Page 158 of 455

2-70
Accessory Inflator System (Option)
Your vehicle may have an air inflator. With it, you can
inflate things like bicycle tires and basketballs, and
you can also use it to bring your tires up to the
proper pressure.
The air inflator is located in the rear compartment on the
driver's side. To remove the cover, pull the tab on the
cover and pull it off.
The air inflator kit is stored in the glove box. It includes
a 20
-foot (6 m) hose with an air pressure gage and
nozzle adapters.
CAUTION:
Inflating something too much can make it
explode, and you or others could be injured. Be
sure to read the inflator instructions, and inflate
any object only to its recommended pressure.
To use your air
inflator system
do the following:
1. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or ON.
2. Attach the appropriate nozzle adapter, if required, to
the end of the hose that has the pressure gage.
3. Attach that end of the hose to the object you wish
to inflate.
4. Remove the protective cap covering the accessory
inflator outlet.
5. Attach the other end of the hose to the outlet.
6. Press the ON switch.
Page 193 of 455

2-105 Low Tire Pressure Message (If Equipped)
United States Canada
The check tire pressure system can alert you to a large
change in the pressure of one tire. After the system has
been properly calibrated, the low tire pressure message
will come on and chime will sound if a pressure
difference (low pressure) is detected in one tire.
The message will stay on until you turn off the ignition
or reset (calibrate) the system. See ªCheck Tire Pressure
Systemº in the Index.
If the anti
-lock brake system warning light comes on,
the check tire pressure system may not be working
properly. See your dealer for service. Also, see
ªAnti
-Lock Brake System Warning Lightº in the Index.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information
Center (DIC), the display is located on the instrument
panel cluster in the tachometer gage. The DIC will show
information about the vehicle and the surroundings.
The DIC is capable of displaying English or French.
See ªDriver Information Center (DIC) Messagesº
later in this section to change the display from English
to metric.
Page 195 of 455

2-107
FUEL RANGE: The fuel range is an estimated
distance that your vehicle can travel on the remaining
fuel. The fuel economy used to calculate the range is
based on your driving history since the last reset of the
average speed.
FUEL USED: The fuel used display will show you how
much fuel has been used since the last time it was reset.
To reset the fuel used to zero, press and hold the SET
button while the fuel used is displayed on the DIC and
until the display goes to zero.
AVG SPEED: The average speed display will show you
your average speed from when you first started your
vehicle. To reset the average speed, press and hold the
SET button while the average speed is displayed on the
DIC and until the speed resets to your current speed.
OIL LIFE LEFT HOLD SET TO RESET: This
message displays the current percentage of the GM Oil
Life System. Be careful not to reset this display other
than when the oil has been changed. See ªHow to Reset
the Change Engine Oil Messageº in the Index.TIRE PRESSURE: The check tire pressure system can
alert you to a large change in the pressure of one tire.
The system will not alert you before you drive that a tire
is low or flat. You must begin driving before the system
will work properly. See ªCheck Tire Pressure Systemº
in the Index.
USE SET TO SELECT ENGLISH METRIC: Yo u
can use this display to select English or metric. Press the
SET button to toggle between English or metric. The
DIC, the odometer, the trip odometer and if your vehicle
has the optional head
-up display will change.
OFF: No driver information will be displayed in this
mode. If the DIC is left in this mode for more than three
seconds, the display will turn off. Press the MODE
button to start the DIC.
Page 268 of 455
4-9
Let's say the road is wet and you're driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. 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 wheel.The anti
-lock system can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could. The computer is
programmed to make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.
Page 279 of 455

4-20
Driving too fast through large water puddles or even
going through some car washes can cause problems, too.
The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid puddles.
But if you can't, try to slow down before you hit them.
CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won't work
as well in a quick stop and may cause pulling to
one side. You could lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water or
a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly until
your brakes work normally.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the water.
This can happen if the road is wet enough and you're
going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning,
it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning doesn't happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in one or
more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on
the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone
poles or other vehicles, and raindrops ªdimpleº the
water's surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Page 283 of 455

4-24
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you're ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you're not fresh
-- such as after a day's
work
-- don't plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it's ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll find experienced and able service experts in
Buick dealerships all across North America. They'll be
ready and willing to help if you need it.Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long
-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up
-to-date maps?
Page 293 of 455

4-34
Loading Your Vehicle
The Certification/Tire label is found on the rear edge of
the driver's door.
The label shows the size of your original tires and the
inflation pressures needed to obtain the gross weight
capacity of your vehicle. This is called the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.The Certification/Tire label also tells you the maximum
weights for the front and rear axles, called the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out the actual
loads on your front and rear axles, you need to go to a
weigh station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can
help you with this. Be sure to spread out your load
equally on both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle or the GAWR
for either the front or rear axle.
CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life
of your vehicle.
Page 337 of 455

5-34
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools
1. Lay the compact spare tire on the ground at the
rear of the vehicle. Position the compact spare tire
so that the valve stem is pointed down facing the rear
of the vehicle.
2. Lower the cable to the ground. See ªRemoving
the Spare Tire (Vehicles without the Rear
Convenience/Cargo Tray)º or ªRemoving the Spare
Tire (Vehicles with the Rear Convenience/Cargo
Tray)º in the Index.
3. Tilt the retainer downward and slip it through the
center hole of the spare tire.
Make sure the retainer is fully seated across the
underside of the wheel.
4. Attach the folding wrench to the hoist shaft.5. Turn the folding wrench clockwise to lift the
spare tire.
6. When the tire reaches the stabilizer bar, move the
tire over the bar, then continue to turn the folding
wrench clockwise to lift the spare tire.
7. When the tire is almost in the stored position,
turn the tire so that the valve stem is towards the
rear of the vehicle.
This will help when you check and maintain tire
pressure in the spare.
8. Raise the tire fully against the underside of the
vehicle. Continue turning the folding wrench until
you feel more than two clicks. This indicates that the
compact spare tire is secure and the cable is tight.
The spare tire hoist cannot be overtightened.