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Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Your Buick has an advanced electronic braking system
that will help prevent skidding.
ANTI-LOCK
This light on the
instrument panel will
go on when you start
your vehicle.
When you start your vehicle, or when you begin to drive
away, you may hear a momentary motor or clicking
noise. And
you may even notice that your brake pedal
moves a little while this is going on. This is the
ABS
system testing itself. If there’s a problem with the
anti-lock brake system, the anti-lock brake system
warning light
will stay on or flash.
See “Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light”
in the
Index. Here’s how
anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet.
You’re driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out
in
front of you.
You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens
with ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one
of the wheels
is about to stop rolling, the computer will
separately work the brakes at each front wheel and at the
rear wheels.
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Loss of Control
Let’s review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems. (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of less
danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
“overdriving” those conditions. But skids are always
possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your Buick’s
three control systems.
In the braking skid your wheels
aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And
in the acceleration skid too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best
handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal. If
your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid
if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you’ll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or
braking (including engine braking by shifting
to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues
--
such as enough water, ice or packed snow on the road to
make a “mirrored surface”
-- and slow down when you
have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock braking system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
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Page 171 of 308

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.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how
to do it:
0 Shift into a gear; and
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels,
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 “P” (Park).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking
on a Hill
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.
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.
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
0 Start your engine;
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Page 257 of 308

Fuse Block
Amp Description
1.
2.
10
10
3. 20
4.
2s
5. IO
6. 15
7. 15
8. 1s
9. 20
10.
1s
11. 5
12. 1s
13. 15 Radio
& Clock, Steering
Wheel Radio Switches.
Headlight Switch, Air Bag Diagnostic Module, ABS
Lamp Driver Module, Daytime Running Lamps
Module (w/DRL), TCC/Brake Switch, Cruise
Control Cut-Out Switch, Instrument Cluster, Chime
Module, Rear Defogger Timer Relay
A/C HI Blower Relay
Wipermasher Switch
Turn Signal Flasher
TCC/Brake Switch, Hazard Flasher
Vanity Mirror, Lights, I/P Compartment Light,
Courtesy Lights, Trunk Courtesy Light,
Dome/Reading Lights, Cigar Lighter.
Air Bag Diagnostic Module
Power Door Locks, Remote Keyless Entry System
Cigar Lighter
Theft Deterrent Decoder Module
Heater, Vent A/C Solenoid Box, A/C LO Blower
Relay
Chime Module, Electronic Brake Control Module.
Theft Deterrent Decoder Module, Radio, Passive
Restraint Timer Relay, Low Oil Level Module
1s.
Amp Description
14. 15 Air Temperature Valve Motors, Instrument Cluster,
Daytime Running Lights Module (w/DRL), HVAC
Control Assembly, Multi-Function Lever, Heated
Oxygen Sensor
#2, Passenger Temperature Control
Electrical Center
#2, ABS Relay
16. 10 Antenna Relay, Outside Mirror Control, Front
Window/Door Lock Switches, Front Door Handle
Switches
17.
Not Used
18. 5 Air Bag Diagnostic Module
5 Electronic Brake Control Module, Underhood
n
CTSY ARBGl DRLKS
@m@
ClLTR VATS HVAC
This fuse panel is inside the
glove
box. Pull the cover
down to access the
fuses.
Some spare fuses and a fuse
puller are included.
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Page 260 of 308
10
25
1s
Electrical Center
Driver Side - Underhood
Amp Description
Minifuse
1. Not Used
2. Not Used
3. Not Used
4. Fog Lamps
5. Parking Lamps, Headlight Switch
6. Horn Relay, Underhood Light
7. Not Used
8. Not Used
9. Not Used
Maxifuse
10. 40
11 40
Component Center: Power Windows Circuit
Breaker, Passenger Side Underhood
Electrical Center, TCC and Engine Emissions
Fuses
I/P Fuse Block: Radio, Wiper, HVAC, ABS
and Turn Signal Fuses; Passenger Side
Underhood Electrical Center:
Fuel Injections,
ECM IGN and
ELEK IGN Fuses
Amp Description
12. 30 Headlight Switch Circuit Breaker
13. 60 ABS Relay
Relay
14. Anti-lock Brake System
1s. Fog Lamps
16. Horn
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