Buick Enclave: Washer Fluid. Brakes. Brake Fluid
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When adding windshield washer fluid, be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions before use. If the vehicle will be operating in an area where the temperature may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
When the windshield washer fluid reservoir is low, a WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID message will be displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC). See Washer Fluid Messages for more information.
Open the cap with the washer symbol on it. Add washer fluid until the tank is full. See Engine Compartment Overview for reservoir location.
Notice . When using concentrated washer fluid, follow the manufacturer's instructions for adding water.
► Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer fluid.Water can cause the solution to freeze and damage the washer fluid tank and other parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as well as washer fluid.
► Fill the washer fluid tank only three-quarters full when it is very cold. This allows for fluid expansion if freezing occurs, which could damage the tank if it is completely full. ► Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in the windshield washer. It can damage the windshield washer system and paint.Brakes
This vehicle has disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be heard all the time the vehicle is moving, except when applying the brake pedal firmly.
WARNING
The brake wear warning sound means that soon the brakes will not work well. That
could lead to a crash. When the brake wear warning sound is heard, have the vehicle
serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly applied. This does not mean something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in the proper sequence to torque specifications in Capacities and Specifications .
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign that brake service might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied, with or without the vehicle moving, the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many parts have to be of top quality and work well together if the vehicle is to have really good braking. The vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality brake parts. When parts of the braking system are replaced, be sure to get new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes might not work properly. For example, installing disc brake pads that are wrong for the vehicle, can change the balance between the front and rear brakes — for the worse.
The braking performance expected can change in many other ways if the wrong replacement brake parts are installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid as indicated on the reservoir cap.
See Engine Compartment Overview for the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the reservoir might go down:
► The brake fluid level goes down because of normal brake lining wear. When new linings are installed, the fluid level goes back up. ► A fluid leak in the brake hydraulic system can also cause a low fluid level. Have the brake hydraulic system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later the brakes will not work well.Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak. If fluid is added when the linings are worn, there will be too much fluid when new brake linings are installed. Add or remove brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
WARNING
If too much brake fluid is added, it can spill on the engine and burn, if the
engine is hot enough.
You or others could be burned, and the vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only when work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low level, the brake warning light comes on. See Brake System Warning Light .
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid from a sealed container.
See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants .
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area around the cap before removing it. This helps keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in the brake hydraulic system, the brakes might
not work well.
This could cause a crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
Notice . Using the wrong fluid can badly damage brake hydraulic system parts.
For example, just a few drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in the brake hydraulic system can damage brake hydraulic system parts so badly that they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in the wrong kind of fluid.
► If brake fluid is spilled on the vehicle's painted surfaces, the paint finish can be damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid on the vehicle. If you do, wash it off immediately.