weight BUICK LESABRE 2003 User Guide

Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs (450 kg). But
even that can be too heavy.
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull
a trailer are all important. And, it can also depend
on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information
or advice, or you can write us at:
Buick Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33136
Detroit, MI 48232-5136
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight
to measure because it affects the total or gross weight
of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you
may carry in it, and the people who will be riding in
the vehicle. And if you tow a trailer, you must add the
tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle will
be carrying that weight, too. See
Loading Your Vehicle
on page 4-33for more information about your
vehicle's maximum load capacity.
4-37

If you're using a weight-carrying hitch or a
weight-distributing hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should
weigh 10 to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer
weight (B).
After you've loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren't, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires
Be sure your vehicle's tires are in¯ated to the upper limit
for cold tires. You'll ®nd these numbers on the
Tire-Loading Information label located at the rear edge
of the driver's door or see
Loading Your Vehicle on
page 4-33. Then be sure you don't go over the GVW
limit for your vehicle, including the weight of the
trailer tongue.
Hitches
It's important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are
a few reasons why you'll need the right hitch. Here
are some rules to follow:
·The rear bumper on your 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 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
Engine Exhaust on page 2-31. Dirt and water
can also enter the vehicle.
4-38

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 and do not attach them to the bumper.
Always leave just enough slack so you can turn
with your rig. And, never allow safety chains to drag on
the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes? 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.
Trailer Wiring Harness
All of the electrical circuits required for your trailer
lighting system can be accessed at the driver's side rear
lamp connector. This connector is located under the
carpet on the rear corner of the trunk compartment.
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 as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(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.
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T
Tachometer....................................................3-35
Taillamps.......................................................5-55
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-55
Turn Signal, and Stoplamps..........................5-53
TCS Warning Light..........................................3-39
Testing the Alarm............................................2-19
Theater Dimming............................................3-18
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-77
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-18
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-18
PASS-Key
žIII Operation..............................2-20
PASS-KeyžIII .............................................2-19
Throttle System Inspection...............................6-22
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-7
Tire In¯ation Check.........................................6-17
Tires.............................................................5-58
Buying New Tires........................................5-62
Chains.......................................................5-66
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-67
Check Tire Pressure System.........................5-59
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-76
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-66
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure...............................5-58
Inspection and Rotation................................5-60
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-63Tires (cont.)
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-64
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-65
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-62
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-24
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-38
Top Strap......................................................1-37
Torque Lock...................................................2-30
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires..................4-38
Towing..........................................................4-32
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-32
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-35
Your Vehicle...............................................4-31
Traction........................................................... 4-9
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-9
Control System Warning Light.......................3-39
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-39
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-39
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-25
Transaxle.......................................................5-21
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-21
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-10
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Trip Odometer................................................3-35
Trunk Lock Release........................................2-14
Trunk Security Override...................................2-15
14

Trunk-Mounted CD Changer.............................3-73
Trunk............................................................2-14
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-40
Twilight Sentinel
ž............................................3-16
U
Underbody Flushing Service.............................6-20
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-78
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-63
United States ± Customer Assistance.................. 7-4
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-66
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-78
Using HomeLink
ž...........................................2-41
Using RDS....................................................3-58
V
Vehicle Identi®cation........................................5-85
Number (VIN).............................................5-85
Service Parts Identi®cation Label...................5-85
Vehicle Personalization....................................3-50
DIC ...........................................................3-50
Memory Seat and Mirrors.............................2-44
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-41
Vehicle............................................................ 4-5
Control........................................................ 4-5Vehicle (cont.)
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-33
Service Soon Light......................................3-44
Symbols......................................................... iv
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-30
Visors...........................................................2-17
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-32
Warnings.......................................................3-49
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-49
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-6
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-6
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-80
Weatherstrip Lubrication...................................6-18
Weight of the Trailer Tongue.............................4-37
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-37
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-14
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-17
What to Use..........................................5-24, 5-36
Wheels..........................................................5-64
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-64
Replacement...............................................5-65
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-14
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