2009 BUICK ENCLAVE tow

Secondary Latch System
This vehicle has an underbody
mounted tire hoist assembly that has
a secondary latch system. It is
designed to stop the compact spare
tire from suddenly falling off the
vehicle if the cable holding the spare
tire is damaged. For the secondary
latch to work, the tire must be
stowed with the valve stem pointing
down. SeeStoring a Flat or
Spare Tire and Tools on page 5-80
for instructions on storing the
spare tire correctly.
{CAUTION
Before beginning this procedure
read all the instructions. Failure to
read and follow the instructions
could damage the hoist assembly
and you and others could get
hurt. Read and follow the
instructions listed next.To release the spare tire from the
secondary latch:
{CAUTION
Someone standing too close
during the procedure could be
injured by the jack. If the spare
tire does not slide off the jack
completely, make sure no one is
behind you or on either side of
you as you pull the jack out from
the under spare.
1. If the cable is not visible, start
this procedure at Step 3.2. Turn the lug wrench
counterclockwise until
approximately 6 inches
(15 cm) of cable is exposed.
3. Attach the lug wrench to the jack
and raise the jack at least
10 turns.
4. Place the jack under the vehicle,
ahead of the rear bumper.
Position the center lift point of
the jack under the center of
the spare tire. All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle shown
5-78 Service and Appearance Care

Storing a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools
Storing the Spare Tire
{CAUTION
The underbody-mounted spare
tire needs to be stored with the
valve stem pointing down. If the
spare tire is stored with the valve
stem pointing upwards, the
secondary latch will not work
properly and the spare tire could
loosen and suddenly fall from the
vehicle. If this happened when the
vehicle was being driven, the tire
might contact a person or another
vehicle, causing injury and
damage to itself. Be sure the
underbody-mounted spare tire is
stored with the valve stem
pointing down.
{CAUTION
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.
To store the spare tire:
1. Lay the compact spare tire near
the rear of the vehicle with the
valve stem down.
2. Reinstall the plastic spare tire
heat shield on the compact
spare tire.3. Slide the cable retainer through
the center of the wheel and start
to raise the compact spare tire.
Make sure the retainer is fully
seated across the underside of
the wheel.
4. When the compact spare tire is
almost in the stored position,
turn the tire so the valve is
toward the rear of the vehicle.
This position helps when
checking the air pressure in the
compact spare tire.
5. Raise the tire fully against the
underside of the vehicle. Continue
turning the lug 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.
5-80 Service and Appearance Care

6. Make sure the tire is stored
securely. Push, pull (A), and then
try to turn (B) the tire. If the tire
moves, use the lug wrench to
tighten the cable.
Storing the Flat Tire
1. Remove the cable package from
the jack storage area.
2. Remove the small center cap by
tapping the back of the cap with
the extension of the shaft, if the
vehicle has aluminum wheels.3. Put the at tire in the rear
storage area with the valve stem
pointing toward the rear of the
vehicle.
4. Pull the cable (A) through the
door striker (E), the center of
the wheel (D), and the plastic
spare tire heat shield (C),
as shown.5. Hook the cable onto the outside
portion of the liftgate hinges (B).
6. Hook the other end of the cable
onto the outside portion of the
liftgate hinge (A).
7. Pull on the cable to make sure it
is secure.
Service and Appearance Care 5-81

8. Make sure the metal tube is
centered at the striker. Push
the tube toward the front of the
vehicle.
9. Close the liftgate and make sure
it is latched properly.
Storing the Tools
A. Tool Bag
B. Wing Bolt
C. Jack
Put back all tools as they were
stored in the jack storage
compartment and put the
compartment cover back on.
1. Ensure that the bottom of the
jack is facing toward you.
2. Turn the jack (C) on its side and
place down on the holding
bracket.3. Reinstall the wing bolt (B) by
turning clockwise.
4. To replace the cover, line up the
tab at the front of the cover with
the notch in the cover opening.
Push the cover in place and
make sure that the rear clips are
in the slots and push the
cover closed.
Store the center cap or the plastic
bolt-on wheel covers until a full size
tire is put back on the vehicle. When
you replace the compact spare with a
full-size tire, reinstall the bolt-on
wheel covers or the center cap.
Hand-tighten them over the wheel
nuts, using the lug wrench.
5-82 Service and Appearance Care

Fabric/Carpet
Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft
brush attachment frequently to
remove dust and loose dirt.
A canister vacuum with a beater bar
in the nozzle may only be used
on oor carpet and carpeted oor
mats. For any soil, always try
to remove it rst with plain water or
club soda. Before cleaning,
gently remove as much of the soil
as possible using one of the
following techniques:
For liquids: gently blot the
remaining soil with a paper towel.
Allow the soil to absorb into
the paper towel until no more can
be removed.
For solid dry soils: remove as
much as possible and then
vacuum.
To clean:
1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white
cloth with water or club soda.
2. Wring the cloth to remove excess
moisture.3. Start on the outside edge of the
soil and gently rub toward the
center. Continue cleaning, using
a clean area of the cloth each
time it becomes soiled.
4. Continue to gently rub the soiled
area until the cleaning cloth
remains clean.
5. If the soil is not completely
removed, use a mild soap
solution and repeat the cleaning
process that was used with
plain water.
If any of the soil remains, a
commercial fabric cleaner or spot
lifter may be necessary. When
a commercial upholstery cleaner or
spot lifter is to be used, test a
small hidden area for colorfastness
rst. If the locally cleaned area
gives any impression that a
ring formation may result, clean the
entire surface.
After the cleaning process has been
completed, a paper towel can be
used to blot excess moisture
from the fabric or carpet.
Leather
A soft cloth dampened with water
can be used to remove dust. If
a more thorough cleaning is
necessary, a soft cloth dampened
with a mild soap solution can
be used. Allow the leather to dry
naturally. Do not use heat to
dry. Never use steam to clean
leather. Never use spot lifters or
spot removers on leather. Many
commercial leather cleaners
and coatings that are sold to
preserve and protect leather may
permanently change the appearance
and feel of the leather and are not
recommended. Do not use
silicone or wax-based products, or
those containing organic solvents to
clean the vehicle’s interior because
they can alter the appearance
by increasing the gloss in a
non-uniform manner. Never use
shoe polish on leather.
Service and Appearance Care 5-85

Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the nish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and
water spotting.
High pressure car washes may
cause water to enter the vehicle.
Avoid using high pressure washes
closer than 12 inches (30 cm) to the
surface of the vehicle. Use of power
washers exceeding 1,200 psi
(8 274 kPa) can result in damage or
removal of paint and decals.
Cleaning Exterior
Lamps/Lenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a
soft cloth and a car washing soap to
clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Follow instructions underWashing
Your Vehicle on page 5-86.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing
of the vehicle by hand may be
necessary to remove residue from
the paint nish. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from
your dealer/retailer.
If the vehicle has a
basecoat/clearcoat paint nish, the
clearcoat gives more depth and
gloss to the colored basecoat.
Always use waxes and polishes that
are non-abrasive and made for a
basecoat/clearcoat paint nish.
Notice:Machine compounding
or aggressive polishing on a
basecoat/clearcoat paint nish
may damage it. Use only
non-abrasive waxes and polishes
that are made for a basecoat/
clearcoat paint nish on the
vehicle.Foreign materials such as calcium
chloride and other salts, ice melting
agents, road oil and tar, tree sap,
bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage the vehicle’s nish if they
remain on painted surfaces. Wash
the vehicle as soon as possible. If
necessary, use non-abrasive
cleaners that are marked safe for
painted surfaces to remove foreign
matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are
subject to aging, weather and
chemical fallout that can take their
toll over a period of years. To
help keep the paint nish looking
new, keep the vehicle garaged
or covered whenever possible.
Service and Appearance Care 5-87

Protecting Exterior Bright Metal
Parts
Bright metal parts should be cleaned
regularly to keep their luster.
Washing with water is all that is
usually needed. However, chrome
polish may be used on chrome or
stainless steel trim, if necessary.
Use special care with aluminum trim.
To avoid damaging protective trim,
never use auto or chrome polish,
steam or caustic soap to clean
aluminum. A coating of wax, rubbed
to high polish, is recommended for all
bright metal parts.Windshield, Backglass,
and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield
and backglass with glass cleaner.
Clean the rubber blades using a lint
free cloth or paper towel soaked
with windshield washer uid
or a mild detergent. Wash the
windshield thoroughly when you
clean the blades. Bugs, road grime,
sap and a buildup of vehicle
wash/wax treatments may cause
wiper streaking. Replace the
wiper blades if they are worn or
damaged.
Wipers can be damaged by:
Extreme dusty conditions
Sand and salt
Heat and sun
Snow and ice, without proper
removal
Aluminum or
Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim
The vehicle may have either
aluminum or chrome-plated wheels.
Keep the wheels clean using a
soft clean cloth with mild soap and
water. Rinse with clean water.
After rinsing thoroughly, dry with a
soft clean towel. A wax may then be
applied.
Notice:Chrome wheels and
other chrome trim may be
damaged if the vehicle is not
washed after driving on roads
that have been sprayed with
magnesium, calcium or sodium
chloride. These chlorides are
used on roads for conditions
such as ice and dust. Always
wash the vehicle’s chrome with
soap and water after exposure.
5-88 Service and Appearance Care

If you see anything that might keep
a safety belt system from doing
its job, have it repaired. Have any
torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also see Checking the Restraint
Systems on page 1-58.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood latch assemblies, secondary
latches, pivots, spring anchor
and release pawl, hood and door
hinges, rear folding seats, and
liftgate hinges. More frequent
lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
Applying silicone grease on
weatherstrips with a clean cloth will
make them last longer, seal
better, and not stick or squeak.
(g)A fluid loss in any vehicle system
could indicate a problem. Have
the system inspected and repaired
and the fluid level checked. Add
fluid if needed.(h)Change automatic transmission
fluid if the vehicle is mainly
driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the
outside temperature regularly
reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer
towing.
Uses such as found in taxi,
police, or delivery service.
(i)Drain, flush, and refill cooling
system. This service can be
complex; you should have your
dealer/retailer perform this service.
See Engine Coolant on page 5-17 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean
radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and filler neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)Check system for interference or
binding and for damaged or missing
parts. Replace parts as needed.
Replace any components that havehigh effort or excessive wear. Do not
lubricate accelerator or cruise control
cables.
(k)Visually inspect belt for fraying,
excessive cracks, or obvious
damage. Replace belt if necessary.
(l)If driving regularly under dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
engine oil change.
(m)Change transfer case fluid if the
vehicle is mainly driven under
one or more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where
the outside temperature regularly
reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer
towing.
Uses such as found in taxi,
police, or delivery service.
6-8 Maintenance Schedule