2006 BUICK TERRAZA steering

Traction control improves your ability to accelerate when
driving on a slippery road. But you can turn the traction
system off if you ever need to. You should turn the
traction system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand,
mud, ice, or snow. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-31. Even though your
vehicle has a traction system, you will want to slow down
and adjust your driving to the road conditions. Under
certain conditions, you may want to turn the traction
system off, such as when driving through deep snow and
loose gravel, to help maintain vehicle motion at lower
speeds. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9
andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-10.
Your Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) improves your
vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop on a
slippery road. Even though you have ABS, you will want
to begin stopping sooner than you would on dry
pavement. SeeAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) on
page 4-7.
Allow greater following distance on any
slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road might be ne until
you hit a spot that is covered with ice. On an
otherwise clear road, ice patches may appear in
shaded areas where the sun cannot reach, such as
around clumps of trees, behind buildings, or under
bridges. Sometimes the surface of a curve or an
overpass may remain icy when the surrounding
roads are clear.If you see a patch of ice ahead of you, brake before
you are on it. Try not to brake while you are actually
on the ice, and avoid sudden steering maneuvers.
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a
serious situation. You should probably stay with
your vehicle unless you know for sure that you are near
help and you can hike through the snow. Here are
some things to do to summon help and keep yourself
and your passengers safe:
Turn on your hazard ashers.
Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police that
you have been stopped by the snow.
Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you.
If you do not have blankets or extra clothing, make
body insulators from newspapers, burlap bags,
rags, oor mats — anything you can wrap around
yourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm.
4-29

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That
will clear the area around your front wheels. Turn your
traction system off. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-9andStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-10. Then shift back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning your
wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you
will cause a rocking motion that may free your vehicle. If
that does not get you out after a few tries, you may
need to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out,
seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-37.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all occupants,
cargo, and all nonfactory-installed options. Two labels
on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly
carry, the Tire and Loading Information label and the
Certication/Tire label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or either
the maximum front or rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (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.
4-32

Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you
would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you’ll
want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to be
towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a Long Trip on
page 4-24.
Dinghy Towing
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all of its
wheels on the ground. If you have a two-wheel-drive
vehicle, it can be towed with the two rear wheels on the
ground. See “Dolly Towing” following. If you have an
all-wheel-drive vehicle, it cannot be towed with any of its
wheels on the ground. It can be towed with car carrier
equipment.Notice:Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, or even with only two of
its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain
components. Do not tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle if
any of its wheels will be on the ground.
Dolly Towing
If you have a two-wheel-drive vehicle, it can be towed
with its two rear wheels on the ground. To dolly tow your
vehicle, do the following:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for towing.
5. Release the parking brake.
If you have an all-wheel-drive vehicle, it cannot be
towed with any of its wheels on the ground. It can be
towed with car carrier equipment.
Notice:Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, or even with only two of
its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain
components. Do not tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle if
any of its wheels will be on the ground.
4-38

Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts 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 will need more passing distance up ahead when
you are towing a trailer. And, because you are a
good deal longer, you will 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.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you are turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer will not strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
4-46

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-5
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling the Tank..............................................5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-27
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . .5-29Cooling System............................................5-29
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-37
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-42
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-47
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-49
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-49
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps.................5-49
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL)................................5-51
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-51
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-52
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-53
Tires..............................................................5-54
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-55
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-57
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-60
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-61
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-62
Buying New Tires.........................................5-63
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-98.
B. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-42.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-38.
D. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-26.
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-37.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
H. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
on page 5-22.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-39.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
K. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-29.
5-13

A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-98.
B. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-42.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-38.
D. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-26.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-37.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
H. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
on page 5-22.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-39.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
K. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-29.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5-15

Power Steering Fluid
The power steering uid
reservoir is located toward
the rear of the engine
compartment on the
passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for reservoir
location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering uid, do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment
cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a
clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the uid level on
the dipstick.
The uid level should be somewhere within the
cross-hatched area on the dipstick. If the uid is at the
ADD mark, you should add uid.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-11.
Always use the proper uid. Failure to use the proper
uid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
5-37