2007 Cadillac STS Owners Manual

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GM’s TPC speciﬁcations meet or exceed all federal safety guidelines. Tire Size The following illustration shows an example of a typical passenger vehicle tire size. (A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire: The United States version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter P as the ﬁrst character in the tire size means a passenger vehicle tire engineered to standards set by the U.S. Tire and Rim Association. (B) Tire Width: The three-digit number indicates the tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall. 425 (C) Aspect Ratio: A two-digit number that indicates the tire height-to-width measurements. For example, if the tire size aspect ratio is 60, as shown in item C of the illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall is 60 percent as high as it is wide. (D) Construction Code: A letter code is used to indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The letter R means radial ply construction; the letter D means diagonal or bias ply construction; and the letter B means belted-bias ply construction. (E) Rim Diameter: Diameter of the wheel in inches. (F) Service Description: These characters represent the load range and speed rating of the tire. The load index represents the load carry capacity a tire is certiﬁed to carry. The load index can range from 1 to 279. The speed rating is the maximum speed a tire is certiﬁed to carry a load. Speed ratings range from A to Z. 426 Tire Terminology and Deﬁnitions Air Pressure: The amount of air inside the tire pressing outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa). Accessory Weight: This means the combined weight of optional accessories. Some examples of optional accessories are, automatic transmission/transaxle, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air conditioning. Aspect Ratio: The relationship of a tire’s height to its width. Belt: A rubber coated layer of cords that is located between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made from steel or other reinforcing materials. Bead: The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim. Bias Ply Tire: A pneumatic tire in which the plies are laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread. Cold Tire Pressure: The amount of air pressure in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up heat from driving. See Inﬂation - Tire Pressure on page 431. Curb Weight: This means the weight of a motor vehicle with standard and optional equipment including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, but without passengers and cargo. DOT Markings: A code molded into the sidewall of a tire signifying that the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) motor vehicle safety standards. The DOT code includes the Tire Identiﬁcation Number (TIN), an alphanumeric designator which can also identify the tire manufacturer, production plant, brand, and date of production. GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. See Loading Your Vehicle on page 349. GAWR FRT: Gross Axle Weight Rating for the front axle. See Loading Your Vehicle on page 349. GAWR RR: Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear axle. See Loading Your Vehicle on page 349. Intended Outboard Sidewall: The side of an asymmetrical tire, that must always face outward when mounted on a vehicle. Kilopascal (kPa): The metric unit for air pressure. Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire: A tire used on light duty trucks and some multipurpose passenger vehicles. Load Index: An assigned number ranging from 1 to 279 that corresponds to the load carrying capacity of a tire. Maximum Inﬂation Pressure: The maximum air pressure to which a cold tire may be inﬂated. The maximum air pressure is molded onto the sidewall. Maximum Load Rating: The load rating for a tire at the maximum permissible inﬂation pressure for that tire. 427 Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight: The sum of curb weight, accessory weight, vehicle capacity weight, and production options weight. Normal Occupant Weight: The number of occupants a vehicle is designed to seat multiplied by 150 lbs (68 kg). See Loading Your Vehicle on page 349. Occupant Distribution: Designated seating positions. Outward Facing Sidewall: The side of an asymmetrical tire that has a particular side that faces outward when mounted on a vehicle. The side of the tire that contains a whitewall, bears white lettering, or bears manufacturer, brand, and/or model name molding that is higher or deeper than the same moldings on the other sidewall of the tire. Passenger (P-Metric) Tire: A tire used on passenger cars and some light duty trucks and multipurpose vehicles. Recommended Inﬂation Pressure: Vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire inﬂation pressure as shown on the tire placard. See Inﬂation - Tire Pressure on page 431 and Loading Your Vehicle on page 349. Radial Ply Tire: A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread. Rim: A metal support for a tire and upon which the tire beads are seated. Sidewall: The portion of a tire between the tread and the bead. Speed Rating: An alphanumeric code assigned to a tire indicating the maximum speed at which a tire can operate. Traction: The friction between the tire and the road surface. The amount of grip provided. Tread: The portion of a tire that comes into contact with the road. 428 Treadwear Indicators: Narrow bands, sometimes called wear bars, that show across the tread of a tire when only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread remains. See When It Is Time for New Tires on page 440. UTQGS (Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards): A tire information system that provides consumers with ratings for a tire’s traction, temperature, and treadwear. Ratings are determined by tire manufacturers using government testing procedures. The ratings are molded into the sidewall of the tire. See Uniform Tire Quality Grading on page 444. Vehicle Capacity Weight: The number of designated seating positions multiplied by 150 lbs (68 kg) plus the rated cargo load. See Loading Your Vehicle on page 349. Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire: Load on an individual tire due to curb weight, accessory weight, occupant weight, and cargo weight. Vehicle Placard: A label permanently attached to a vehicle showing the vehicle’s capacity weight and the original equipment tire size and recommended inﬂation pressure. See “Tire and Loading Information Label” under Loading Your Vehicle on page 349. Run-Flat Tires (STS-V) If your vehicle has run-ﬂat tires, there is no spare tire and no tire changing equipment. Your vehicle also has a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) which will alert you if there is a loss of tire pressure in any of the tires. See Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 433. {CAUTION: When the low tire warning light is displayed on the instrument panel cluster, your vehicle’s handling capabilities will be reduced during severe maneuvers. If you drive too fast, you could lose control of your vehicle. You or others could be injured. Do not drive over 55 mph (90 km/h) when the low tire warning light is displayed. Drive cautiously and check your tire pressures as soon as you can. 429 If a tire goes ﬂat, you will not need to stop on the side of the road to change the tire. You can just keep on driving. The vehicle’s run-ﬂat tires can operate effectively with no air pressure for up to 50 miles (80 km) at speeds up to 55 mph (90 km/h). The shorter the distance you drive and the slower the speed, the greater the chance that the tire will not have to be replaced. When a tire is ﬁlled with air, it provides a cushion between the road and the wheel. Because you will not have this cushion when driving on a deﬂated run-ﬂat tire, try to avoid potholes that could damage your wheel and require replacement of it. Some road hazards can damage a tire beyond repair. This damage could occur even before you have driven on the tire in a deﬂated condition. When a tire has been damaged, or if you have driven any distance on a deﬂated run-ﬂat tire, check with an authorized run-ﬂat tire service center, as soon as possible, to determine whether the tire can be repaired or should be replaced. To maintain your vehicle’s run-ﬂat feature, all replacement tires must be self-supporting tires. To locate the nearest GM or authorized run-ﬂat servicing facility, call Roadside Service. See Roadside Service on page 531 for details. 