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.
ProCarManuals.com
Fuse Circuitry
STOP HA2 Stoplamps, Hazard Flashers
CTSY Interior, Underhood, Courtesy,
UP, Trunk Lamps, Door Locks,
Horn Relay, Passive Restraint
System, Deck Lid Release,
Power Antenna Remote Keyless
Entry, Vanity Mirror
WDO* Power Windows
INST LPS Illumination for:
I/P, Radio, Pod
Lamps, Ashtray, Console Lamp,
Heater and A/C Control, Defog
Switch, Headlamp Switch,
Power Antenna
Fuse Circuitry
RADIO Radio
PWR ACC* Seats, Door Locks, Rear Defog,
Power Seat Recliner, Rear
Window Wiper, Trunk Release
WPR
CIG LTR Windshield
Wiperwasher
Cigarette Lighter
*Circuit Breaker
6-59
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Replacement Bulbs
'OUTSIDE LAMPS BULB INSIDE LAMPS BULB
'.Back-up
Lamps . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . 1156
Front ParkingEurn Signal Lamps
. . . . . . . . 2357NA Courtesy' Lamps
194 Dome Lamp
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561
,License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Halogen Headlamps Glove
Box Lamp . . . . .<. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
' Sidemarker Lamps (Front) . . . . , , . . . . . . . 194NA Heater and A/C Control . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-1 .o
Ashtray ................................. 194
.. I I.
Lamps (Rear) . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Stop/TaiVTurn Signai Lamps
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2397
Underhood Lamp
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 089
Taillamps (between stop and back-up lamps) . . . 194
High-Beam Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . 194
High-Level Stoplamp
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . 1156
Indicator Lights Rear Window Defogger Switch
. . . . . . . . . . . 2102
Lighted Rearview Mirrors
, . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212-2
Cluster (Illumination)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Turn Signal Indicators . . . . . . . ; . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
6-60
ProCarManuals.com
Trailer ...................................... 4-33
Transaxle Shift Interlock
....................... 2-23
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-39
Wear
....................................... 6-31
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-6
Braking
........................................ 4-5
Braking in Emergencies
........................... 4-8
Break.In. New Vehicle
.......................... 2- 10
BTSI
......................................... 2-23
BTSICheck
................................... 7-39
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-33
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-4
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-6 1
Carbon Monoxide .................... 2.24.4.27. 4.33
Cargo Security Cover
............................ 2-40
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-37
Cassette Tape Player
............................. 3-6
Cassette Tape Player Care
......................... 3-9
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-27
Certification Label
.............................. 4-28
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-33
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-45
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-46
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-53
Child Restraints
................................ 1-33
Securing in the Center Seat Position
.............. 1-36
Changing a
Flat Tire
.. t. .......................... 5-24
Securing
in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-34
Securing in
the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-38
TopStrap
................................... 1-33
WheretoPut
................................ 1-33 Cigarette
Lighter
............................... 2-42
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-57
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-14
Cleaning
...................................... 6-46
Aluminum Wheels
............................ 6-51
Fabric
...................................... 6-47
Glass
....................................... 6-49
Inside
of Your Buick .......................... 6-46
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-49
Leather
..................................... 6-49
Outside
of Your Buick ......................... 6-50
Special Problems
............................. 6-48
Stains
...................................... 6-48
Tires
....................................... 6-52
Vinyl ....................................... 6-48
Wheels
..................................... 6-51
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-50
Climate Control System ........................... 3-1
Clock. Setting the
................................ 3-4
Coinholder
.................................... 2-39
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-1
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-37
Control of a Vehicle .............................. 4-5
Convenience Net
............................... 2-40
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-38
Coolant
....................................... 6-22
Bleedvalves
................................. 5-21
Heater. Engine
............................... 2-14
RecoveryTank
............................... 5-16
Courtesy Lamps
................................ 2-35
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-5
Cover. Cargo Security ........................... 2-40
Cooling System
................................ 5-15
9-2
ProCarManuals.com
Fabric Cleaning ............................... 6-47
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-4
Filter, Air
..................................... 6-14
Filter, Engine Oil
............................... 6- 14
Finish Care
.................................... 6-5 1
Finish Damage ................................. 6-52
First Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2- 19
Flashers, Hazard Warning
......................... 5-1
Flat Tire, Changing ............................. 5-24
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-42
Foreign Countries, Fuel
........................... 6-4
French Language Manual
11
Front Sidemarker Bulb Replacement ................ 6-34
FrontTowing
................................... 5-9
Front Turn and Parking Lamp Bulb Replacement
...... 6-34
Fuel
.......................................... 6-2
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-4
Gage
....................................... 2-59
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-57
.. ...........................
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-54
Fuel
....................................... 2-59
GAWR
....................................... 4-28
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2- 16
GloveBox .................................... 2-38
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-28
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-28
Guide en Franpis
11 .. .................................
