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Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the water.
This can happen if the road is wet enough and you’re
going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning,
it has little or no contact with
the road.
Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can
if your
tires haven’t much tread or if the pressure in
one or
more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing
on the road. If you can see reflections from trees,
telephone poles, or other vehicles, and raindrops
“dimple” the water’s surface, there could be
hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice is
to slow down when it is raining.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
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0
0
Turn on your low-beam headlights -- not just your
parking lights
-- to help make you more visible to
others.
Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when
you pass
another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room
ahead, and be prepared
to have your view restricted
by road spray.
Have good tires
with proper tread depth. (See
“Tires” in the Index.)
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Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel
for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged.
You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later
on
with your headlights. Let the heater run for awhile.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when
you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But
do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
Towing a Trailer
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered
by your warranty.
To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this section, and see your Buick
dealer for important information about towing
a
trailer with your vehicle .
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Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure
you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size
and rating.
There are additional fuses located behind the right sound
insulator panel on the passenger side. If these require
service, see your Buick dealer.
Maxifuse/Relay Center
To check the fuses in this underhood fuse center, turn
the two knobs
1/4 turn counterclockwise and remove the
cover. There is a chart inside the cover that explains the
features and controls governed by each fuse and relay.
The PASS-Key
II@ fuse is located in the right side relay
center.
Headlights
The headlight wiring is protected by a circuit breaker in
the underhood fuse center. An electrical overload will
cause the lights to go on and off, or in some cases to
remain off. If this happens, have your headlight wiring
checked right away.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse. If
the motor overheats due to heavy
snow, etc., the wiper will
stop until the motor cools. If
the overload is caused by some electrical problem and
not snow, etc., be sure to get it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse panel protect the power
windows and other power accessories. When the current
load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting the circuit until the problem
is fixed or goes
away.
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Identification Label. Service Parts .................. 276
Identification Number. Vehicle
VIN) ................. 276
Idling Your Engine
................................ 89
Indicators. Warning Lights. Gages
................... 120
Infant Restraint
................................... 46
Inflation. Tire
................................... 261
InstrumentPanel ................................ 119
Jack. Tire ..................................... 215
Jump Starting
................................... 198
Keyless Entry System. Remote
...................... 70
Key
.......................................... 64
Ignition Positions
.............................. 79
FASS ........................................ 77
Reminder Warning
............................. 65
Label. Service Parts Identification
.................. 276
Lamp Monitors
.................................. 107
LapBelt ........................................ 42
Lap-Shoulder Belt
Front
........................................ 27
Rear
......................................... 44
Leather Cleaning
................................ 270
Leaving Your Vehicle
.............................. 89
Level Control. Electronic
.......................... 1 15
License Plate Holder ............................. 117
Lane Change Indicator
............................. 94 Lighter.
Cigarette
................................ 118
Lights
Air Bag Readiness
............................. 36
Courtesy .................................... 104
Daytime Running
............................. 105
Illuminated Entry System
........................ 75
Operation .................................... 95
“On ”Warning
................................ 103
Reading ..................................... 106
Removing
& Replacing Bulbs ................... 256
Replacement Bulbs
............................ 281
Time Out Feature ............................. 104
Warning ..................................... 120
Loading Your Vehicle
............................ 258
Locks
.......................................... 65
Locks. Rear Door Security
.......................... 74
Long Distance Driving
............................ 181
Loss
of Control ................................. 173
Low Coolant Warning Light
....................... 125
Lubricants and Fluids. Recommended
................ 299
Headlights
................................... 103
Maintenance
Inspections
.................................. 298
Materials .................................... 275
Record
...................................... 301
Schedule
.................................... 283
Malfunction Indicator Light (Service Engine Soon Light) 128
Manualseat
..................................... 14
Underbody
.................................. 274
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