wheel from the rear axle
must be used to make the repair. The
spare tire will then replace the tire/
wheel that is removed from the
rear axle.
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374 VEHICLE CARE
2. Turn the wheel wrenchcounterclockwise to loosen all the
wheel nuts, but do not remove
them yet.
3. Place the jack near the tire being changed.
Caution
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.
4. Position the jack lift head at thejack location nearest the tire being
changed.
The jacking location is indicated by
a half circle notch in the metal
flange. The jack must not be used
in any other position.
{Warning
Getting under a vehicle when it is
lifted on a jack is dangerous. If the
vehicle slips off the jack, you could
be badly injured or killed. Never get
under a vehicle when it is
supported only by a jack.
{Warning
Raising the vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can damage
the vehicle and even make the
vehicle fall. To help avoid personal
injury and vehicle damage, be sure
to fit the jack lift head into the
proper location before raising the
vehicle.
{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.
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VEHICLE CARE 375
Caution
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.
5. Turn the wheel wrench clockwiseto raise the jack lift head until the
slots in the jack head fit into the
metal flange behind the cut out on
the plastic molding. Do not raise
the vehicle yet. 6. Put the compact spare tire
near you.
7. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack handle clockwise. Raise the
vehicle far enough off the ground
so there is enough room for the
road tire to clear the ground.
8. Remove all of the wheel nuts.
9. Remove the tire.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on
the parts to which it is fastened,
can cause wheel nuts to become
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
loose over time. The wheel
could come off and cause a
crash. When changing a wheel,
remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches
to the vehicle. In an emergency,
a cloth or paper towel can be
used; however, use a scraper or
wire brush later to remove all
rust or dirt.
10. Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting surfaces,
and spare wheel.
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11. Place the spare tire on thewheel-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.
12. Reinstall the wheel nuts. Tighten each nut by hand until the wheel is
held against the hub.
13. 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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
locking wheel nuts. See Capacities
and Specifications 0409 for original
equipment wheel nut torque
specifications.
Caution
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 0409 for the wheel
nut torque specification.
14. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence, as shown.
15. Lower the jack all the way and remove the jack from under the
vehicle.
16. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly with the wheel wrench.
Caution
Wheel covers will not fit on the
vehicle's compact spare. If you try
to put a wheel cover on the
compact spare, the cover or the
spare could be damaged.
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{Warning
Storing 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.
Storing the Flat Tire
1. Liftgate Hinges
2. Cable
3. Center of the Wheel
4. Door Striker
To store the flat tire:
1. Remove the cable package fromunder the spare tire, jack, and
tools.
2. Remove the small cap by tapping the back of the cap with the
extension of the shaft, if the
vehicle has aluminum wheels.
3. Put the jack, tool container, and cargo management system tray
back in their original location.
4. Put the flat tire in the cargo bin with the valve stem facing the rear
of the vehicle.
5. Pull the cable through the door striker and the center of the wheel.
6. Open the lift gate to 3 / 4 doorlocation and adjust the door
automatically or manually until
there is enough space to hook the
cable to the door hinges. See
Liftgate 020.
7. Hook the other end of the cable onto the outside portion of the
liftgate hinge on the other side of
the vehicle.
8. Pull on the cable to make sure it is secure.