1993 BUICK SKYLARK trailer

Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal \
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
d
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always. back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Making Turns
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal.
Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
nrn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have a
different turn signal flasher and extra wiring. The green
arrows on your instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lights will also flash, telling other drivers
you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long
or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your’brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, use the highest gear. possible. If
you cannot maintain posted speeds, driving at a lower
speed may help avoid overheating your engine and
transaxle.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could
start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
183

But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
, how to do it:
1 1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into.“P”
I (Park) yet.
I 2. Have someone place chocks under.the trailer wheels.
1
I
I I
I 3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to
“F’” (Park).
5. Release the regular brakes.
,. I I
~ When You Are Ready to Leave After
I Parking on a Hill
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, belt, cooling system, and brake adjustment.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s
a good idea to review these sections before
you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are
tight.
I 1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
0 Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
284

0 It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less
than
10 miles (16 km).
0 The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in
door-to-door delivery, or in stop-and-go traffic).
0 You tow a trailer often.
0 Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one
of these is true for your vehicle, then you
need to change your oil and filter every
3,000 miles (5
000 km) or 3 months -- whichever comes first.
If none of them is true, change the oil every 7,500 miles
(12
500 km) or 12 months -- whichever comes first.
Change the filter at the first oil change and at every
other oil change after that.
Engine Block Heater: An engine block heater can be a
big help if you have to park outside in very cold weather, -20
F (-29 C) or colder. If your vehicle has
this option, see “Engine Block Heater.” in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil:
I sed engine oil contains things that have caused
skin cancer in laboratory animals. Don’t let used
oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good
hand cleaner. Wash
or properly throw away
c-othing
or rags containing used engine oil.
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. Don’t
ever dispose of it by pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used
oil. If
you have a problem propeily disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling center for help.
227

Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90 ’ F (32 ’ C).
0 At high speed .for quite a while.
In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180’F to 200’F (82OC
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50’F
(1 0 C). If it’s colder than 50 OF (10 ’ C), you may have
to drive longer.
To’check the fluid level:
to 93
“C).
0
e
0
Park your vehicle on
a level place.
Place the
shift lever in “F”’ (Park) with the parking
brake applied.
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever
in “P,’ (Park).
Let the engine
run at idle far three to five minutes. Then; without shutting off the engine, follow these
steps:
.I. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
2. . Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.

Selecting the Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here’s how to decide which
0
schedule to follow: 0
Schedule I
Is any one of these true for your vehicle?
0 Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
Most trips are less than 10 miles (16 km) when
outside temperatures are below freezing.
0 The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in
door-to-door delivery,
or in stop-and-go traffic).
You operate your vehicle in dusty areas.
You tow a trailer. (With some models, you shouldn’t
ever tow a trailer. See “Towing a Trailer” in the
Index.
)
If any one (or more) of these is true for your driving,
follow Schedule I.
Schedule I1
Follow Schedule I1 only if none of the above conditions
is true.
269

I
b Scheduled Maintenance Services Schedule I -
Follow Schedule I if your car is MAINLY driven under one or more of the following conditions:
0 When most trips are less than 4 miles (6 kilometers).
0 When most trips are less. than 10 miles (16 kilometers) and outside temperatures remain below freezing.
0 When most trips indude extended idling and/or frequent low-speed operation as in stop-a\
nd-go traffic.
0 Towing a trailer."?
0 When operating in dusty areas.
Schedule I should also be followed if the car is used for delivery service, police, taxi or other commercial app\
lications.
TO BE SERVICED
(See Explanation of
Scheduled Maintenance Miles (kilometers) or
Services Following Months, Whichever
WHEN
TO PERFORM
Schedules I and 10
Item No. I
Occurs First
1. hgine
Oil & Filter Change months I
Every 3000 mi. (5000 km) or
2. Chassis Lubrication I Every other oil change
3. Throttle Body Mounting At 6 000 mi. (10 000 km)
Bolt Torque*
At
6 000'mi. (10 000 km) and
km) or as necessary
4. Tire & Inspection & then every 15 000 mi. (25 000
Rotation
5. Engine Accessory Drive
Belt(s) Inspection* Every
30 000 mi. (50 000 km) or 24 months.
MILES (000)
3 16 19 112115118121124127130(33136139142145148
5 10
a.
..
0
0
KILOMETERS (000)
65 70 75 80
a...
0 a
270

