1996 BUICK PARK AVENUE ECU

Safety Chains Driving with a Trailer
You
should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if
it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer‘ Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg)
loaded, then
it needs its own brakes -- and they must be
adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Because you have anti-lock brakes, do not try to tap into
you vehicle’s brake system.
If you do, both brake
systems won’t work well, or at all. 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.
4-34
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Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a GM dealer or a professional towing
service tow your Buick.
If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it
was factory-new by adding after-market 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 can only be towed with certain
equipment, as described later in this section.
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.
A CAUTION:
To help avoid injury to you or others:
0 Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
0 Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
0 Never tow with damaged parts not fully
secured.
0 Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.
Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.
0 Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
being towed.
5-7
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L
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause
a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut
by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They
will damage drivetrain and
suspension components. When your vehicle
is being towed, have
the ignition
key in the
OFF position. The steering wheel should
be clamped in a straight-ahead position, with
a
clamping device designed for towing service. Do not
use the vehicle’s steering column lock for this. The
transaxle should be in
NEUTRAL (N) and the parking
brake released.
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the front wheels,
unless you must. If the vehicle must
be towed on the
front wheels, be sure to follow the speed and distance
restrictions later in this section or your transaxle will be
damaged.
If these limits must be exceeded, then the
front wheels have to be supported
on a dolly.
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L 7 the Flat Tire and Tools
Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment
of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.
After you’ve put the compact spare tire on your vehicle,
you’ll need to store the flat tire in your trunk. Use the
following procedure to secure the flat tire in the trunk. Store
the flat tire
as far forward in the trunk as possible.
Store the jack and wheel wrench
in their compartment in
the trunk.
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Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways. Here’s how to remove the
type with a release clip:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arnn away from the windshield.
2. Push down on the release clip with a screwdriver and
pull the blade assembly off the wiper arm.
3. Push the new wiper blade securely on the wiper arm.
For the correct windshield wiper blade replacement
length and type, see “Capacities and Specifications’’ in
the Index.
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Used Replacement Wheels
A CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous.
You can’t know how it’s been used or
how many miles it’s been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause an accident.
If you have to
replace
a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
rire Pains
NOTICE:
If your Buick has P215/70R15 size tires, don’t use
tire chains. They can damage your vehicle.
If you have other tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you must. Use only
SAE Class
“S” type chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the front tires and tighten
them
as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too
fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
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P--%de Assistar-
n
c 7
Buick Motor Division is proud to offer Buick Premium
Roadside Assistance to customers for vehicles covered
under
the 3 year/36,000 mile (60,000 km) new car
warranty (whichever occurs first).
Our commitment to Buick owners has always included
superior service through our network
of 3,000 Buick
dealers, Buick Premium Roadside Assistance provides
an extra measure of convenience and security.
Buick Premium Roadside Assistance:
- Provides owners with access to minor repairs or
towing for disabled vehicles.
- Takes the anxiety out of uncertain situations by
providing easy access to service professionals trained
to work with Buick owners, 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year, including weekends and holidays.
For details
on Buick Premium Roadside Assistance,
please consult your Buick Premium Roadside Assistance
owner booklet included with your owner’s manual. For
needed assistance, call
the Buick Premium Roadside
Assistance toll-free
hotline: 1-800-252- 11 12.
lian Kc ds e L
Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive
Roadside Assistance program accessible from anywhere
in Canada or the United States. Please refer to the
separate brochure provided by the dealer or call
1-800-268-6800 for emergency services.
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I.
Adjustment .................................. 6-32
Master Cylinder
............................... 6-30
Fluid
......................................... 6-30
Parking
.. i.................................. 2-27
Pedal Travel
.... -. ............................... 6-32
Replacing System Parts
......................... 6-33
System Warning Light
......................... 2-71
Trailer
....................................... 4-34
Transaxle Shift Interlock
....................... 2-30
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-40
Wear
......................................... 6-32
Brakes, Anti-Lock.
............................... 4-6
Braking
........................................ :4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle
.......................... 2-19
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-46
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-34
Braking
in Emergencies ............................ 4-9
BTSI
......................................... 2-3 0
BTSICheck ................................... 7-40
Canadian Roadside Assistance
..... 1. ............. 8-4
Capacities apd Specifications
........................ 6-64
Carbon Monoxide
......... : .......... 2-31,2-32, 4-27
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-38
Cassette Tape Player
.................. 3-14,3-17, 3-24
Cassette Tape Player Care
......................... 3-3 1
Cassette Tape Player Errors
........ : .... 3-14,3-18, 3-25
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature
.................. 3-27
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-24
Central Door Unlocking System
.................... 2-4
. .
Certification Label .......................... !’. ... 4-29
Certification/”ire Label
..................... 4.28, 4.29
Chains. Tire
......... ; ......................... 6-46
Chains.
Safety
.................................. 4-34
Change Oil
Soon Light .......................... 2-80
Changing
a Flat Tire ............................. 5-22
Check Engine Light
............................. 2-75
Check Oil Level Light
........................... 2-79
Checking Your. Restraint Systems
.................. 1-44
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-54
Child Restraints
................................ 1-33
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position
... .. ....... 1-35
Securing in the Center
. Rear Seat Position .......... 1-37
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-39
TopStrap
.................................... 1- 34
Where to Put
................................. 1-33
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-61
Circuit Breakers
and Fuses ....................... 6-58
Cleaner.
Air ................................... 6-17
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
........................ ’ .... 6-53
Fabric
...................................... 6-48
Glass
....................................... 6-51
Inside
of Your Buick .......................... 6-47
InstrumentPanel
............................. 6-50
Leather
..................................... 6-49
Outside of Your Buick
.......................... 6-52
Speaker Covers
............................. .. 6-50
Stains
...................................... 6-48
Tires ........................................ 6-53
Special
Problems
............................ 6-48
Vinyl
....................................... 6-49
9-2
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