
Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527524) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
Driving and Operating 165Trailer Towing General Towing
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . 244
Conversions and Add-Ons Add-On Electrical
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Driving Information Driving for Better Fuel
Economy Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
.
Set the climate controls to the
desired temperature after the
engine is started, or turn them
off when not required.
.
On AWD vehicles, see Driver
Mode Control 0 202 .
.
Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
.
Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
.
Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
.
When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control.
.
Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require. .
Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
.
Combine several trips into a
single trip.
.
Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
.
Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Distracted Driving Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep
your eyes on the road, keep your
hands on the steering wheel, and
focus your attention on driving.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527524) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
Driving and Operating 167
Control of a Vehicle Braking, steering, and accelerating
are important factors in helping to
control a vehicle while driving.
Braking Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a second. In
that time, a vehicle moving at
100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
.
Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
.
Avoid needless heavy braking.
.
Keep pace with traffic. If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Steering Electric Power Steering
CautionTo avoid damage to the steering
system, do not drive over curbs,
parking barriers, or similar objects
at speeds greater than 3 km/h
(1 mph). Use care when driving
over other objects such as lane
dividers and speed bumps.
Damage caused by misuse of the
vehicle is not covered by the
vehicle warranty. The vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time while the
vehicle is not moving, power assist
may be reduced.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527524) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
Driving and Operating 169Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
.
Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go.
The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
.
Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues — such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface — and slow
down when you have any doubt. .
Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving All-wheel-drive vehicles can be
used for off-road driving. Vehicles
without all-wheel drive and vehicles
not equipped with All Terrain (AT) or
On-Off Road (OOR) tires must not
be driven off-road except on a level,
solid surface. To contact the tire
manufacturer for more information
about the original equipment tires,
see the warranty manual.
Controlling the vehicle is the key to
successful off-road driving. One of
the best ways to control the vehicle
is to control the speed. { WarningWhen driving off-road, bouncing
and quick changes in direction
can easily throw you out of
position. This could cause you to
lose control and crash. You and
your passengers should always
wear seat belts.
Before Driving Off-Road .
Have all necessary maintenance
and service work completed.
.
Fuel the vehicle, fill fluid levels,
and check inflation pressure in
all tires, including the spare,
if equipped.
.
Read all the information about
all-wheel-drive vehicles in this
manual.
.
Make sure all underbody
shields, if equipped, are properly
attached.
.
Know the local laws that apply to
off-road driving.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527524) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
Driving and Operating 173Warning (Continued)you and your passengers could
drown. Drive your vehicle on safe
surfaces only.
Driving in Water
{ WarningDriving through rushing water can
be dangerous. Deep water can
sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers
could drown. If it is only shallow
water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires.
Traction could be lost, and the
vehicle could roll over. Do not
drive through rushing water. CautionDo not drive through standing
water if it is deep enough to cover
the wheel hubs, axles, or exhaust
pipe. Deep water can damage the
axle and other vehicle parts.
If the standing water is not too deep,
drive through it slowly. At faster
speeds, water can get into the
engine and cause it to stall. Stalling
can occur if the exhaust pipe is
under water. Do not turn off the
ignition when driving through water.
If the exhaust pipe is under water,
the engine will not start. When going
through water, the brakes get wet
and it may take longer to stop. See
Driving on Wet Roads 0 173 .
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that
has collected on the underbody or
chassis, or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a fire hazard. After operation in mud or sand,
have the brake linings cleaned and
checked. These substances can
cause glazing and uneven braking.
Check the body structure, steering,
suspension, wheels, tires, and
exhaust system for damage and
check the fuel lines and cooling
system for any leakage.
More frequent maintenance service
is required. See Maintenance
Schedule 0 328 .
Driving on Wet Roads Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or flowing water.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527524) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
238 Driving and Operating 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 0 328 . It is
especially important to check the
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
0 262 . Trailer Towing CautionTowing 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
{ WarningNever 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.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527524) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
246 Driving and Operating
Conversions and
Add-Ons Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{ WarningThe Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service
and Emission Inspection/
Maintenance testing. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0 122 .
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. CautionSome 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 0 72 and
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 0 72 .

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527524) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
250 Vehicle Care If equipped with remote vehicle
start, open the hood before
performing any service work to
prevent remote starting the vehicle
accidentally. See Remote Vehicle
Start 0 15 .
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records 0 339 .
CautionEven small amounts of
contamination can cause damage
to vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks. Hood
{ WarningFor vehicles with auto engine
stop/start, turn the vehicle off
before opening the hood. If the
vehicle is on, the engine will start
when the hood is opened. You or
others could be injured.
{ WarningComponents under the hood can
get hot from running the engine.
To help avoid the risk of burning
unprotected skin, never touch
these components until they have
cooled, and always use a glove or
towel to avoid direct skin contact.
Clear any snow from the hood
before opening. To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release lever with
the
i symbol. It is on the
lower left side of the instrument
panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle
and locate the secondary
release lever under the front
center of the hood. Push the
secondary hood release lever
to the right to release.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527524) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
256 Vehicle Care the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system: 1. Display the REMAINING OIL
LIFE on the DIC. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 0 130 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0 133 .
2. Press and hold
V on the DIC
while the Oil Life display is
active. The oil life will change
to 100%.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat
the procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to the
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible. Change the fluid at the intervals
listed in Maintenance Schedule
0 328 , and be sure to use the
transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0 337 .
CautionUse of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage
the vehicle, and the damage may
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use the correct
automatic transmission fluid. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0 337 .
The transmission fluid will not reach
the end of the dipstick unless the
transmission is at operating
temperature. If you need to check
the transmission fluid level, take the
vehicle to your dealer.