Buick E2UB-N Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583509) - 2021 - CRC - 1/8/21
Driving and Operating 245
and attachments, safety chains, electrical
connectors, lamps, tires, and mirrors. See
Towing Equipment0249. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the combination
moving and then manually apply the trailer
brake controller to check that the trailer
brakes work. During the trip, occasionally
check that the cargo and trailer are secure
and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are working.
Towing with a Stability Control System
When towing, the stability control system
might be heard. The system reacts to
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 without a
trailer. This can help to avoid heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. The combination of the
vehicle and trailer will not accelerate as
quickly and is much longer than the vehicle
alone. It is necessary to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before returning
to the lane. Pass on level roadways. Avoid
passing on hills if possible.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. To move the trailer to the left,
move that hand to the left. To move the
trailer to the right, move that hand to the
right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Caution
Turn more slowly and make wider arcs
when towing a trailer to prevent damage
to your vehicle. Making very sharp turns
could cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when towing,
so the trailer will not go over soft shoulders,
over curbs, or strike road signs, trees,
or other objects. Always signal turns well in
advance. Do not steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is not
shifted down, the brakes may overheat and
result in reduced braking efficiency.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive). Shift the
transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes, engine
coolant will boil at a lower temperature
than at lower 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, 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 0265.
Buick E2UB-N Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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246 Driving and Operating
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 0314. 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 0265.
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can damage
the vehicle and result in costly repairs
not covered by the vehicle warranty. To
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
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.
When towing a trailer, the combined weight
of the vehicle, vehicle contents, trailer, and
trailer contents must be below all of the
maximum weight ratings for the vehicle,
including:
.GCWR: Gross Combined Weight Rating
.GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
.Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
.Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight Rating
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Vehicle Care 253
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . 254
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 254
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . 255
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 257
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 260
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 273
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . 276
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 282
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 286
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . 287
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 290
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . 292
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . 293 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 294
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 302
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
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262 Vehicle Care
{Warning
If part replacement is necessary, the part
must be replaced with one of the same
part number or with an equivalent part.
Use of a replacement part without the
same fit, form, and function may result
in personal injury or damage to the
vehicle.
4. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/ filter.
5. Reverse Steps 1–3 to reinstall the filter cover housing.
6. If equipped, reset the engine air filter life system. See Engine Air Filter Life System
0 261.
{Warning
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or others
to be burned. Use caution when working
on the engine. Do not start the engine or
drive the vehicle with the air cleaner/
filter off, as flames may be present if the
engine backfires.
Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt can
easily get into the engine, which could
damage it. Always have the air cleaner/
filter in place when driving.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the engine to
maintain the correct working temperature.
1. Electric Engine Cooling Fan (Out
of View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can start up
even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator hoses,
or other engine parts. They can be very
hot and can burn you. Do not run the
engine if there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an engine fire
and can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The engine cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL engine coolant mixture.
This coolant needs to be checked and
changed at appropriate levels. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants 0322.
The following explains the cooling system
and how to check and add coolant when it
is low. If there is a problem with engine
overheating, see Engine Overheating 0265.
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Vehicle Care 263
What to Use
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator hoses,
or other engine parts. They can be very
hot and can burn you. Do not run the
engine if there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an engine fire
and can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down to −37 °C
(−34 °F), outside temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to 129 °C (265
°F), engine temperature.
.Protects against rust and corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a mix of
DEX-COOL coolant that meets GM
Standard GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause damage
to the engine cooling system and the
vehicle, which would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by putting
it in the trash, pouring it on the ground,
or pouring into sewers, streams, or bodies of
water. Have the coolant changed by an
authorized service center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used coolant
disposal. This will help protect the
environment and your health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when
checking the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the
coolant surge tank. If the coolant inside the
coolant surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down. If coolant
is visible but the coolant level mark is not at
or above the indicated mark, add a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant. Be sure the cooling
system is cool before this is done. See
Engine Overheating 0265.
The coolant surge tank is in the engine
compartment on the driver side of the
vehicle. See Engine Compartment Overview
0 257.
