Buick Verano Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9085356) - 2016 - crc - 10/19/15
Driving and Operating 221
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer. Read
the entire section before towing a
trailer.
For towing a disabled vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle0292. For
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0294.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
Driving with a Trailer
When towing a trailer:
.
Become familiar with the state
and local laws that apply
specifically to trailer towing. .
Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi), to prevent
damage to the engine, axle,
or other parts.
. Then, during the first 800 km
(500 mi) of trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
. The vehicle can tow in D (Drive)
but M (Manual Mode) is
recommended. See Manual
Mode 0198. Use a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often.
. Turn off Park Assist when
towing.
{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.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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 0195.
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.
Buick Verano Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 223
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.
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 Overheating0244.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.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, 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:
1.1. Start the engine.
1.2. Shift into a gear.
1.3. 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 0305.
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.
Buick Verano Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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224 Driving and Operating
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. SeeEngine
Overheating 0244.
Trailer Towing (2.0L
Engine)
The vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to tow a trailer.
Trailer Towing (Except
2.0L Engine)
Before pulling a trailer, three
important considerations have to do
with weight:
.
Weight of the trailer.
. Weight of the trailer tongue.
. Total weight on your vehicle's
tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
454 kg (1,000 lb). But even that can
be too heavy.
It depends on how the rig is used.
For example, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature, and
how much the vehicle is used to pull
a trailer are all important. It can
depend on any special equipment
on the vehicle, and the amount of
tongue weight the vehicle can carry.
See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue”
following.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming the tow vehicle has the
driver, a front seat passenger, all the
required tow equipment, 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. Ask your dealer for trailering
information or advice, or write us at
our Customer Assistance Offices.
See
Customer Assistance
Offices 0322.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (1) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle.
If there are a lot of options,
equipment, passengers, or cargo in
the vehicle, it will reduce the tongue
weight the vehicle can carry, which
will also reduce the trailer weight the
vehicle can tow. If towing a trailer,
the tongue load must be added to
the GVW because the vehicle will
be carrying that weight, too. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0182.
Buick Verano Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 225
The trailer tongue (1) should weigh
10 % of the total loaded trailer
weight (2).
After loading the trailer, weigh the
trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's
Tires
Be sure the vehicle's tires are
inflated to the upper limit for cold
tires. These numbers can be found
on the Tire and Loading Informationlabel. See
Vehicle Load Limits
0 182. Make sure not to go over the
GVW limit for the vehicle, including
the weight of the trailer tongue.
Towing Equipment
Hitches
Use the correct hitch equipment.
See your dealer or a hitch dealer for
assistance.
. The rear bumper on the vehicle
is not intended for hitches. Do
not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use
only a frame-mounted hitch that
does not attach to the bumper.
. Will any holes be made in the
body of the vehicle when the
trailer hitch is installed? If so,
seal the holes when the hitch is
removed. If the holes are not
sealed, dirt, water, and deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) from the
exhaust can get into the vehicle.
See Engine Exhaust 0195.
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.
Leave enough slack so the rig can
turn. Never allow safety chains to
drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does the trailer have its own
brakes? 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 tap into the vehicle's
brake system. If this is done, both
brake systems will not work well or
at all.
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226 Driving and Operating
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light)
0 106. 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 072 and Adding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 072.
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Vehicle Care 227
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 228
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 228
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 237
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . 238
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 239
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 244
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Battery - North America . . . . . . 248
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 249
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 249
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 250
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . 251
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 254
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 255
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 255
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256 Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 264
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 280
Buick Verano Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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228 Vehicle Care
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 289
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - NorthAmerica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
WARNING: Most motor vehicles,
including this one, contain and/or
emit chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm. Engine exhaust, many parts
and systems, many fluids, and
some component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these
chemicals.
See
Battery - North America 0248
and Jump Starting - North
America 0290.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, safety belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
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232 Vehicle Care
Engine Compartment Overview
2.0L L4 Engine