tires BUICK ENCLAVE 2009 Owner's Guide

If the vehicle has many options and
there is a front seat passenger and
two rear seat passengers with some
luggage and gear in the vehicle as
well. 300 lbs (136 kg) could be
added to the front axle weight and
400 lbs (181 kg) to the rear axle
weight. The vehicle now weighs:
Weight is still below 7,200 lbs
(3 266 kg) and you might think
700 additional pounds (318 kg)
should be subtracted from the
trailering capacity to stay within
GCWR limits. The maximum trailer
would only be 7,800 lbs (3 538 kg).
You may go further and think the
tongue weight should be limited to
less than 1,000 lbs (454 kg) to avoid
exceeding GVWR. But the effect on
the rear axle must still be considered.
Because the rear axle now weighs3,100 lbs (1 406 kg), 900 lbs
(408 kg) can be put on the rear axle
without exceeding RGAWR. The
effect of tongue weight is about
1.5 times the actual weight. Dividing
the 900 lbs (408 kg) by 1.5 leaves
only 600 lbs (272 kg) of tongue
weight that can be handled. Since
tongue weight is usually at least
10 percent of total loaded trailer
weight, expect that the largest trailer
the vehicle can properly handle is
6,000 lbs (2 721 kg).
It is important that the vehicle
does not exceed any of its
ratings — GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR,
Maximum Trailer Rating or Tongue
Weight. The only way to be sure it is
not exceeding any of these ratings is
to weigh the vehicle and trailer.
Total Weight on the Vehicle’s
Tires
Be sure the vehicle’s tires are
inated to the upper limit for cold
tires. These numbers can be found
on the Certication/Tire label.
SeeLoading the Vehicle onpage 4-16. Make sure not to go
over the GVW limit for the 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
the right hitch is needed. Here are
some rules to follow:
The rear bumper on the vehicle is
not intended for hitches. Do not
attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use
only a frame-mounted hitch that
does not attach to the bumper.
Will any holes be made in the
body of the vehicle when the
trailer hitch is installed? If there
are, then be sure to seal the holes
later when the hitch is removed.
If the holes are not sealed, dirt,
water, and deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from the exhaust
can get into the vehicle. See
Engine Exhaust on page 2-30.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-29

Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the 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
the rig can turn. Never allow
safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more
than 1,000 lbs (450 kg) needs
to have its own brake system that is
adequate for the weight of the
trailer. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted
and maintained properly.Because the vehicle has antilock
brakes, do not try to tap into
the vehicle’s hydraulic brake system.
If you do, both brake systems will
not work well, or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Get to
know the rig before setting out for
the open road. Get acquainted
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
longer and not as responsive as the
vehicle is by itself.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustments. If the
trailer has electric brakes, start the
vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by
hand to be sure the brakes are
working. This checks the electrical
connection at the same time.During the 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 the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid situations that
require heavy braking and sudden
turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. Because the
rig is longer, it is necessary to go
much farther beyond the passed
vehicle before returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the
trailer to the left, 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.
4-30 Driving Your Vehicle

Service and
Appearance Care
Service
Service...............................5-3
Accessories and
Modications.....................5-3
California Proposition 65
Warning............................5-3
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own
Service Work....................5-4
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle......5-4
Fuel
Fuel....................................5-5
Gasoline Octane.................5-5
Gasoline Specications.......5-5
California Fuel....................5-5
Additives.............................5-5
Fuels in Foreign
Countries..........................5-6
Filling the Tank...................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container..........................5-8
Checking Things Under
the Hood
Checking Things Under
the Hood..........................5-9
Hood Release.....................5-9
Engine Compartment
Overview.........................5-10
Engine Oil.........................5-11
Engine Oil Life System.....5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. . . .5-14
Automatic Transmission
Fluid................................5-15
Cooling System.................5-16
Engine Coolant.................5-17
Engine Overheating...........5-20
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode
..............5-22
Power Steering Fluid.........5-22
Windshield Washer
Fluid................................5-23
Brakes..............................5-24
Battery..............................5-27
Jump Starting...................5-28
All-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive.................5-32
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming..............5-33
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement.............5-33
High Intensity Discharge
(HID) Lighting..................5-33
Halogen Bulbs..................5-34
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps and
Sidemarker Lamps
..........5-34
License Plate Lamp..........5-35
Replacement Bulbs...........5-35
Windshield Replacement
Windshield
Replacement...................5-35
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement...................5-36
Tires
Tires.................................5-36
Tire Sidewall Labeling.......5-37
Service and Appearance Care 5-1

