Buick 1993 Park Avenue Owners Manual Owner's

2015-10-23

: Buick Buick-1993-Buick-Park-Avenue-Owners-Manual-812879 buick-1993-buick-park-avenue-owners-manual-812879 buick pdf

Open the PDF directly: View PDF .
Page Count: 340

Download
Open PDF In Browser	View PDF

i
I

'Id?
I

,\!la I1I

. .

The 1993 Buick Park Avenue
Owner's Manual
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 25603705 B First Edition

@CopyrightGeneral Motors Corporation 1992
All Rights Reserved

We support voluntary
technician certification.

GENERAL MOTORS, GM and the GM Emblem,
BUICK, and the BUICK Emblem are registered
trademarks of General Motors Corporation.

WE SUPPORT
VOLUNTARY TECHNKIAN
CERTIFICAT’WNTHROUGH
Nabonal lnstttute for

AUTOMOTIVE
SERVICE
EXCELLENCE

This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the
product after that time without further notice. For vehicles
first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors
of Canada Limited” for Buick Motor Division whenever it
appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your Buick, so it will be there if
you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you sell the
vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new owner can
use it.

For Canadian Owners Who Prefera
French Language Manual:
Aux propri6taires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous procurer
un exemplaire de ce guide en fraqais chez votre
concessionaire ou B DGN Marketing Services Ltd., 1500
Bonhill Rd., Mississauga, Ontario L5T lC7.

Walter Marr and Thomas Buick
Buick’s chief engineer, Walter L. Man- (left), and
Thomas D. Buick, son of founder David Dunbar Buick,
drove the first FlintBuick in a successful Flint-Detroit
round trip in July 1904.
David Buick was building gasolineengines by 1899,
and Marr, his .engineer, apparently built the first auto to
be called a Buick in 1900. However, Buick traditionally
dates itsbeginnings to 1903. That was the year the
company was reorganized, refinanced and moved from
Detroit to Flint. Buick has always been a product
innovator. Buick engineers developed the

Durant also created a racing team that won 500 racing
trophies in 1909 and1910, including successes at
Indianapolis two years before the Indy 500 began.
The success of Buick engines was visible not only on
the racetrack, but in endurance tests across the country
and around the world. Buick was the only car to
complete a 1,000-mileChicago-to-New York race in
1906. And a Buick was the f i s t car to travel across
South America, driven from Buenos Aires, Argentina,
over the Andes to Santiago, Chile in 1914.

Buick drew plenty of attention because it could climb
hills and run through mud like no other car. Buick’s
endurance and reliability were world famous.
During World War I, Buick built Liberty aircraft engines
as well as Red Cross ambulances so successful that one
Buick ambulance was awarded the Croix de Guerre by
the French government.
As a builder of premier automobiles, Buick was hard hit
by the Great Depression. However, new General
Manager Harlow H. Curtice created.popular new models
including the Special and the Roadmaster. Buick sales
soon flourished.

1911 Model 21 Touring Car

First Buick Factory
3

In World War 11, Buick built aircraft engines, tanks and
other military hardware. This post-war period brought
great styling and engineering changes which resulted in
increased sales. The torque converter automatic
transmission, Dynaflow, was introduced in the 1948
Roadmaster. Buick’s famous “portholes” came along in
1949.

A high=cornpressionV-X engine was introduced in 1953.

And Buick’s famous vertical pillar “toothy” grille
(introduced in 1942)’ became more massive in the
post-war era.

I
1953 Skylark
I949 Roadmaster

Motor Trend magazine named the 1962 Buick Special
“Car of the Year”. The first production V-6 engine was
used in the Special.

Ed Mertz, General Manager, Buick Motor
Division

Our mission is simple:

I962 Buick Special
Built inside the walls of the old buildings in Buick’s
former Flint complex, which formed the cornerstoneof
General Motors, Buick City is a state-of-the-art
assembly facility with more than 200 robots and other
high-tech equipment. It was completed in the fall
of 1985.
Buicks are, and will continue to be, premium American
motorcars with smooth power, high performance, rich
detail and comfortable accommodation.

“Buick will provide Premium American Motorcars
backed with services that exceed our customers’
expectations, throughout the purchase, ownership,
service and repurchase experience.”
Buicks are SUBSTANTIAL.
Buicks are DISTINCTIVE.
Buicks are POWERFUL.
Buicks are MATURE.

Table of Contents

................................................................

..................................................................

HowtoUsethisManual

This part tells you how to use your manual and includes safety and vehicle damage warnings & symbols.13

SeatsandSafetyBelts

This part tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly.

FeaturesandControls

..................................................................59

This part explains how to start and operate your Buick.

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

.....................................................

129

This part tells you how to adjust the ventilation & comfort controls and how to operate your sound system.

..............................................................
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how todrive under different conditions.
ProblemsontheRoad ..................................................................
This part tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or engine overheating.
Service and Appearance Care.. ..........................................................
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Buick running properly and looking good.
Maintenanceschedule ..................................................................
This part tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
Customer AssistanceInformation ........................................................
YourDrivingandtheRoad

159
209
241
293
313

This part tells you how to contact Buick for assistance and how to get service publications. It also gives
you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 315.

Index

................................................................................

Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.

321

How to Use This Manual
Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning
to end when they first receivetheir new vehicle. This
will help you learn about thefeatures and controls for
your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find that pictures
and words work together to explainthings quickly.

Safety Warnings and Symbols
You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use yellow and the word CAUTION to tell you
about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore
the warning.

I
In the yellow caution area, we tell you what the hazard
is. Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce
the hazard. Please read these cautions.If you don’t, you
or otherscould be hurt.

You will also find a red circle with a slash through it in
:his book.

This safety symbol means
“Don’t,” “Don’t do this,”
or “Don’t let this happen.”

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these bluenotices:

WTICE:

In the blue notice area, we tell you about something that
can damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage
would not be covered by your warranty, and it could be
costly. But the notice will tell you what to do to help
avoid the damage.
When you read other manuals,you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or
in different words. In this manual, we’ve used the
familiar words and colors that Buick has used for years.
You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same colors, and the words CAUTION or NOTICE.

These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:

Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you will find on your vehicle.
!

For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY

These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK

PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING

FASTEN
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS

BELTS

These symbols
have to do with
your lights:

WINDSHIELD

'''

-F-

FUSE

WINDSHIELD
WASHER

SEAT

LIGHTS

RADIO
VOLUME

'r'-1

6$
l0

ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP

WASHER

RADIATOR
COOLANT

WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER

WINDOW
DEFOGGER

POWER
WINDOW

=o 3f

OR
BEAM

,\I/,
FOG LAMPS

ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE

TRUNK
HATCHBACK
RELEASE

-iQ
-

TEMP
OIL4&
ANTILOCK
BRAKE

LIGHTER1-1

VENTILATING
FAN
HEADLAMP
WASHER
WIPER

FUEL

HIGH
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY

These symbols
are on some of
your controls:

Here are some
other symbols
you may see:

HORN

)tr

(a) b
SPEAKER

Seats and Seat Controls

Power Seat

This sectiontells you about the seats -- how to adjust
them, and also aboutmemory seats, reclining seatbacks
and head restraints.

Manual Seat

Move the lever under the front seat to unlock it. Slide
the seat to where you want it. Then release the lever and
try to move the seat with your body, to make sure the
seat is locked into place.

Front Control (F): Raise the front of the seat by
pushing on the left side of the switch. Push on the right
side of the switch to lower the frontof the seat.
Center Control (C): Move the seat forward or back by
holding the control to the front orback. Raise the seat
by holding the control to the left. Hold the control to the
right to lower the seat.
Rear Control (R):Raise the rear of the seat by holding
the switch to the left. Holding the switch to theright
lowers the rear of the seat.

Memory Seat and Mirrors (Option)
If your Buick has this option,the control looks like this:

2. Press the SET button, and then one of the two
memory buttons within 5 seconds. You will hear one
beep when you press the setbutton, and two beeps
when you press the memory button to confirm that
the mirror and seat positions are entered in memory.
Now it’s set. When your Buick is in PARK with the
ignition ON, push the memory button you just setand
the seatand mirrors will go to where you’ve just set
them. With the ignition OFF, the system will work in
any shift lever position.
To do the same thing for asecond driver, follow the
steps above but use the othermemory button.