430 {CAUTION: Run-ﬂat tires are constructed differently than other tires and could explode during improper service. You or others could be injured or killed if you attempt to repair, replace, dismount, or mount a run-ﬂat tire. Let only an authorized run-ﬂat service center repair, replace, dismount, and mount run-ﬂat tires. The valve stems on your vehicle’s run-ﬂat tires have sensors that are part of the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). These sensors contain batteries which are designed to last for 10 years under normal driving conditions. See your GM dealer, if the TPMS sensors or a wheel ever need replacement. Notice: Using liquid sealants can damage the tire valves and tire pressure monitor sensors in your vehicle’s run-ﬂat tires. This damage would not be covered by warranty. Do not use liquid sealants in your vehicle’s run-ﬂat tires. Inﬂation - Tire Pressure Tires need the correct amount of air pressure to operate effectively. Notice: Do not let anyone tell you that under-inﬂation or over-inﬂation is all right. It is not. If your tires do not have enough air (under-inﬂation), you can get the following: (cid:127) Too much ﬂexing (cid:127) Too much heat (cid:127) Tire overloading (cid:127) Premature or irregular wear (cid:127) Poor handling (cid:127) Reduced fuel economy If your tires have too much air (over-inﬂation), you can get the following: (cid:127) Unusual wear (cid:127) Poor handling (cid:127) Rough ride (cid:127) Needless damage from road hazards A Tire and Loading Information label is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar, below the driver’s door latch. This label lists your vehicle’s original equipment tires and shows the correct inﬂation pressures for your tires when they are cold. The recommended cold tire inﬂation pressure, shown on the label, is the minimum amount of air pressure needed to support your vehicle’s maximum load carrying capacity. For additional information regarding how much weight your vehicle can carry, and an example of the tire and loading information label, see Loading Your Vehicle on page 349. How you load your vehicle affects vehicle handling and ride comfort, never load your vehicle with more weight than it was designed to carry. When to Check Check your tires once a month or more. Do not forget to check the compact spare tire, if your vehicle has one. The compact spare should be at 60 psi (420 kPa). For additional information regarding the compact spare tire, see Compact Spare Tire on page 475. 431 How to Check Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are properly inﬂated simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look properly inﬂated even when they are underinﬂated. Check the tire’s inﬂation pressure when the tires are cold. Cold means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km). Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem. Press the tire gage ﬁrmly onto the valve to get a pressure measurement. If the cold tire inﬂation pressure matches the recommended pressure on the Tire and Loading Information label, no further adjustment is necessary. If the inﬂation pressure is low, add air until you reach the recommended amount. If you overﬁll the tire, release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the tire valve. Re-check the tire pressure with the tire gage. Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture. 432 High-Speed Operation {CAUTION: Driving at high speeds, 100 mph (160 km/h) or higher, puts an additional strain on tires. Sustained high-speed driving causes excessive heat build up and can cause sudden tire failure. You could have a crash and you or others could be killed. Some high-speed rated tires require inﬂation pressure adjustment for high speed operation. When speed limits and road conditions are such that a vehicle can be driven at high speeds, make sure the tires are rated for high speed operation, in excellent condition, and set to the correct cold tire inﬂation pressure for the vehicle load. If you will be driving at high speeds, speeds of 100 mph (160 km/h) or higher, where it is legal, set the cold inﬂation pressure to the maximum inﬂation pressure shown on the tire sidewall, or 38 psi (265 kPa), whichever is lower. See the example following. When you end this high-speed driving, return the tires to the cold inﬂation pressure shown on the Tire and Loading Information label. See Loading Your Vehicle on page 349. Example: You will ﬁnd the maximum load and inﬂation pressure molded on the tire’s sidewall, in small letters, near the rim ﬂange. It will read something like this: Maximum load 690 kg (1521 lbs) 300 kPa (44 psi) Max. Press. For this example, you would set the inﬂation pressure for high-speed driving at 38 psi (265 kPa). Tire Pressure Monitor System Your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). This system uses radio and sensor technology to check tire pressure levels. Sensors are mounted onto each tire and wheel assembly, except the compact spare tire and wheel. The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in your vehicle’s tires and transmits the tire pressure readings to a receiver located in the vehicle. Using the Driver Information Center (DIC), tire pressure levels may be viewed by the driver. For additional information and details about the DIC operation and displays see DIC Controls and Displays on page 258 and DIC Warnings and Messages on page 264. If a low tire pressure condition is detected, the TPMS will display the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning message on the DIC display and, at the same time, illuminate the low tire pressure warning symbol, on the instrument panel cluster. 433 The tire pressure warning light may come on in cool weather when the vehicle is ﬁrst started, and then turn off as you start to drive. This could be an early indicator that the tire pressures are getting low and need to be inﬂated to the proper pressure. Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and inﬂated to the inﬂation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inﬂation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inﬂation pressure label, you should determine the proper tire inﬂation pressure for those tires.) As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is signiﬁcantly under-inﬂated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inﬂate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signiﬁcantly under-inﬂated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inﬂation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability. 434 Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will ﬂash for approximately one minute and then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly. Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inﬂation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale. A Tire and Loading Information label, attached to your vehicle, shows the size of your vehicle’s original equipment tires and the correct inﬂation pressure for your vehicle’s tires when they are cold. See Loading Your Vehicle on page 349 for an example of the Tire and Loading Information label and its location on your vehicle. Also see Inﬂation - Tire Pressure on page 431. Your vehicle’s TPMS can warn you about a low tire pressure condition but it does not replace normal tire maintenance. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on page 438 and Tires on page 421. Notice: Your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). Use only the GM-provided tire sealant. Other liquid tire sealants may damage the tire pressure sensors. 435 TPMS Sensor Identiﬁcation Codes Each TPMS sensor has a unique identiﬁcation code. Any time you replace one or more of the TPMS sensors or rotate your vehicle’s tires, the identiﬁcation codes will need to be matched to the new tire/wheel position. The sensors are matched to the tire/wheel positions in the following order: driver side front tire, passenger side front tire, passenger side rear tire, and driver side rear tire using a TPMS diagnostic tool. See your GM dealer for service. The TPMS sensors may also be matched to each tire/wheel position by increasing or decreasing the tire’s air pressure. When increasing the tire’s pressure, do not exceed the maximum inﬂation pressure indicated on the tire’s sidewall. If using this method to match TPMS sensors, the complete procedure outlined below must be performed within 15 minutes of the vehicle being stationary. You will have one minute to match the ﬁrst tire/wheel position, and ﬁve minutes overall, to match all four tire/wheel positions. If it takes longer than one minute to match the ﬁrst tire and wheel, or more than ﬁve minutes to match all four tire/wheel positions, the matching process stops and you will need to start over. The TPM matching process is outlined below: 1. Set the parking brake. 