steering BUICK ROADMASTER 1993 User Guide

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.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform,
safety chains, electrical connector, lights, tires and
mirror adjustment.
If the trailer has electric biakes, start
your yehicle 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 turris.
.
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 mo.ve the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide
you.
Making Turns
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,
199

How To Check Power Steering Fluid: , ’ .
’ Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then remove
the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
When the engine compartment is hot, the level %-‘- L
should be at the “HOT” mark. *. s
When the engine Compartment is cool, the level
should be at the “FULL
COLD’; mark.
What to Add:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of fluid to use. See (‘Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
k‘ T, ’ . I

.. .
INSPECTION
OR SERVICE 1 WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
Steering and
Suspension
Inspection Inipect
the front and re? suspension
and steering. system for, damaged,
loose
or missing parts,.signs of wear,
or lack
of lubrication. Inspect the
power steering lines and. hoses for
proper hookup, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
.
Exhaust System
Inspection
~~
' Inspect, the complete exhaust
. system. Inspect the body near the
exhaust system.
Look for broken,
damaged, miming
or out-of-position
parts
as' well as open seams, holes,
loose connections,
or other
conditions which could cause a heat
build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See "Engine Exhaust" in the Iridex.
~~~
Throttle Inspect the throttle linkage. for
Linkage interference or binding, and for
1nspectio.n damaged or missing parts.. Replace
parts as needed.
~~~~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Section D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part
number or specification may be obtained from your
GM dealer.:
USAGE
Engine .Oil
Engine Coolant
.-.
. , ’.,
FLUID/LUBRICANT
GM Goodwrench Motor Oil or
equivalent for
API service SG
Energy Conserving I1 oils of the
proper viscosity. The
“SG”
designation may be shown alone or
in combination with others, such as
“SF,SG,CC,” etc,
To determine the
preferred viscosity for your vehicle’s engine, see “Engine Oil” in the
Index.
~‘SGfCC,” ‘%G/CD,” or
50/50 mixture of water (preferably
distilled) and goad quality ethylene
glycol base antifreeze (GM
Part No.
1052753 or equivalent) conforming
to GM Specification 1825M or
.approved recycled coolant conforming to
GM specification
1825M.
USAGE
Hydraulic Brake
System
I. ..
Power Steering
System
Automatic
Transmission
Key Lock
Cylinders
Automatic
Transmission
Shift Linkage
FLUIDILUBRICANT. .
Delco Supreme ll@ Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 1052535) or
equivalent DOT3 brake fluid.
Chassis lubricant. meeting
requirements
of NLGI Grade 2,
Category LB or GC-LB (GM Part
No. ,1052497 or equivalent).
GM Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. 1052884) or
equivalent. ,*
DEXRON~ IIE Automatic
Transmission Fluid
(CM Part No.
-12345881).
Lubricate with Multi-Purpose Lubricant
(GM Part No. 12345120),
synthetic SAE 5W-30 engine oil or
silicone lubricant (GM Part No.
1052276 or 1052277).
Chassis lubricant . meeting
requirements
of NLGI Grade 2,
Category LB or GC-LB (GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent).
314