You can use this when you want to save aseat and
mirror adjustment.
Here’s how to make it work:
1. Adjust the driver’s seat to your desired position.
Adjust both outside mirrors to suit you. See “Outside
Mirrors” in the Index.

If you hit the wrong memory setting, orif there is a third
driver, the seat adjuster will still work, so you can adjust
the seat to where you want it.
The EXIT button allows you to get out of the car more
easily. Push it while you’re in PARK with the ignition
ON, or anytime with the ignition OFF, to make the seat
go all the way down and back. Also, you will hear a
beep when the EXIT button is pushed.

Reclining Front Seatback(s)
To adjust the seatback, lift the lever on the outer side of
the seat. Release the lever tolock the seatback where
you want it. Pull up on the lever and the seat will go to
its upright position.

If you have the power
option, it works with the
switch on the sideof the
seat. Push it back to recline
the seat,push it forward to
return the seatback to the
up position.

But don't have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is
moving.

CAUTION:

Sitting in a reclined positionwhen your vehicleis
in motion canbe dangerous. Evenif you buckle
up, your safety belts can’t do their
job when
you’re reclinedlike this.

CAUTION: (Continued)

CAUTION: (Continued)
The shoulderbelt can’t do its job because it
won’t be against you*dy. Instead,
it will be in
front of you. In a crash youcould go into it,
receiving neckor other Injuries.
The lap belt can’tdo Its job either. In a crash the
belt couldgo up over your abdomen. Thebelt
forces waul’dbe there, not at your pelvic bones.
This could cause serious internal injuries.
Far proper protectiun whenthe vehicle is in
motion, have the seatback upright. Thensit well
back in the seat and wear your
safety belt
properly.

Head Restraints

I
CAUTION:
I Don’t let anyone ride where they can’t wear a

I
Slide the head restraint up or down so that the top of the
restraint is closest to the top of your ears.
This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a
crash.

safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and
you’re not wearing a safety belt,
your injuries can
be much worse. You can hit things inside the
vehicle or be ejectedfrom it. You can be
seriously injured or killed. In the same crash,you
might not be if you are buckled up. Always fasten
your safety belt,and check that your passengers’
belts are fastenedproperly too.

when you turn the key
to “Run” or “Start”
when your safety belt
isn’t buckled, and
you’ll hear a tone, too.
It’s the reminder to
buckle up.

survive and sometimes walk away. Without belts they
could be badly hurt or killed.
After 25 years of safety belts in vehicles, the facts are
clear. In most crashes buckling up does matter ... a lot!

In many states and Canadian provinces, the law says to
wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.
You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one.

A few crashesare very mild. In them, you won’t get hurt
even if you’re not buckled up. And some crashes can be
so serious, likebeing hit by a train, that even buckled up
a person wouldn’t survive. But most crashes are in
between. In many of them, people who buckle up can

Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it
goes.

When the bike hits the block, it stops. But the child
keeps going!

For example, if the bike is going 10 mph (16 km/h), so
is the child.

‘E

I
I

Take the simplest“car.” Suppose it’s just a seat on
wheels.

Put someone on it.

1
V

“1
L

h
a

- 1

it.

Get it up to speed. Then stop the “car.” The rider doesn’t
stop.

The person keeps going until stopped by something.

In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield ...

or the instrument panel ...

or the safety belts!
With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does.
You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance,
and your strongest bones take the forces.That’s why
safety belts make such good sense.

safety belts, not instead of them. Every “air bag”
system ever offered for salehas required the use of
safety belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that has “
air bags,” you still have to buckleup to get the
most protection. That’s true notonly in frontal
collisions, but especially in sideand other
collisions.

Here Are Questions ManyPeople Ask
About Safety Belts -- and the
Answers
@

Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an
accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?

You could be -- whether you’re wearing a safety
belt or not. But you can easily unbuckle a safety
belt, even if you’re upside down. And your chance
of being conscious duringand after an accident, so
you can unbuckle and get out,is much greater if
you are belted.
Why don’tthey just put in air bags so people
won’t have to wear safety belts?

“Air bags,” or Supplemental Inflatable Restraint
systems, arein some vehicles today and will be in
more of them in thefuture. But they are
supplemental systems only -- so they work with

If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from
home, why should I wear safety belts?

You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an
accident -- even one that isn’t your fault -- you and
your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver
doesn’t protect you from things beyond your
control, such as bad drivers.

Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home.
And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths
occur at speedsof less than 40 mph (65 kmh).
Safety belts are for everyone.

Safety Belt Reminder Light

How To Wear Safety Belts Properly
Adults
This section is only for people of adult size.

A
..,..*... .

When the key .is turned to “Run” or “Start,” a light
will
come on forabouteight seconds toxemindpeopleto
fasten their safety belts. Unless the driver’s Safety belt is
buckled, atone will also sound.

CAUTION:

There are special things
to know about safety
belts and children.And there are different rules
for babies and smaller children.If a child will be
riding in your Buick, see the section after this
one, called “Children.” Follow those rules for
everyor -s protection.

First, you911want to know which restraint systems your
vehicle has.
We’ll start with the driver position.

Driver Position

Lap-Shoulder Belt

This section describes the driver's restraint system.

The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here's how to wear it
properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat (to see how, see "Seats" in the Index)
so you can sit up straight.

3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
If the belt isn’t long enough, see “SafetyBelt
Extender” at the end
of this section:
Make sure the releasebutton on the buckle faces
upward or outward so you would be able tounbuckle
it quicklyif you ever had to.

The lappart of the belt should be low and snug below
the hips, just touching the thighs.
In a crash, this applies
force to the strong
pelvic bones. And you’d be less
likely to slideunder the lapbelt. If you slid under it, the
belt would apply force atyour abdomen. This could
cause serious or even fatal injuries. Theshoulder belt
should go over the shoulder and across the chest.These
parts of the body are best able to takebelt restraining
forces.

The safety belt locks if there's a sudden stop ora crash.

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster

To move it up or down, squeeze the release handle.
When you release the handle, try to move it down a little
to make sure it has locked into position.
You can move the shoulder belt adjuster to the height
that is right for you.

You can move the adjuster up from a lower position by
pushing the bottom of the release handle.

To help you find a height that is right for you, follow
these guidelines:
For a tall person: Use the upper or upper-middle
position.
For a person of average height: Use a position
somewhere in the middle.
.^.

For a short person: Use the lower or lower-middle
position.

Adjust the height so that the shoulderportion of the belt
is properly positioned on your shoulder, away from your
face and neck.

What’s wrong with this?

The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’t give nearly
as much protection this way.

CAUTION:

You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is
too loose. In a crash yow would move fowuard
too much, which could Increase hjury. The
shoulder belt should fit against your body.

You can be seriously injuredif your belt is
buckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash,
the belt would goup over your abdomen. The
belt forces would be there, not at the pelvic
bones. This couldcause serious internal injuries.
Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest
you.

The belt is buckled in the wrong place.

CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if you wear the
shoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, your
body would move too far forward, which would
increase the chance of headand neck injury.
Also, the belt wouldapply too much force to the
ribs, which aren't as strong as shoulder bones.
You could also severely injure internal organs
like your liver or spleen.

The shoulder beltis worn under the arm. It should
be worn over the shoulder
at all times.

I*.,,.

e."

What's wrong with this?

CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In
a crash, you wouldn't have the full width of the
belt to take impact forces. If a belt is twisted,
make it straight so It can work properly, or ask
your dealer to fix it.

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on thebuckle.
The belt should go back out of the way.

The belt is twisted across thebody.

Supplemental Inflatable Restraint
System/Supplemental Restraint
System (Air Bag)
This section explains the driver's Supplemental
Inflatable Restraint (SIR)/Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) system, commonly referred to as an air
bag. Here are the most important things to know:

Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of the
way. If you slam the door on it, you can damage both
the belt and your vehicle.