Tire Terminology and
Denitions.......................5-40
Ination - Tire Pressure. . . .5-42
Tire Pressure Monitor
System............................5-44
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation........................5-45
Tire Inspection and
Rotation..........................5-48
When It Is Time for New
Tires...............................5-50
Buying New Tires.............5-50
Different Size Tires and
Wheels............................5-52
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading...........................5-52
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance...........................5-54
Wheel Replacement..........5-55
Tire Chains.......................5-56
If a Tire Goes Flat............5-56
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit...............5-57
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
Storage
...........................5-70
Changing a Flat Tire.........5-71
Removing the Spare Tire
and Tools........................5-72
Removing the Flat Tire
and Installing the
Spare Tire
.......................5-74
Secondary Latch
System............................5-78
Storing a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools.................5-80
Compact Spare Tire..........5-83
Appearance Care
Interior Cleaning................5-83
Fabric/Carpet....................5-85
Leather.............................5-85
Instrument Panel, Vinyl,
and Other Plastic
Surfaces
..........................5-86
Care of Safety Belts.........5-86
Weatherstrips....................5-86
Washing Your Vehicle.......5-86
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/
Lenses............................5-87
Finish Care.......................5-87
Windshield, Backglass,
and Wiper Blades............5-88
Aluminum or
Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim
.........................5-88
Tires.................................5-89
Sheet Metal Damage........5-89
Finish Damage..................5-90
Underbody Maintenance. . . .5-90
Chemical Paint Spotting. . . .5-90
Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)..................5-90
Service Parts
Identication Label...........5-91
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and
Wiring.............................5-91
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................5-91
Windshield Wiper Fuses. . . .5-92
Power Windows and
Other Power Options.......5-92
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers.........................5-92
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block...............................5-92
Underhood Fuse Block......5-94
Capacities and
Specications
Capacities and
Specications..................5-98
5-2 Service and Appearance Care

Brake Wear
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc
brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake
pads are worn and new pads are
needed. The sound can come
and go or be heard all the time the
vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
an accident. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.Notice:Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could
result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when
the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent
brake pulsation. When tires are
rotated, inspect brake pads for wear
and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque
specications inCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-98.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake
pedal does not return to normal
height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal travel. This could be a
sign that brake service might
be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied,
with or without the vehicle
moving, the brakes adjust for wear.
5-26 Service and Appearance Care

Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking.
SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-3for more information.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed in
different ways. To replace the
wiper blade assembly:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm
away from the windshield.
2. Press the button in the middle of
the wiper arm connector and pull
the wiper blade away from the
arm connector.3. Install the new wiper blade and
make sure the wiper blade
locks into place.
For the proper size and type see
Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 6-14.
Backglass Wiper Blade
To replace the backglass wiper
blade:
1. Pull the wiper blade assembly
away from the backglass.
The backglass wiper blade will
not lock in a vertical position
so care should be used when
pulling it away from the vehicle.
2. Rotate the wiper blade assembly,
hold the wiper arm in position,
and push the blade away
from the wiper arm.
3. Replace the wiper blade.
4. Return the wiper arm and blade
assembly to the rest position on
the glass.
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with
high-quality tires made by a
leading tire manufacturer. If you
ever have questions about your
tire warranty and where to obtain
service, see your vehicle
Warranty booklet for details. For
additional information refer to the
tire manufacturer.
{CAUTION
Poorly maintained and
improperly used tires are
dangerous.
Overloading your
vehicle’s tires can cause
overheating as a result of
too much exing. You
could have an air-out and
a serious accident. See
Loading the Vehicle on
page 4-16.
(Continued)
5-36 Service and Appearance Care

CAUTION (Continued)
Underinated tires pose
the same danger as
overloaded tires. The
resulting accident could
cause serious injury.
Check all tires frequently
to maintain the
recommended pressure.
Tire pressure should be
checked when your
vehicle’s tires are cold.
SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-42.
Overinated tires are more
likely to be cut, punctured,
or broken by a sudden
impact — such as when
you hit a pothole. Keep
tires at the recommended
pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause
accidents. If the tire’s tread
is badly worn, or if your
vehicle’s tires have been
damaged, replace them.
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is
molded into its sidewall. The
examples below show a typical
passenger vehicle tire and a
compact spare tire sidewall.
(A) Tire Size
:The tire size is a
combination of letters and
numbers used to dene a
particular tire’s width, height,
aspect ratio, construction
type, and service description.See the “Tire Size” illustration
later in this section for more
detail.
(B) TPC Spec (Tire
Performance Criteria
Specication)
:Original
equipment tires designed to
GM’s specic tire performance
criteria have a TPC specication
code molded onto the sidewall.
GM’s TPC specications
meet or exceed all federal safety
guidelines.
(C) DOT (Department of
Transportation)
:The
Department of Transportation
(DOT) code indicates that
the tire is in compliance with the
U.S. Department of
Transportation Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards.
(D) Tire Identication Number
(TIN)
:The letters and numbers
following DOT (Department
of Transportation) code is the
Tire Identication Number (TIN). Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
Example
Service and Appearance Care 5-37

