flat tire BUICK ENCLAVE 2020 Owner's Manual
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Vehicle Care 297The rubber in tires ages over time.
This also applies to the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, even if it is
never used. Multiple factors
including temperatures, loading
conditions, and inflation pressure
maintenance affect how fast aging
takes place. GM recommends that
tires, including the spare if
equipped, be replaced after six
years, regardless of tread wear. To
identify the age of a tire, use the tire
manufacture date which is the last
four digits of the DOT Tire
Identification Number (TIN) which is
molded into one side of the tire
sidewall. The first two digits
represent the week (01 – 52) and the
last two digits, the year. For
example, the third week of the year
2010 would have a four-digit DOT
date of 0310.
Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally
mounted on a parked vehicle. Park
a vehicle that will be stored for at
least a month in a cool, dry, clean
area away from direct sunlight to
slow aging. This area should be free of grease, gasoline, or other
substances that can deteriorate
rubber.
Parking for an extended period can
cause flat spots on the tires that
may result in vibrations while
driving. When storing a vehicle for
at least a month, remove the tires or
raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.
Buying New Tires GM has developed and matched
specific tires for the vehicle. The
original equipment tires installed
were designed to meet General
Motors Tire Performance Criteria
Specification (TPC Spec)
system rating. When
replacement tires are needed,
GM strongly recommends
buying tires with the same TPC
Spec rating.
GM's exclusive TPC Spec
system considers over a dozen
critical specifications that impact
the overall performance of the vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire
pressure monitoring
performance. GM's TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire's
sidewall near the tire size. If the
tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC Spec number
will be followed by MS for mud
and snow. See Tire Sidewall
Labeling 0 283 .
GM recommends replacing worn
tires in complete sets of four.
Uniform tread depth on all tires
will help to maintain the
performance of the vehicle.
Braking and handling
performance may be adversely
affected if all the tires are not
replaced at the same time.
If proper rotation and
maintenance have been done,
all four tires should wear out at
about the same time. See Tire
Rotation 0 295 . However, if it is
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300 Vehicle Care graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and
differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from
highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on
specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of
performance which all
passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum
required by law. Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance The tires and wheels were aligned
and balanced at the factory to
provide the longest tire life and best
overall performance. Adjustments to
wheel alignment and tire balancing
are not necessary on a regular
basis. Consider an alignment check
if there is unusual tire wear or the
vehicle is significantly pulling to one
side or the other. Some slight pull to
the left or right, depending on the
crown of the road and/or other road
surface variations such as troughs
or ruts, is normal. If the vehicle is
vibrating when driving on a smooth
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302 Vehicle Care Warning (Continued)cause loss of control and a crash.
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for the vehicle's
tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slow
and readjust or remove the
traction device if it contacts the
vehicle. Do not spin the wheels. If
traction devices are used, install
them on the front tires.
Caution
If the vehicle is equipped with
255/65R18 size tires, use tire
chains only where legal and only
when necessary. Use low profile
chains that add no more than
12 mm thickness to the tire tread
and inner sidewall. Use chains
(Continued) Caution (Continued) that are the proper size for the
tires. Install them on the tires of
the front axle. Do not use chains
on the tires of the rear axle.
Tighten them as tightly as
possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow
the chain manufacturer's
instructions. If the chains contact
the vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues,
slow down until it stops. Driving
too fast or spinning the wheels
with chains on will damage the
vehicle.
If a Tire Goes Flat It is unusual for a tire to blow out
while driving, especially if the tires
are maintained properly. See Tires
0 281 . If air goes out of a tire, it is
much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if there ever is a blowout, here
are a few tips about what to expect
and what to do: If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction as
used in a skid. Stop pressing the
accelerator pedal and steer to
straighten the vehicle. It may be
very bumpy and noisy. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road,
if possible.
{ Warning
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has been
driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
(Continued)
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Vehicle Care 303Warning (Continued)that has been driven on while
severely underinflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon as
possible.
{ WarningLifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and
training. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, it is designed only for
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could
be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, only
use it for changing a flat tire. If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place, well off the road,
if possible. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. See Hazard
Warning Flashers 0 150 .
{ WarningChanging a tire can be
dangerous. The vehicle can slip
off the jack and roll over or fall
causing injury or death. Find a
level place to change the tire. To
help prevent the vehicle from
moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in
1 (First) or R (Reverse).
3. Turn off the engine and do
not restart while the vehicle
is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to
remain in the vehicle.
(Continued) Warning (Continued) 5. Place wheel blocks,
if equipped, on both sides of
the tire at the opposite
corner of the tire being
changed.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (2),
use the following example as a
guide to assist in the placement of
the wheel blocks (1), if equipped.
1. Wheel Block (If Equipped)
2. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to repair or change a tire.
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304 Vehicle Care
Tire Changing Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools To access the spare tire and tools:
1. Open the liftgate. See Liftgate
0 21 .
2. Lift the load floor.
3. Remove the cargo
management system. See
Cargo Management System
0 97 . 4. Turn the wing nut (3)
counterclockwise to remove the
jack (1) and wheel wrench (2).
Place the tool container near
the tire being changed.
5. Remove the spare tire and
place it next to the tire being
changed.
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. Do a safety check before
proceeding. See If a Tire Goes
Flat 0 302 . 2. Turn the wheel wrench
counterclockwise to loosen all
the wheel nuts, but do not
remove them yet.
3. Place the jack near the flat tire.
Caution
Make sure that the jack lift head
is in the correct position or you
may damage your vehicle. The
repairs would not be covered by
your warranty.
