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:
• Too much flexing • Too much heat • Tire overloading • Premature or irregular wear • Poor handling • Reduced fuel economy • Unusual wear • Poor handling • Rough ride • 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 the Vehicle . 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 .
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly inflated simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look properly inflated even when they're 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.
High Speed Operation (CTS-V)
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.
The CTS-V performance series has 245/45R18 96W size tires. These high-performance tires require inflation pressure adjustment when driving your vehicle at speeds of 130 mph (209 km/h) or higher with occupants and cargo weighing 600 lbs. (272 kg) up to 882 lbs. (400 kg).
Use the following chart to determine the cold tire inflation pressure when operating your vehicle under these conditions.
Tire Size: 245/45R18 96W Recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressure for High Speed Operation at 130 mph (209 km/h) or more: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Occupant and Cargo Weight: Less than 600 lbs (272 kg) | Occupant and Cargo Weight: 600 lbs (272 kg) Up to 882 lbs (400 kg) (Vehicle Capacity Weight) | ||
Front Tires | Rear Tires | Front Tires | Rear Tires |
30 psi (210 kPa) | 30 psi (210 kPa) | 32 psi (220 kPa) | 34 psi (235 kPa) |
When you end high-speed driving, return the tires to the cold inflation pressures shown on the tire and loading information label. See Loading the Vehicle .
