CADILLAC STS 2006 1.G Owners Manual

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.
{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.
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.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire (STS Only) on page 5-83for
more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{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.
5-77

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. 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 nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the rear tires only.Notice:If your vehicle has P235/50R17 95S 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.
5-78

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.
To be even more certain the vehicle will not
move, you can put blocks in front of and
behind the wheels. Also, seeShifting Into
Park (P) on page 2-36andParking Brake on
page 2-35for 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.
5-79

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:
Be sure the jack you are using meets the weight
standards for your vehicle and is in good
working order.
Be sure to place a block or pad between the
jack and the vehicle.
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 oor pan, or the stone guard
moldings.
Lift only in the areas shown in the following
pictures.
Lifting From the Front
The front lifting points can be accessed from either side
of your vehicle, behind the front 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.
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.
5-80

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 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 rear lifting point.
SeeDoing Your Own Service Work on page 5-4.
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 5-56. 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 at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel rmly.
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.
5-81

If a tire goes at, and your vehicle has a spare tire, see
Changing a Flat Tire (STS Only) on page 5-83. This
information shows you how to use your vehicle’s tire
changing equipment and how to change a at 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 at 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 at tire.
Run-Flat Tires (STS-V)
If your vehicle has run-at tires, there is no spare tire
and no tire changing equipment. Run-at tires can
operate effectively with no air pressure for a limited
distance and speed. Your vehicle also has a Tire
Pressure Monitor (TPM) which will alert you if there
is a loss of tire pressure in any of the tires. 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.
5-82

SeeRun-Flat Tires (STS-V) on page 5-63andTire
Pressure Monitor System on page 5-66, for additional
information.
{CAUTION:
Special tools and procedures are required to
service a run-at 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 seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-14.
Changing a Flat Tire (STS Only)
If you have an STS-V model, there is no spare tire and
no tire changing equipment. Your vehicle is equipped
with run-at tires. SeeRun-Flat Tires (STS-V) on
page 5-63for more information. If you have an STS
model, follow the directions for changing a at tire in
this section.
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your vehicle’s
hazard warning ashers. SeeHazard Warning Flashers
on page 3-6for more information.
5-83

{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 rmly.
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 at tire, use the following
example as a guide to assist you in the placement of
wheel blocks.
The following information will tell you next how to use
the jack and change a tire.
5-84

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
(STS Only)
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. SeeTrunk on page 2-14for more
information.
2. Remove the compact spare tire cover.
3. Turn the nut holding the jack package container
counterclockwise and remove it. Then remove the
jack and wheel wrench.4. Remove the compact spare tire. SeeCompact
Spare Tire (STS Only) on page 5-94for more
information about the compact spare tire.
The tools you will be using include the jack (A) and the
wheel wrench (B).
5-85

Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire (STS Only)
1. If your vehicle has wheel covers, use the at end of
the wheel wrench to remove the covers. Turn the
wheel wrench clockwise to gently pry off the wheel
cover. Be careful not to scratch the aluminum wheel
edge and do not try to remove the wheel cover with
your hands.2. Loosen the wheel nuts, but do not remove them
yet, using the wheel wrench. Turn the handle
about 180 degrees, then ip the handle back to the
starting position. This avoids taking the wrench
off the lug nut for each turn.
5-86