Acc (Ignition Key Position) ........................ 74
Adding Brake Fluid
.................................. 262
Coolant
.............................. 2 19.222. 257
Electrical Equipment
.......................... 287
Engineoil
................................... 249
Power Steering Fluid
.......................... 260
Transmission Fluid ............................ 254
Windshield Washer Fluid
....................... 261
Additives, Engine Oil
............................. 251
Adjustment, Brake
............................... 169
Adult Safety Belt Usage
............................ 27
AirBag
.......................................... 35
Aircleaner
...................................... 253
Air Conditioner
............................. 127, 132
Air Outlets
..................................... 126
Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of
.............. 160
Alcohol in Gasoline ..................... ........ 243
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning
....................... 284
AM Radio Reception
............................. 134
AM Stereo Radio Reception
....................... 135
Antenna Care
................................... 149
Antifreeze
...................................... 257
Antilock Brakes
.................................. 166
Antilock Brake System Warning Light
........... 121, 166
...
Part 9 Index
Anti-Theft Tips ................................... 72
Anti-Theft Feature. Delco
LOC I1 ..................... 147
Appearance Care
................................ 249
Appearance Care and Materials
..................... 286
Armrest. Storage
................................ 112
Ashtrays ........................................ 110
Assist Handles
.............................. 102. 113
Audio Systems
.................................. 134
Automatic Air Conditioning System
................. 129
Automatic Door Locks
............................. 64
Automatic Overdrive
.............................. 79
Automatic Pull-Down Feature
....................... 65
Automatic Transmission
........................... 78
Automatic Transmission Fluid
...................... 254
Automatic Transmission Torque Lock
................ 190
Axle. Rear
..................................... 256
Baby. Holding a
................................. 46
Battery
........................................ 264
Battery Cables. Starting With
....................... 206
Battery Warning Light ............................ 118
Blizzard. If You’re Caught In A
..................... 193
BloodAlcoholLevel
............................. 162
“Blowout”. Tire
................................. 224

Starting Your Car if the Battery is"Dead" ....... : ..... 206
Steam From Hot (Overheated) Engine
................ 216
Steering
....................................... 169
Steering Tips
................................... 169
Steering Wheel. Tilt
............................... 88
Steering Without Power Assist
..................... 169
Steireo Sound Systems
............................ 134
Storage Armrest
................................. 11 1
Storage Compartment. Wagon
....................... 68
StorageTray
.................................... 112
Storing Your Car
................................ 264
Stuck. If Your Car is
.............................. 239
Steering in Emergencies
... : ....................... 170
Stuck. If Your Ignition Key is
....................... 75
Subscribing to hick Service Publications
............ 323
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System
(SIR) ......... 35
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System Light
......... 36
Symbols on Road Signs
........................... ' 156
Symbols on Your Car
.............................. 12
Table of Contents
.................................. 9
Tachometer
..................................... 119
Tamper-Resistant Odometer
........................ 114
Tailgate Operation
.............................. : . 66
Tailgate Release
.................................. 66
Taillamp
.Bulb Replacement ........................ 267
TapePlayerCare
................................ 148
Temperature, Engine Coolant Warning Light
.......... 122
Theft
........................................... 7 2
Thermostat
..................................... 259
Third Gear, When
to Use ............................. 80
Third Seatback Operation .......................... 19
Tilt Steering Wheel
................................ 88
Time. Setting the ..................... 137.139.142. 145
Tire Balance
.................................... 277
Tire Chains
..................................... 278
Tire. Flat
....................................... 224
Tire Inflation
.................................... 272
Tire Inspection and Rotation
.................. i .... 273
Tire Quality Grading
............................. 275
Tires
.......................................... 271 .
Tires and Winter Driving .......................... 191 I
Tires. When to Replace ............................ 274
Tires. White Sidewall. Cleaning
.................... '284
Topstrap
........................................ 48
Torn Safety Belts ........................ 1 ........ 59
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
.............. 190
Towing a Trailer
................................. 1.95
Towing Your'Car
................................ 212
Trademarks. GM .................................. 2
Traffic Lights
................................... 157
Traffic Officer
.................................. 159 ~
Trailer Brakes ................................... 198
Trailer Tbwing
.................................... 195
Tailgate Remote Release
........................... 65
Transmission. Automatic
........................... 78
Transmission Fhid
...... , ......................... 254
Trip Odometer
.................................. 114
Turn Signal and Headlight Beam Lever ........ i ....... 88
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator ............... 89
Turn Signal Reminder ............................. 90
Trunk Pull-Down Feature
...................... 1 .... 65
Trunk Release
................................... 65
Twilight Sentinel
................................. 99
'lhisted Safety Belts
............................... 34
Two Children Wearing the Same Safety Belt
............ 56
I
I
..
335