2. Press the push-button ignition switch to Acc. (Off/Accessory). 3. Using the Keyless Access transmitter, lock and unlock the vehicle’s doors. 4. Press the lock and unlock buttons, at the same time, on the Keyless Access transmitter. A single horn chirp will sound, indicating that the TPMS is ready, and the sensor matching process can begin. 5. Start with the driver’s side front tire. 436 6. Remove the valve cap from the valve stem. Activate the TPMS sensor by increasing or decreasing the tire’s air pressure for ﬁve seconds, or until a horn chirp sounds. The horn chirp, which may take up to 30 seconds to sound, conﬁrms that the sensor identiﬁcation code has been matched to this tire position. To decrease the tire’s air-pressure use the pointed end of the valve cap, a pencil-style air pressure gauge, or a key. 7. Proceed to the passenger’s side front tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 6. 8. Proceed to the passenger’s side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 6. 9. Proceed to the driver’s side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 6. 10. After hearing the conﬁrming single horn chirp for the driver’s side rear tire, a double horn chirp will sound to signal the tire matching mode is no longer active. Press the push-button ignition switch to Acc. 11. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure level as indicated on the tire and loading information label. 12. Put the valve caps back on the valve stems. The spare tire does not have a TPMS sensor. If you replace one of the road tires with the spare, the SERVICE TIRE MONITOR message will be displayed on the DIC screen. This message should go off once you re-install the road tire containing the TPM sensor. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Industry and Science Canada This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause harmful interference. 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. 437 Different tire sizes should not be rotated front to rear. Each tire and wheel should only be used in the original front or rear position it is in. Tire rotation is recommended if your vehicle is equipped with P235/50R17 size tires on all four wheel positions or 255/45ZR18 size tires on all four wheel positions. These tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles (8 000 to 13 000 km) Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires as soon as possible and check wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels. See When It Is Time for New Tires on page 440 and Wheel Replacement on page 445 for more information. The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The ﬁrst rotation is the most important. See Scheduled Maintenance on page 505. This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause interference. 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. Changes or modiﬁcations to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment. Tire Inspection and Rotation Tire rotation is not recommended if your vehicle has the following performance tire combinations: (cid:127) P235/50R17 size tires on the front wheels and P255/45R17 size tires on the rear wheels. (cid:127) P235/50R18 size tires on the front wheels and P255/45R18 size tires on the rear wheels. (cid:127) P255/45R18 size tires on the front wheels and P275/40R19 size tires on the rear wheels. 438 When rotating P235/50R17 size tires or 255/45ZR18 size tires, always use the correct rotation pattern shown here. If your vehicle has a compact spare tire, do not include the compact spare tire in the tire rotation. After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and rear inﬂation pressures as shown on the Tire and Loading Information label. Vehicles that have the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) will need to have the TPMS sensors reset after a tire rotation, see Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 433. Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under Capacities and Speciﬁcations on page 498. {CAUTION: 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 you change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can 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 Changing a Flat Tire on page 464. 439 When It Is Time for New Tires One way to tell when it is time for new tires is to check the treadwear indicators, which will appear when your tires have only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or less of tread remaining. You need a new tire if any of the following statements are true: (cid:127) You can see the indicators at three or more places around the tire. (cid:127) You can see cord or fabric showing through the tire’s rubber. (cid:127) The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut, or snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric. (cid:127) The tire has a bump, bulge, or split. (cid:127) The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage that cannot be repaired well because of the size or location of the damage. 440 Buying New Tires GM has developed and matched speciﬁc tires for your vehicle. The original equipment tires installed on your vehicle, when it was new, were designed to meet General Motors Tire Performance Criteria Speciﬁcation (TPC Spec) system rating. If you need replacement tires, GM strongly recommends that you get tires with the same TPC Spec rating. This way, your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed to give the same performance and vehicle safety, during normal use, as the original tires. GM’s exclusive TPC Spec system considers over a dozen critical speciﬁcations that impact the overall performance of your 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 by the tire manufacturer. If the tires have an all-season tread design, the TPC Spec number will be followed by an MS for mud and snow. See Tire Sidewall Labeling on page 423 for additional information. The optional 18-inch performance tires, size 255/45ZR18 99Y, used on some vehicles, meet the General Motors Tire Performance Criteria Speciﬁcation (TPC Spec) rating but the TPC Spec code has not been molded onto the tire’s sidewall. If your vehicle has these tires, and you need to replace them, you can still get these TPC Spec rated tires by asking your GM dealer. Your GM dealer can order these tires by part number. This way, your vehicle will continue to give the proper endurance, handling, traction, and ride as the original tires. 441 Winter tires with the same speed rating as your original equipment tires may not be available for H, V, W, Y and ZR speed rated tires. If you choose snow tires with a lower speed rating, never exceed the tire’s maximum speed capability. {CAUTION: Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while driving. If you mix tires of different sizes (other than those originally installed on your vehicle), brands, or types (radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not handle properly, and you could have a crash. Using tires of different sizes (other than those originally installed on your vehicle), brands, or types may also cause damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the correct size, brand, and type of tires on all wheels. It is all right to drive with your vehicle’s compact spare temporarily, it was developed for use on your vehicle. See Compact Spare Tire on page 475. 442 {CAUTION: If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the wheel rim ﬂanges could develop cracks after many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel could fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only radial-ply tires with the wheels on your vehicle. If you must replace your vehicle’s tires with those that do not have a TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size, load range, speed rating, and construction type (radial and bias-belted tires) as your vehicle’s original tires. Vehicles that have a tire pressure monitoring system may give an inaccurate low-pressure warning if non-TPC Spec rated tires are installed on it. Non-TPC Spec rated tires may give a low-pressure warning that is higher or lower than the proper warning level you would get with TPC Spec rated tires. See Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 433. Your vehicle’s original equipment tires are listed on the Tire and Loading Information label. This label is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar). See Loading Your Vehicle on page 349, for more information about the Tire and Loading Information label and its location on your vehicle. Vehicles that have performance tires P235/50R17 95V (front axle) and P255/45R17 98V (rear axle) are mounted on wheels with different rim widths. The front axle tires are mounted on rims 7.5 inches (19.05 cm) wide and the rear axle tires require wheels with a minimum rim width of 8 inches (20.32 cm). The original equipment wheels designed for P255/45R17 98V size tires are etched with the words REAR ONLY. When replacing P255/45R17 98V size tires have them mounted on wheels with a minimum width of 8 inches (20.32 cm) and marked REAR ONLY. See Wheel Replacement on page 445. Different Size Tires and Wheels If you add wheels or tires that are a different size than your original equipment wheels and tires, this may affect the way your vehicle performs, including its braking, ride and handling characteristics, stability, and resistance to rollover. Additionally, if your vehicle has electronic systems such as, anti-lock brakes, traction control, and electronic stability control, the performance of these systems can be affected. {CAUTION: If you add different sized wheels, your vehicle may not provide an acceptable level of performance and safety if tires not recommended for those wheels are selected. You may increase the chance that you will crash and suffer serious injury. Only use GM speciﬁc wheel and tire systems developed for your vehicle, and have them properly installed by a GM certiﬁed technician. See Buying New Tires on page 441 and Accessories and Modiﬁcations on page 363 for additional information. 443 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. 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 a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as a tire graded 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 – AA, A, B, C 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. 444 Temperature – A, B, C 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 Vehicle 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 loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure. Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance The tires and wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life and best overall performance. Adjustments to wheel alignment and tire balancing will not be necessary on a regular basis. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling to one side or the other, the alignment may need to be checked. If you notice your vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your 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 nuts should be replaced. If the wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your dealer if any of these conditions exist. Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need. 445 Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the same way as the one it replaces. If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the right wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for your vehicle. Notice: 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. See Changing a Flat Tire on page 464 for more information. Used Replacement Wheels {CAUTION: Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous. It could affect the braking and handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you lose control. You could have a collision in which you or others could be injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for replacement. {CAUTION: Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is dangerous. You cannot know how it has been used or how far it has been driven. It could fail suddenly and cause a crash. If you have to replace a wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel. 446 Tire Chains {CAUTION: If your vehicle has P255/45R17, P255/45R18, P275/40R19, or 255/45ZR18 size tires, do not use tire chains, as 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 you to lose control of your vehicle and you or others may be injured in a crash. Use another type of traction device only if its manufacturer recommends it for use on your vehicle and tire size combination and road conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s instructions. CAUTION: (Continued) CAUTION: (Continued) To help avoid damage to your vehicle, drive slowly, readjust, or remove the device if it is contacting your vehicle, and do not spin your vehicle’s wheels. If you do ﬁnd traction devices that will ﬁt, install them on the rear tires only. If your vehicle has P235/50R17 95S Notice: size tires, use tire chains only where legal and only when you must. Use only SAE Class S-type chains that are the proper size for your tires. Install them on the rear tires and tighten them as tightly as possible with the ends securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the chains contacting your 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 your vehicle. 447 Lifting Your Vehicle (STS-V) {CAUTION: Lifting a vehicle can cause an injury. The vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over you or other people. You and they could be badly injured. Find a level place to lift your vehicle. To help prevent the vehicle from moving: 1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot. 2. Move the shift lever in PARK (P) by pressing the button on the front of the shift lever while pushing the lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle. Release the button. 3. With your right foot still holding the brake pedal down, set the parking brake with your left foot. 4. Turn off the engine. CAUTION: (Continued) 448 CAUTION: (Continued) To be even more certain the vehicle will not move, you can put blocks in front of and behind the wheels. Also, see Shifting Into Park (P) on page 122 and Parking Brake on page 121 for additional information. {CAUTION: Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up 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. {CAUTION: Raising your 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 place the jack in the proper location before raising the vehicle. If you ever use a jack to lift your vehicle, follow the instructions that came with the jack, and be sure to use the correct lifting points to avoid damaging your vehicle. Notice: Lifting your vehicle improperly can damage your vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by your warranty. To lift your vehicle properly, follow the advice in this part. To help prevent vehicle damage: (cid:127) Be sure the jack you are using meets the weight standards for your vehicle and is in good working order. (cid:127) Be sure to place a block or pad between the jack and the vehicle. (cid:127) Make sure the jack you are using only contacts the jacking location lift points and is not leaning on any other vehicle components such as the rocker panels, the ﬂoor pan, or the stone guard moldings. (cid:127) Lift only in the areas shown in the following pictures. 449 Lifting From the Front The front lifting points can be accessed from either side of your vehicle, behind the front tires. Lifting From the Rear The rear lifting points can be accessed from either side of your vehicle, in front of the rear tires. 1. Locate the front lifting points using the diagram above. The front lifting location is about 15 inches (37 cm) from the rear edge of the front wheel well. 1. Locate the rear lifting points using the diagram above. The rear lifting location is about 7 inches (17 cm) from the front edge of the rear wheel well. 2. Be sure to place a block or pad between the jack and the vehicle. 3. Lift the vehicle with the jack, making sure the jack is centered on the front lifting point. 2. Be sure to place a block or pad between the jack and the vehicle. 3. Lift the vehicle with the jack, making sure the jack is centered on the rear lifting point. See Doing Your Own Service Work on page 364. 450 If a Tire Goes Flat It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are driving, especially if you maintain your tires properly. See Tires on page 421. If air goes out of a tire, It is much more likely to leak out slowly. But if you should ever have a blowout, here are a few tips about what to expect and what to do: If a front tire fails, the ﬂat tire will create 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 out of the traffic lane. A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a skid and may require the same correction you would use in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake to a stop, well off the road if possible. If a tire goes ﬂat, and your vehicle has a compact spare tire, see Changing a Flat Tire on page 464. This information shows you how to use your vehicle’s tire changing equipment and how to change a ﬂat tire safely. {CAUTION: Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do maintenance or repairs is dangerous without the appropriate safety equipment and training. The jack provided with your vehicle 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. Use the jack provided with your vehicle only for changing a ﬂat tire. If your vehicle has 255/45ZR18 size tires, there is no spare tire, jack, or tire changing equipment. A tire inﬂator kit, included with your vehicle, may be used to seal small punctures in the tread area of the tire. See Tire Inﬂator Kit on page 452. 451 Run-Flat Tires (STS-V) If your vehicle has run-ﬂat tires, there is no spare tire and no tire changing equipment. Run-ﬂat tires can operate effectively with no air pressure for a limited distance and speed. These tires perform so well without any air pressure that a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) is used to alert you when there is a low tire condition. {CAUTION: When the low tire warning light is displayed on the instrument panel cluster, your vehicle’s handling capabilities will be reduced during severe maneuvers. If you drive too fast, you could lose control of your vehicle. You or others could be injured. Do not drive over 55 mph (90 km/h) when the low tire warning light is displayed. Drive cautiously and check your tire pressures as soon as you can. See Run-Flat Tires (STS-V) on page 429 and Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 433, for additional information. {CAUTION: Special tools and procedures are required to service a run-ﬂat tire. If these special tools and procedures are not used you or others could be injured and your vehicle could be damaged. Always be sure the proper tools and procedures, as described in the service manual, are used. To order a service manual see Service Publications Ordering Information on page 543. Tire Inﬂator Kit Your vehicle has a tire inﬂator kit. There is no jack or spare tire. The kit uses a liquid tire sealant and air at the same time to seal small punctures in the tread area of the tire. Be sure to read and follow all of the tire inﬂator kit instructions. 452 The kit includes the following: If the ﬂat tire is due to a slow leak caused by a nail or other similar road hazard, the tire inﬂator kit may be used to temporarily repair the damaged tire. After temporarily repairing the tire inﬂator kit, it is recommended to take your vehicle to an authorized GM dealer within 100 miles (161 kilometers) of driving to have the tire inspected and repaired. If the sealant is not removed from the tire within 100 miles (161 kilometers) of driving, it is more likely that the tire may get damaged and have to be replaced. A. Air Compressor B. Tire Sealant Canister C. Air Compressor Accessory Plug D. On/Off Switch E. Air Pressure Gage F. Air Compressor Inﬂator Hose G. Sealant Filling Hose 453 Accessing the Tire Inﬂator Kit To access the tire inﬂator kit, do the following: 1. Open the trunk. See Trunk on page 101 for more information. 3. Remove the tire inﬂator kit strap by squeezing the two tabs of the quick release buckle. 4. Remove the inﬂator kit from its foam container. 2. Locate the tire inﬂator kit on the driver’s side of the vehicle, near the back corner of the trunk. 454 Tire Sealant The kit contains a liquid sealant that when injected into a ﬂat tire, may temporarily repair nail holes or cuts in the tread area of the tire. The tire sealant cannot repair tire damage caused while driving on a ﬂat tire or a tire that has had a “blow out” or a tire that has punctures in the sidewall areas. The tire sealant solution is to be used for a single tire and can only be used once. Check the tire sealant expiration date on the sealant canister. The sealant may not be as effective beyond the expiration date. If needed, see your GM dealer for a replacement canister. Using the Tire Inﬂator Kit To use the tire inﬂator kit, do the following: 1. Place the inﬂator kit on the ground and unwrap the sealant ﬁlling hose from the compressor. 2. Remove the air compressor accessory plug from the unit. To do this, pull the top portion of the wrapped cord out ﬁrst, then the bottom, and then unsnap the plug. Do not insert the plug into an accessory outlet yet. 3. Remove the valve stem cap from the ﬂat tire by turning it counterclockwise. If an object, such as a nail, has penetrated the tire, do not remove it. 455 5. Plug the air compressor accessory plug (C) into an accessory power outlet in the vehicle. See Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 228 for more information. {CAUTION: Idling the engine in a closed-in place or with the climate control system off can cause deadly carbon monoxide (CO). See Engine Exhaust on page 125. 6. Start the vehicle. See Starting the Engine on page 113 for more information. The vehicle must be running while using the air compressor. 4. Attach the sealant ﬁlling hose (A) onto the tire valve stem. Turn it clockwise until it is tight. Make sure the inﬂator kit on/off switch (B) is in the O (off) position. 456 8. Make sure there is a proper connection between the tire valve stem and the sealant ﬁlling hose by looking at the air pressure gage. If there is not a pressure reading while the compressor is running, the connection between the inﬂator kit and the tire is bad. Check the attachment between the sealant ﬁlling hose and the tire valve stem. {CAUTION: Inﬂating something too much can make it explode, and you or others could be injured. Be sure to read the inﬂator instructions, and inﬂate the tire to its recommended pressure. Do not exceed 36 psi (248 kPa). 7. Move the inﬂator kit switch to the I (on) position. The inﬂator kit will force sealant and air into the tire. Sealant may leak from the puncture hole until the vehicle is driven and the hole has sealed. 457 9. Inﬂate the tire up to the recommended inﬂation pressure, found on the Tire and Loading Information label located on the vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar) below the vehicle’s door latch, using the air pressure gage on the top of the unit. The pressure gage reading is slightly high while the compressor is on. Turn the compressor off to get an accurate pressure reading. If the recommended pressure cannot Notice: be reached after 15 minutes, the vehicle should not be driven farther. Damage to the tire is severe and the sealant will not be effective. Remove the air compressor plug from the accessory power outlet and unscrew the inﬂating hose from the tire valve. See Roadside Service on page 531. 10. Move the inﬂator kit switch to the O (off) position once the correct tire pressure is obtained. 11. Turn off the engine. 12. Unplug the air compressor accessory plug from the accessory power outlet in the vehicle. 13. Disconnect the sealant ﬁlling hose from the tire valve stem, by turning it counterclockwise, and replace the tire valve stem cap. Be careful when handling the tire inﬂator components as they may be hot after usage. 14. Wrap the sealant ﬁlling hose around the air compressor channel to stow it in its original location. 15. Stow the air compressor accessory plug back in the air compressor. To do this, wrap the air compressor accessory plug, snap in the plug, and then push in the bottom and then the top of the wrapped air compressor accessory plug. 458 16. If the ﬂat tire was able to inﬂate to the recommended inﬂation pressure, remove the maximum speed label from the sealant canister. Place it in a highly visible location such as the inside of the upper left corner of the windshield or to the face of the radio/clock. The maximum speed label reminds you to drive cautiously and not to exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) until you have the damaged tire inspected and repaired. {CAUTION: Storing the tire inﬂator 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 inﬂator kit in the proper place. 17. Return the equipment to the proper storage location in the trunk of your vehicle. You may need to loosen the retention strap to wrap it around the inﬂator kit and foam container. To do this, pull apart the strap and loosen the strap at the quick release buckle. Then snap the buckle together, pull the strap tight, and secure the loose end of the strap by mating the ends. 459 18. Immediately drive the vehicle 5 miles (8 km) to distribute the sealant evenly in the tire. Stop at a safe location and check the tire pressure, refer to Steps 1 through 8 under “Using the Air Compressor without Sealant” next in this section. If the tire pressure has fallen more then 10 psi (68 kPa), below the recommended inﬂation pressure, stop driving the vehicle. The tire is too damaged for the sealant to work. See Roadside Service on page 531. If the tire pressure has not dropped more than 10 psi (68 kPa) from the recommended inﬂation pressure, you can inﬂate the tire back up to the recommended inﬂation pressure. 