BUICK TERRAZA 2007 Owner's Manual

Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inated to the
upper limit for cold tires. You will nd these
numbers on the Certication/Tire label at the rear
edge of the driver’s door or seeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 378. Then be sure you do not go
over the GVW limit for your vehicle, including
the weight of the trailer tongue.
Hitches
It is important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by, and rough
roads are a few reasons why you will need
the right hitch. Here are some rules to follow:
The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended
for hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or
other bumper-type hitches to them. Use only a
frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to
the bumper.
Will you have to make any holes in the body
of your vehicle when you install a trailer
hitch?If you do, remember to seal the holes later
when you remove the hitch. If you do not seal
them, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from
your exhaust can get into your vehicle. See
Engine Exhaust on page 141. Dirt and
water can, too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your
vehicle and your 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. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for
attaching safety chains and do not attach them to
the bumper. Always leave just enough slack so
you can turn with your rig. Never allow safety
chains to drag on the ground.
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Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (450 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes – and they
must be adequate. Be sure to read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes so you will be
able to install, adjust, and maintain them properly.
Because your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, do not
try to tap into your vehicle’s brake system. If you do,
both brake systems will not work well, or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and
you pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon
monoxide (CO) could come into your
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
vehicle. You cannot see or smell CO. It
can cause unconsciousness or death. See
Engine Exhaust on page 141. To maximize
your safety when towing a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected
for leaks, and make necessary repairs
before starting on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or
another opening, drive with your front,
main heating or cooling system on
and with the fan on any speed. This
will bring fresh, outside air into your
vehicle. Do not use the climate control
setting for maximum air because it
only recirculates the air inside your
vehicle. SeeClimate Control System
on page 193orDual Climate Control
System on page 197.
392

Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of
experience. Before setting out for the open road,
you will want to get to know your rig. Acquaint
yourself with the feel of handling and braking with
the added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is
now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires, and mirror adjustment. If the
trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and
trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure the brakes are
working. This lets you check your electrical
connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure
that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead
as you would when driving your vehicle without
a trailer. This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You will need more passing distance up ahead
when you are towing a trailer. And, because
you are a good deal longer, you will need to go
much farther beyond the passed vehicle
before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one
hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left,
just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer
to the right, move your hand to the right. Always
back up slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
393

Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to come in
contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.
When you are turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal. Do this so your trailer will
not strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees,
or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have
extra wiring.
The arrows on your instrument panel will ash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
ash, telling other drivers you are about to turn,
change lanes, or stop.When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will ash for turns even if the
bulbs on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may
think drivers behind you are seeing your signal
when they are not. It is important to check
occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before
you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you
do not shift down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get hot and
no longer work well.
If you are towing a trailer that weighs more than
1,000 lbs (450 kg), you may prefer to drive in
THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D) or, as you need
to, a lower gear. This will minimize heat build-up
and extend the life of your transaxle.
394

Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured, and
both your vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, do
the following:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P).
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release
the regular brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake, and shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you do the following:
Start your 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.
395

Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you are pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance
Schedule for more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer operation are
automatic transaxle uid, engine oil, belts, cooling
system, and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual, and the Index will help
you nd them quickly. If you are trailering, it is a
good idea to review these sections before you
start your trip.Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle may have a trailer wiring harness
package located in the glove box. It can be
connected from the rear of your vehicle to your
trailer. Contact your dealer for more information.
396

Service........................................................ 400
Accessories and Modications................... 400
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 401
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 401
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle................................................... 402
Fuel............................................................. 402
Gasoline Octane........................................ 402
Gasoline Specications.............................. 402
California Fuel........................................... 403
Additives................................................... 403
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 404
Filling the Tank......................................... 405
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 407
Checking Things Under
the Hood.................................................. 408
Hood Release........................................... 409
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 410
Engine Oil................................................. 411
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 414
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 416Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 417
Engine Coolant.......................................... 420
Radiator Pressure Cap.............................. 423
Engine Overheating................................... 423
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 425
Cooling System......................................... 426
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 432
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 433
Brakes...................................................... 434
Battery...................................................... 437
Jump Starting............................................ 438
Bulb Replacement....................................... 443
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 443
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps........... 443
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL)........................... 445
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps...................................... 445
License Plate Lamp................................... 447
Replacement Bulbs................................... 447
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
397

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 447
Tires............................................................ 449
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 450
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 453
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 456
High-Speed Operation............................... 458
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 459
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 461
Buying New Tires...................................... 461
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 463
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 464
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 465
Wheel Replacement.................................. 465
Tire Chains............................................... 467
Accessory Inator...................................... 468
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 470
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 470
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 472
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire............................................. 474
Secondary Latch System........................... 481
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...... 483
Compact Spare Tire.................................. 486Appearance Care........................................ 487
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 487
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 488
Leather...................................................... 489
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces................................................ 490
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 490
Weatherstrips............................................ 490
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 491
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 491
Finish Care............................................... 491
Windshield, Backglass, and
Wiper Blades......................................... 492
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels......... 492
Tires......................................................... 493
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 493
Finish Damage.......................................... 494
Underbody Maintenance............................ 494
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 494
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 495
Vehicle Identication.................................. 496
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)........... 496
Service Parts Identication Label............... 496
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
398

Electrical System........................................ 496
Add-On Electrical Equipment..................... 496
Headlamp Wiring....................................... 497
Windshield Wiper Fuses............................ 497
Power Windows and Other Power
Options.................................................. 497Fuses and Circuit Breakers....................... 497
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..................... 498
Underhood Fuse Block.............................. 500
Capacities and Specications.................... 503
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
399

Service
Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants
you to be happy with it. We hope you will go
to your dealer for all your service needs. You will
get genuine GM parts and GM-trained and
supported service people.
We hope you will want to keep your GM vehicle
all GM. Genuine GM parts have one of these
marks:
Accessories and Modications
When you add non-GM accessories to your vehicle
they can affect your vehicle’s performance and
safety, including such things as, airbags, braking,
stability, ride and handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and electronic systems
like anti-lock brakes, traction control and
stability control. Some of these accessories may
even cause malfunction or damage not covered by
warranty.
GM Accessories are designed to complement and
function with other systems on your vehicle.
Your GM dealer can accessorize your vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories. When you go to
your GM dealer and ask for GM Accessories,
you will know that GM-trained and supported
service technicians will perform the work using
genuine GM Accessories.
400