2004 BUICK RAINIER Rear axle

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 inated to the upper
limit for cold tires. You’ll nd these numbers on the
Certication label at the rear edge of the driver’s door
or see Loading Your Vehicle for more information.
Then be sure you don’t go over the GVW limit for your
vehicle, or the GAWR, including the weight of the
trailer tongue. If you use a weight distributing hitch,
make sure you don’t go over the rear axle limit before
you apply the weight distribution spring bars.
Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads
are a few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch.
Weight Distributing Hitches and Weight
Carrying Hitches
When using a weight-distributing hitch, the hitch must
be adjusted so the distance (A) remains the same both
before and after coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle.
If you use a step-bumper hitch, the bumper could
be damaged in sharp turns. Make sure there is ample
room when turning to avoid contact between the
trailer and the bumper.(A) Body to Ground Distance, (B) Front of Vehicle
4-57

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-11
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-12
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-23
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-24
Engine Coolant.............................................5-27
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-29
Engine Overheating.......................................5-29
Cooling System............................................5-32
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-38
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-39
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-40Brakes........................................................5-41
Battery........................................................5-44
Jump Starting...............................................5-45
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-51
Rear Axle.......................................................5-51
Front Axle......................................................5-53
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-54
Headlamps..................................................5-54
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps...................5-54
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-55
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-56
Tires..............................................................5-59
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-67
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-68
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-70
Buying New Tires.........................................5-71
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-72
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-73
Wheel Replacement......................................5-74
Tire Chains..................................................5-75
Accessory Inator.........................................5-76
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-78
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-79
Spare Tire...................................................5-92
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

All-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check uid unless you
suspect there is a leak or you hear an unusual noise.
A uid loss could indicate a problem. Have it inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate
reading, the vehicle should
be on a level surface.If the level is below the bottom of the ller plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the ller plug hole.
Use care not to overtighten the plug.
What to Use
To determine what kind of lubricant to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Rear Axle
When to Check Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check rear axle uid
unless you suspect there is a leak or you hear an
unusual noise. A uid loss could indicate a problem.
Have it inspected and repaired.
5-51

Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is located
between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made
from steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped by
steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies are
laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Cold Ination Pressure:The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi)
or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up heat from
driving. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-67.
Curb Weight:This means the weight of a motor vehicle
with standard and optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:A code molded into the sidewall of a
tire signifying that the tire is in compliance with the
U.S. Department of Transportation motor vehicle safety
standards. The DOT code includes the Tire Identication
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric designator which can
also identify the tire manufacturer, production plant,
brand and date of production.GVWR:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, seeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-46.
GAWR FRT:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the front
axle, seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-46.
GAWR RR:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear axle,
seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-46.
Intended Outboard Sidewall:The side of an
asymmetrical tire, that must always face outward when
mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa):The metric unit for air pressure.
There are 6.9 kPa’s to one psi.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:A tire used on light duty
trucks and some multipurpose passenger vehicles.
Load Index:An assigned number ranging from 1 to 279
that corresponds to the load carrying capacity of a tire.
Maximum Ination Pressure:The maximum air
pressure to which a cold tire may be inated. The
maximum air pressure is molded onto the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating:The load rating for a tire at the
maximum permissible ination pressure for that tire.
5-65

Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire
1. Using the wheel
wrench, loosen all
the wheel nuts.
Don’t remove
them yet.
2. Turn the jack adjusting knob clockwise by hand
to raise the jack lift head.3. Place the handle, extension and wheel wrench
onto the jack.
A. Front Frame/
Rear Axle
B. JackC. Handle
D. Extension
E. Wheel Wrench
FrontRear
5-86

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Front and
Rear AxleSAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle
Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S.
12378261, in Canada 10953455)
meeting GM Specication 9986115.
Transfer CaseAUTO-TRAK II Fluid (GM Part No.
U.S. 12378508, in Canada
10953626).
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor
and
Release PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346293,
in Canada 992723) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and
Door Hinges,
Body Door
Hinge Pins,
Liftgate Hinge
and Linkage,
Folding Seats
and Fuel
Door HingeMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Outer Tailgate
Handle
Pivot Points
and HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579,
in Canada 992887).
Weatherstrip
SqueaksSynthetic Grease with Teon,
Superlube (GM Part No.
U.S.12371287, in Canada
10953437).
6-13

J
Jump Starting.................................................5-45
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-5
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-14
Interior.......................................................3-17
Lamps On Reminder.......................................3-15
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-13, 1-21
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-38
Securing a Child Restraint Designed
for the LATCH System..............................1-40
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-13
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running......2-28
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR................................3-55
Liftgate Release..............................................2-14
Liftgate/Liftglass..............................................2-14Liftglass/Liftgate..............................................2-14
Light
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-30
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-34
Brake System Warning.................................3-32
Change Engine Oil......................................3-39
Charging System.........................................3-31
Check Gages Warning.................................3-41
Cruise Control.............................................3-40
Gate Ajar...................................................3-41
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-42
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-35
Reduced Engine Power................................3-40
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-30
Security.....................................................3-40
Service All-Wheel-Drive................................3-41
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirror...............................2-17
Listening to a DVD.................................3-83, 3-98
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-46
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving..........4-17
Locking Rear Axle...........................................4-11
Lockout Protection..........................................2-13
Locks
Delayed Locking..........................................2-10
Door........................................................... 2-8
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-13
9

Personalization...............................................3-46
Personalization, Climate Controls......................3-26
Plan Ahead When Possible................................ 7-8
Playing a Cassette Tape..................................3-78
Playing a CD.................................3-66, 3-81, 3-93
Playing a Specic Loaded CD..........................3-94
Playing the Radio...........................3-58, 3-69, 3-85
Power
Accessory Outlets........................................3-19
Door Locks.................................................. 2-9
Electrical System.......................................5-102
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-2
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Reduced Engine Light..................................3-40
Seat............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-39
Windows....................................................2-16
Power Steering...............................................4-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-10
Programmable Locking Feature.........................2-11
Programmable Unlocking Feature......................2-12
Programming the HomeLink
®Transmitter...........2-37
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-12
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-29
Radio Data System (RDS)...............3-57, 3-69, 3-84
Radio Messages.....................................3-63, 3-75
Radios..........................................................3-56
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-114
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-116
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.......................3-115
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-99
Radio Personalization.................................3-112
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-68
Radio with CD............................................3-57
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-84
Rear Seat Audio........................................3-111
Setting the Time..........................................3-56
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-112
Understanding Reception............................3-114
RDS Messages..............................3-62, 3-74, 3-89
Reading Lamps..............................................3-18
REAR ACCESS OPEN....................................3-54
Rear Axle......................................................5-51
Locking......................................................4-11
Rear Climate Control System............................3-25
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-13
Rear Floor Storage Lid....................................2-43
12