traction CADILLAC XLR 2007 1.G Owner's Guide

Low-Prole Tires (XLR-V)
Notice:If your vehicle has P235/45R19 or
P255/40R19 size tires, they are classied as
low-prole tires. Low-prole tires are more
susceptible to damage from road hazards or
curb impact than standard prole tires.
Tire and or wheel assembly damage can occur
when coming into contact with road hazards
like potholes or sharp edged objects, or
when sliding into a curb. Your GM warranty
does not cover this type of damage. Keep tires
set to the correct ination pressure and
when possible avoid contact with curbs,
potholes, and other road hazards.
Winter Tires (XLR-V)
If you expect to drive on snow or ice covered
roads often, you may want to get winter tires for
your vehicle. All season tires provide good overall
performance on most surfaces but they may
not offer the traction you would like or the same
level of performance as winter tires on snow or ice
covered roads.Winter tires, in general, are designed for increased
traction on snow and ice covered roads. With
winter tires, there may be decreased dry
road traction, increased road noise, and shorter
tread life. After switching to winter tires, be alert for
changes in vehicle handling and braking.
See your dealer for details regarding winter tire
availability and proper tire selection. Also,
seeBuying New Tires on page 428.
If you choose to use winter tires:
Use tires of the same brand and tread type on
all four wheel positions.
Use only radial ply tires of the same size, load
range, and speed rating as the original
equipment tires.
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
winter tires with a lower speed rating, never
exceed the tire’s maximum speed capability.
414

(E) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and
number of plies in the sidewall and under the
tread.
(F) Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG):Tire
manufacturers are required to grade tires
based on three performance factors: treadwear,
traction and temperature resistance. For more
information seeUniform Tire Quality Grading on
page 431.
(G) Maximum Cold Ination Load Limit:
Maximum load that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed to support that load.
Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of a
typical passenger (p-metric) vehicle tire size.(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:The United
States version of a metric tire sizing system. The
letter P as the rst 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.
(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.
416

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 Ination Pressure:Vehicle
manufacturer’s recommended tire ination
pressure as shown on the tire placard. See
Ination - Tire Pressure on page 422andLoading
Your Vehicle on page 354.
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.
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.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New Tires on page 428.
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. SeeUniform
Tire Quality Grading on page 431.
419

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:
You can see the indicators at three or more
places around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing through
the tire’s rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut, or
snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge, or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage
that cannot be repaired well because of the
size or location of the damage.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched specic 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 Specication (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 specications 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. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling
on page 415for additional information.
428

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). SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 354
for more information about the Tire and Loading
Information label and its location on your vehicle.
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 specic wheel and
tire systems developed for your vehicle,
and have them properly installed by a GM
certied technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 428and
Accessories and Modications on page 363for
additional information.
430

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 specied
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 signicantly 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 specied
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.
431

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
Do not use tire chains. 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, re-adjust or
remove the device if it is contacting your
vehicle, and do not spin your wheels. If
you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the rear tires.
Lifting Your Vehicle
{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. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift
lever in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won’t
move, you can put blocks in front of and
behind the wheels.
435

Light (cont.)
Lights On Reminder................................. 202
Malfunction Indicator................................ 196
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............ 189
Safety Belt Reminder............................... 187
Security................................................... 201
TCS Warning Light.................................. 194
Tire Pressure........................................... 196
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning................................................ 194
Lighting
Entry/Exit................................................. 170
Limited-Slip Rear Axle................................. 331
Loading Your Vehicle................................... 354
Lockout Protection......................................... 77
Locks
Automatic Door Lock................................. 76
Door.......................................................... 73
Lockout Protection..................................... 77
Power Door............................................... 75
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock....... 76
Loss of Control........................................... 337
Lowering the Retractable Hardtop................ 124
Lumbar
Power Controls............................................ 9M
Magnetic Ride Control................................. 331
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services.................... 467
At Each Fuel Fill...................................... 470
At Least Once a Month............................ 471
At Least Once a Year.............................. 471
Introduction.............................................. 462
Maintenance Footnotes............................ 469
Maintenance Record................................ 477
Maintenance Requirements...................... 462
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts............................... 475
Owner Checks and Services.................... 470
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants....... 473
Scheduled Maintenance........................... 465
Using....................................................... 463
Your Vehicle and the Environment............ 462
Malfunction Indicator Light........................... 196
Map Pocket................................................. 122
Maps........................................................... 271
Memory Point, Edit...................................... 250
Memory Seat, Mirrors, Steering Wheel
Controls..................................................... 10
Menu
Setup....................................................... 243
506

Tires (cont.)
Cleaning.................................................. 449
Different Size........................................... 430
If a Tire Goes Flat................................... 440
Ination - Tire Pressure............................ 422
Inspection and Rotation............................ 426
Lifting Your Vehicle.................................. 435
Pressure Monitor System......................... 423
Run-Flat................................................... 420
Tire Sidewall Labeling.............................. 415
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 417
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.................... 431
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance........... 432
Wheel Replacement................................. 432
When It Is Time for New Tires................. 428
Winter Tires............................................. 414
Towing
Recreational Vehicle................................. 359
Towing a Trailer....................................... 359
Your Vehicle............................................. 359
Traction
Control System (TCS).............................. 329
Control System Warning Light.................. 194
Limited-Slip Rear Axle.............................. 331
Magnetic Ride Control.............................. 331
StabiliTrak
®System................................. 331Transmission
Fluid, Automatic....................................... 384
Transmission Operation, Automatic................ 92
Trip Computer
Oil Life Indicator...................................... 224
Trip Odometer............................................. 187
Trunk............................................................ 77
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................... 142
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................... 141
Twilight Sentinel
®........................................ 168
U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)........ 175
Understanding Radio Reception................... 228
Uniform Tire Quality Grading....................... 431
Universal Home Remote System........110, 111
Operation........................................112, 118
V
Valet Lockout Switch..................................... 86
Vehicle
Control..................................................... 326
Damage Warnings....................................... 5
Loading.................................................... 354
Symbols...................................................... 5
511