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264 Vehicle Care
How to Add Coolant to the Surge Tank
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine parts can
burn you. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system are under pressure.
Turning the pressure cap, even a little,
can cause them to come out at high
speed and you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific coolant fill
procedure could cause the engine to
overheat and could cause system
damage. If coolant is not visible in the
surge tank, contact your dealer.The coolant surge tank pressure cap can be
removed when the cooling system, including
the surge tank pressure cap and upper
radiator hose, is no longer hot.
1. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise. If a hiss is heard, wait
for that to stop. A hiss means there is
still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.
3. If topping off the level in the coolantsurge tank, add the proper mixture until
the level reaches the mark on the front
of the tank and replace the cap. Operate
the vehicle. Repeat steps 1–3, as
necessary.
If filling the system (such as after
servicing), follow the Automatic Coolant
Service Fill Instructions.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and
tightly secured.
Automatic Coolant Service Fill
Instructions
This feature assists in filling and removing
air from the cooling system after service of
components or when coolant is added after
being too low.
To activate the fill and air removal process:
1. With a cold system, add coolant to the indicated mark on the surge tank.
2. Replace the cap on the surge tank.
3. Connect the vehicle to a battery charger.
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Vehicle Care 265
4. Turn the ignition on. SeeIgnition
Positions 0197.
5. Turn off the air conditioning.
6. Set the parking brake.
7. At the same time, press the accelerator and the brake for automatic transmission
vehicles for two seconds, then release.
At the end of the cycle, check the coolant
level in the surge tank and add coolant if it
is low. Turn off the vehicle, allow the
Electronic Control Module (ECM) to go to
sleep, about 2 minutes, and repeat Steps 3-7.
Listen for pump activation and movement of
the control valves while watching the level
of the coolant in the surge tank. If the tank
empties, turn the ignition off, carefully
remove the surge tank cap, refill to the
indicated mark, and repeat Steps 3-6. The fill
and air removal process will run for
approximately 10 minutes.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators to warn of
the engine overheating. There is an engine coolant temperature
gauge and an engine coolant temperature
warning light on the instrument cluster. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
093.
The vehicle may also display a message on
the Driver Information Center (DIC).
If the decision is made not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, get service help
right away.
If the decision is made to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked on a level
surface. Then check to see if the engine
cooling fan is running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be running. If it
is not, do not continue to run the engine.
Have the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a leak
in the engine cooling system. This can
cause a loss of all coolant and can
damage the system and vehicle. Have
any leaks fixed right away.
If Steam Is Coming from the Engine
Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system are under pressure.
Turning the pressure cap, even a little,
can cause them to come out at high
speed and you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from the Engine
Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is displayed
but no steam can be seen or heard, the
problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
If the overheat warning is displayed with no
sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
Buick E2UB-N Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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266 Vehicle Care
2. Turn the heater on to the highesttemperature and to the highest fan
speed. Open the windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral), and
let the engine idle.
If the engine coolant temperature gauge is
no longer in the overheated area or the
engine coolant temperature warning light no
longer displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slowly for
about 10 minutes. Keep a safe distance from
the vehicle in front. If the warning does not
come back on, continue to drive normally
and have the cooling system checked for
proper fill and function.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and
park the vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine
for three minutes while parked. If the
warning is still displayed, turn off the
engine until it cools down.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid is needed, be
sure to read the manufacturer's instructions
before use. If operating the vehicle in an area where the temperature may fall below
freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
The appropriate message will appear in the
Driver Information Center (DIC) when the
fluid level is low.
Open the cap with the washer symbol on it.
Add washer fluid until the tank is full. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0257 for
reservoir location.
Caution
.Do not use washer fluid that contains
any type of water repellent coating.
This can cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
.Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze)
in the windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield washer system
and paint.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Do not mix water with ready-to-use
washer fluid. Water can cause the
solution to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other parts of
the washer system.
.When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer instructions
for adding water.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for fluid expansion if
freezing occurs, which could damage
the tank if it is completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake linings have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake linings are worn and
new linings are needed. The sound can come
and go or can be heard all the time when
the vehicle is moving, except when applying
the brake pedal firmly.