ABS BUICK TERRAZA 2007 Owner's Manual

Convenience Net (With Rear
Convenience Center)
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. The
convenience net is designed to help keep
small loads, from falling out of the vehicle when
the liftgate is opened. Install the convenience
net at the rear of your vehicle, inside the liftgate.
To use the convenience net, do the following:
1. Attach the upper loops to the posts on both
sides of the liftgate opening. The label on the
net should be in the upper left corner.
2. Attach the lower loops to the tabs at the rear
edge of the rear convenience center.
When not in use, it is recommended that you take
down the convenience net to extend the life of
the net and to help retain its elasticity, and to keep
the rear exit clear.
Convenience Net (Without Rear
Convenience Center)
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. The
convenience net is designed to help keep
small loads, like grocery bags, from falling over.
Install the convenience net at the rear of your
vehicle, inside the liftgate.
To use the convenience net, do the following:
1. Attach the upper loops to the posts on both
sides of the liftgate opening. The label on the
net should be in the upper left corner.
2. Attach the lower hooks to the metal rings on
the oor.
3. Once you have loaded items into the net,
stretch the higher side of the net up and over
the top of the load to hold it rmly in place.
The convenience net has a maximum capacity of
100 lbs (45 kg). It is not designed to hold
larger, heavier loads. Store such loads on the oor
of your vehicle, as far forward as you can.
When not in use, it is recommended that you take
down the convenience net to extend the life of
the net and to help retain its elasticity, and to keep
the rear exit clear.
163

Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a front
accessory power outlet located below the climate
controls on the instrument panel. It can be
used to plug in electrical equipment such as a
cellular telephone or CB radio.
Pull the cover down to use the accessory power
outlet. When not in use, keep the cover on.
The rear accessory power outlet is located on the
rear compartment on the driver’s side.
To remove the cover, pull the tab on the cover
and pull it off. To put the cover back on, line up
the tabs at the back of the cover and put the
cover in place. Push down the tab to secure the
cover. When not in use, always cover the rear
accessory power outlet with the protective cap.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on
for extended periods will drain the battery.
Always turn off electrical equipment when
not in use and do not plug in equipment that
exceeds the maximum amperage rating of
20 amperes.Certain electrical accessories may not be
compatible with the accessory power outlet and
could result in blown vehicle or adapter fuses.
If you experience a problem see your dealer for
additional information on accessory power outlets.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to
your vehicle may damage it or keep other
components from working as they should.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not use equipment exceeding
maximum amperage rating of 20 amperes.
Check with your dealer before adding electrical
equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to
follow the proper installation instructions included
with the equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can
cause damage not covered by your warranty.
Do not hang any type of accessory or
accessory bracket from the plug because the
power outlets are designed for accessory
power plugs only.
191

If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the
pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer
to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is
still on, have the vehicle towed for service. See
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light on page 215
andTowing Your Vehicle on page 384.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
Your vehicle has
an Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS)
warning light.
This light should come on for a few seconds
when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If this light stays on longer than normal after you
have started your engine, turn the ignition off.
If the light comes on and stays on when you are
driving, stop as soon as possible and turn the
ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the
system. If the light still stays on, or comes on
again while you are driving, the ABS needs service
and you do not have anti-lock brakes.
215

RIGHT REAR TURN LAMP OUT
This message displays when the right rear turn
signal bulb needs to be replaced. SeeTaillamps,
Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps
on page 445.
This message displays while the ignition is in RUN.
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine
is turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if
the message has been acknowledged, but the
condition still exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
SERVICE ABS SYSTEM
This message displays when the vehicle’s
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) is not functioning
properly. Have the ABS serviced by your dealer
as soon as possible.
The ABS warning light also appears on the
instrument panel cluster when this message
appears on the DIC. SeeAnti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light on page 215.
This message only displays while the ignition is in
RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge
this message and to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine
is turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if
the message has been acknowledged, but the
condition still exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
243

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle............................................ 346
Defensive Driving...................................... 346
Drunken Driving........................................ 347
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 350
Braking...................................................... 350
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 351
Braking in Emergencies............................. 353
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 353
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 355
Steering.................................................... 357
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 360
Passing..................................................... 360
Loss of Control.......................................... 362
Driving at Night......................................... 363
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 365City Driving............................................... 368
Freeway Driving........................................ 369
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 370
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 371
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 371
Winter Driving........................................... 373
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.......................................... 377
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 378
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 378
Towing........................................................ 384
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 384
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 384
Level Control............................................. 385
Towing a Trailer........................................ 386
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
345

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by
heavy braking — rather than keeping pace with
traffic. This is a mistake. The brakes may not have
time to cool between hard stops. The brakes
will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy
braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and
allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 400.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that
will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You may hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on, and you may even notice that
your brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is
normal.
If there is a problem
with ABS, this warning
light will stay on.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning
Light on page 215.
351

Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each
wheel.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than
any driver could. The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
352

Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal
or always decrease stopping distance. If you get
too close to the vehicle in front of you, you will not
have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down rmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You may feel a slight brake pedal pulsation
or notice some noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful
in slippery road conditions. The system operates if
it senses that one or both of the front wheels
are spinning or beginning to lose traction. When
this happens, the system brakes the spinning
wheel(s) and/or reduces engine power to
limit wheel spin.
The TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE message will
come on in the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when the traction control system is limiting wheel
spin. You may feel or hear the system working,
but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage.
When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control.
353

steering quickly enough, your vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid
if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road.
For safety, you will want to slow down and adjust
your driving to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control
more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try your best 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. You may
not realize the surface is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. 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.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to
be impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night
vision problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need
to slow down and keep more space between
you and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads.
Your vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so
much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe
place and rest.
363

Traction control improves your ability to accelerate
when driving on a slippery road. But you can
turn the traction system off if you ever need to.
You should turn the traction system off if your
vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow on page 377. Even though your vehicle
has a traction system, you will want to slow
down and adjust your driving to the road
conditions. Under certain conditions, you may
want to turn the traction system off, such as when
driving through deep snow and loose gravel, to
help maintain vehicle motion at lower speeds. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 353
andStabiliTrak
®System on page 355.
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) improves your
vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop
on a slippery road. Even though you have ABS,
you will want to begin stopping sooner than
you would on dry pavement. SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) on page 351.
Allow greater following distance on any
slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road might be
ne until you hit a spot that is covered with
ice. On an otherwise clear road, ice patchesmay appear in shaded areas where the sun
cannot reach, such as around clumps of trees,
behind buildings, or under bridges. Sometimes
the surface of a curve or an overpass may
remain icy when the surrounding roads
are clear. If you see a patch of ice ahead of
you, brake before you are on it. Try not
to brake while you are actually on the ice, and
avoid sudden steering maneuvers.
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in
a serious situation. You should probably stay
with your vehicle unless you know for sure that you
are near help and you can hike through the
snow. Here are some things to do to summon
help and keep yourself and your passengers safe:
Turn on your hazard ashers.
Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police
that you have been stopped by the snow.
Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around
you. If you do not have blankets or extra
clothing, make body insulators from
newspapers, burlap bags, rags, oor
mats — anything you can wrap around yourself
or tuck under your clothing to keep warm.
375