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5-32
Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated when
your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time.
Check the inflation pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, you
should stop as soon as possible and make sure your
spare tire is correctly inflated. The compact spare
is made to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph
(105 km/h) for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km),
so you can finish your trip and have your full
-size tire
repaired or replaced where you want. You must calibrate
the tire pressure monitor system after installing or
removing the compact spare. See ªLow Tire Inflation
Monitorº in the Index. The system may not work
correctly when the compact spare is installed on the
vehicle. Of course, it's best to replace your spare with a
full
-size tire as soon as you can. Your spare will last
longer and be in good shape in case you need it again.
NOTICE:
When the compact spare is installed, don't take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with
guide rails. The compact spare can get caught on
the rails. That can damage the tire and wheel,
and maybe other parts of your vehicle.
Don't use your compact spare on other vehicles.
And don't mix your compact spare tire or wheel with
other wheels or tires. They won't fit. Keep your spare
tire and its wheel together.
NOTICE:
Tire chains won't fit your compact spare. Using
them can damage your vehicle and can damage
the chains too. Don't use tire chains on your
compact spare.
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6-45
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see
your Buick Warranty booklet for details.CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air
-out and a serious
accident. See ªLoading Your Vehicleº in
the Index.
Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut,
punctured or broken by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
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6-46 Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is on the
inside of the trunk lid, shows the correct inflation
pressures for your tires when they're cold. ªColdº
means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three
hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
NOTICE:
Don't let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It's not. If your tires
don't have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
NOTICE: (Continued)
NOTICE: (Continued)
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don't forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket
-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they're underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.
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6-47 Low Tire Inflation Monitor System
(If Equipped)
The low tire inflation monitor system can alert you to a
large change in the pressure of one tire. The system
ªlearnsº the pressure at each tire throughout the
operating speed range of your vehicle. The system
normally takes between 45 and 90 minutes of driving to
learn the tire pressures. This time may be longer
depending on your individual driving habits. Learning
need not be accumulated during a single trip. Once
learned, the system will remember the tire pressures
until the system is recalibrated.
After the system has learned tire pressures with properly
inflated tires, the LOW TIRE light will come on if the
pressure in one tire becomes 12 psi (83 kPa) lower than
the other three tires. The low tire inflation monitor
system won't alert you if the pressure in more than one
tire is low, if the system is not properly calibrated, or if
the vehicle is moving faster than 60 mph (95 km/h).
The low tire inflation monitor system detects differences
in tire rotation speeds that are caused by changes in
tire pressure. The system can alert you about a low
tire
-- but it doesn't replace normal tire maintenance.
See ªTiresº in the Index.When the LOW TIRE light comes on, you should stop
as soon as you can and check all your tires for damage.
(If a tire is flat, see ªIf a Tire Goes Flatº in the Index.)
Also check the tire pressure in all four tires as soon as
you can. See ªInflation
- Tire Pressureº in the Index.
The light will come on and stay on until you turn off the
ignition or press the RESET button.
Don't reset the low tire inflation monitor system without
first correcting the cause of the problem and checking
and adjusting the pressure in all four tires. If you reset
the system when the tire pressures are incorrect, the
system will not work properly and may not alert you
when a tire is low.
Any time you adjust a tire's pressure, rotate your tires,
or have one or more tires repaired or replaced, you'll
need to reset (calibrate) the low tire inflation monitor
system. You'll also need to reset the system whenever
you buy new tires and whenever the vehicle's battery
has been disconnected.
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6-48
To reset (calibrate) the system: turn the ignition switch
to RUN. Then press and hold the RESET button for
about five seconds.
The red RESET button is
located inside your
instrument panel fuse block.
The fuse block is located under the cover labeled
FUSES, which is at the end of the instrument panel on
the passenger's side of the vehicle. The RESET button is
the first button in the top row of the fuse block. The
LOW TIRE light will come on and flash three times.
Then it will go off. If the light doesn't go off, see your
dealer for service.
The system completes the calibration process
during driving.The system normally takes 15 to 20 minutes of driving
in each of three speed ranges to ªlearnº tire pressures.
The speed ranges are 15 to 40 mph (25 to 65 km/h),
40 to 65 mph (65 to 105 km/h) and above 65 mph
(105 km/h). When learning is complete, the system will
alert you after 2-8 minutes if a tire is 12 psi (83 kPa)
different from the other three tires. Detection thresholds
may be higher and detection times may be longer on
rough roads, curves and at high speeds. The system is
not capable of detection at speeds greater than
60 mph (95 km/h).
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate your tires as soon as possible and check
wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires or
wheels. See ªWhen It's Time for New Tiresº and
ªWheel Replacementº later in this section for
more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See ªScheduled
Maintenance Servicesº in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.
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6-49
When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Don't include the compact spare tire in your
tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire
-Loading
Information label. Make certain that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See ªWheel Nut Torqueº in
the Index.
CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after a time. The wheel could come off and cause
an accident. When you change a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be
sure to use a scraper or wire brush later, if you
need to, to get all the rust or dirt off. (See
ªChanging a Flat Tireº in the Index.)
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7-15
Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown in
Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index for
further details.Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX
-COOL
coolant mixture if necessary. See ªEngine Coolantº in
the Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
See ªTiresº in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See ªAudio Systemsº in the
Index for further details.
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9-11
Tires 6-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alignment and Balance 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Buying New 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a Flat 5-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Spare 5-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflation 6-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflation Check 7-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inspection and Rotation 6-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading 4-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pressure 6-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pressure Monitor System 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storing the Flat 5-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storing the Spare 5-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Temperature 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Treadwear 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Uniform Quality Grading 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear Indicators 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Replacement 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When It's Time for New 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Top Strap 1-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Torque Lock 2-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Torque, Wheel Nut 5-29, 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing a Trailer 4-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing Your Vehicle 5-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction Control System
Active Light 2
-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Full-Range 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3800 Supercharged Engine 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warning Light 2-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trailer
Backing Up 4
-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brakes 4-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving on Grades 4-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving with 4-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Cooling When Towing 4-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Following Distance 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hitches 4-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If You Decide to Pull A 4-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance When Towing 4-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Making Turns 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking on Hills 4-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passing 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Chains 4-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tongue Weight 4-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Weight on Tires 4-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing 4-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signals 4-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weight 4-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking
on a Hill 4
-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transaxle Fluid 6-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmitters, Remote Keyless Entry 2-7, 2-12 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transportation, Courtesy 8-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trip, Before Leaving on a Long 4-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trip Odometer 2-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trunk 2-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lock 2-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Seat Pass-Through 2-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trunk Convenience Net 2-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trunk Lid Applique Bulb Replacement 6-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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