CAUTION:

Even with an air bag, if you're not wearing a
safety belt and you're in a crash, your injuries
may be much worse. Air bags are hot designed
to inflate in rallovers or in rear, slde or low-speed
frsntal crashes. You need to wear your safety
belt to reduce the chance of hitting things insJde
the vehicle or being ejected from it. Always wear
your safety belt, even with an air bag.

CAUTION:

Air bags inflate withgreat force,faster than the
blink of an’eye. If you’re too close toan inflating
air bag, it could seriously injureyou. Safety belts
help keep you in position foran air bag inflation
in a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even
with an air bag, and sit as far back as you can
while still maintaining control of your vehicle.

INFLATABLE
RESTRAINT

INFL.
REST.

You will see this light flash for a few seconds
when you

Air Bag System Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows “INFL REST” or “INFLATABLE
RESTRAINT”. The system checks
itself and the light
tells you if there is a problem.
’

turn your ignition to “Run” or“Start.” Then the light
should go out, which means the system isready.

CAUTION:

F the air bag readiness light doesn’t come on
when you startyour vehicle, or stays on, or
comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.

When is an air bag expected to inflate?

How The Air Bag System Works

The air bag is designed to inflate in moderate to severe
frontal or near-frontal crashes. The air bag will only
inflate if the velocity of the impact is above the designed
threshold level. When impacting straight into awall that
does not move or deform,the threshold level for most
GM vehicles is between 9 and 14 mph. However, this
velocity threshold depends on the vehicle design and
may be several miles-per-hour faster or slower. In
addition, this threshold velocity will be considerably
higher if the vehicle strikes an object such as a parked
car which will move and deform on impact. The air bag
is also not designed to inflate in rollovers, side impacts,
or rear impacts where the inflation would provide no
occupant protection benefit.

,
Where is the air bag?
The driver's airbag is in the middle of the steering
wheel.

In any particular crash, the determinationof whether the
air bag should have inflated cannot be based solely on
the level of damage on the vehicle(s). Inflation is
determined by the angleof the impact and the vehicle's
deceleration, of which vehicle damage is only one
indication. Repair cost is not a good indicator of
whether an air bag should have deployed.

What makes an air bag inflate?

What will you see after an air bag inflation?

In a frontal impact of sufficient severity, sensors
strategically located on the vehicle detectthat the
vehicle is suddenly stopping as a result of a crash. These
sensors complete an electrical circuit, triggeringa
chemical reaction of the sodium azide sealed in the
inflator. The reactionproduces nitrogen gas, which
inflates thecloth bag. The inflator, cloth bag,and related
hardware are allpart of the airbag inflator module
packed inside the steeringwheel.

After the air bag has inflated, it will then quickly
deflate. This occurs so quickly that some people may
not even realize that the airbag inflated. The airbag will
not impede the driver’svision or ability to steerthe
vehicle, nor will it hinderthe occupants from exiting the
vehicle. There will be small amountsof smoke coming
from vents in the deflated airbag. Some components of
the airbag module in the steering wheel hub may be hot
for a short time,but the portion of the bag that comes
into contactwith you will not be hot to the touch. The
nitrogen gas used to inflatethe air bag will have vented
into the passenger compartment, and the bag will be
deflated within seconds after the collision. Nitrogen
,makes up about 80% of the air we breathe and is not
hazardous. As the nitrogen vents from the bag, small
particles are alsovented into the passenger
compartment.

How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal ornear-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steeringwheel.
The airbag supplements the protection provided by
safety belts. Air bags distribute the forceof the impact
more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping
the occupant more gradually. But air bags would not
provide protection in many types of collisions, including
rollovers and rear and side impacts, primarily because
an occupant’s motion is not toward the air bag.Air bags
should never be regarded as anything more than a
supplement to safety beltprotection in moderate to
severe frontaland near-frontal collisions.

don’t want the system to inflate while someone is
working on your vehicle. The air bag system does not
need regular maintenance. Your Buick dealer and the
1993 Park Avenue Service Manual have information
about the airbag system, including repair or disposal.

CAUTION:

Don’t attach anything to the steering
whwl
pad. It might injure the driver
if the air bag
inflates.
a The air bag is designed to inflate onlyonce.
After it inflates, you’ll need some new parts
for your air bag system. If you don’t get
them, the air bag systemwon’t be there to
help protect you in another crash. A new
system will include the air bag module and
possibly other parts. The service manual
has information about the need ta replace
other parts.
Let only qualified technicians work on your
air bag system. Improper service can mean
that yourair bag system won’t work
properly. See your dealer for service.

CAUTION:

For up to 2 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery disconnected, an air
bag canstill inflate duringimproper service. You
can be injured ifyou are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Be sure to followthe proper service
procedures.

*
I-

When electrical work is done under the hood or inside
your vehicle, the ignition should be in “Lock” if
possible.

Servicing Your Buick with the Air Bag
System

Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape, or yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the air bag
system.

Please tell or remind anyone who works on your Buick
that it has the air bag system. There are parts of the air
bag system in several places around your vehicle. You

But if the ignition has to be on for electrical work, or if
the steering column is to be disassembled, the air bag
system must be disconnected. To do this:

Turn off the ignition.
Remove the SlR/SRS (air bag) fuse (see “Fuses and
Circuit Breakers” in the Index).
Disconnect the yellow connector at the base of the
steering column.
When the work is complete, if the airbag system was
disconnected, be sure toreattach everything and replace
the fuse beforeturning the ignition on. When you turn
the ignitionkey on, be sure you see the inflatable
restraint light on the instrumentpanel. If you don’t see
this light flashand then go out as usual, have your air
bag system repaired.

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
Safety beltswork for everyone, includingpregnant
women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be
seriously injured if they don’t wear safety belts.

A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulderbelt, and
the lap portion should be worn as low as possible
throughout thepregnancy.

The best way to protect the fetus is toprotect the
mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s more
likely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a crash.For
pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making
safety belts effective is wearing them properly.

Right Front Passenger Position

Center Passenger Position
n

The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same
way as the driver’s safety belt. See “Driver Positi,on,”
earlier in this part.

When the lap portion of the belt is pulled out all the
way, it will lock. Ifit does,let it go back all theway and
start again.

Be sure to use the correct buckle when buckling your
lap-shoulder belt. If you find that the latch plate will not
go fully into the buckle, see if you are using the buckle
for the centerpassenger position.

When you sit in a center seating position,
you have a lap
safety belt, which has no retractor. To make the belt
longer, tilt the latch plateand pull it alongthe belt.

Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lap
part of a lap-shoulderbelt. If the belt isn’t long enough,
see “Safety Belt Extender’’ at the end of this section.

To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shownuntil
the belt is snug.

Make sure the release buttonon the buckle faces upward
or outward so you would beable tounbuckle it quickly
if you ever had to.

Rear Seat Passengers
It’s very important for rear seat passengers buckle
to
up!
Accident statistics show thatunbelted people inthe rear
seat arehurt more often in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.
Rear passengers who aren’t safetybelted can be thrown
out of the vehicle in a crash.And they can strike others
in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.

Rear Seat Outside Passenger P.ositions

The positions next to thewindows have lap-shoulder
belts. Here’s how towear one properly.

Extender” at the end of this section, Make sure the
release button on the buckle faces upward or
outward so you would be able tounbuckle it quickly
if you ever had to.
n

1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.
2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
When the lap belt is pulled out all the way, it will
lock. If it does, let it go back all the way and start
again. If the belt is not long enough, see “Safety Belt

The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on
the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies
force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less
likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the
belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could

cause serious oreven fatal injuries. The shoulderbelt
should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These
parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining
forces.
The safetybelt locks if there’s a sudden stopor a crash.

CAUTION:

You can be seriously hurtif your shoulder belt is
too loose. In a crash you would move forward
too much, which could increase injury. The
shoulder belt shouldfit against your body.

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the
buckle.

