Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
Vehicle Care 437
When It Is Time for
New Tires
Factors, such as maintenance,
temperatures, driving speeds,
vehicle loading, and road
conditions affect the wear
rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one
way to tell when it is time for
new tires. Treadwear
indicators appear when the
tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in)
or less of tread remaining. See
Tire Inspection0435 and
Tire Rotation 0435. The rubber in tires ages over
time. This also applies to the
spare tire, if the vehicle has
one, even if it is never used.
Multiple factors including
temperatures, loading
conditions, and inflation
pressure maintenance affect
how fast aging takes place.
GM recommends that tires,
including the spare if
equipped, be replaced after six
years, regardless of tread
wear. To identify the age of a
tire, use the tire manufacture
date, which is the last four
digits of the DOT Tire
Identification Number (TIN)
molded into one side of the
tire sidewall. The last four
digits of the TIN indicate the
tire manufactured date. The
first two digits represent the
week and the last two digits,
the year. For example, the
third week of the year 2020
would have a 4-digit DOT date
of 0320. Week 01 is the first
full week (Sunday through
Saturday) of each year.
Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored
normally mounted on a parked
vehicle. Park a vehicle that will
be stored for at least a month
in a cool, dry, clean area away
from direct sunlight to slow
aging. This area should be free
of grease, gasoline, or other
substances that can
deteriorate rubber.
Parking for an extended
period can cause flat spots on
the tires that may result in
vibrations while driving. When
storing a vehicle for at least a
month, remove the tires or
raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and
matched specific tires for
the vehicle. The original
equipment tires installed
were designed to meet
General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
438 Vehicle Care
Specification (TPC Spec)
system rating. When
replacement tires are
needed, GM strongly
recommends buying tires
with the same TPC Spec
rating.
GM's exclusive TPC Spec
system considers over a
dozen critical specifications
that impact the overall
performance of the vehicle,
including brake system
performance, ride and
handling, traction control,
and tire pressure
monitoring performance.
GM's TPC Spec number is
molded onto the tire's
sidewall near the tire size.
If the tires have an
all-season tread design, the
TPC Spec number will be
followed by MS for mud
and snow. See Tire
Sidewall Labeling0422 for
additional information. GM recommends replacing
worn tires in complete sets
of four. Uniform tread
depth on all tires will help
to maintain the
performance of the vehicle.
Braking and handling
performance may be
adversely affected if all the
tires are not replaced at
the same time. If proper
rotation and maintenance
have been done, all four
tires should wear out at
about the same time.
However, if it is necessary
to replace only one axle set
of worn tires, place the
new tires on the rear axle.
See Tire Rotation
0435.
{Warning
Tires could explode
during improper service.
Attempting to mount or
dismount a tire could
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
cause injury or death.
Only your dealer or
authorized tire service
center should mount or
dismount the tires.
{Warning
Mixing tires of different
sizes (other than those
originally installed on the
vehicle), brands, tread
patterns, or types may
cause loss of vehicle
control, resulting in a
crash or other vehicle
damage. Use the correct
size, brand, and type of
tire on all wheels.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
442 Vehicle Care
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.
{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.
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.
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
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 slowly and readjust or
remove the traction device if
it contacts the vehicle. Do
not spin the wheels.(Continued)
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
444 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
procedures, as described in
the service manual,
are used.
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 0156.
This vehicle may come with a
tire sealant and compressor
kit. To use the tire sealant and
compressor kit, see Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit
0 444.
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
{Warning
Idling a vehicle in an
enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous.
Engine exhaust may enter
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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, see
Engine Exhaust0276.
{Warning
Overinflating 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 or 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 (0.25 in) in the tread
area of the tire. It can also be
used to inflate an
underinflated tire.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
Vehicle Care 445
If the vehicle is equipped with
tires containing acoustic foam,
tire sealant performance may
be decreased in cold climates.
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
Assistance Program0489.
Read and follow all of the tire
sealant and compressor kit
instructions.
The kit includes:1. Sealant Canister Inlet Valve
2. Sealant/Air Hose
3. Base of Sealant Canister
4. Tire Sealant Canister
5. On/Off Button
6. Slot on Top of Compressor
7. Pressure Deflation Button
8. Pressure Gauge
9. Power Plug
10. Air Only Hose
Tire Sealant
Read and follow the safe
handling instructions on the
label adhered to the tire
sealant canister (4).
Check the tire sealant
expiration date on the tire
sealant canister. The tire
sealant canister (4) should be
replaced before its expiration
date. Replacement tire sealant
canisters are available at your
local dealer.