Inspect hoses and replace if they are cracked,
swollen or deteriorated. Tighten screw-type hose
clamps. Clean the outside of the~radiator and air
conditioning condenser. Wash the pressure cap and
neck.
To help ensure proper operation, we recommend a
pressure test
of both the cooling system and the
pressure cap.
7. Transaxle Service -- Change both the fluid and
filter every
15,000 miles (25 000 km) if the vehicle
is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 F (32 C) or
higher.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing. (With some
models, you shouldn’t ever tow a trailer. See
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index.)
Uses such as found in taxi, police car or delivery
service. If you
do’ not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change both the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles (160 000 km).
8. Spark Plug Replacement* -- Replace spark plugs
with the proper type. See “Specifications Chart” in
the Index.
9. Spark Plug Wire Inspection (3.3L Code N engine
only)*?
-- Inspect for burns, cracks or other
damage. Check the boot fit at the coils and at the
spark plugs. Replace wires as needed.
10. Air Cleaner Filter Replacement* -- Replace every
30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or more often under dusty
conditions. Ask your dealer for the proper
replacement intervals for your driving conditions.
11. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection”? -- Inspect
fuel
tank, cap and lines (including fuel rails and
injection assembly) for damage or leaks. Inspect fuel
cap gasket for an even filler neck imprint or any
damage. Replace parts as needed. Periodic
replacement of the fuel filter is not required.
* An Emission Control Service.
The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the completion of vehicle
useful life. General Motors, however, urges that all recommended maintenance services be performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance be recorded in “Section EMaintenance Record”.

Starting Your Car if the Battery is “Dead” .............. 188
Steam From Hot (Overheated) Engine ................ 197
Steering ........................................ 154
Steering in Emergencies ........................... 155
Steering Wheel, Tilt ............................... 88
Steering Without Power Assist ..................... 154
Stereo Sound Systems ............................ 122
Storage Console ................................. 106
Storing Your Vehicle ............................. 237
Stuck. If Your Ignition Key is ....................... 73
Stuck. IfYour Car Is ............................. 213
Subscribing to Buick Product Service Publications ...... 288
Surge Tank Pressure Cap .......................... 233
Symbols on Your Car .............................. 12
Table of Contents ................................. 9
Tachometer ..................................... 1 17
Tamper-Resistant Odometer ........................ 108
Tape Player Care ................................ 133
Temperature. Engine Coolant Warning Light .......... 112
Theft ............................................ 70
Thermostat ..................................... 233
Third Gear ...................................... 78
Tilt Steering Wheel ............................... 88
Time. Setting the ......................... 125.127. 129
Tire Balance .................................... 246
Tire Chains ..................................... 248
Tire. Flat ....................................... 204
Tire Inflation ................................... 242
Tire Inspection and Rotation ....................... 243
Tire Quality Grading ............................. 245
Tires .......................................... 241
Tires. When to Replace ........................... 244
Tires. White Sidewall Cleaning ..................... 254
Torn Safety Belts ................................. 60
Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle) ................. 174
Towing Your Buick .............................. 193
Towing a Trailer ................................. 179
Trademarks. GM ................................ 216
Traffic Lights ................................... 143
Traffic Officer .................................. 144
Trailer Brakes ................................... 182
Trailer Towing .................................. 179
Transaxle/Transmission. Automatic ................... 77
Transaxle Fluid .................................. 227
Trip Odometer .................................. 108
Trunk Release. Remote ............................ 66
Turn Signal and Headlight Beam Lever ................ 88
Turn Signal “On” Chime ............................ 90
Twisted Safety Belts .. I ............................ 35
Two Children Wearing the Same Safety Belt ............ 58
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator ............... 89