flat tire CADILLAC CTS 2019 Owner's Guide

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12460273) - 2019 - CRC - 5/16/18
VEHICLE CARE 315
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. SeeTire
Inspection 0313 and Tire Rotation
0 313.
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) which is
molded into one side of the tire
sidewall. The first two digits represent
the week (01–52) and the last two
digits, the year. For example, the third
week of the year 2010 would have a
four-digit DOT date of 0310.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
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 0303, 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

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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
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 notinclude acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing
the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability
to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature
can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on
the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade
for this tire is established for a tirethat 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 were aligned and
balanced at the factory to provide the
longest tire life and best overall
performance. Adjustments to wheel
alignment and tire balancing are not
necessary on a regular basis. Consider
an alignment check if there is unusual
tire wear or the vehicle is significantly
pulling to one side or the other. Some
slight pull to the left or right,
depending on the crown of the road
and/or other road surface variations
such as troughs or ruts, is normal.
If the vehicle is vibrating when driving
on a smooth road, the tires and
wheels may need to be rebalanced.
See your dealer for proper diagnosis.

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Warning (Continued)
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slow
and readjust or remove the traction
device if it contacts the vehicle. Do
not spin the wheels. If traction
devices are used, install them on
the rear tires.
Caution
If the vehicle is equipped with a tire
size other than P245/40R18, 245/
40R18, 275/35R18, 255/35R19, 265/
35ZR19, or 295/30ZR19 use tire
chains only where legal and only
when necessary. Use low profile
chains that add no more than
12 mm thickness to the tire tread
and inner sidewall. Use chains that
are the proper size for the tires.
Install them on the tires of the rear
axle. Don't use chains on the tires(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
of the front axle. Tighten them as
tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly and
follow the chain manufacturer's
instructions. If the chains contact
the vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow
down until it stops. Driving too fast
or spinning the wheels with chains
on will damage the vehicle.
If a Tire Goes Flat
If the vehicle has run-flat tires, there
is no need to stop on the side of the
road to change a flat tire. See Run-Flat
Tires 0301.
{Warning
Special tools and procedures are
required to service a run-flat tire.
If these special tools and
procedures are not used, injury or
vehicle damage may occur. Always
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
be sure the proper tools and
procedures, as described in the
service manual, are used.
It is unusual for a tire to blow out
while driving, especially if the tires are
maintained properly. See Tires0300.
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

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vehicle. It may be very bumpy and
noisy. Gently brake to a stop, well off
the road, if possible.
{Warning
Lifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the appropriate
safety equipment and training. If a
jack is provided with the vehicle, it
is designed only for changing a flat
tire. If it is used for anything else,
you or others could be badly injured
or killed if the vehicle slips off the
jack. If a jack is provided with the
vehicle, only use it for changing a
flat tire.
If this vehicle does not have run-flat
tires and a tire goes flat, avoid further
tire and wheel damage by driving
slowly to a level place, well off the
road, if possible. 1. Turn on the hazard warning flashers. See Hazard Warning
Flashers 0158.
2. Set the parking brake firmly. 3. Put an automatic transmission in
P (Park) or a manual
transmission in 1 (First) or
R (Reverse).
4. Turn off the ignition.
5. Inspect the flat tire.
{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.
If this vehicle has a tire sealant kit
and the tire has been separated from
the wheel, has damaged sidewalls,
or has a puncture larger than
6 mm (0.25 in), the tire is too severely
damaged for the tire sealant and compressor kit to be effective. If the
tire has a puncture less than
6 mm (0.25 in) in the tread area of the
tire, see
Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit 0321.
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
{Warning
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area
with poor ventilation is dangerous.
Engine exhaust may enter 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 Exhaust 0200.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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{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.
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 Service
0367.
Read and follow all of the tire sealant
and compressor kit instructions. The kit includes:
1. Selector Switch (Sealant/Air
or Air Only)
2. On/Off Button

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3. Pressure Gauge
4. Pressure Deflation Button
5. Tire Sealant Canister
6. Sealant/Air Hose (Clear)
7. Air Only Hose (Black)
8. Power Plug
9. Canister Release Button(Under Sealant/Air Hose)
Tire Sealant
Read and follow the safe handling
instructions on the label adhered to
the sealant canister.
Check the tire sealant expiration date
on the sealant canister. The sealant
canister should be replaced before its
expiration date. Replacement sealant
canisters are available at your local
dealer. See “Removal and Installation
of the Sealant Canister” following.There is only enough sealant to seal
one tire. After usage, the sealant
canister and sealant/air hose assembly
must be replaced. See
“Removal and
Installation of the Sealant Canister”
following.
Using the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit to Temporarily
Seal and Inflate a
Punctured Tire
Follow the directions closely for
correct sealant usage.
1. Selector Switch (Sealant/Air
or Air Only)
2. On/Off Button
3. Pressure Gauge

