towing BUICK SKYLARK 1993 User Guide

Towing Your Buick
Try to have a GM dealer or a professional towing
service tow your Buick
. The usual towing equipment is
a sling-type
(A) or a wheel-lift (B) or car carrier (C) tow
truck. Before you do anything, turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
When you call, tell the towing service: That your vehicle has front-wheel drive.
0 The make, model, and year of your vehicle.
0 Whether you can still move the shift lever.:,.
0 If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains detailed towing instructions and illustrations. The operator may wan.t to
see them.
If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it
was factory-new by adding aftermarket items like fog
lamps, aero skirting,
or special tires and wheels, these
instructions and illustrations may not be correct.
193

P-
When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition key
off. The steering wheel should be clamped in a
straight-ahead position, with a clamping device designed
for towing service.
Do not use the vehicle’s steering
column lock for this. The transaxle should be in Neutral
and the parking brake released.
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the front wheels,
unless you must.
If the vehicle must be towed on the
front wheels, don’t go more than
35 mph (57 kmh) or
farther than
50 miles (80 km) or your transaxle will be
damaged. If these limits must be exceeded, then the
front wheels have to be supported on a dolly.
CAUTION:
I A vehicle 1 fall from a car cal t It isn’t
properly secured. This can cause a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before
it is transported.
on’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by
sh; 1
I
I edges underneath the towed vehicle.

1 Front Towing
i
Use a wheel lif? or a car carrier only. Additional ramping
may
be required for the car carrier equipment. Use
safety chains and wheel straps.
195

Rear Towing
Use a wheel lift or a car carrier only. Additional ramping
may be required for the car carrier equipment. Use
safety chains and wheel straps.
NOTICE:
o not tow with Ui
ascia/fog lamp damage will occur.
196

Rocking your vehicle to get it out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
and forth between “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. 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 “Towing Your Car”
in the Index.

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
0
schedule to follow: 0
Schedule I
Is any one of these true for your vehicle?
0 Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
Most trips are less than 10 miles (16 km) when
outside temperatures are below freezing.
0 The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in
door-to-door delivery,
or in stop-and-go traffic).
You operate your vehicle in dusty areas.
You tow a trailer. (With some models, you shouldn’t
ever tow a trailer. See “Towing a Trailer” in the
Index.
)
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.
269

I
b Scheduled Maintenance Services Schedule I -
Follow Schedule I if your car is MAINLY driven under one or more of the following conditions:
0 When most trips are less than 4 miles (6 kilometers).
0 When most trips are less. than 10 miles (16 kilometers) and outside temperatures remain below freezing.
0 When most trips indude extended idling and/or frequent low-speed operation as in stop-a\
nd-go traffic.
0 Towing a trailer."?
0 When operating in dusty areas.
Schedule I should also be followed if the car is used for delivery service, police, taxi or other commercial app\
lications.
TO BE SERVICED
(See Explanation of
Scheduled Maintenance Miles (kilometers) or
Services Following Months, Whichever
WHEN
TO PERFORM
Schedules I and 10
Item No. I
Occurs First
1. hgine
Oil & Filter Change months I
Every 3000 mi. (5000 km) or
2. Chassis Lubrication I Every other oil change
3. Throttle Body Mounting At 6 000 mi. (10 000 km)
Bolt Torque*
At
6 000'mi. (10 000 km) and
km) or as necessary
4. Tire & Inspection & then every 15 000 mi. (25 000
Rotation
5. Engine Accessory Drive
Belt(s) Inspection* Every
30 000 mi. (50 000 km) or 24 months.
MILES (000)
3 16 19 112115118121124127130(33136139142145148
5 10
a.
..
0
0
KILOMETERS (000)
65 70 75 80
a...
0 a
270

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.
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.
When doing frequent trailer towing. (With some
models, you shouldn’t ever tow a trailer. See
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index.)
Uses such as found in taxi, police car or delivery
service. If you
do’ not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change both the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles (160 000 km).
8. Spark Plug Replacement* -- Replace spark plugs
with the proper type. See “Specifications Chart” in
the Index.
9. Spark Plug Wire Inspection (3.3L Code N engine
only)*?
-- Inspect for burns, cracks or other
damage. Check the boot fit at the coils 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) 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.
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 performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance be recorded in “Section EMaintenance Record”.

