trailer BUICK LESABRE 1993 User Guide

e e Will you have to make any holes in the body of your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you
do,
then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove
the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide
(CO) from your exhaust can get into your
vehicle (see “Carbon Monoxide” in the Index). Dirt
and water can, too.
The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for
hitches.
Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to them. adequate.
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly. Because you have anti-lock
brakes, do not try to tap into your vehicle’s brake
system.
If you do, both brake systems won’t work well,
or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll 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
so
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer.
Cross the safety chains under the
tongue
of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to
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. Always leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety
chains to drag
on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes
-- and they must be
192
~-
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform,
safety chains, electrical connector, lights, 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 lights 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’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll 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.
Making nrns
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this
so your trailer won’t 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 a
different turn signal flasher and extra wiring. The green
arrows
on your instrument panel will flash whenever
you signal a turn
or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lights will also flash, telling other drivers
you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash 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’s
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 don’t shift
down,
you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down to “D” (Drive) and
reduce your speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to
reduce the possibility of engine and transaxle
overheating.
193

Parking on Hills
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, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into “P7’
(Park) yet.
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 then shift to
“P” (Park).
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:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
0 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.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, belts, cooling system, and brake adjustment.
Each of these is covered
in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s
a good idea to review these sections before you
start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are
tight.
194

Engine Overheating
You will find the warning light about a hot engine on
your Buick instrument panel,
If you have the optional gage cluster, you may also have
a coolant temperature warning gage.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine:
CAUTION:
eam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open
the hood. Stay away
from
the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from
it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
From the vehicle until
it cools down. Wait until
there
is no sign of steam or coolant before
opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine
if it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool. badly
damaged. The costly
covered by your warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine:
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too
hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to “N” (Neutral).
208

SAE low-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE low-30 is best
for your vehicle. However, you can use SAE 5W-30
if
it’s going to be colder than 60 F ( 16 C) before
your next oil change. When it’s very cold, below
0 F (- 1 8 C), you should use SAE 5W-30.
These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or
thickness,
Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE
1OW-40 or SAE 20W-50.
Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the container will help
you
save fuel.
This doughnut-shaped logo (symbol) is used on most oil
containers to help
you select the correct oil.
You should look for this on the oil container, and use
only those oils that display the logo.
GM Goodwrench@
oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil)
meets all the requirements for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives: Don’t add anything to your oil.
Your Buick dealer is ready to advise if you think
something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil: See if any one of these
is true for you:
Then go
to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release. Lift the hood.
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
0 It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less
than
10 miles ( 16 km).
0 The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in
0 You tow a trailer often.
0 Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one of these is true for your vehicle, then you
need to change your oil and filter every 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever comes first.
(See “Change Oil Soon” in the Index.)
If none of them is true, change the oil every
7,500 miles
(12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever comes first.
Change the filter at the first oil change and at every
other oil change after that. (See “Change Oil Soon”
in the Index.)
Engine Block Heater: An engine block heater can be a
big help if you have to park outside in very cold
weather,
0 F (- 18 C) or colder. If your vehicle has this
option,
see “Engine Block Heater” in the Index.
door-to-door delivery, or
in stop-and-go traffic).
239

Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if
you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90 " F (32 " C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is
180 F to 200 " F (82 " C
to 93 "C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50 " F
(10' C). If it's colder than 50 " F (1 0 ' C), you may have
to drive longer.
To check the fluid level:
Park your vehicle on a level place.
Place the shift lever in 7'" (Park) with the parking
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
brake
applied.
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range.
Then, position the shift
lever in "P" (Park).
Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes. Then, without
shutting off the engine, follow these
steps:
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
242

Selecting the Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here’s how to decide which
schedule to follow:
Schedule I
Is any one of these true for your vehicle?
0 Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
0 Most trips are less than 10 miles ( 16 km) when
outside temperatures are below freezing.
The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in
door-to-door delivery, or in stop-and-go traffic).
0 You operate your vehicle in dusty areas.
0 You tow a trailer. If any
one
(or more) of these is true for your driving,
follow Schedule I.
Schedule I1
Follow Schedule I1 only if none of the above conditions
is true.
281
~ __.- ..

