Subject: Excessive Brake Dust On Wheels

Models: 2014 - 2015 Cadillac CTS Vsport Sedan
–
VIN A
2009 - 2015 Cadillac CTS V - VIN D
2014 - 2015 XTS Vsport Sedan
2010 - 2015 Chevrolet Camaro
2005 - 2015 Chevrolet Corvette
2014 Chevrolet SS

This PI was superseded to update Model Years. Please discard PIC5214C.
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern

Some customers may comment that their wheels are collecting an excessive amount of brake dust.
This is due to two reasons; the brake pad material used for the brakes is a high performance material.
One of the by-products of the pad material is black dust.
The vehicles also have large openings in the wheels between the spokes which highlights the brake dust.

Recommendation/Instructions

This is considered a normal characteristic. Refer to the information below for cleaning
–
taken from the Exterior Care
section of the online Owner's Manual that resides in Service Information.
Wheels and Trim
–
Aluminum or Chrome

The vehicle may have either painted, aluminum, or chrome plated wheels.
Keep the wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with mild soap and water.
Rinse with clean water. After rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax may then be applied.

Notice:

Chrome wheels and other chrome trim may be damaged if the vehicle is not washed after driving on roads that have been sprayed with magnesium, calcium or sodium chloride.
These chlorides are used on roads for conditions such as ice and dust.
Always wash the vehicle's chrome with soap and water after exposure.

Notice:

Using strong soaps, chemicals, abrasive polishes, cleaners, brushes, or cleaners that contain acid on aluminum or chrome plated wheels, could damage the surface of the wheel(s) and/or the finish of the brake caliper(s).
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Use only approved cleaners on aluminum or chrome plated wheels.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted surface of the vehicle. Do not use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners, cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes on them because the surface could be damaged. Do not use chrome polish on aluminum wheels.

Notice:

Using chrome polish on aluminum wheels could damage the wheels.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Use chrome polish on chrome wheels only.
Use chrome polish only on chrome plated wheels, but avoid any painted surface of the wheel, and buff off immediately after application.

Notice:

Driving the vehicle through an automatic car wash that has silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes, could damage the aluminum or chrome plated wheels. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Never drive a vehicle that has aluminum or chrome plated wheels through an automatic car wash that uses silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes.
Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed