Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
Vehicle Care 395
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 freeof 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
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 Labeling
0378 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
Cadillac XT5 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16406251) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
Vehicle Care 401
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow
out while driving, especially if
the tires are maintained
properly. See Tires0376. 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 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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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 0155.
If your vehicle is loaded at or
near maximum cargo capacity,
it may be difficult to fit the jack
under the vehicle due to the
environment (shoulder slope,
road debris, etc.). Removal of
some weight may improve the
ability to fit the jack under the
vehicle at the correct jacking
location.