There is only enough sealant
to seal one tire. After usage,
the tire sealant canister must
be replaced.
Using the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit to
Temporarily Seal and
Inflate a Punctured Tire
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.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
Vehicle Care 447
7. Attach the sealant/airhose (2) to the tire valve
stem by turning it
clockwise until tight.
8. Plug the power plug (9) into the accessory power
outlet in the vehicle.
Unplug all items from other
accessory power outlets.
See Power Outlets 0108.
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.
9. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running
while using the air
compressor.
10. Press the on/off button (5) to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit on. The compressor will inject
sealant and air into
the tire.
The pressure gauge (8) will
initially show a high
pressure while the
compressor pushes the
sealant into the tire. Once
the sealant is completely
dispersed into the tire, the
pressure will quickly drop
and start to rise again as
the tire inflates with
air only.
11. Inflate the tire to the recommended inflation
pressure using the
pressure gauge (8). The
recommended inflation
pressure can be found on
the Tire and Loading
Information label. See Tire
Pressure 0427.
The pressure gauge (8)
may read higher than the
actual tire pressure while
the compressor is on. Turn
the compressor off to get
an accurate pressure reading. The compressor
may be turned on/off until
the correct pressure is
reached.
Caution
If the recommended
pressure cannot be reached
after approximately
25 minutes, the vehicle
should not be driven farther.
The tire is too severely
damaged and the tire
sealant and compressor kit
cannot inflate the tire.
Remove the power plug
from the accessory power
outlet and unscrew the
inflating hose from the tire
valve. See Roadside
Assistance Program
0489.
12. Press the on/off button (5) to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit off.
The tire is not sealed and
will continue to leak air
until the vehicle is driven
and the sealant is
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
448 Vehicle Care
distributed in the tire.
Therefore, Steps 13–
21 must be done
immediately after Step 12.
Be careful while handling
the tire sealant and
compressor kit as it could
be warm after usage.
13. Unplug the power plug (9) from the accessory power
outlet in the vehicle.
14. Turn the sealant/air hose (2) counterclockwise
to remove it from the tire
valve stem.
15. Replace the tire valve stem cap.
16. Remove the tire sealant canister (4) from the slot
on top of the
compressor (6).
17. Turn the air only hose (10) counterclockwise to
remove it from the tire
sealant canister inlet
valve (1). 18. Turn the sealant/air
hose (2) clockwise onto the
sealant canister inlet
valve (1) to prevent sealant
leakage.
19. Return the air only hose (10) and power plug (9)
back to their original
storage location.
20. If the flat tire was able toinflate to the
recommended inflation
pressure, remove the
maximum speed label from
the sealant canister and
place it in a highly visible
location.
Do not exceed the speed
on this label until the
damaged tire is repaired or
replaced. 21. Return the equipment to
its original storage location
in the vehicle.
22. Immediately drive the vehicle 8 km (5 mi) to
distribute the sealant in
the tire.
23. Stop at a safe location and check the tire pressure.
Refer to Steps 1–10 under
“Using the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit without
Sealant to Inflate a Tire
(Not Punctured).”
If the tire pressure has
fallen more than 68 kPa
(10 psi) below the
recommended inflation
pressure, stop driving the
vehicle. The tire is too
severely damaged and the
tire sealant cannot seal the
tire. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0489.
Cadillac CT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500419) -
2023 - CRC - 5/6/22
Vehicle Care 449
If the tire pressure has not
dropped more than 68 kPa
(10 psi) from the
recommended inflation
pressure, inflate the tire to
the recommended inflation
pressure.
24. Wipe off any sealant from the wheel, tire, or vehicle.
25. Dispose of the used tire sealant canister (4) at a
local dealer or in
accordance with local
state codes and practices.
26. Replace it with a new canister available from
your dealer.
27. After temporarily sealing a tire using the tire sealant
and compressor kit, take
the vehicle to an
authorized dealer within
161 km (100 mi) of driving
to have the tire repaired or
replaced.Using the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit without
Sealant to Inflate a Tire
(Not Punctured)
The kit includes:
1. Sealant Canister Inlet Valve
2. Sealant/Air Hose
3. Base of Sealant Canister
4. Tire Sealant Canister
5. On/Off Button
6. Slot on Top of Compressor 7. Pressure Deflation
Button
8. Pressure Gauge
9. Power Plug
10. Air Only Hose
If a tire goes flat, avoid further
tire and wheel damage by
driving slowly to a level place.
Turn on the hazard warning
flashers. See Hazard Warning
Flashers 0156.
See If a Tire Goes Flat 0443
for other important safety
warnings.