CADILLAC STS 2009 1.G Owners Manual

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 at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place and stopping.
1. Turn on the hazard warning ashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
2. Park the vehicle. Set the parking brake rmly and
put the shift lever in P (Park).
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the at tire.
{CAUTION:
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 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. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, only use it for changing a at tire.
This vehicle may come with a jack and spare tire or a
tire sealant and compressor kit. To use the jack and
spare tire, seeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-104.
To use the tire sealant and compressor kit, see
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit on page 5-87.
5-85

Run-Flat Tires (STS-V)
If this 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. 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.SeeRun-Flat Tires (STS-V) on page 5-62andTire
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 the 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 7-15.
5-86

Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
(Without Selector Switch)
System Identication
If the vehicle has the tire sealant and compressor kit
shown above, see the operating instructions that follow.If the vehicle has the tire sealant and compressor kit
shown above, follow the operating instructions under
‘‘Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit (With Selector
Switch).’’
5-87

{CAUTION:
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 on page 2-36.
{CAUTION:
Over-inating 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 inate the tire to its recommended
pressure. Do not exceed the recommended
pressure.
{CAUTION:
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, 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
14inch (6 mm) in the
tread area of the tire. It can also be used to inate
an under inated 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. SeeRoadside Service on
page 7-7.
5-88

Read and follow all of the tire sealant and compressor
kit instructions.
The kit includes:
A. Air Compressor
B. Tire Sealant Canister
C. Power Plug
D. On/Off Button
E. Pressure GageF. Air Only Hose
(Black)
G. Sealant/Air Hose
(Clear)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/retailer. 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.
5-89

Using the Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit to Temporarily Seal and Inate a
Punctured Tire
When using the tire sealant and compressor kit during
cold temperatures, warm the kit in a heated environment
for 5 minutes. This will help to inate the tire faster.Always do a safety check rst. SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat
on page 5-84. Do not remove any objects that have
penetrated the tire.
1. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from its
storage location. SeeTire Sealant and Compressor
Kit Storage on page 5-104.
Make sure the on/off button (D) is in the off (O)
position.
2. Unwrap the sealant/air hose (F) and the power
plug (C).
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 at tire by
turning it counterclockwise.
5. Attach the sealant/air hose (F) onto the tire valve
stem. Turn it clockwise until it is tight.
6. Plug the power plug (C) into the accessory power
outlet in the vehicle. Unplug all items from other
accessory power outlets. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-46.
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.
5-90

7. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running while
using the air compressor.
8. Press the on/off (D) button to turn the tire sealant
and compressor kit on.
The compressor will inject sealant and air into
the tire.
The pressure gage (E) 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 inates with air only.
9. Inate the tire to the recommended ination
pressure using the pressure gage (E). The
recommended ination pressure can be found
on the Tire and Loading Information label.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-64.
The pressure gage (E) may read higher than the
actual tire pressure while the compressor is on.
Turn the compressor off to get an accurate pressure
reading. The compressor may be turned on/off
until the correct pressure is reached.Notice: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 inate the tire. Remove the power plug from
the accessory power outlet and unscrew the inating
hose from the tire valve. SeeRoadside Service on
page 7-7.
10. Press the on/off button (D) 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 11 through 17
must be done immediately after Step 10.
Be careful while handling the tire sealant and
compressor kit as it could be warm after usage.
11. Unplug the power plug (C) from the accessory
power outlet in the vehicle.
12. Turn the sealant/air hose (F) counterclockwise to
remove it from the tire valve stem.
13. Replace the tire valve stem cap.
14. Replace the sealant/air hose (F), and the power
plug (C) back in their original location.
5-91

15. If the at tire was
able to inate to the
recommended ination
pressure, remove the
maximum speed label
from the sealant
canister (B) and place
it in a highly visible
location.
The label is a reminder not to exceed 55 mph
(90 km/h) until the damaged tire is repaired
or replaced.
16. Return the equipment to its original storage location
in the vehicle.
17. Immediately drive the vehicle 5 miles (8 km) to
distribute the sealant in the tire.
18. Stop at a safe location and check the tire pressure.
Refer to Steps 1 through 11 under “Using the Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit without Sealant to
Inate a Tire (Not Punctured).”If the tire pressure has fallen more than 10 psi
(68 kPa) below the recommended ination pressure,
stop driving the vehicle. The tire is too severely
damaged and the tire sealant cannot seal the tire.
SeeRoadside Service on page 7-7.
If the tire pressure has not dropped more than
10 psi (68 kPa) from the recommended ination
pressure, inate the tire to the recommended
ination pressure.
19. Wipe off any sealant from the wheel, tire, and
vehicle.
20. Dispose of the used sealant canister (B) and
sealant/air hose (F) assembly at a local dealer/
retailer or in accordance with local state codes
and practices.
21. Replace it with a new canister available from your
dealer/retailer.
22. After temporarily sealing a tire using the tire sealant
and compressor kit, take the vehicle to an authorized
dealer/retailer within a 100 miles (161 km) of driving
to have the tire repaired or replaced.
5-92

Using the Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit without Sealant to Inate a Tire
(Not Punctured)
To use the air compressor to inate a tire with air only
and not sealant:
Always do a safety check rst. SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat
on page 5-84.
1. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from its
storage location. SeeTire Sealant and Compressor
Kit Storage on page 5-104.
2. Unlock the air only hose (F) from the sealant
canister (B) by pulling up on the lever.3. Pull the air only hose (F) from the sealant
canister (B).
4. Remove the power plug (C) from the air
compressor (A).
5. Place the kit on the ground.
Make sure the tire valve stem is positioned close to
the ground so the hose will reach it.
6. Remove the tire valve stem cap by turning it
counterclockwise.
7. Attach the air only hose (F) onto the tire valve stem
and push the lever down to secure it.
8. Plug the power plug (C) into the accessory power
outlet in the vehicle. Unplug all items from other
accessory power outlets. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-46.
If the vehicle has an accessory power outlet, do not
use the cigarette lighter.
If the vehicle only has a cigarette lighter, use the
cigarette lighter.
Do not pinch the power plug cord in the door or
window.
9. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running while
using the air compressor.
10. Press the on/off (D) button to turn the
compressor on.
The compressor will inate the tire with air only.
5-93

11. Inate the tire to the recommended ination pressure
using the pressure gage (E). The recommended
ination pressure can be found on the Tire and
Loading Information label. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-64.
The pressure gage (E) 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.
12. Press the on/off button (D) 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.
13. Unplug the power plug (C) from the accessory
power outlet in the vehicle.
14. Disconnect the air only hose (F) from the tire valve
stem, by turning it counterclockwise, and replace
the tire valve stem cap.
15. Replace the air only hose (F) and the power plug (C)
back in its original location.
16. Place the equipment in the original storage location
in the vehicle.Removal and Installation of the Sealant
Canister
To remove the sealant canister:
1. Unlock the air only hose (F) from the sealant
canister (B) by pulling up on the lever.
2. Pull the air only hose (F) from the sealant
canister (B).
3. Unwrap the sealant/air hose (F) from the
compressor (A).
5-94