Children

Smaller Childrenand Babies

CAUTION:

Smaller children and babies should always be
restrained in a child or infantrestraint. The
instructions for the restraint will say whether it is
the right type and size for your child. A very
young child's hip bones areso small that a
regular belt might notstay low on the hips, asit
should. Instead, the belt will likely be overthe
child's abdomen. In a crash the belt wouldapply
force right onthe child's abdomen, which could
cause serious or fatal injuries. So, be sure that
any child small enough for one is always
properly restrained in a child or infantrestraint.

Everyone in.a vehicle needs protection! That includes
infants and all children smaller than adult size. In fact,
the law in every state and Canadian province says .
children up to some age must be restrained while in a
vehicle.

1
I
CAUTION: (Continued)

CAUTION:

Never hold a baby in your arms white riding in a
vehicle. A babydoesn’t weigh much -- until a
crash. During a crash a baby will become so
heavy you can’t hold it. For example, in a crash
at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a12-pound (5.5 kg)
baby will suddenly become a 240-pound (110 kg)
force on your arms. The baby would be almost
impossible to hold.

I Secure the baby in an infant restraint.

(Continuec

Child Restraints
Be sure to followthe instructions for the restraint. You
may find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a

i
~

booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system in
your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within
the restraint to help reduce thechance of personal injury.
The instructions that come with the infant orchild
restraint will show you how to do that.

Where to Put the Restraint
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We at
General Motors therefore recommend that you put your
child restraint in the rearseat unless the child is an
infant and you’re the only adult in the vehicle. In that
case, you might want to securethe restraint in the front
seat where you can keep an eye on the baby.
Wherever you install it, be sure to secure the child
restraint properly.

CAUTION:

An unsecured child restraint can move around in
a collision or sudden stop and injure people in
the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any
chiP
restraint in your vehicle even when no childi,

Top Strap

Vehicles first sold in Canada have child restraint anchor
bracket hardware in the glovebox, along with
instructions for installing it. This
should be used only
with a child restraint, and only to securea child restraint
at the center rear seatingposition. Additional anchor
brackets for child restraints at one orboth of the rear
outside seating positions are available Buick
at
dealerships in Canada.

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Position

If your child restraint has a top strap, itshould be
anchored.
If you need to have an anchor installed,you can ask
your Buick dealer to put it in for
YOU. If you want to
install an anchor yourself,your dealer can tell you how
to do it.

You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier
section about the top strap
if the child restraint has one.
1. Put the restraint on the seat. Follow the instructions
for the child restraint.

2. Secure the child in the child restraint as the
instructions say.

3. Pull out the vehicle’s safety belt and run the lap part
through or around the restraint. The child restraint
instructions will show you how.
See if the shoulder belt would go in front of the
child’s face or neck. If so, put it behind the child
restraint.

4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button faces
upward or outward, so you’ll be able tounbuckle it
quickly if you ever need to.

5. Pull the rest of the lap belt all the way out of the
retractor to set the lock.

6. To tighten the belt, feed the lap belt into the retractor
while you push down on the child restraint.

5' .

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt
will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult
or larger child passenger.

Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Seat
Position

7. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.

When you secure achild restraint in a center seating
position, you’ll be using the lap belt.

See the earlier section about
the top strap if the child
restraint has one.

1. Make the belt as long as possibleby tilting the latch
plate and pulling it along the belt.

2. Put the restraint on the seat. Follow the instructions
for the child restraint.
3. Secure the child in the child restraint as the
instructions say.

4. Run the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the
restraint. The child restraint instructions will show
you how.

5. Buckle the belt. Make sure the releasebutton faces
upward or outward, so you’ll be able tounbuckle it
quickly if you ever need to.
6. To tighten the belt, pull its free end while you push
down on the child restraint.

7. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.If the child restraint
isn’t secure, turn the latch plate over and buckle it
again. Then see if it is secure. If it isn’t, secure the
restraint in a different place in the vehicle and
contact the child restraint maker for their advice.
To remove the child restraint, justunbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt. It will be ready to work for an adult orlarger
child passenger.

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat
n

You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier
section about the top strap if the child restraint has one.
1. Put the restraint on the seat. Follow the instructions
for thechild restraint.

!. Secure the child in the child restraint as the
instructions say.

4. Buckle the belt.
Make sure the release button faces upward or
outward, so you’ll be able tounbuckle it quickly if
you ever need to.

5. Pull the rest of the lap belt all the way out of the
retractor to set the lock.

6. To tighten the belt, feed the lap belt back into the
retractor while you push down on the child restraint.

I
7. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle's
safety belt and let it go
- back all the way.
The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to
work for an adultor larger child passenger.

Children who have outgrown child restraints should
wear the
safety belts.
If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a
window so the child can wear a lap-shoulder belt and
get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.

Accident statistics show that children are safer
if they
are restrainedin the rear seat. But they need to use the
safety belts properly.

’
Children who aren’t buckled up can strike other
people who are.

crash, the two children can be crushed together
and seriously injured.A belt must be used by
only one person at a time.

What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is so small thatthe shoulder belt is
verv close to the child’s face or neck?
Y

Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be sure that the shoulder beltstill is on the child’s
shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide. If the
child is so small that the shoulderbelt is still very
close tothe child’s face orneck, you might want to
place the child in the center seat position, the one
that has only a lap belt.

Here a childis sitting in a’seat that has a
lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder
part is behind
the child. If the child wears thebelt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt’s force would then
be applied right on the
child’s abdomen. Thatcould causQ serious or
fatal iniuries

Wherever the child sits, the lapportion of the belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to
the child’s
pelvic bones in a crash.

Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten,your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to orderit, take theheaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you,
and just for theseat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for theseat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to theregular safety belt.

Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure allyour belts, buckles, latch
plates, retractors, anchorages and reminder systems are
working properly. Look for any loose parts or damage.
If you see anythingthat might keep a restraint system
from doing its job, have it repaired.

Replacing Safety Belts Aftera Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash,then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them.Collision
damage also may mean you will have to have safety belt
parts, like the retractor, replaced or anchorage locations
repaired -- even if the belt wasn’t being used at the time
of the collision.

If your seat adjuster won’t work after a crash, the special
part of the safety belt that goes through the seat to the
adjuster may need to be replaced.

What’s wrong with this?

The belt is torn.

CAUTION:
Torn or frayed beltsmay not protect youin a
If
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
a beltis torn or frayed, get anew one right away.

Part 2

Features & Controls

Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features onyour Buick. and information on starting. shifting
and braking . Also explained arethe instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is working
properly ..and what to do if you have aproblem .
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
62
DoorLocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NewVehicleBreak-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
74
StartingtheEngine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
80
ShiftingtheTransaxle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
90
TiltSteeringWheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
90
91
Multi-FunctionLever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TurnandLaneChangeSignals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
91
Headlight High-Low Beam Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
91
WindshieldWiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
94
CruiseControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
96
Instrumentpanel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Speedometer and Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
117
Warning Lights and Gages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
117

59
.
.

.
~

.......

.._.__~
- ......

... .
.
.
_
....
-

The ignition keys are for
the ignition only.

Keys

CAUTION:

Leaving young children in a vehicle withthe
’**,>’’
ignition keyis dangerous for many reasons.A
child or others couldbe badly injured or even
killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don’t
leave the keys in a vehicle with young children..
- ’

The door keys are for the
doors and all other locks.
Your Buick has a numberof new features that
can help prevent theft. But you
can have a lot4
trouble getting into your vehicle
if you ever lock
your keys inside.You may even have to damage

When a new Park Avenue is delivered, the dealer
removes the plugs from the keys, and gives them to
the first owner. However, the ignition key may not have
a plug.
Each plug has a code on it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
plugs in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you’ll be
able to have new ones made easily using these plugs. If
your ignition keys don’t have plugs, go to your Buick
dealer for the correct key code if you need a new
ignition key.

Door Locks

’ /d

CAUTION:

Unlocked doors can be dang
Passengers especially children -!
open the doors and fall out. When adoor i
locked, the inside handle won’t open it. ;
Outsiders can easily enter through an u
door when you slow down or stop your
This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown outof the vehicle in a
crash ifthe doors aren’t locked. Wear safety
belts properly, lock your doors, and you will be
far better off whenever you driveyour vehicle.