GVWR ....................................... 4-28 Halogen
Bulbs
................................ 6-33
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-1
Head Restraints ................................. 1-4
Headlamps .................................... 2-33
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-33
High/Low Beam Changer
...................... 2-28
Onwarning
................................. 2-34
Wiring
..................................... 6-56
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance
.............. 8-3
Heating
........................................ 3-2
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-28
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-22
Hitches, Trailer
................................. 4-33
Hood
Checking Things Under
......................... 6-6
Prop
........................................ 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-6
Horn
......................................... 2-26
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-17
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2. 1 0
Inflation. Tire .................................. 6-39
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-37
Inspections
.................................... 7-41
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-41
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot
.................. 7-41
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal
................... 7-41
Radiator and Heater
Hose ...................... 7-41
Steering
.................................... 7-41
Suspension
.................................. 7-41
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-41
Brakesystem
................................ 7-41
9-4
ProCarManuals.com
Short TripKity Definition ................... 7.5, 7.7
Short Trip/City Intervals
.................... 7.5. 7.7
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-53
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-54
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1 - 1
Manual Remote Control Mirror .................... 2-37
MapLamp
.................................... 2-36
Methanol
...................................... 6-3
Mirrors
....................................... 2-37
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-38
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-37
Manual Remote Control
........................ 2-37
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-38
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-43
MountainRoads
................................ 4-22
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-27
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-40
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2- 17
New Vehicle "Break-In"
......................... 2- 10
Nightvision ................................... 4-15
Odometer .................................... 2-48
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-48
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 1 1
Oil. Engine .................................... 6-10
Overdrive. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2- 17
Overheating Engine ............................. 5 - 13
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-37
Owner Publications. Ordering
...................... 8-9
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-53
Park Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-16
Shifting Into ................................. 2-20
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-23
AtNight
..................................... 2-9
Brake
...................................... 2-19
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-40
Lots
........................................ 2-9
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-23
With
a Trailer ................................ 4-36
Passing
....................................... 4-11
Periodic Maintenance Inspections .................. 7-41
DoorLocks
................................... 2-4
Option Fuses
................................ 6-56
Remote Control Mirror ........................ 2-38
Seat
......................................... 1-2
Seatback Recliner
.............................. 1-2
Steering
..................................... 4-8
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-26
Windows
................................... 2-25
Pregnancy. Use
of Safety Belts .................... 1-25
Problems on
the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications, Service and Owner .................... 8-9
Parking
Radiator
..................................... 5-20
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... 6-25
Radio Reception
................................. 3-8
Radios ........................................ 3-5
Rain. Driving In ................................ 4-16
Reading Lamps
........................... 2-35. 2.36
9-6
ProCarManuals.com
Rear Outside Seat Position
.......................... 1-28
Seat Passengers
.............................. 1-28
Storage Compartment
......................... 2-39
Towing
..................................... 5-11
Window Defogger
............................. 3-3
Rearview Mirror
................................ 2-37
Inside Daymight ............................. 2-37
Reclining Front Seatbacks
......................... 1-2
Recovery Tank. Coolant
.......................... 5- 16
Refrigerants. Air Conditioning
.................... 6-64
Remote
Keyless Entry
................................. 2-4
Trunk Release
................................. 2-7
Replacement
Bulbs
...................................... 6-60
Parts
....................................... 6-64
Wheel
...................................... 6-44
Reporting Safety Defects
.......................... 8-7
Restraints Child
....................................... 1-33
Checking
................................... 1-46
Head
........................................ 1-4
Replacing Parts
After a Crash ................... 1-46
Systemcheck
................................ 7-38
Reverse, Automatic Transaxle
.................... 2- 17
Right Front Passenger Position .................... 1-26
Roadside Assistance
.............................. 8-4
Roadside Assistance. Canadian
..................... 8-4
Rocking Your Vehicle
........................... 5-39
Rotation, Tires
................................. 6-40 Safety
Belts
................................... 1-8
Automatic Ldp-Shoulder
....................... 1-14
Care
....................................... 6-49
Center Passenger Position
...................... 1-27
Children
.................................... 1-31
Driver Position ............................... 1-13
Extender .................................... 1-46
How to Wear Properly ......................... 1-13
Incorrect Usage .................... 1 - 17, 1-44, 1-45
LapBelt .................................... 1-27
Larger Children
.............................. 1-43
Questions and Answers
........................ 1-12
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions
............ 1-28
Rear Seat Passengers
.......................... 1-28
Replacing After
a Crash ........................ 1-46
Right Front Passenger Position
.................. 1-26
Smaller Children and Babies
.................... 1-31
Station Wagon Third Seat Passenger Position
....... 1-27
Use During Pregnancy
......................... 1-25
Warning Light
........................... 1-8, 2-49
WhyTheyWork ............................... 1-9
Safety Chains .................................. 4-33
Safety Defects, Reporting
......................... 8-7
Safety Warnings and Symbols ...................... viii
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................... 7-3
Seatback Power Recliner
................................ 1-2
Reclining Front
............................... 1-2
Adults
...................................... 1-13
Lap-Shoulder
................................ 1-29
9-7
ProCarManuals.com
Underbody Flushing Service ..................... 7-40
Underbody Maintenance ......................... 6-53
Vehicle
Control
...................................... 4-5
Damage Warnings .............................. ix
Dimensions
................................. 6-63
First Sold in Canada ........................... 1 - 13
Identification Number ......................... 6-55
Loading .................................... 4-28
Storage ..................................... 6-32
Ventilation System ............................... 3-3
Visor Vanity Mirrors ............................ 2-43
Visors. Sun .................................... 2-43
warning Devices ............................... 5-2
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators ............... 2-48
Washer Fluid. Windshield ........................ 6-27
Washing Your Vehicle ........................... 6-50
Weatherstrips .................................. 6-50
Wheel
Alignment
.................................. 6-43
Nut Torque ............................. 5.33. 6.62
Replacement ................................. 6-44
Windows ..................................... 2-25
Power ...................................... 2-25
Wagon Rear Vent .............................. 2-26
Windshield Washer ............................. 2-29
Fluid .................................. 2-29. 6.27
Fluid Level Check ............................ 7-37
Rearwindow ................................ 2-30
Windshield Wiper .............................. 2-28
Blade Replacement ........................... 6-37
Winter Driving ................................. 4-24
Wiring, Headlamp .............................. 6-56
WreckerTowing ................................. 5-7
Fuses ...................................... 6-56
9-10
ProCarManuals.com