wheel BUICK LACROSSE 2007 Service Manual

Dolly Towing
Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow
your vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the gear shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the
ignition key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position.
5. Release the parking brake.
Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment
and drive properly, you can lose control
when you pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not
work well — or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously injured. You
may also damage your vehicle; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Pull a trailer only if you have
followed all the steps in this section. Ask
your dealer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with your vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with
the proper trailer towing equipment. To identify
the trailering capacity of your vehicle, read
the information in “Weight of the Trailer” that
appears later in this section. Trailering is different
than just driving the vehicle by itself.
327

Trailering means changes in handling,
acceleration, braking, durability, and fuel
economy. Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That is the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety
rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers. So please read
this section carefully before pulling a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transaxle, wheel assembly, and tires are forced to
work harder against the drag of the added
weight. The engine is required to operate at
relatively higher speeds and under greater loads,
generating extra heat. What is more, the trailer
adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
Here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including
speed limit restrictions, having to do with
trailering. Make sure your rig will be legal, not
only where you live but also where you will
be driving. A good source for this information
can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. Ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Do not tow a trailer at all during the rst
1,000 miles (1 600 km) the vehicle is driven.
The engine, axle or other parts could be
damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that
the vehicle tows a trailer, do not drive over
50 mph (80 km/h) and do not make starts at full
throttle. This helps the engine and other parts
of the vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a
trailer. Do not drive faster than the maximum
posted speed for trailers, or no more than
55 mph (90 km/h), to save wear on the
vehicle’s parts.
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Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead
as when driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help avoid situations that require heavy
braking and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed up ahead when
towing a trailer. And, because the vehicle is a
good deal longer with the trailer, you will need to
go much farther beyond the vehicle you have
passed before you can return to the proper 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.
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 turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so the 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 towing a trailer, the vehicle may need a
different turn signal asher and/or extra wiring.
Check with your dealer. The arrows on the
instrument panel will ash whenever signaling 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 the instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the
trailer are burned out. 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.
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Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbefore
starting down a long hill or steep downgrade. If the
vehicle is not shifted down, the brakes might
have to be used so much that they would get hot
and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce the
vehicle’s speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to
reduce the possibility of engine and transaxle
overheating.
If towing a trailer, you may want to drive in
THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D). Shift to a lower
gear as needed.
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 the rig ever has to be parked on a hill, here
is how to do it:
1. Apply the regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the
trailer’s 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 the
parking brake, and shift to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
334

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 401
Tires............................................................ 402
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 403
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 406
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 409
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 411
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 416
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 417
Buying New Tires...................................... 418
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 420
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 421
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 422
Wheel Replacement.................................. 422
Tire Chains............................................... 424
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 425
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 426
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 427
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire....................................... 429
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...... 435
Compact Spare Tire.................................. 437Appearance Care........................................ 438
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 438
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 440
Leather...................................................... 441
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces..................................... 441
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 442
Weatherstrips............................................ 442
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 442
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 443
Finish Care............................................... 443
Windshield and Wiper Blades.................... 444
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels......... 444
Tires......................................................... 445
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 445
Finish Damage.......................................... 446
Underbody Maintenance............................ 446
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 446
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 447
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
338

What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3
brake uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed
container only. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 470.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the
area around the cap before removing it. This
will help keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the brake
system, the brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper
brake uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in the brake system can
damage brake system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint nish can
be damaged. Be careful not to spill brake
uid on your vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately. SeeWashing Your Vehicle
on page 442.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel 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 may come and go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving, except when you
are pushing on the brake pedal rmly.
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{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon the brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause
a brake squeal when the brakes are rst applied or
lightly applied. This does not mean something is
wrong with your 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 GM torque
specications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer 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 of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without
the vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work
well together if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. Your vehicle was designed and tested
with top-quality GM brake parts. When you replace
parts of your braking system — for example, when
your brake linings wear down and you need new
ones put in — be sure you get new approved
GM replacement parts. If you do not, your brakes
may no longer work properly. For example, if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for
your vehicle, the balance between your front
and rear brakes can change — for the worse.
The braking performance you have come to expect
can change in many other ways if someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake parts.
383

(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 from A to Z.Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire
pressing outward on each square inch of the
tire. Air pressure is expressed in pounds
per square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined
weight of optional accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are, automatic transmission/
transaxle, power steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height
to its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is
located between the plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies
are laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees
to the centerline of the tread.
406

Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses
radio and sensor technology to check tire pressure
levels. TPMS sensors are mounted onto each
tire and wheel assembly, except for the spare tire.
The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in
your vehicle’s tires and transmit tire pressure
readings to a receiver located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition is detected,
the TPMS illuminates the low tire pressure
warning light, located in the instrument panel
cluster. If your vehicle has the uplevel Driver
Information Center (DIC), a warning message to
check the pressure in a specic tire displays at
the same time the low tire pressure warning light
comes on. The low tire pressure warning light
and the DIC warning message CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE come on at each ignition cycle
until the tires are inated to the correct
ination pressure. Vehicles that have the
uplevel DIC buttons can also check tire
pressure levels by pressing the gages button.For additional information and details about the
DIC operation and displays seeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 200andDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 208.
During cooler weather conditions, the low tire
pressure warning light and the DIC warning
message, if your vehicle has this feature, may
come on when the vehicle is rst started, and then
turn off as you start to drive. This could be an
early indicator that the air pressure in the tire(s)
are getting low and need to be inated to the
proper pressure.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should
be checked monthly when cold and inated
to the ination pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire
ination pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires
of a different size than the size indicated on
the vehicle placard or tire ination pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire ination
pressure for those tires.)
411

When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the
system may not be able to detect or signal low
tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may
occur for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the TPMS
malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow
the TPMS to continue to function properly.
A tire and Loading Information label, attached to
your vehicle, shows the size of your vehicle’s
original equipment tires and the correct ination
pressure for your vehicle’s tires when they
are cold. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 319,
for an example of the Tire and Loading
Information label and its location on your vehicle.
Also seeInation - Tire Pressure on page 409.
Your vehicle’s TPMS system can warn you
about a low tire pressure condition but it does
not replace normal tire maintenance. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on page 416and
Tires on page 402.Notice:Do not use a tire sealant if your
vehicle has Tire Pressure Monitors. The liquid
sealant can damage the tire pressure monitor
sensors.
The TPMS will not function properly if one or more
of the TPMS sensors are missing or inoperable.
When the system detects a missing or inoperable
sensor, an error message SERVICE TIRE
MONITOR SYSTEM appears on the DIC display,
if your vehicle has this feature. If you have
replaced a tire/wheel assembly without transferring
the TPMS sensors, the error message displays.
Once you re-install the TPMS sensors, the
error message should go off. See your dealer for
service if all TPMS sensors are installed and
the error message comes on and stays on.
413