towing BUICK TERRAZA 2005 Owner's Guide

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have
extra wiring.
The arrows on your instrument panel will ash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also ash, telling other drivers
you are about to turn, change lanes, or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash 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
is 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 do not shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
If you are towing a trailer that weighs more than
1,000 lbs (450 kg), you may prefer to drive in THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or, as you
need to, a lower gear. This will minimize heat build-up
and extend the life of your transaxle.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
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, do the
following:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P).
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 shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
4-46

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you do the following:
Start your engine.
Shift into a gear.
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
are pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for
more on this. Things that are especially important in
trailer operation are automatic transaxle uid, engine
oil, belts, cooling system, and brake system. Each
of these is covered in this manual, and the Index will
help you nd them quickly. If you are trailering, it
is a good idea to review these sections before you
start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle has a trailer wiring harness located at the
rear of your vehicle. To use the trailer wiring harness,
you need a converter kit. Contact your dealer for more
information.
4-47

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transaxle uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the uid and lter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change the uid and lter at
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for more
information.
How to Check Automatic Transaxle
Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage the
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the uid
could come out and fall on hot engine or exhaust
system parts, starting a re. Too little uid could
cause the transaxle to overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check the transaxle uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
5-19

Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
If an overheated engine condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternates ring groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a signicant loss in power and engine
performance. The temperature gage will indicate
an overheat condition exists. Driving extended miles
(km) and/or towing a trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil
and reset the oil life system. SeeEngine Oil
on page 5-13.
Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Radiator Pressure Cap
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
C. Coolant Recovery Tank
5-26

(g)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, ush and rell cooling system. See Engine
Coolant on page 5-21 for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and ller neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)Check system for interference or binding and
for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as needed.
Replace any components that have high effort or
excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator or cruise
control cables.
(k)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench
®dealer can assist
you with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-11.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for further
details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
6-8

Radios (cont.)
Rear Seat Audio........................................3-110
Setting the Time..........................................3-77
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-112
Understanding Reception............................3-113
Rear Climate Control System............................3-29
Rear Reading Lamps......................................3-19
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-31
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)..................................3-110
Rear Seat Entertainment System.......................3-96
Rear Seat Operation......................................... 1-7
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-29
Rearview Mirror with Compass and
Temperature...............................................3-34
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-41
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-5
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-11
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-37
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-5
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-67
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-64
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-46
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-10
General Motors...........................................7-11
United States Government............................7-10Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-67
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-68
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-31
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-29
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-5
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-32
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-40
S
Safety Belt
Pretensioners..............................................1-34
Reminder Light............................................3-33
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-80
Driver Position............................................1-21
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-21
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-20
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for
Children and Small Adults.........................1-31
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-29
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-29
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-34
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-28
10

Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-37
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-39
Your Vehicle...............................................4-37
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-9
Control System Warning Light.......................3-39
StabiliTrak
®System.....................................4-10
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-19
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-33
Trip Odometer................................................3-33
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)...............3-20
Understanding Radio Reception.......................3-113
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-57
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-6
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-32
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders.................................................... 7-9
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-85
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-86
Vehicle Personalization
DIC ...........................................................3-68
Memory Seat..............................................2-54
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-28
Visors...........................................................2-26
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