There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle:
From the outside: Use
your door key.

If your vehicle has a theft deterrent system and it is
armed, unlock the doors only with the key or Remote
Keyless Entry System. This will avoid setting off the
alarm.

From the inside: To
lock the door, move the
lock control on the
door down.

Power Door Locks
Push a power door lock
switch to lock or unlock all
of the doors.

To unlock the door,

move the lock control
on the door up.

Programmable Automatic DoorLocks
(Option)
Just close your doors and turn on the ignition. Every
time you move your shift lever out of “P” (Park) all of
the doors will lock. And, every time you stop and move
your shift lever into “P” (Park),your doors will unlock.
If someone needs to get out while you’re not in “P”
(Park), have that person use the manual or power lock.
When the door is closed again, it will not lock
automatically. Just use the manual or power lock to lock
the door again.

You can program the automatic doorlock feature to
allow the doors to
remain locked after you shift into “P”
(Park).

To do this:
1. Close your doors and turn the ignition ON.
2. Keep your foot on the brake pedal.

3. Press and hold the driver’s power door lock switch.
4. Move your shift lever out of “P” (Park), then move

the shift lever back into “P” (Park).
5 . Release the lock switch.

Your doors will now lock when you shift outof “P”
(Park), and remain locked until you use the manual or
power door unlock switch.

To reprogram the door locks to lock and unlock when
you shift in and out of “P” (Park) dothe following:
1. Close your doors and turn the ignition ON.
2. Keep your foot on the brake pedal.
3. Press and hold the driver’s power door unlock
switch.

4. Move the shift lever out of “ P ’ (Park), then move the
shift lever back into “P”(Park).

5. Release the unlock switch.

Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close the door.
If your vehicle has a theft deterrent system, see
“Universal Theft Deterrent” in the Index.

If you have the Remote Keyless Entry System, it will

Trunk

also unlock your trunk.

Remote Trunk Release
I

The trunk release switch in
the glovebox must be ON
for theTRUNK button to
work. This feature allows
you to secure itemsin the
trunk. To secure, turn OFF
the TRUNK RELEASE,
lock the glovebox, then
take the doorkey with you.

. =

TRUNK

The TRUNK button is on
the instrument panel to the
left of the steering column.
It will release thetrunk
lock when in Retained
Accessory Power mode or
I with the ignition switch ON
and the transaxle in PARK

Automatic Pull-Down Feature (Option)
If you have this feature, itpulls the trunk lid closed. This
allows you to gently push the trunk lid down and the
pull-down feature then secures itcompletely.

CAUTION:

Your car may have an automatic pull down
feature that helps close the trunk electronically.
Your fingers can be trapped under the trunk lid
as it goes down. Your fingers could be injured,
and you wouldneed someone to help you free
them. Keep your fingers away from the trunk lid
as you closeit and as it is going down.

NOTICE:
Do not slam your LI UI ~ r

104

Lamp Monitors (Option)

This system will let you know when certain exterior light
bulbs fail to light. When you first start your car all eight
lights come on briefly to show that the system is
working.
When a bulb fails an indicator will flash for several
seconds and then stay on until the failed bulb is replaced
and lit. For example, if a burned out back-up light bulb is
replaced, the indicator for back-up lamps will stay on
until the transaxle is put in reverse with the ignition on.
The bulbs are monitored only while they are being used.
If you have recently had a low battery condition or the
battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the
indicators will flash when you turn the ignition switch to
RUN. Turning the parking lamps on will return the lamp
monitor system to normal operation.

Bulbs Monitored
Indicator

Bulbs Monitored

High Beam

Both Headlight
High Beams

Low Beam

Both Headlight
Low Beams

Left Turn

1 Front Left Turn
2 Rear Left Turn

Right Turn

1 Front Right Turn
2 Rear Right Turn

Tail

4 Tail
Right and Left Rear
Side Marker
2 License

Parking

4 Front Park
Right and Left Front
Side Marker

stop
Backup

4 Rear
1 Center High Mounted
2 Back up

Mirrors
Inside Mirror

Automatic

Manual
When you are sitting in a comfortabledriving position,
adjust themirror so you can see clearly behind your car.
The day-night adjustment allowsyou to adjust the
mirror to avoid glare from the lights behind you.
1

Your Buick may have the automatic inside mirror.
The automatic mirror adjusts for the glare of headlights
behind you. It detects changes in light, and then adjusts
for day or night operation.

PI\,

Polr --!

7'- DAY-NIGHT
ADJUSTMENT

During the day the mirror reflects all the light from
behind your car. At night, when the glare is too high, it
changes to the night mode. Then, it reflects only part of
the light from behind you. When the mirror changes to
the night mode, it holds that position until glare is no
longer present.

Settings

Cleaning Photocells

MIN: The minimum setting is suggested when driving

Use a cotton swab and glass cleaner to clean the two
photocells that make the mirror work.

where glare conditions change often. “Min” works well
for city driving at night.

MAX: Maximum sensitivity is a good setting for
highway driving in light traffic. The mirror starts to
darken in any glare, such as headlights a long way
behind your car.

OFF: The mirror will stay in the day mode.

Time Delay
The mirror delays before switching from the night back
to the day position. This delay prevents rapid changing
of the mirror as you drive under lights and through
traffic.

Reverse Gear Day Mode
The reverse mode is another important feature of the
automatic mirror. .When the shift lever is placed in “R”
(Reverse), the mirror shifts to the day mode. This gives
you a bright image in the mirror as you back up.

107

Outside Mirrors

Heated Outside Rearview Mirror (Option)
If you have this option, the left outside mirror is heated
when you activate the rear window defogger.

Convex .Outside Mirror
Your right side mirror is convex.
A convex mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more
from the driver’s seat.

1
I

Your Buick has the electric mirror control located on the
driver’s door.
Move the switch in the middle of the control to choose
the right or left mirror. To adjust the mirror, push the
arrow control in the direction you want the mirror to go.
Adjust each mirror so you can just seethe side of your
car and the area behind your vehicle.

108

CAUTION:

If you aren’t used to a convex mirror, you can hit
another vehicle.A convex mirror can make
things (likeother vehicles) look farther away than
they really.are. Ifyou cuttoo sharply into the
right lane, you couldhit a vehicle on yourright.
Check your inside mirror or
glance overyour
shoulder before changing lanes.

Convenience Net (Option)

Astroroof (Option)

-l

If you have the Astroroof
option,
the switchis on the
roof between the sun visors.
It will open the astroroof
when in Retained
Accessory Power or when
the ignition is ON.

..
/ .

Your vehicle may have a convenience net. You’ll see it
just inside the back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads,like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharpturns or
quick startsand stops.
The net isn’t for larger, heavier loads. Store them in the
trunk as far forward as you can.
You can unhook the net so that it will lie flat when
you’re not using it.

To fully open the glass panel and sunshade, press the
switch rearward and release.To stop the panel in a
partially open position, press the switch again at the
desired point. To continue to open fully, press the switch
rearward again and release. The sunshade can be opened
manually.
To close the glass panel, press and hold the switch
forward. Thesunshade must be manually closed.
Once the astroroof is closed, it can be opened to a vent
position. Press the switch forward to vent. To close,
press the switch rearward.

Garage Door Opener Storage

Pin Length
Model

The garage door opener storage area is located in the
headliner. To be able touse your garage door opener in
the storagearea you will have to find a pin and hole
combination for your garage door opener, see the
following chart. If your garage door opener is not on the
chart you still may be able tofind a pin and hole
combination that will work. Once you have found a pin
and hole combination, follow theseinstructions:

Chamberlain
50
53
54LM
EZ-Lift
1089
3089
Genie
AT-35A
AT-85/AT-95
AT-90
MAT 85190
Moore-0-Matic
DT
DT2
Ladybug (MIN)
Sears
652030
53706/53707
53708153718
53738
Stanley
1047
1050
1052
1075
1077
1079
Tru-Guard
50TV
54Tv

HoleLocation
1

2
-

4
X
X

X
.X
X

Not Combatible
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X

--X

1. To place your garage
door opener in the
storage area, carefully
open the cover with a
screwdriver, as shown,
by inserting the
screwdriver and prykg
the cover down.