19. Dispose of the sealant canister at a local GM dealer or in accordance with your local state codes and practices. After using the sealant canister, replace it with a new canister from a GM dealer. 20. After temporarily repairing a tire with the emergency ﬂat tire repair kit, take your vehicle to an authorized GM dealer to have the tire inspected and repaired. 460 Using the Air Compressor without Sealant To use the air compressor by itself to inﬂate a tire, do the following: 1. Remove the air compressor accessory plug from the air compressor. 2. Unlock the air compressor hose from the sealant canister by pulling up on the lever. 3. Pull the air compressor inﬂator hose from the sealant canister. 4. Push the air compressor inﬂator hose onto the tire valve stem and push the lever down to secure in place. 5. Plug the air compressor accessory plug into an accessory power outlet in the vehicle. See Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 228 for more information. {CAUTION: Idling the engine in a closed-in place or with the climate control system off can cause deadly carbon monoxide (CO). See Engine Exhaust on page 125. 6. Start the vehicle. See Starting the Engine on page 113 for more information. The vehicle must be running while using the air compressor. {CAUTION: Inﬂating something too much can make it explode, and you or others could be injured. Be sure to read the inﬂator instructions, and inﬂate the tire to its recommended pressure. Do not exceed 36 psi (248 kPa). 7. Move the inﬂator kit switch to the I (on) position. 8. Make sure there is a proper connection between the tire valve stem and the air compressor hose by looking at the air pressure gage. If there is not a pressure reading while the compressor is running, the connection between the inﬂator kit and the tire is bad. Check the attachment between the air compressor hose and the tire valve stem. 461 9. Inﬂate the tire up to the recommended inﬂation pressure using the air pressure gage on the top of the unit. 10. Turn off the air compressor by moving the switch to the O (off) position. Removal and Installation of the Sealant Canister To remove the sealant canister, do the following: {CAUTION: Storing the tire inﬂator 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 inﬂator kit in the proper place. 11. Disconnect the compressor inﬂator hose and wrap the hose in the bottom of the inﬂator kit. 12. Place the equipment in the original location in the trunk of your vehicle. 462 1. Unlock the air compressor inﬂator hose from the sealant canister by pulling the lever up. 2. Disconnect the air compressor inﬂator hose from the sealant canister. 3. Unwrap the sealant ﬁlling hose from the compressor. To install a new sealant canister, do the following: 1. Align the sealant ﬁlling hose with the slot in the air compressor. 2. Push the sealant canister down and turn it clockwise. 3. Wrap the sealant ﬁlling hose around the air compressor channel to stow it in its original location. 4. Push the air compressor inﬂator hose onto the sealant canister inlet and push the lever down. 463 4. Turn the sealant canister so the inﬂator ﬁlling hose is aligned with the slot in the compressor. 5. Lift the sealant canister from the compressor and replace with a new sealant canister. See your GM dealer for more information. Changing a Flat Tire If you have an STS-V model, there is no spare tire and no tire changing equipment. Your vehicle is equipped with run-ﬂat tires. See Run-Flat Tires (STS-V) on page 429 for more information. If you have an STS model, your vehicle may be equipped with a tire inﬂator kit. See Tire Inﬂator Kit on page 452 for more information. If your vehicle is not equipped with a tire inﬂator kit, follow the directions for changing a ﬂat tire in this section. If a tire goes ﬂat, avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your vehicle’s hazard warning ﬂashers. See Hazard Warning Flashers on page 180 for more information. 464 {CAUTION: Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you or other people. You and they could be badly injured or even killed. Find a level place to change your tire. To help prevent the vehicle from moving: 1. Set the parking brake ﬁrmly. 2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P). 3. Turn off the engine and do not restart while the vehicle is raised. 4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle. To be even more certain the vehicle will not move, you should put blocks at the front and rear of the tire farthest away from the one being changed. That would be the tire, on the other side, at the opposite end of the vehicle. When your vehicle has a ﬂat tire, use the following example as a guide to assist you in the placement of wheel blocks. Removing the Spare Tire and Tools The equipment you will need is located in the trunk. To gain access to the compact spare tire and jacking equipment, do the following: 1. Open the trunk. See Trunk on page 101 for more information. 2. Remove the compact spare tire cover. The following information will tell you next how to use the jack and change a tire. 3. Turn the nut holding the jack package container counterclockwise and remove it. Then remove the jack and wheel wrench. 465 4. Remove the compact spare tire. See Compact Spare Tire on page 475 for more information about the compact spare tire. Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire The tools you will be using include the jack (A) and the wheel wrench (B). 1. Loosen the wheel nuts, but do not remove them yet, using the wheel wrench. Turn the handle about 180 degrees, then ﬂip the handle back to the starting position. This avoids taking the wrench off the lug nut for each turn. 466 2. Find the vehicle’s jacking location using the diagram above and corresponding hoisting notches located in the plastic molding on the vehicle’s frame. The notches in the plastic molding are marked with a triangle shape to help you ﬁnd them. 3. Attach the wheel wrench to the jack. {CAUTION: Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up 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. {CAUTION: Raising your 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. 467 If you position the jack under the Notice: rocker molding and attempt to raise the vehicle, you could break the molding and/or cause other damage to your vehicle. Always position the jack so that when the jack head is raised, it will ﬁt ﬁrmly in the notch located inboard from the rocker molding. 4. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower the jack lift head until the jack ﬁts under the vehicle. {CAUTION: Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do maintenance or repairs is dangerous without the appropriate safety equipment and training. The jack provided with your vehicle 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. Use the jack provided with your vehicle only for changing a ﬂat tire. 468 5. Raise the jack 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 molding as shown. 6. Put the compact spare tire near you. 7. Raise the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground for the compact spare tire to ﬁt under the vehicle. 469 8. Remove all the wheel nuts and take off the ﬂat tire. CAUTION: (Continued) remove any rust or dirt from the places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can 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. {CAUTION: {CAUTION: Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts become loose after time. The wheel could come off and cause an accident. When you change a wheel, CAUTION: (Continued) Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could fall off, causing a serious accident. 470 9. Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting surfaces, and spare wheel. 10. Install the spare tire. 11. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end of the nuts toward the wheel. 12. Tighten each wheel nut by turning it clockwise with your hand until the wheel is held against the hub. 13. Lower the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely. 471 14. Tighten the wheel nuts ﬁrmly in a crisscross sequence as shown. Notice: Wheel covers will not ﬁt on your compact spare. If you try to put a wheel cover on the compact spare, you could damage the cover or the spare. Do not try to put a wheel cover on your compact spare tire. It will not ﬁt. Store the wheel cover in the trunk until you have the ﬂat tire repaired or replaced. {CAUTION: Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened wheel nuts can cause the wheel to come loose and even come off. This could lead to an accident. Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts. If you have to replace them, be sure to get new GM original equipment wheel nuts. Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to the proper torque speciﬁcation. See Capacities and Speciﬁcations on page 498 for wheel nut torque speciﬁcation. Improperly tightened wheel nuts can Notice: 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 498 for the wheel nut torque speciﬁcation. 472 Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools {CAUTION: 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. Full-Size Tire and Tools After you have put the compact spare tire on your vehicle, you will need to do the following to store the ﬂat tire in your trunk. 1. Open the trunk. See Trunk on page 101. 2. Store the jack and wheel wrench in the jack container in the trunk. When storing the jack, in the container, it must be raised until the screw end is ﬂush with the edge of the jack. 3. Store the ﬂat tire as far forward in the trunk as possible. The compact spare is for temporary use only. Replace the compact spare tire with a full-size tire as soon as you can. 473 1. Open the trunk. See Trunk on page 101. 2. Make sure the foam support (F) is in place in the trunk area. 3. Reinstall the compact spare tire (E) making sure to line up the wheel center hole with the bolt (G) and place on the compartment ﬂoor. 4. Insert the jack container (J) with wheel wrench (H) and jack (I) into the center of the compact spare tire making sure to line up the wheel nut hole with the bolt (G) on the compartment ﬂoor. 5. Secure the tire and wheel with the retainer (C) and wing nut (B). 6. Reinstall the compact spare tire cover (A). Compact Spare Tire and Tools Use the following diagram as a guide for storing the compact spare tire and tools in the trunk: A. Compact Spare Tire E. Compact Spare Tire F. Foam Support G. Bolt Cover B. Plastic Wing Nut C. Retainer D. Jack Container Package (With Wheel Wrench and Jack) 474 Compact Spare Tire Although the compact spare tire was fully inﬂated when the vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time. Check the inﬂation pressure regularly. It should be 60 psi (420 kPa). After installing the compact spare on the vehicle, you should stop as soon as possible and make sure the spare tire is correctly inﬂated. The compact spare is made to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph (105 km/h) for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you can ﬁnish your trip and have the full-size tire repaired or replaced where you want. You must calibrate the tire inﬂation monitor system after installing or removing the compact spare. See Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 433. The system may not work correctly when the compact spare is installed on the vehicle. Of course, it’s best to replace the spare with a full-size tire as soon as you can. The spare will last longer and be in good shape in case you need it again. Notice: When the compact spare is installed, do not take your vehicle through an automatic car wash with guide rails. The compact spare can get caught on the rails. That can damage the tire and wheel, and maybe other parts of your vehicle. Do not use the compact spare on other vehicles. And do not mix the compact spare tire or wheel with other wheels or tires. They will not ﬁt. Keep the spare tire and its wheel together. Notice: Tire chains will not ﬁt your compact spare. Using them can damage your vehicle and can damage the chains too. Do not use tire chains on your compact spare. 475 Appearance Care Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle Your vehicle’s interior will continue to look its best if it is cleaned often. Although not always visible, dust and dirt can accumulate on your upholstery. Dirt can damage carpet, fabric, leather, and plastic surfaces. Regular vacuuming is recommended to remove particles from your upholstery. It is important to keep your upholstery from becoming and remaining heavily soiled. Soils should be removed as quickly as possible. Your vehicle’s interior may experience extremes of heat that could cause stains to set rapidly. Lighter colored interiors may require more frequent cleaning. Use care because newspapers and garments that transfer color to your home furnishings may also transfer color to your vehicle’s interior. When cleaning your vehicle’s interior, only use cleaners speciﬁcally designed for the surfaces being cleaned. Permanent damage may result from using cleaners on surfaces for which they were not intended. Use glass cleaner only on glass. 476 If you use abrasive cleaners when Remove any accidental over-spray from other surfaces immediately. To prevent over-spray, apply cleaner directly to the cleaning cloth. Notice: cleaning glass surfaces on your vehicle, you could scratch the glass and/or cause damage to the integrated radio antenna and the rear window defogger. When cleaning the glass on your vehicle, use only a soft cloth and glass cleaner. Many cleaners contain solvents that may become concentrated in your vehicle’s breathing space. Before using cleaners, read and adhere to all safety instructions on the label. While cleaning your vehicle’s interior, maintain adequate ventilation by opening your vehicle’s doors and windows. Dust may be removed from small buttons and knobs using a small brush with soft bristles. Your dealer has a product for cleaning your vehicle’s glass. Should it become necessary, you can also obtain a product from your dealer to remove odors from your vehicle’s upholstery. Do not clean your vehicle using the following cleaners or techniques: (cid:127) Never use a knife or any other sharp object to remove a soil from any interior surface. (cid:127) Never use a stiff brush. It can cause damage to your vehicle’s interior surfaces. (cid:127) Never apply heavy pressure or rub aggressively with a cleaning cloth. Use of heavy pressure can damage your interior and does not improve the effectiveness of soil removal. (cid:127) Use only mild, neutral-pH soaps. Avoid laundry detergents or dishwashing soaps with degreasers. Using too much soap will leave a residue that leaves streaks and attracts dirt. For liquid cleaners, about 20 drops per gallon (3.78 L) of water is a good guide. (cid:127) Do not heavily saturate your upholstery while cleaning. (cid:127) Damage to your vehicle’s interior may result from the use of many organic solvents such as naptha, alcohol, etc. Fabric/Carpet Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment frequently to remove dust and loose dirt. A canister vacuum with a beater bar in the nozzle may only be used on ﬂoor carpet and carpeted ﬂoor mats. For soils, always try to remove them ﬁrst with plain water or club soda. Before cleaning, gently remove as much of the soil as possible using one of the following techniques: (cid:127) For liquids: gently blot the remaining soil with a paper towel. Allow the soil to absorb into the paper towel until no more can be removed. (cid:127) For solid dry soils: remove as much as possible and then vacuum. To clean, use the following instructions: 1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white cloth with water or club soda. 2. Wring the cloth to remove excess moisture. 3. Start on the outside edge of the soil and gently rub toward the center. Continue cleaning, using a clean area of the cloth each time it becomes soiled. 477 4. Continue to gently rub the soiled area until the cleaning cloth remains clean. 5. If the soil is not completely removed, use a mild soap solution and repeat the cleaning process that was used with plain water. If any of the soil remains, a commercial fabric cleaner or spot lifter may be necessary. When a commercial upholstery cleaner or spot lifter is to be used, test a small hidden area for colorfastness ﬁrst. If the locally cleaned area gives any impression that a ring formation may result, clean the entire surface. After the cleaning process has been completed, a paper towel can be used to blot excess moisture from the fabric or carpet. Leather A soft cloth dampened with water may be used to remove dust. If a more thorough cleaning is necessary, a soft cloth dampened with a mild soap solution can be used. Allow the leather to dry naturally. Do not use heat to dry. Never use steam to clean leather. Never use spot lifters or spot removers on leather. Many commercial leather cleaners and coatings that are sold to preserve and protect leather may permanently change the appearance and feel of your leather and are not recommended. Do not use silicone or wax-based products, or those containing organic solvents to clean your vehicle’s interior because they can alter the appearance by increasing the gloss in a non-uniform manner. Never use shoe polish on your leather. 