traction control BUICK PARK AVENUE 1999 User Guide

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4-27 Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and
the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You'll
have a lot less traction or ªgripº and will need to be
very careful.
What's the worst time for this? ªWet ice.º Very cold
snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet
ice can be even more trouble because it may offer the
least traction of all. You can get wet ice when it's about
freezing (32
F; 0
C) and freezing rain begins to fall.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews
can get there.
Whatever the condition
-- smooth ice, packed, blowing
or loose snow
-- drive with caution.
If you have traction control, keep the system on. It will
improve your ability to accelerate when driving on a
slippery road. Even though your vehicle has a traction
control system, you'll want to slow down and adjust
your driving to the road conditions. See ªTraction
Control Systemº in the Index.
If you don't have the traction control system, accelerate
gently. Try not to break the fragile traction. If you
accelerate too fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish
the surface under the tires even more.
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5-28
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you don't want to spin
your wheels too fast. The method known as ªrockingº
can help you get out when you're stuck, but you must
use caution.
CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you're
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don't
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see ªTire Chainsº in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If your vehicle
has traction control, you should turn the system off. (See
ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index.) Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly
spinning your wheels in the forward and reverse
directions, you will cause a rocking motion that may free
your vehicle. If that doesn't get you out after a few tries,
you may need to be towed out. If you do need to be
towed out, see ªTowing Your Vehicleº in the Index.
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6-52
CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias
-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.
It's all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It was developed for use on your vehicle.
CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel could
fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only radial
-ply
tires with the wheels on your vehicle.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does
not apply to deep tread, winter
-type snow tires,
space
-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited
-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
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6-53
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a
half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a
tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
-- AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight
-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.Temperature
-- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance
on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
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9-6
Illuminated Entry 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflation, Tire Pressure 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside Manual Day/Night Rearview Mirror 2-49 . . . . . . . . . . .
Inspections 7-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake System 7-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Cooling System 7-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust System 7-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Drive Axle Boot 7-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Drive Axle Seal 7-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering 7-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension 7-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Throttle Linkage 7-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument Panel 2-68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brightness Control 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning 6-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cluster 2-70, 2-71 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse Block 6-67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior Lamps 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jack, Tire 5-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jump Starting 5-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key Lock Cylinders Service 7-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key Reminder Warning 2-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Keyless Entry System, Remote
Instant Alarm 2
-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Personal Choice Features 2-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Resynchronization 2-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Security Feedback 2-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Keys 2-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Labels
Certification 4-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certification/Tire 4-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Parts Identification 6-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire-Loading Information 4-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle Identification Number 6-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lamps 2-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cornering 2-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Courtesy 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Reminder 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parade Dimming 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Perimeter Lighting 2-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theater Dimming 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leaving Your Vehicle 2-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running 2-30 . . . . . . .
Light Sensor, Twilight Sentinel
2-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lighter 2-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lights
Air Bag Readiness 1
-23, 2-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning 2-76, 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery Warning 2-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake System Warning 2-75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise 2-81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil Pressure Light 2-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Belt Reminder 1-8, 2-73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Security 2-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Engine Soon 2-78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Vehicle Soon 2-81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction Control System Warning 2-76, 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . .
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9-11
Tachometer 2-72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tape Player Care 3-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Temperature Control, Climate Control System 3-3 . . . . . . . . .
Theater Dimming 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft 2-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft-Deterrent 2-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft-Deterrent Feature 3-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THEFTLOCK
3-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermostat 6-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third Gear, Automatic Transaxle 2-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tilt Steering Wheel 2-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Time, Setting the 3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire Chains 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire Loading 4-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire-Loading Information Label 4-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires 6-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alignment and Balance 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Buying New 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a Flat 5-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning 6-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Spare 5-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflation 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflation Check 7-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inspection and Rotation 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading 4-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pressure 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Temperature 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Treadwear 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Uniform Quality Grading 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear Indicators 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Replacement 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When It's Time for New 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Top Strap 1
-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Torque Lock 2-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Torque, Wheel Nut 5-24, 6-75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing a Trailer 4-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing, Recreational Vehicle 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing Your Vehicle 5-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction
Control System 4
-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control System Warning Light 2-76, 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer
Brakes 4
-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving on Grades 4-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving with 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Cooling When Towing 4-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hitches 4-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance When Towing 4-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking on Hills 4-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Chains 4-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tongue Weight 4-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Weight on Tires 4-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing 4-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signals 4-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weight 4-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transaxle Fluid, Automatic 6-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmitters
Matching to Your Vehicle 2
-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Remote Keyless Entry 2-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transportation, Courtesy 8-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trip Odometer 2-72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trunk
Lamp 2
-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lock Release 2-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Seat Pass Through 2-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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