The TIN shows the manufacturer
and plant code, tire size, and
date the tire was manufactured.
The TIN is molded onto both
sides of the tire, although only
one side may have the date of
manufacture.
(E) Tire Ply Material
:The type
of cord and number of plies in the
sidewall and under the tread.
(F) Uniform Tire Quality
Grading (UTQG)
:Tire
manufacturers are required to
grade tires based on three
performance factors: treadwear,
traction, and temperature
resistance. For more information
seeUniform Tire Quality
Grading on page 5-52.
(G) Maximum Cold Ination
Load Limit
:Maximum load
that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed
to support that load.(A) Temporary Use Only
:The
compact spare tire or temporary
use tire has a tread life of
approximately 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) and should not be
driven at speeds over 65 mph
(105 km/h). The compact
spare tire is for emergency use
when a regular road tire has
lost air and gone at. If
your vehicle has a compact
spare tire, seeCompact Spare
Tire on page 5-83andIf a
Tire Goes Flat on page 5-56.(B) Tire Ply Material
:The type
of cord and number of plies in the
sidewall and under the tread.
(C) Tire Identication Number
(TIN)
:The letters and numbers
following the DOT (Department
of Transportation) code is the
Tire Identication Number (TIN).
The TIN shows the manufacturer
and plant code, tire size, and
date the tire was manufactured.
The TIN is molded onto both
sides of the tire, although only
one side may have the date of
manufacture.
(D) Maximum Cold Ination
Load Limit
:Maximum load that
can be carried and the maximum
pressure needed to support
that load.
(E) Tire Ination
:The
temporary use tire or compact
spare tire should be inated to
60 psi (420 kPa). For more
information on tire pressure and
ination seeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-42. Compact Spare Tire Example
5-38 Service and Appearance Care

(F) Tire Size:A combination of
letters and numbers dene a
tire’s width, height, aspect ratio,
construction type, and service
description. The letter T as
the rst character in the tire size
means the tire is for temporary
use only.
(G) TPC Spec (Tire
Performance Criteria
Specication)
:Original
equipment tires designed to
GM’s specic tire performance
criteria have a TPC specication
code molded onto the sidewall.
GM’s TPC specications meet or
exceed all federal safety
guidelines.Tire Size
The following illustration shows
an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
:The United States version of a
metric tire sizing system. The
letter P as the rst character in
the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to
standards set by the U.S. Tire
and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width
:The three-digit
number indicates the tire
section width in millimeters from
sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio
:A two-digit
number that indicates the tire
height-to-width measurements.For example, if the tire size
aspect ratio is 60, as shown in
item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire’s sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code
:A letter
code is used to indicate the type
of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply
construction; the letter D means
diagonal or bias ply construction;
and the letter B means
belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load
range and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents
the load carry capacity a tire is
certied to carry. The load index
can range from 1 to 279. The
speed rating is the maximum
speed a tire is certied to carry
a load. Speed ratings range
fromAtoZ.
Service and Appearance Care 5-39

Tread:The portion of a tire that
comes into contact with the road.
Treadwear Indicators
:Narrow
bands, sometimes called wear
bars, that show across the tread
of a tire when only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) of tread remains. See
When It Is Time for New Tires on
page 5-50.
UTQGS (Uniform Tire Quality
Grading Standards)
:A tire
information system that provides
consumers with ratings for a
tire’s traction, temperature,
and treadwear. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers
using government testing
procedures. The ratings are
molded into the sidewall of the
tire. SeeUniform Tire Quality
Grading on page 5-52.Vehicle Capacity Weight
:The
number of designated seating
positions multiplied by 150 lbs
(68 kg) plus the rated cargo
load. SeeLoading the Vehicle
on page 4-16.
Vehicle Maximum Load on the
Tire
:Load on an individual
tire due to curb weight,
accessory weight, occupant
weight, and cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard
:A label
permanently attached to a
vehicle showing the vehicle’s
capacity weight and the original
equipment tire size and
recommended ination pressure.
See “Tire and Loading
Information Label” under
Loading the Vehicle on
page 4-16.
Ination - Tire Pressure
Tires need the correct amount
of air pressure to operate
effectively.
Notice:Do not let anyone tell
you that under-ination or
over-ination is all right. It is
not. If your tires do not have
enough air (under-ination),
you can get the following:
Too much exing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Premature or irregular wear
Poor handling
Reduced fuel economy
If your tires have too much air
(over-ination), you can get
the following:
Unusual wear
Poor handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road
hazards
5-42 Service and Appearance Care