Page 164 of 340

Loading Your Vehicle
OCCUPANTS VEHICLE CAP. WT.
TIRE-LOADING INFORMATION
I FRT. CTR. RR.
TOTAL LBS. KG
MAX.
LOADING & GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE
CAPACITY WEIGHT XXX COLD TIRE
TIRE
SIZE SPEED PRESSURE
RTG
PSIiKPa
FRT.
RR.
SPA.
IF TIRES ARE HOT, ADD 4PSIj28KPa
SEE OWNER’S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
- ~-__I__-__ -d
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label
is on the rear edge of the driver’s door on four-door
models and inside the trunk lid on two-door models.
The label tells you the proper size, speed rating and
recommended inflation pressures for the tires on your
vehicle. It
also gives you important information about
the number of people that can be
in your vehicle and the
total weight you can carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and includes the weight of
all
occupants, cargo and all nonfactory-installed options.
/ -- -7
MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP
DATE GVWR GAWR FRT GAWR RR
I
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLI-
CABLE
U.S. FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE
SAFETY,
BUMPER, AND THEFT PREVENTION
STANDARDS
IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF
MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
1
The other label is the Certification label, found on the
rear edge of the driver’s door. It tells you the gross
weight capacity of your vehicle, called the GVWR
(Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR includes the weight
of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo. Never
exceed the GVWR for your vehicle or the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front or rear axle.
If you do have a heavy load, spread
it out. Don’t carry
more than
167 pounds (75 kg) in your trunk.
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Page 166 of 340

Towing a Trailer
advice and information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
I’
~ 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 part, and see your Buick dealer
for important information about. towing a trailer
with your vehicle. Your
vehicle can tow a trailer.
To identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle,
you
should read the information in “Weight of the Trailer”
that appears later
in this section. But traiiering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes
in handling, durability, and
fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and
it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part.
In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers.
So please read this section carefully
before you pull
a trailer.
Load-pulling components such
as the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies, and tires are forced to work harder
against the drag of the added weight. The engine is
required
to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance. increasing
the pulling requirements.
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Page 168 of 340

Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total capacity
weight of your vehicle. The capacity weight includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in
it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And
if you will tow a trailer, you must subtract the tongue
load from your vehicle’s capacity weight because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading
Your Vehicle” in the Index for more information about
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
A B
If you’re using a “dead-weight” hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh
10% of the total loaded trailer
weight
(B). If you have a “weight-distributing” hitch,
the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 12% of the total
loaded trailer weight (B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights
are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the
recommended pressure for cold tires. You’ll find these
numbers on the Tire-Loading Information label (found
inside the trunk lid) or see “Loading Your Vehicle” in
the Index. Then be sure you don’t go over the
GVW
limit for your vehicle, including the weight of the trailer
tongue.
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Page 170 of 340

Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road,
you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself
with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving
is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by
itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment.
If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer, This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
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.
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.
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Page 181 of 340
Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a GM dealer or a professional towing
service tow your Buick. The usual towing equipment is:
A. Sling-type Tow Truck
B. Wheel-lift Tow Truck
C. Car Carrier
If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it
was factory-new by adding aftermarket items like fog
lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels, these
instructions and illustrations may not be correct.
Before you do anything, turn
on the hazard warning
flashers.
When you call, tell the towing service:
0
0
0
0
0
That your vehicle cannot be towed from the front or
rear with sling-type equipment.
That your vehicle has front-wheel drive.
The make, model, and year
of your vehicle.
Whether you can still move the shift lever.
If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains detailed towing instructions and illustrations. The operator may want
to see them.
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Page 198 of 340

If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out
of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But
if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few
tips about what
to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip
the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, then gently brake
to a
stop well
out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use
in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get
the vehicle under control by
steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but
you can still steer. Gently
brake
to a stop, well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change
a flat tire safely.
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Page 199 of 340
The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change a tire. The
equipment you’ll need
is in the trunk. Pull the
carpeting from the floor
of
the trunk. Turn the center
nut on the compact spare
cover counterclockwise to
remove it. Then lift and
remove the cover.
Turn the wing nut
counterclockwise and
remove it. Then lift
off the
spacer and remove the spare
tire.
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Page 201 of 340
Using the wheel wrench, loosen all the wheel nuts.
Don’t remove
them yet.
A CAUTION:
Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is
dangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack, you
could be badly
injured or killed. Never get under
a vehicle when it is supported only by a jack.
Turn the jack handle clockwise to raise the jack lift head
a few inches.
Position
the jack under the
vehicle and raise the jack
lift head until it fits firmly
into the notch in the
vehicle’s frame nearest the
flat tire.
Put the compact spare tire near
you.
NOTICE:
Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly
positioned will damage the vehicle
or may allow
the vehicle to fall off the jack.
Be sure to fit the
jack lift head into the proper location before
raising your vehicle.
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