
Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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226 Driving and Operating
{Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of
the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.
When towing a trailer:. Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Also adjust the Climate
Control system to a setting
that brings in only outside
air. See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For information about carbon
monoxide, see Engine Exhaust
0 202.
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. The
combination you are driving is
longer and not as responsive as the vehicle itself. Get acquainted with
the handling and braking of the rig
before setting out for the open road.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires and mirrors. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes work.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure
and the lamps and any trailer
brakes still work.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the sound of the
stability control system might be
heard. The system is reacting to the
vehicle movement caused by the
trailer, which mainly occurs during
cornering. This is normal when
towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid situations
that require heavy braking and
sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. Because the
rig is longer, it is necessary to go
farther beyond the passed vehicle
before returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, move your 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.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 227
Making TurnsCaution
Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to
come in contact with the vehicle.
The vehicle could be damaged.
Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal so the
trailer will not strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other
objects. Use the turn signal well in
advance and avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
The turn signal indicators on the
instrument cluster flash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps also flash, telling other
drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes or stopping. When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument cluster flash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the transmission
shifts too often.
The Tow/Haul Mode may be used if
the transmission shifts too often.
See
Tow/Haul Mode 0206.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, engine coolant
boils at a lower temperature than at
normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing
at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the transmission in
P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating
0247.Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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228 Driving and Operating
3. When the wheel chocks are inplace, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
.Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See the
Maintenance Schedule 0310.
Things that are especially important in trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system and
brake system. Inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See
Engine Overheating
0 247.
Trailer Towing
Three important considerations
have to do with weight:
.
The weight of the trailer.
. The weight of the trailer tongue.
. The total weight on the vehicle's
tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be? Speed, altitude, road grades,
outside temperature, special
equipment, and the amount of
tongue weight the vehicle can carry
must be considered. See
“Weight of
the Trailer Tongue” later in this
section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming only the driver is in the
tow vehicle and it has all the
required trailering equipment. The
weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in
the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
Use the following chart to determine
how much the vehicle can weigh,
based upon the vehicle model and
options.

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Driving and Operating 231
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue of
the trailer to help prevent the tongue
from contacting the road if it
becomes separated from the hitch.
Always leave just enough slack so
the rig can turn. Never allow safety
chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more
than 450 kg (1,000 lb) needs to have
its own brake system that is
adequate for the weight of the
trailer. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly.
Because the vehicle has antilock
brakes, do not try to tap into the
vehicle's hydraulic brake system.
If you do, both brake systems will
not work well, or at all.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Basic Trailer Wiring
The trailer wiring harness, with a
seven-pin connector, is located at
the rear of the vehicle and is tied to
the vehicle's frame. The harness
connector can be plugged into a
seven-pin universal heavy-duty
trailer connector available through
your dealer.
The seven-wire harness contains
the following trailer circuits:
.Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
. Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn
Signal
. Brown: Taillamps
. Black: Ground
. Light Green: Back-up Lamps
. Red/Black: Battery Feed
. Dark Blue: Trailer Brake*
*The fuse for this circuit is installed
in the underhood electrical center,
but the wires are not connected.
They should be connected by your
dealer or a qualified service center. If the back-up lamp circuit is not
functional, contact your dealer.
If a remote (non-vehicle) battery is
being charged, press the Tow/Haul
mode switch located on the center
console near the climate controls.
This will boost the vehicle system
voltage and properly charge the
battery. If the trailer is too light for
Tow/Haul mode, turn on the
headlamps (non-HID only) as a
second way to boost the vehicle
system and charge the battery.
Electric Trailer Brake Control
Wiring Provisions
These wiring provisions for an
electric trailer brake controller are
included with the vehicle as part of
the trailer wiring package. The
instrument panel contains blunt cut
wires above the parking brake
assembly for the electric trailer
brake controller. The harness
contains the following wires:
.
Red/Black: Power Supply
. White: Brake Switch Signal
. Gray: Illumination

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232 Driving and Operating
.Dark Blue: Trailer Brake Signal
. Black: Ground
The electric trailer brake controller
should be installed by your dealer or
a qualified service center.Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0113.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check
with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 074 and Adding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0 74.

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Vehicle Care 233
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 234
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 234
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 241
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 242
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 247
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . 249
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Battery - North America . . . . . . 252
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 253
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 254
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 254
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 255
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 256
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Electrical System Overload . . . 257
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 258 Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 266
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 282

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Vehicle Care 235
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 074.Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have
the proper knowledge, service
manual, tools, or parts. Always
follow owner manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see Service
Publications Ordering Information
0 334.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 074. Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records
0321.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage
to vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release handle
with this symbol on it. It is
under the instrument panel on
the driver side of the vehicle.

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238 Vehicle Care
1. Remote Negative (−) Terminal.See Jump Starting - North
America 0293.
2. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0258.
3. Radiator Pressure Cap (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 243.
4. Engine Coolant Recovery Cap. See Cooling System 0243.
5. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0293.
6. Power Steering Reservoir and Cap (Under Engine Cover).
See Power Steering Fluid
0 249.
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0238.
8. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking Engine
Oil” under Engine Oil 0238.
9. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 243.
10. Engine Cover 0238. 11. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brake Fluid 0251.
12. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 249.
13. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0242.
Engine Cover
1. Oil Fill Cap
2. Engine Cover
To remove:
1. Remove the oil fill cap (1). 2. Raise the engine cover (2) to
release it from the retainers.
3. Lift and remove the engine cover.
4. Reverse Steps 1–3 to reinstall engine cover.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0241.