3. Now install the selected
pin into the specified
hole, as indicated from
the chart.

c
2. Next, carefully pry
the panel tabs out of
the slots in the
cover to
disassemble the
panel and lever.

4. Remove the backing from the adhesive strips and
place the panel over your garage door opener so that
the button is over the number from the chart.

-c

5. If the adhesive strips
won’t hold your opener
in place, tie down loops
may be used.

6. Place lever in cover so
that pivots are
positioned as shown.

7. Snap the panel with your garage door opener into
the cover.
If your garage door opener doesn’t work after it is
installed, another pin and hole combination will havetto
be tried. If the opener doesn’t shut off after the leveris
released, the pin will have to be filed down.

Electronic Level Control
This featurekeeps the rear of your car level as the load
changes. It is automatic - you don’t need to adjust
anything.

Storage Armrest

Courtesy Lights
When any door is opened, severallights go on. They
make it easy for you to enterand leave thecar. You also
can turn these lights on by sliding the panel lights lever
to INT (interior).
If a door is left ajar for 10 minutes, the interior lights
will automatically shut off.

Assist Handles
A folding handleover each rear door and the front
passenger's door can be used in getting in or out of your
Buick.

The armrestbetween the front seats opens into a storage
area. To open it, press the lever atthe front edge. Inside
are cupholderswhich can be rotated forward for use
with the cover closed. There is also aremoveable
coinholder, cassette tapeand compact disc storagearea.

113
~

Dual Sun Visors

Each sunvisor has two parts, so that both the windshield
and door glass can be shaded at the same time.

Visor Vanity Mirror (Option)
This mirror is on the larger of the passenger’s sun
visors. It may also be on the larger of the driver’s sun
visors. When you open it by moving this latch, thelights
turn on.

The brightness of the lights can be adjusted by sliding
this switch. The Park Avenue Ultra also has visor vanity
mirrors for the rear seat passengers.
0

Rear License Plate Holder

The rear ashtrays may also be removed for cleaning
--

To use it, open the trunk lid and slide your license plate
into the slot.Always close the trunk to prevent theft of
the plate.

Ashtrays
The front center ashtraymay be removed for cleaning.
.. -

C I -

...

n't put papersor other flammable things into
ur ashtrays. Hot cigarettes or other smoking
ignite them, causing a damaging

Cigarette Lighter
It's near the ashtray. To use one, push it in all the way
and let go. When it's ready, it will pop back by itself.

The Instrument Panel: Your
Information System

NOTICE:
If you hold a cigarette lighter
in with your hand
while it is heating,it won't be ableto back away
from the heating element when it's ready. That
can makeit overheat, damaging the lighter and
the heating element.

Your instrument panel is designed to let you know at a
glance how your car is running. You'll know how fast
you're going, how much fuel you're using, and many
other things you'll need to know to drive safely and
economically.

Speedometer and Odometer

Trip Odometer

Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles
per hour (mph) and kilometers perhour (km/h). Your
odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven,
in either miles (used in the U.S.) or kilometers(used in
Canada).

A trip odometer can tell how far you’ve gone sinceyou
last set it back to zero.To reset it, push the button.

Your Buick has a “tamper-resistant odometer.” If you
can see very noticeable bright silver linesbetween the
numbers, probably someone has tried to turn it back.
The numbers may not be true.
You may wonder what happens if a car has to have a
new odometer installed. If possible, thenew one has to
be set to the same reading the old one had. If it can’t be,
then it’s set at zero, but a label on the driver’s door must
show the old reading and when the new one was
installed.

Warning Lights, Gages and
Indicators
This section describesthe warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement.Paying attention to

117

your warning lights and gages could also saveyou or
others from injury.

Fuel Gage

Warning lights goon when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will see in
the detailson the next few pages, some warning lights
come on briefly when you turn the ignition key just to
let you know they’re working. If you are familiar with
this section,you should not be alarmed when this
happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to letyou know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, orwhen one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do aboutit. Please follow the manual’s advice.
Waiting to dorepairs can be costly -- and even
dangerous. So please get toknow your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.

Your fuel gage shows about how much fuel is in your
tank. It works only when the engine is on. When the
indicator nears “E,” you still have a little fuel left. You
need to get more fuel right away.
Here are four concerns some owners have had about the
fuel gage. All these situations are normal and indicate
nothing wrong with the fuel gage.

At the gas station,the gas pump shuts off before the
gage reads“F”.

It takes more (or less) gas to fill up than the gage

Brake System Warning Light
I

indicated. For example, the gage may have indicated
1/2 full, but it took more (or less) than half of the
tank’s capacity to fill it.
0

The gage moves a little when you turn a corner,
speed up, or stop your vehicle.

When you turn the engine off, the gage doesn’t goall
the way back to “E”.

Low Fuel Light (Option)
If your Buick has this
option, a red light, near the
fuel gage, will go on when
you are low on fuel. You
should get more fuel as
soon as you can.

Your Buick’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part isn’t working, the otherpart can still
work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need
both parts working well.
If the warning light goes on, therecould be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on as you start the vehicle. If it
doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to
warn you if there’s a problem.

This lightwill also come on when you set your parking
brake, and the light will stay onif your parking brake
doesn’t release fully. If you try to driveoff with the
parking brake set, a chime will also come on until you
release the parking brake. If the light and chime stayon
after your parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem. If the light and chime come on
while driving, pull off the road and stop carefully. You
may notice that the pedal is harder to .push. Or, the peda1
may go closer to thefloor. It may take longer to stop. If
the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
(See “Towing Your Car” in the Index.)

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light

CAUTION:

Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake warning light is on. Driving with the
brake warning light on can lead to an accident.
If
the light is still on after you’ve pulled off the road
and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed for
service.

With anti-lock, this light will go on when you start your
engine and may stay on for several seconds orso. That’s
normal. If the light doesn’t come on, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If the light stays on or comes on when you’re driving,
stop assoon as possible and turn the key off. Then start
the engine to reset the system. If the light still stays on,
or comes on again while you’re driving, your Buick
needs service. Unless the regular brake system warning
light is also on, you will still have brakes, but not
anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, see “Brake System Warning Light”
earlier in this part.

The anti-lock brake system warning light may also come
on when you are drivingwith a compact sparetire. If
this happens, the lightmeans you won’t have anti-lock
until you replace the compact sparewith a full-sizetire.
If the warning light stayson after you replace the
compact sparewith a full-size tire, or if it comes on
again when you’re driving, your Buick needs service.

Traction Control System Warning Light
(Option)
I

The “TRACTIONOFF”
warning light means that
the system is not working.
This warning light may
come on for the following
reasons:

If your transaxle overheats, the traction control
system automatically shutsoff for aboutthree

minutes. The warning light will come on and stay on
during that time.
If your brakes overheat, the traction control system
will go off and the warning light will come on until
your brakes cool down.

If the “TRACTIONOFF” warning light comes on and
stays on for an extended period of time, your vehicle
needs service.

CAUTION:

1If you let your tires

spinat high speed when the
“TRACTION OFF” warning light ison, they can
explode and you or others couldbe injured. And,
spinning your tires withthe “TRACTION OFF”
warning light on can cause the transaxle to
overheat or can cause other problems. That
could cause an engine fire orother damage.
When you’re stuck, spin the wheels aslittle as
possible. Don’t spin the wheels above 35 mph
(55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer.

121

I NOTICE:

Spinning your wheels when the“TRACTION
OFF” warning light is on can destroy partsof
your vehicle as wellas the tires. If you spin your
wheels too fast while shifting your transaxle
back and forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
as little as
When you’re stuck, spin the wheels
possible.

working. If you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, you should pull off the road,
stop your vehicle and turn the engine off as soon as
possible.

HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU BADLY!
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage

~~~~~~

Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Light

100
7

280

.
I
d

This light tells you that your engine coolant has
overheated or your radiator cooling fans arenot

122

If you have the Gage Cluster, you have a gage that
shows the engine coolant temperature. If the gage
pointer moves into the red area, your engine is too hot!

That reading means the same thing as the warning light.
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you

have been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.

Engine Oil Pressure Light and Gage

HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU BADLY!
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.

Low Coolant Warning Light

If you have this light and it
comes on, your system is
low on coolant and the
engine may overheat.

0‘

This light tells you if there could be a problem with your
engine oil pressure.
If your car has the optional gage cluster, you can read
your oil pressure directly from the gage on your
instrument panel.

See “Engine Coolant” in the Index and have your
vehicle serviced as soon as you can.

There are three ways this light can come on briefly,
which is normal and doesn’t show a problem. They are:
The light comes on when you turn your key to
“Run.” It goes off once you turn it to “Start.”That’s
just a check to be sure the light works. If it doesn’t,
be sure to have it fixed so it will be there to warn you
if something goes wrong.

123

If you’re “idling” at a stop sign, the light may blink
on and then off.

“Check Oil Level’’ Light (Option)

If you make a hard stop, the light may come on for a
moment.
But, when this light comes on and stays on, it means
oil isn’t going through your engine properly. You could
be low on oil, or you might have some other oil
problem.

CHECK
OIL LEVEL

The “Check Oil Level”
light is lit for threeseconds
as a bulb check each time
the ignition key is turned to
the RUN position. If the
light doesn’t come on, have
your vehicle serviced.

CAUTION:

Don’t keep drivingif the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can becomeso hot that it
catches fire.You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.

NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected
oil
problems can be costly andis not covered by
your warranty.

If the engine oil is more than one quart low, the light
will come on briefly, then go off for 15-25 seconds, and
then come back on for 20-40 seconds.

However, if it has not been more than eight minutes
since the engine was last shut off, the system will not
register low engine oil condition.

If the “Check Oil Level” light comes back on, the
engine oil should be checked at the dipstick and then
brought up to the proper level if necessary. See “Engine
Oil” in the Index.

“Change Oil Soon” Light (Option)

CHANGE
OIL SOON

This light is activated by
the Engine Oil Life
Monitor System. It
indicates that the engine oil
has degraded enough to
require changing. (See
“Engine Oil” in the Index).

This is determined by electronically monitoring engine
speed, coolant temperatureand vehicle speed. Sincethe
change interval is dependent upon driving habits and
conditions, the “ChangeOil Soon” light may come on as
early as 2,000 miles or less for harsh conditions.
The “Change Oil Soon” light is lit for three seconds asa
bulb check each time theignition key is turned to the
RUN position. If an oil change is required, it will stay
on for 60 seconds each time the engine is started. If the
“Change Oil Soon” light is on continuously, there is a
problem with the Oil Life Monitor System and service is
required.

After changing; the engine oil,the system should be
reset. Thiswill cause the “Change Oil Soon” light once
again, to be lit for just the bulbcheck period of three
seconds.

The reset button is.inside this hole, which is under the
passenger’s side of the instrument panel, near the door.
With the ignition key in the RUN position, but the
engine not started, use a pen to push the reset button,
holding it in for at least 5 seconds but not more than 60
seconds. After 5 seconds, the “Change Oil Soon” light
will flash 4 times and then go off. This indicatesthat the
Oil Life Monitor System has been reset.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)

NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light onafter a while the emission controls won’t work as
well, your fuel economy won’t be as good and
your engine may not run as smoothly. This could
lead to costly rer>airs not covered by your
warranty.

SERVICE
ENGINE SO0

SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON

A computer monitors operation of your fuel, ignition
and emission control systems. Thislight should come on
when the ignition is on, but the engine is not running, as
a check to show you it is working. If it does not come on
at all, have it fixed right away. If it stays on, or it comes
on while you are driving, the computer is indicating that
you have a problem. You should take your vehicle in for
service soon.

Battery Light

VOLTS
When you turn the key to RUN, this light will come on
briefly, to show that your alternator and battery charging
systems are working. If a light stays on, you need

126

service, and you should take your Buick to the dealer at
once. To save your battery until you get there, turn off
all accessories, and set your air system to OFF.

Tachometer

Volts Gage

2 \' \
8

If you have the optional gage cluster, you have this gage
that shows voltage in the electrical system. The normal
range is 11 to 15 volts. If the reading stays outside the
normal range, have your Buick dealer check the
electrical system.

The tachometer tells you how fast the engine is running.
It displays enginespeed in thousands of revolutions per
minute (RPM).

I NOTICE:
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer
in
the red area, or engine damage may occur.

127

Door Ajar Light (Option)

1
I

128

When the ignition is ON,
this light will stay on until
all the doors areclosed and
completely latched.

Trunk Ajar Light (Option)
If this light stays on with
the ignition ON, it means
that the trunk lid is open or
not completely latched.

Part 3

ComfortControls & Audio Systems

.
I

In this part you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control
systems and audio systemsoffered with your Buick.
Be sure toread about the particularsystem supplied with your vehicle .
Part 3 includes:
Comfort Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Heater and Defroster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
132.136. 138
Airconditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132. 137
RearWindowDefogger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
132. 138
Audiosystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Settingthe Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142.145.148.151
RadioControls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
141.144.147. 150
143.
145. 148
TapePlayerControls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CDPlayerControls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
Understanding Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Care of Cassette Tape Player & Tapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
155
CareofCompactDiscs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Antennacare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
156

Your Buick Comfort System

Rear Passenger ComforTemp (Option)

This part tells you how to make your air system work
for you.

Outside Air
Fresh air from outside your vehicle flows through your
Buick when the car is moving. When the vehicle is not
moving, you can get outside airto flow through by
selecting any air choice(except the rear window
defogger) and the HI fan speed.

Air Outlets
Adjust the direction of
air flow by moving the
louvered vents.

If you have this option, you can adjust the direction of
the air flow to the rear seating area.

If your Buick has the Dual Automatic ComforTemp
Climate Control option, it looks like this:

Ext Temp
I

EXT.

The following information tells you how it works.

You will hear a beepeach time abutton is pushed. The
display will show fan, temperatureand mode settings.

Push this and the displaywill indicate the outside
temperature (Unlessthe system is OFF). Push it again to
return to the regular system display.

CooVWarm

Off

r--

c
\

E
Til

To choose the temperature you want maintained inside
the car, push one of these.
You can choose from 60 O F (16 "C), for maximum
cooling, and 90" F (33 "C), for maximum heating. It is
not necessary to choose the extreme temperature to get
the system to heat or cool atthe maximum. The system
does it automatically.

When the system is off, the ventilation system will allow
air to flow through your Buick when the vehicle is
moving. The system will try to keep the air at the chosen
temperature, unless it is very hot or very cold. The
outside temperature will show in the display area when
the system is OFF.

Dual Zone

Auto
,

. . , ...

-*FBr

AUTO

When the system is set for
automatic, airwill come
from the floor outlets, the
instrument panel outlets or
both. Fan speed will vary
(unless ablower LO or HI
button has been pushed) as
the system gets to and
maintains the temperature
setting you have selected.

The display will show the set temperature and blower
speed.
In cold weather the system will delay turning on the fan,
to avoidblowing cold air. The length of the delay
depends on engine coolant temperature, outside
temperature and time since the engine was last started.
Pushing a LO or HI blower button will override this
delay, and cause the fan to start.
To rid the system of stale airin warm weather, air will
come out of the floor outlets fora short time.

The front seat passenger can control the air temperature
in their seating area.