Scheduled Maintenance Services Schedule I
Follow Schedule I if your car is MAINLY driven under one .or more of the following conditions:
When most trips are less than 4 miles (6 kilometers).
When most trips are less than 10 miles (16 kilometers) and outside temperatures remain below freezing.
When most trips include extended idling and/or frequent low-speed operation as in stop-and-go traffic.
Towing a trailer.*?
When operating in dusty areas.
Schedule I should also be followed if the car is used for delivery service, police, taxi or other commercial applications.
I I MILES (000) ~ ~ ~~
TO BE SERVICED
Miles (kilometers) or
Scheduled Mzintenance
48 45 42 39
36
33 30 27
24 21 18 15 12 9 6 3 WHEN TO PERFORM (See Explanation of
~ ~~ ~~
Services Following
Schedules I and
11)
Months, Whichever
Occurs First
Item No.
1. Engine Oil & Oil Filter Every 3 000 mi. (5000 km)
Change* or
3 months.
2. Chassis Lubrication Every
other oil change
3. Throttle Body Mounting At 6 000 mi. (10 000 km)
~~
Bolt Torque*
only
4* Tire & Inspection & then every 15 000 mi. (25 000 At 6 000 mi. ( 10 000 km) and
km)
or as necessary
Rotation
5. Engine
Accessory Drive
Every 30 000 mi.
Belt(s) Inspection* (50 000 km) or 24 months.
5 10
e.
e
e
e
20 25
e.
e
KILOMETERS (000)
30 35
me
e
e
40 45
em
e
50 55
me
e
e
282

Inspect hoses and replace if they are cracked,
swollen or deteriorated. Tighten screw-type hose
clamps. Clean the outside
of the radiator and air
conditioning condenser. Wash the pressure cap and
neck.
8.
To help ensure proper operation, we recommend a
pressure test of both the cooling system and the
pressure cap.
7. Transaxle Service -- Change both the fluid and
filter every
15,000 miles (25 000 km) if the vehicle
is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 F (32 C) or
higher.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
0 Uses such as found in taxi, police car or delivery
service.
9.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change both the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles
(140 000 km).
Spark Plug Replacement* -- Replace spark plugs
with the proper type. See "Specifications Chart" in
the Index.
Spark Plug Wire Inspection*? -- Inspect for
burns, cracks or other damage. Check the boot fit at
the distributor and at the spark plugs. Replace wires
as needed.
10. Air Cleaner Filter Replacement* -- Replace every
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or more often under dusty
conditions. Ask your dealer for the proper
replacement intervals for your driving conditions.
11. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection"? -- Inspect
fuel tank, cap and lines (including fuel rails and
injection assembly,
if equipped) for damage or leaks.
Inspect fuel cap gasket for an even filler neck
imprint or any damage. Replace parts as needed.
Periodic replacement
of the fuel filter is not required.
* An Emission Control Service.
-t The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the completion of vehicle
useful life. General Motors, however, urges that all recommended maintenance services be perlormed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance be recorded in "Section E:Maintenance Record".
287

Brake Adjustment
................................... 163
Fluid 248 .......................................
Lining Replacement. How to Drive After .......... 249
Master Cylinder
.............................. 248
Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock
................... 73. 80
Brake System. Antilock Warning Light ............... 108
Brake System Warning Light
....................... 107
Brake Wear Indicators. Disc
....................... 162
Brakes. Antilock
................................ 160
Braking Emergencies
............................. 163
Braking if Your Engine Stops
...................... 160
Break-In. New Vehicle
............................. 68
Break-In Schedule. When Towing a Trailer
............ 189
Bulb Replacement. Headlamp
...................... 250
Bulb Replacement Taillamp
........................ 252
Bulbs. Halogen
.................................. 250
Bulbs.
Turn Signal ................................ 85
Parking ...................................... 76
PedalTravel
................................. 163
Brakes,Rear
.................................... 163
Braking 158 ........................................
Bulbchart ..................................... 274
Camper. Towing a
.............................. 189
...................................... Capacities 275
Cap. Radiator Pressure 245
Care,Appearance
................................ 262
I ............................ Carbon Monoxide in Exhaust ....................... 81
Cassette Tape Player Care
......................... 141
Cautions, Safety
.................................. 10
CB Radio, Adding a
.............................. 128
I
Cellular Telephone. Adding a ...................... 128
“Change Oil Soon” Light
.......................... 114
Change Oil. When to
............................. *239
Changing a Flat Tire
.............................. 216
Charge.Battery.. Warning Light
..................... 115 .
“Check Oil Level” Light .......................... 113
Engine Coolant
............................... 243
Engine Oil Level
.............................. 236
Power Steering Fluid
.......................... 246
Safety Belt Systems
............................ 55
Transaxle Fluid ............................... 241
Windshield Washer Fluid
.......................... 247
Chemical Paint Spotting
........................... 367
Children and Safety Belts
.......................... 41
Cleaner. Air
............... .................... 240
Aluminum Wheels
............................ 266
Inside Your Car
................................ 262
Outside Your Car
............................. 265
Top of the Instrument Panel ..................... 264
Underbody
of Your Car ........................ 267
Vinyl
or Leather .............................. 264
..................................... Chains. Tie 261
Checking BrakeFluid
.................................. 248
UndertheHood
................................. 234
.................................. Child Restraints 43
Cigarette Lighter
................................ 103
CircuitBreakers
................................. 270
City Driving 175
Cleaning ....................................
Fabric ...................................... 263
Glass
...................................... 265
PowerAntenna
............................... 142
Safety Belts 265 ..................................