478 Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic Surfaces A soft cloth dampened with water may be used to remove dust. If a more thorough cleaning is necessary, a clean soft cloth dampened with a mild soap solution can be used to gently remove dust and dirt. Never use spot lifters or removers on plastic surfaces. Many commercial cleaners and coatings that are sold to preserve and protect soft plastic surfaces may permanently change the appearance and feel of your interior and are not recommended. Do not use silicone or wax-based products, or those containing organic solvents to clean your vehicle’s interior because they can alter the appearance by increasing the gloss in a non-uniform manner. Some commercial products may increase gloss on your instrument panel. The increase in gloss may cause annoying reﬂections in the windshield and even make it difficult to see through the windshield under certain conditions. Wood Panels Use a clean cloth moistened in warm, soapy water (use mild dish washing soap). Dry the wood immediately with a clean cloth. Speaker Covers Vacuum around a speaker cover gently, so that the speaker will not be damaged. Clean spots with just water and mild soap. Care of Safety Belts Keep belts clean and dry. {CAUTION: Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it may severely weaken them. In a crash, they might not be able to provide adequate protection. Clean safety belts only with mild soap and lukewarm water. 479 See Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials on page 484. Do not use cleaning agents that are petroleum based, or that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents should be ﬂushed promptly and not allowed to dry on the surface, or they could stain. Dry the ﬁnish with a soft, clean chamois or an all-cotton towel to avoid surface scratches and water spotting. High pressure car washes may cause water to enter the vehicle. Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a car washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses. Follow instructions under Washing Your Vehicle on page 480. Weatherstrips Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold, damp weather frequent application may be required. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 516. Washing Your Vehicle The paint ﬁnish on the vehicle provides beauty, depth of color, gloss retention, and durability. The best way to preserve the vehicle’s ﬁnish is to keep it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water. Do not wash the vehicle in the direct rays of the sun. Use a car washing soap. Do not use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Be sure to rinse the vehicle well, removing all soap residue completely. Approved cleaning products can be obtained from your dealer. 480 Finish Care Occasional waxing or mild polishing of the vehicle by hand may be necessary to remove residue from the paint ﬁnish. Approved cleaning products can be obtained from your dealer. See Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials on page 484. Notice: Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint ﬁnish may damage it. Use only non-abrasive waxes and polishes that are made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint ﬁnish on your vehicle. The vehicle has a basecoat/clearcoat paint ﬁnish. The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint ﬁnish. Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can damage the vehicle’s ﬁnish if they remain on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter. Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather, and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period of years. To help keep the paint ﬁnish looking new, keep the vehicle in a garage or covered whenever possible. Windshield and Wiper Blades If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running, wax, sap, or other material may be on the blade or windshield. Clean the outside of the windshield with a glass cleaning liquid or powder and water solution. The windshield is clean if beads do not form when it is rinsed with water. Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades and affect their performance. Clean the blade by wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked in full-strength windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade with water. Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary; replace blades that look worn. 481 Notice: Using chrome polish on aluminum wheels could damage the wheels. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Use chrome polish on chrome wheels only. Use chrome polish only on chrome-plated wheels, but avoid any painted surface of the wheel, and buff off immediately after application. Notice: If you drive your vehicle through an automatic car wash that has silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes, you could damage the aluminum or chrome-plated wheels. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Never drive a vehicle equipped with aluminum or chrome-plated wheels through an automatic car wash that uses silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes. Do not take your vehicle through an automatic car wash that has silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes. These brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels. If you use strong soaps, chemicals, Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels Your vehicle may have either aluminum or chrome-plated wheels. Keep the wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax may then be applied. Notice: abrasive polishes, cleaners, brushes, or cleaners that contain acid on aluminum or chrome-plated wheels, you could damage the surface of the wheel(s). The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Use only GM-approved cleaners on aluminum or chrome-plated wheels. The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted surface of your vehicle. Do not use strong soaps, chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners, cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could damage the surface. Do not use chrome polish on aluminum wheels. 482 Tires To clean the tires, use a stiff brush with tire cleaner. Notice: Using petroleum-based tire dressing products on your vehicle may damage the paint ﬁnish and/or tires. When applying a tire dressing, always wipe off any overspray from all painted surfaces on your vehicle. Sheet Metal Damage If the vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop applies anti-corrosion material to parts repaired or replaced to restore corrosion protection. Original manufacturer replacement parts will provide the corrosion protection while maintaining the warranty. Finish Damage Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the ﬁnish should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode quickly and may develop into major repair expense. Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up materials available from your dealer. Larger areas of ﬁnish damage can be corrected in your dealer’s body and paint shop. Underbody Maintenance Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust control can collect on the underbody. If these are not removed, corrosion and rust can develop on the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, ﬂoor pan, and exhaust system even though they have corrosion protection. At least every spring, ﬂush these materials from the underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud and debris can collect. Dirt packed in close areas of the frame should be loosened before being ﬂushed. Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can do this for you. 483 Chemical Paint Spotting Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and attack painted surfaces on the vehicle. This damage can take two forms: blotchy, ring-shaped discolorations, and small, irregular dark spots etched into the paint surface. Although no defect in the paint job causes this, GM will repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within 12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase, whichever occurs ﬁrst. Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials Description Usage Polishing Cloth Wax-Treated Tar and Road Oil Remover Chrome Cleaner and Polish White Sidewall Tire Cleaner Vinyl Cleaner Glass Cleaner 484 Interior and exterior polishing cloth. Removes tar, road oil, and asphalt. Use on chrome or stainless steel. Removes soil and black marks from whitewalls. Cleans vinyl. Removes dirt, grime, smoke and ﬁngerprints. Description

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2007 Cadillac STS Owners Manual