2019 BUICK ENCLAVE CAL

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12146155) - 2019 - crc - 9/10/18
Driving and Operating 257
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, 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 Overheating0280.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and
trailer on a level surface when
possible.
When parking your vehicle and your
trailer 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, gradually release the
brake pedal to allow the chocks
to absorb the load of the trailer.
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.
.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 used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule 0346. It is
especially important to check the
automatic transmission fluid, engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before
and during each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine Overheating
0 280.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12146155) - 2019 - crc - 9/10/18
258 Driving and Operating
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To tow a trailer
correctly, follow the directions in
this section and see your dealer
for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity
for your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring
the weight, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature,
dimensions of the front of the trailer,
and how frequently the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer.
Trailer Weight Ratings
When towing a trailer, the weight of
the loaded vehicle and trailer must
be within the weight ratings for the
vehicle.
. GCWR: Gross Combined Weight
Rating
. GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating
. Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
. Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight
The only way to be sure the weight
is not exceeding any of these
ratings is to weigh the tow vehicle
and trailer combination, fully loaded
for the trip, getting individual
weights for each of these items.
{Warning
You and others could be seriously
injured or killed if the trailer is too
heavy or the trailer brakes are
inadequate for the load. The (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
vehicle may be damaged, and the
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Only tow a trailer if all the steps in
this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer.
Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR)
GCWR is the total allowable weight
of the completely loaded vehicle
and trailer including any fuel,
passengers, cargo, equipment, and
accessories. Do not exceed the
GCWR for your vehicle. The GCWR
for the vehicle is on the Tow Rating
Chart following.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12146155) - 2019 - crc - 9/10/18
Driving and Operating 259
Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR)
For information about the vehicle's
maximum load capacity, seeVehicle
Load Limits 0198. When calculating
the GVWR with a trailer attached,
the trailer tongue weight must be
included as part of the weight the
vehicle is carrying.
Maximum Trailer Weight
Rating
The maximum trailer weight rating is
calculated assuming the tow vehicle
has a driver, a front seat passenger,
and all required trailering
equipment. Weight of additional
optional equipment, passengers,
and cargo in the tow vehicle must
be subtracted from the trailer weight
rating.
Use the tow rating chart to
determine how much the trailer can
weigh, based on the vehicle model,
powertrain and trailering options.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12146155) - 2019 - crc - 9/10/18
260 Driving and Operating
VehicleMaximum Trailer Weight *GCWR
Front-Wheel Drive 680 kg (1,500 lb)3 050 kg (6,725 lb)
Front-Wheel Drive, V92 Trailer Towing Package 2 268 kg (5,000 lb)4 650 kg (10,250 lb)
All-Wheel Drive 680 kg (1,500 lb)3 200 kg (7,055 lb)
All-Wheel Drive, V92 Trailer Towing Package 2 268 kg (5,000 lb)4 750 kg (10,470 lb)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment, and conversions. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be
exceeded.
Maximum Trailer Tongue
Weight Rating
The Maximum Trailer Tongue
Weight Rating is the allowable
trailer tongue weight that the vehicle
can support. Do not exceed a
maximum trailer tongue weight of
500 lbs. The trailer tongue weight
contributes to the Gross Vehicle
Weight (GVW). GVW includes the
CURB WEIGHT of your vehicle, any
passengers, cargo, equipment and
the trailer tongue weight. Vehicle
options, passengers, cargo, and
equipment reduce the maximum allowable tongue weight the vehicle
can carry, which also reduces the
maximum allowable trailer weight.
Trailer Load Balance
The correct trailer load balance
must be maintained to ensure trailer
stability. Incorrect load balance is a
leading cause of trailer sway.
The trailer tongue weight (1) should
be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight (2). Some specific trailer
types, such as boat trailers, fall

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12146155) - 2019 - crc - 9/10/18
Driving and Operating 261
outside of this range. Always refer
to the trailer owner’s manual for the
recommended trailer tongue weight
for each trailer. Never exceed the
maximum loads for your vehicle,
hitch and trailer.
After loading the trailer, separately
weigh the trailer and then the
tongue to see if the weights are
proper. If the trailer tongue weight is
too high or too low, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.
If a cargo carrier is used in the
trailer hitch receiver, choose a
carrier that positions the load as
close to the vehicle as possible.
Make sure the total weight,
including the carrier, is no more than
half of the maximum allowable
tongue weight for the vehicle or
227 kg (500 lb), whichever is less.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or assistance.Towing Equipment
Hitches
Always use the correct hitch
equipment for your vehicle.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by,
and rough roads can affect the
trailer and the hitch.
Never attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches. Only use
frame-mounted hitches that do not
attach to the bumper.
Always seal any holes in your
vehicle if the trailer hitch is
removed. If not sealed, dirt, water,
and carbon monoxide (CO) from the
exhaust may enter your vehicle.
See Engine Exhaust 0211.