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Vehicle Care 305
4. Position the jack lift head at the
jack location nearest the
flat tire.
The jacking location is
indicated by a half circle notch
in the metal flange. The jack
must not be used in any other
position.
{ Warning
Getting under a vehicle when it is
lifted on a jack is dangerous.
If the vehicle slips off the jack,
you could be badly injured or
(Continued) Warning (Continued) killed. Never get under a vehicle
when it is supported only by
a jack.
{ WarningRaising the vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help
avoid personal injury and vehicle
damage, be sure to fit the jack lift
head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle.
{ Warning
Lifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and
training. If a jack is provided with
(Continued) Warning (Continued) the vehicle, it is designed only for
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could
be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, only
use it for changing a flat tire.
CautionUsing a jack to raise the vehicle
without positioning it correctly
could damage your vehicle. When
raising your vehicle on a jack, be
sure to position it correctly under
the frame and avoid contact with
the plastic molding.
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306 Vehicle Care
5. Turn the wheel wrench
clockwise to raise the jack lift
head until the slots in the jack
head fit into the metal flange
behind the cut out on the
plastic molding. Do not raise
the vehicle yet.
6. Put the compact spare tire
near you.
7. Turn the wrench clockwise in
the jack to raise the vehicle.
Raise the vehicle far enough
off the ground so that there is
enough room for the spare tire
to fit under the wheel well. 8. Remove all of the wheel nuts.
9. Remove the flat tire.
{ WarningRust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause a crash. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
(Continued) Warning (Continued) towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
10. Remove any rust or dirt from
the wheel bolts, mounting
surfaces, and spare wheel.
11. Place the compact spare tire
on the wheel-mounting surface.
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308 Vehicle Care CautionWheel covers will not fit on the
vehicle's compact spare. If you try
to put a wheel cover on the
compact spare, the cover or the
spare could be damaged.
{ WarningStoring a jack, a tire, or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in
the proper place. Storing the Flat Tire
1. Liftgate Hinges
2. Cable
3. Center of the Wheel
4. Door Striker To store the flat tire:
1. Remove the cable package
from under the spare tire, jack,
and tools.
2. Remove the small cap by
tapping the back of the cap
with the extension of the shaft,
if the vehicle has aluminum
wheels.
3. Put the flat tire in the rear
storage area with the valve
stem facing the rear of the
vehicle.
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310 Vehicle Care If this vehicle has a compact spare
tire, it was fully inflated when new;
however, it can lose air over time.
Check the inflation pressure
regularly. It should be 420 kPa
(60 psi).
Stop as soon as possible and check
that the spare tire is correctly
inflated after being installed on the
vehicle. The compact spare tire is
designed for temporary use only.
The vehicle will perform differently
with the spare tire installed and it is
recommended that the vehicle
speed be limited to 80 km/h (50
mph). To conserve the tread of the
spare tire, have the standard tire
repaired or replaced as soon as
convenient and return the spare tire
to the storage area.
When using a compact spare tire,
the ABS and Traction Control
systems may engage until the spare
tire is recognized by the vehicle,
especially on slippery roads. Adjust
driving to reduce possible
wheel slip. Performance of the All-Wheel
Drive (AWD) system will be
automatically reduced to protect the
system when using the compact
spare. To restore the AWD and
prevent excessive wear on the
clutch in the AWD, replace the
compact spare tire with a full-size
tire as soon as possible.
CautionWhen the compact spare is
installed, do not take the vehicle
through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact
spare can get caught on the rails
which can damage the tire, wheel,
and other parts of the vehicle. Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles.
Do not mix the compact spare tire or
wheel with other wheels or tires.
They will not fit. Keep the spare tire
and its wheel together.
CautionTire chains will not fit the compact
spare. Using them can damage
the vehicle and the chains. Do not
use tire chains on the compact
spare.
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328 Service and Maintenance
Maintenance
Schedule Owner Checks and Services At Each Fuel Stop
.
Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil 0 253 .
Once a Month
.
Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure
0 288 .
.
Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection 0 295 .
.
Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid
0 263 .
Engine Oil Change When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message displays, have the
engine oil and filter changed within
the next 1 000 km/600 mi. If driven
under the best conditions, the
engine oil life system may not
indicate the need for vehicle service
for up to a year. The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once
a year and the oil life system must
be reset. Your trained dealer
technician can perform this work.
If the engine oil life system is reset
accidentally, service the vehicle
within 5 000 km/3,000 mi since the
last service. Reset the oil life
system when the oil is changed.
See Engine Oil Life System 0 255 .
Engine Air Filter Change When the REPLACE AT NEXT OIL
CHANGE message displays, the
engine air filter should be replaced
at the next engine oil change. When
the REPLACE ENGINE AIR FILTER
SOON message displays, the
engine air filter should be replaced
at the earliest convenience. Reset
the engine air filter life system after
the engine air filter is replaced. See
Engine Air Filter Life System 0 257 .
Air Conditioning Desiccant
(Replace Every Seven Years)
The air conditioning system requires
maintenance every seven years.
This service requires replacement of
the desiccant to help the longevity and efficient operation of the air
conditioning system. This service
can be complex. See your dealer.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. See Tire
Rotation 0 295 .
.
Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter,
and reset oil life system. See
Engine Oil 0 253 and
Engine Oil Life System 0 255 .
.
If equipped with the engine air
filter life system, check the air
filter life percentage.
If necessary, replace the engine
air filter and reset the engine air
filter life system. See Engine Air
Filter Life System 0 257 . If the
vehicle is not equipped with the
engine air filter life system,
inspect the engine air cleaner
filter. See Engine Air Cleaner/
Filter 0 257 .