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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4. Pressure Deflation Button
5. Tire Sealant Canister
6. Sealant/Air Hose (Clear)
7. Air Only Hose (Black)
8. Power Plug
9. Canister Release Button(Under Sealant/Air Hose)
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.
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 0158.
See If a Tire Goes Flat 0320 for other
important safety warnings.
Do not remove any objects that have
penetrated the tire.
1. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from its storage
location. See Storing the Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit 0328.
2. Unwrap the sealant/air hose (6) and the power plug (8). 3. Place the kit on the ground.
Make sure the tire valve stem is
positioned close to the ground so
the hose will reach it.
4. Remove the valve stem cap from the flat tire by turning it
counterclockwise.
5. Attach the sealant/air hose (6) onto the tire valve stem. Turn it
clockwise until it is tight.
6. Plug the power plug (8) into the accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. Unplug all items from
other accessory power outlets.
See Power Outlets 0113.
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.
7. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running while using the
air compressor. 8. Press and turn the selector
switch (1) counterclockwise to
the Sealant + Air position.
9. Press the on/off button (2) to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit on.
The compressor will inject
sealant and air into the tire.
The pressure gauge (3) 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.
10. Inflate the tire to the recommended inflation pressure
using the pressure gauge (3). The
recommended inflation pressure
can be found on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Tire Pressure 0307.
The pressure gauge (3) may read
higher than the actual tire
pressure while the compressor is
on. Turn the compressor off to

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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.
SeeRoadside Service 0367.
11. Press the on/off button (2) 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 distributed in the tire,
therefore, Steps 12–18 must be
done immediately after Step 11. Be careful while handling the tire
sealant and compressor kit as it
could be warm after usage.
12. Unplug the power plug (8) from the accessory power outlet in the
vehicle.
13. Turn the sealant/air hose (6) counterclockwise to remove it
from the tire valve stem.
14. Replace the tire valve stem cap.
15. Replace the sealant/air hose (6), and the power plug (8) back in
their original location.
16. If the flat tire was able to inflateto the recommended inflation
pressure, remove the maximum
speed label from the sealant
canister (5) and place it in a
highly visible location. Do not exceed the speed on this label
until the damaged tire is repaired
or replaced.
17. Return the equipment to its original storage location in the
vehicle.
18. Immediately drive the vehicle 8 km (5 mi) to distribute the
sealant in the tire.
19. Stop at a safe location and check the tire pressure. Refer to
Steps 1–11 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 Service
0 367.
If the tire pressure has not
dropped more than 68 kPa
(10 psi) from the recommended

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inflation pressure, inflate the tire
to the recommended inflation
pressure.
20. Wipe off any sealant from the wheel, tire, and vehicle.
21. Dispose of the used sealant canister (5) and sealant/air hose
(6) assembly at a local dealer or
in accordance with local state
codes and practices.
22. Replace with a new canister assembly available from your
dealer.
23. After temporarily sealing the 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)
To use the air compressor to inflate a
tire with air only and not sealant:1. Selector Switch (Sealant/Air
or Air Only)
2. On/Off Button
3. Pressure Gauge 4. Pressure Deflation Button
5. Tire Sealant Canister
6. Sealant/Air Hose (Clear)
7. Air Only Hose (Black)
8. Power Plug
9. Canister Release Button
(Under Sealant/Air 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 0158.
See If a Tire Goes Flat 0320 for other
important safety warnings.
1. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from its storage
location. See Storing the Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit 0328.
2. Unwrap the air only hose (7) and the power plug (8).
3. Place the kit on the ground. Make sure the tire valve stem is
positioned close to the ground so
the hose will reach it.
4. Remove the tire valve stem cap from the flat tire by turning it
counterclockwise.

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5. Attach the air only hose (7) ontothe tire valve stem by turning it
clockwise until it is tight.
6. Plug the power plug (8) into the accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. Unplug all items from
other accessory power outlets.
See Power Outlets 0113.
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.
7. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running while using the
air compressor.
8. Press and turn the selector switch (1) clockwise to the Air
Only position.
9. Press the on/off button (2) to turn the compressor on.
The compressor will inflate the
tire with air only. 10. Inflate the tire to the
recommended inflation pressure
using the pressure gauge (3). The
recommended inflation pressure
can be found on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Tire Pressure 0307.
The pressure gauge (3) may read
higher than the actual tire
pressure while the compressor is
on. Turn the compressor off to
get an accurate reading. The
compressor may be turned on/off
until the correct pressure is
reached.
If you inflate the tire higher than
the recommended pressure you
can adjust the excess pressure by
pressing the pressure deflation
button (4) until the proper
pressure reading is reached. This
option is only functional when
using the air only hose (7).
11. Press the on/off button (2) to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit off. Be careful while handling the tire
sealant and compressor kit as it
could be warm after usage.
12. Unplug the power plug (8) from the accessory power outlet in the
vehicle.
13. Disconnect the air only hose (7) from the tire valve stem, by
turning it counterclockwise, and
replace the tire valve stem cap.
14. Replace the air only hose (7) and the power plug (8) and cord back
in its original location.
15. Place the equipment in the original storage location in the
vehicle.