Hitch Cover
To remove hitch cover, if equipped:
1. Remove the two fasteners on the lower tabs.
2. Pull the lower edge of the cover to about a 45 degree
angle.
3. Pull the cover downward to disengage the upper
attachments.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12146155) - 2019 - crc - 9/10/18
262 Driving and Operating
To reinstall hitch cover:1. Hold cover at a 45 degree angle to the vehicle and push
the upper tabs into the slots in
the bumper.
2. Push the bottom of the cover forward until the lower tabs line
up with the lower slots.
3. Snap the hitch cover into place by pushing the upper corners
forward.
4. Reinstall the two fasteners on the lower tabs.
Consider using mechanical sway
controls with any trailer. Ask a
trailering professional about sway
controls or refer to the trailer
manufacturer's recommendations
and instructions.Weight-Distributing Hitch
Adjustment
1. Front of Vehicle
2. Body to Ground Distance
When using a weight-distributing
hitch, measure the front fender
height distance (2) before
connecting the trailer. Adjust the
spring bars until the front fender
height distance (2) is the same
height before the trailer was
connected. Do not reduce the front
fender height below the initial
distance (2).
Tires
. Do not tow a trailer while using a
compact spare tire on the
vehicle.
. Tires must be properly inflated to
support loads while towing a
trailer. See Tires0299 for
instructions on proper tire
inflation.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer, and attach
the chains to the holes on the trailer
hitch platform. Instructions about
safety chains may be provided by
the hitch manufacturer or by the
trailer manufacturer.
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 combination can turn.
Never allow safety chains to drag on
the ground.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12146155) - 2019 - crc - 9/10/18
Driving and Operating 263
Trailer Brakes
Loaded trailers over 450 kg
(1,000 lb) must be equipped with
brake systems and with brakes for
each axle. Trailer braking equipment
conforming to Canadian Standards
Association (CSA) requirement
CAN3-D313, or its equivalent, is
recommended.
State or local regulations may
require trailers to have their own
braking system if the loaded weight
of the trailer exceeds certain
requirements that can vary from
state to state.
Read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes so they are
installed, adjusted, and maintained
properly.
Never attempt to tap into your
vehicle's hydraulic brake system.
If you do, both the vehicle anti-lock
brakes and the trailer brakes may
not function and could result in a
crash.
Trailer Wiring
The trailer wiring harness (if
equipped), with a 7-pin connector is
located at the rear of the vehicle,
and it is tied to the vehicle's frame.
If the vehicle is not equipped with a
7-pin trailer connector, the body
harness has provisions to connect a
trailer harness and a 7-pin trailer
connector which is available through
your dealer.
Use only a round, seven-wire
connector with flat blade terminals
meeting SAE J2863 specifications
for proper electrical connectivity.The seven-wire harness contains
the following trailer circuits:
Stop/Turn
Signal Left Yellow/Blue
Stop/Turn
Signal Right Green/Brown
Tail/Parking
Lamps Gray/Brown
Reverse Lamps White/Green
Battery Feed Red/Green
Ground Black
Electric Trailer
Brake* Blue
* Circuit powered by electric trailer
brake control wiring provisions.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12146155) - 2019 - crc - 9/10/18
264 Driving and Operating
Electric Trailer Brake Control
Wiring Provisions
Wiring provisions for an aftermarket
electric trailer brake controller are
included with the vehicle as part of
the trailer wiring package. The
harness contains the following
circuits:Electric Trailer
Brakes Blue
Battery Feed Red/Green or
Red/Blue
Brake Apply
Signal White/Blue
Ground Black
Refer to the aftermarket electric
trailer brake controller owner's
manual to determine wire color
coding of the electric trailer brake
controller. The wire colors on the
brake controller may be different
from the vehicle. The electric trailer
brake controller should be installed
by your dealer or a qualified service
center. If equipped, there are four blunt cut
wires inside the front driver side
instrument panel. It will be
necessary to have a technician
connect the 12-volt power to the
engine compartment fuse block.
Trailer Lamps
Always check all trailer lamps are
working at the beginning of each
trip, and periodically on longer trips.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
When properly connected, the trailer
turn signals will illuminate to indicate
the vehicle is turning, changing
lanes, or stopping. When towing a
trailer, the arrows on the instrument
cluster will illuminate even if the
trailer is not properly connected or
the bulbs are burned out.
Always check all trailer lamps are
working at the beginning of each
trip, and periodically on longer trips.
Tow/Haul Mode
For instructions on how to enter
Tow/Haul mode, see
Driver Mode
Control 0223.
Tow/Haul assists when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load. See Tow/Haul Mode 0217.
Tow/Haul Mode is designed to be
most effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75% of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Weight of the Trailer” under
Trailer Towing 0258.
Tow/Haul Mode is most useful when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load:
. through rolling terrain
. in stop-and-go traffic
. in busy parking lots
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
Mode when lightly loaded or not
towing will not cause damage. It is
not recommended and may result in