Power Antenna
..................................... 134
Door Locks
................................... 65
Seat Controls
................................... 16
Steering
..................................... 154
Windows
..................................... 87
Pregnancy. Use
of Safety Belts During ................ 35
Pressure. Tire
................................... 242
Problems on the Road
............................ 185
Publications. Service
............................. 288
Publications Order Form .......................... 291
Push-Starting Your Car
........................... 188
Steering
Fluid
................................ 234
Proper Safety Belt Usage for Adults
.................. 28
Racing. Shifting When Your Engine is
............... 78
Radiator Overheating
............................. 197
Radio. Adding a Two-way
......................... 123
Radio Systems
.................................. 122
Rain. Driving in
................................. 161
Reaction Time
in Braking ......................... 149
Reading Lights
.................................. 10 1
RearBrakes .................................... 153
Rear Door Security Lock
........................... 69
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides
.................... 40
Rear Seatbacks. Folding
............................ 20
Rear Window Defogger ........................... 121 Reclining Front Seatbacks
.......................... 16
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
................. 281
Recovery. Off-Road
.............................. 156
Recreational Vehicle Towing
....................... 179
Remote Fuel Door Release
.......................... 219
Remote Keyless Entry System
....................... 67
Remote Trunk Release
............................. 66
Remote Trunk Release Lockout
...................... 66
Replaceable Light Bulbs
.......................... 262
Replacing Brake System Parts
...................... 237
Replacing Safety Belts
............................. 60
Replacing Tires
................................. 244
Replacing Wheels
............................... 247
Restarting Your Car When It’s Moving
................ 78
Restraint. Child
.................................. 46
Restraint Systems. Checking Your
.................... 59
Restraints. Head .................................. 18
Reverse Gear Position
............................. 78
Ride Control System. Adjustable
..................... 86
“Riding” the Brakes
.............................. 149
Roads. Hill and Mountain
......................... 170
Rocking Your Vehicle
............................ 213
Rotation. Tire
................................... 243
Run (Ignition Key Position)
......................... 73
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
............ 85
Reporting Safety Defects
.......................... 287
Roadsigns
..................................... 138
Running Lights. Daytime
.......................... 100

Starting Your Car if the Battery is “Dead” .............. 188
Steam From Hot (Overheated) Engine ................ 197
Steering ........................................ 154
Steering in Emergencies ........................... 155
Steering Wheel, Tilt ............................... 88
Steering Without Power Assist ..................... 154
Stereo Sound Systems ............................ 122
Storage Console ................................. 106
Storing Your Vehicle ............................. 237
Stuck. If Your Ignition Key is ....................... 73
Stuck. IfYour Car Is ............................. 213
Subscribing to Buick Product Service Publications ...... 288
Surge Tank Pressure Cap .......................... 233
Symbols on Your Car .............................. 12
Table of Contents ................................. 9
Tachometer ..................................... 1 17
Tamper-Resistant Odometer ........................ 108
Tape Player Care ................................ 133
Temperature. Engine Coolant Warning Light .......... 112
Theft ............................................ 70
Thermostat ..................................... 233
Third Gear ...................................... 78
Tilt Steering Wheel ............................... 88
Time. Setting the ......................... 125.127. 129
Tire Balance .................................... 246
Tire Chains ..................................... 248
Tire. Flat ....................................... 204
Tire Inflation ................................... 242
Tire Inspection and Rotation ....................... 243
Tire Quality Grading ............................. 245
Tires .......................................... 241
Tires. When to Replace ........................... 244
Tires. White Sidewall Cleaning ..................... 254
Torn Safety Belts ................................. 60
Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle) ................. 174
Towing Your Buick .............................. 193
Towing a Trailer ................................. 179
Trademarks. GM ................................ 216
Traffic Lights ................................... 143
Traffic Officer .................................. 144
Trailer Brakes ................................... 182
Trailer Towing .................................. 179
Transaxle/Transmission. Automatic ................... 77
Transaxle Fluid .................................. 227
Trip Odometer .................................. 108
Trunk Release. Remote ............................ 66
Turn Signal and Headlight Beam Lever ................ 88
Turn Signal “On” Chime ............................ 90
Twisted Safety Belts .. I ............................ 35
Two Children Wearing the Same Safety Belt ............ 58
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator ............... 89