__.

ylrr

The air temperature for the right side of the front seat
can be set using the control on the passenger’s door.
Both DUAL ZONE and AUTO buttons will light up. To
turn off this part of the system, push the DUAL ZONE
button again.

The right front seat
passenger can also activate
the DUAL ZONE function
by pressing the WARM or
COOL buttons on the
passenger door.

If you want the blower fan
to run at lower speed, push
the LO button. The blower

speed will decrease with
every push of the button
.
I
I
until the lowest speed is
E, reached*

The indicator above the control will show the difference
from the main temperature setting.

If you want to raise the
blower speed, push HI. The

Fan Speeds

r.c

The speed of the blower fan
is controlled automatically
if you have the fan on
AUTO.

blower speed will increase
with every push of the
button until maximum
speed is reached.

Defog

Econ
You can use ECON when
you don't need to cool the
outside air. The system will
work like the AUTOmode
without cooling. The air
flow will come from the
instrument panel outlets.
ECON does not have the
blower delay feature as the
AUTO modesetting.

Air entering the vehicle will be evenly split between the
floor outlets and the outlets near the windshield.

Htr

L
E

When theoutside
temperature is mild, use
DEFOG to keep fog off the
windshield.

HTR

To warm the air, press
and adjust the temperature
and fan speed for your
comfort. Most of the air
will come from the floor
outlets.

The blower speed will be controlled automatically, but
you can choose another fan speed by pushing the HI or
LO buttons.

135

Defrost

Rear Window Defogger
This setting will direct most
of the air flow toward the
windshield. Use DEFROST
when there is fog or iceon
the-windshield.

Defrost will work better if any ice and snow is cleared
from the hood and the air inletarea between the hood
and the windshield.
Blower speed will be controlled automatically, but you
can choose another speed by pushing the HI or LO
buttons.

The lines you see on the
rear window will warm the
glass. Press the button to
start warming your
window.
After 10 minutes, it will go
off by itself, orpressing the
button again during the
heating cycle will shut it
off. If you need additional
warming time, push the
button again.

If you have the heated outside rearview mirror option,
the mirror will be warmed when the rear defogger is on.
1.

i NOTICE:

. .'.

~. , . .

..~

I:Scraping the insideof your rear window could
cut and damage the heater.
Your warranty would

Air Conditioner

If your Buick has the Electronic Touch Climate Control
System, the following informationtells you how it
works.
1
~

The next three selections cool the air. The air
conditioner won't work well unless all the windows are
closed. On veryhot days, open the windows long
enough to let the hot inside air out. This reduces the
amount ofworkyour air conditioner's compressor will
have to do, which should help fuel economy.

Max
This settingprovides maximum cooling with the least
amount of work. MAX recirculates much of the air
inside your vehicle so it maximizes your air
conditioner's performance and fuel economy.

Norm

Fan Speeds
The fan control is used to select thespeed you want the
blower to control the air flow.

Use NORM for normal cooling on hot days. This setting
cools outside airand directs it through the instrument
panel outlets.

Lever Controls

Bi-Level

The upper lever changes thefan speeds. Thelower lever
changes the temperatureof the air coming through your
air outlets.

This settingis designed for use on sunny days when the
air is only moderately warm or cool. On days like these,
the sun may adequately warm your upper body, but your
lower body may not be warmenough.

The Bi-level setting directs outside air into
your vehicle
in two ways. Cool air is directed toward your upper
body through instrument panel outlets, while slightly
warmed air isdirected through the heater outlet at your
feet.
The air conditioner compress& operates in all Air
Conditioning positions and the Defrost position when
the outside temperature is above 48 O F (9“C).
When you don’t need to coolthe outside air, use the
VENT, HEAT and DEFROST settings. Adjust the
temperature control for comfort. You’ll get better fuel
economy (gasmileage) if you’re not cooling the outside
air. When you cool the air, your engine runs a
refrigeration compressor, and it has to work harder.

Vent
For mild outside temperature,when little heating or
cooling is needed, use the VENT setting. Air will flow
thought the instrument panel outlets. Use the air outlets
to turn on, adjustand turn off the air flow. Adjust the
temperature lever to the desiredtemperature.

138

Heater
When outside temperatures are cold, pressing the HTR
setting and adjusting thetemperature lever will send
warm air through the floor outletsand some through the
defroster vents.

Defrost
The DEFROST setting directsmost of the air flow
toward the windshield. Use defrost when you want to
remove fog or ice from the windshield. When it’s 48OF
(9 * C) orwarmer, you’ll get cooled air.
Defog
Air entering the vehicle will be evenly split between the
floor outlets and the outletsnear the windshield. You
can control the temperature of the air and the fan speed
to clear the foggy windows.

Rear Window Defogger

Audio Systems
The lines you see on the
rear window warm the
glass. Press the button to
start warming your
window. After 10 minutes,
it will go off by itself, or
pressing thebutton again
during the heating cycle
will shut itoff. If you need
additional warming time,
push the button again.

NOTICE:
Scraping the insideof your rear window could
cut and damage the heater.
Your warranty would
not cover this damage. And don’t put
decals
there, you mighthave to scrape themoff.

Your Delco@audio system has been designed to operate
easily and give years of listening pleasure. But you will
get the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself
with it first. Find out what your DelcoB system can do
and how to operate all its controls, tobe sure you’re
getting the most out of the advanced engineering that
went into it.

FM Stereo
FM stereo will give you the best sound. But FM signals
will reach only about 10 to40 miles (16 to 65 km). And,
tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals,
causing the sound to come and go.

AM
The range for most AM stations 1s greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range,however, can
cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick
up noise from things like storms and power lines. Try
reducing the treble to reducethis noise.

139

AM.Stereo
This means the Delco@system can receive C-QUAM@
stereo broadcasts. Many AM stations around the country
use C-QUAM@to produce stereo, though some do not.
(C-QUAM@is a registered trademark of Motorola, Inc.)
If your Delco@system can get C-QUAM@,your
“STEREO” light will come on when you’re receiving it.

CAUTION:

nearing damage from loudnoise is almost
undetectable until it is too
late. Your hearing can
adapt to higher volumes of sound. Sound that
seems normal can be loud and harmful to your
hearing. Take precautions by adjusting the
volume control onyour radio to a safesound
level before your hearing adapts to it.
To help avoid hearing loss or damage:
Adjust the volume control to the lowest
setting.
Increase volume slowly until you hear
comfortably and clearly.

140

telephone or two-way radio -- be sure you ca
add what you want. If you can, it’s very important
to do itproperly. Addedsound equipment may
interfere with the operation of your vehicle’s
engine, Delco’ radio or other systems, and even
damage them. And,your vehicle’s systems may
interfere with the operation of sound equipment
that has been added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, checkwith
your dealer and be sure to check Federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephoneunits.

. .

It allows you to hear the orner side of a tape. (Press
the knob while a cassette isplaying.)
When the radio is playing, with the time displayed, it
can tell you the frequency (push the knob).

BAL
The BALANCE control behind the upper knob allows
you to balancethe sound between the right and left
speakers.

The Lower Knob
Turn the lower knob to tune radio stations.Push it to get
AM or FM.

To Play This Radio

FADE

The Upper Knob

The FADE control behind the lower knob moves the
sound between your front and rear speakers.

The upper knob does these things:
It turns the system on and off.
It controls the volume.
It tells you the time. (When the ignition is off, push
the knob to display the time.)

SEEK
Pressing the SEEK button will cause the receiver to seek
the next higher station and stop.
SCAN
When you press SCAN, the radio will go to the next
station and pause and keep doing that until you press
SCAN again. SCAN appears in the display.

141

Pushbuttons

Clock

The fourpushbuttons let you return to favorite stations.
You can set the pushbuttons for up to fourteen stations
(7 AM and 7 FM).

To set the clock:

Tune in the desired station.

Press the SET pushbutton. SET appears in the
display.

Within 5 seconds, push one of the four pushbuttons.

Whenever you press that button, the preset station will
return.
Up to three more stations may be preset on each band by
pressing two pushbuttons that are next to each other, at
the same time.
0

Tune in the desired station.
Press the SET pushbutton.

Within the 5 seconds, press any two pushbuttons that
are next to each other. (The station will return when
the same two pushbuttons are pressed again.)

Press the SET button.

Within 5 seconds, press and hold SCAN until the
correct hour appears on the display.

Press and hold SEEK until the correct minute
appears onthe display.

TREBLE
Slide the TREBLE lever up to increase the treble
response. If the station is weak or noisy, slide the
TREBLE lever down to reducethe noise.

BASS
Slide the BASS lever up to increasethe bass response.
Adjust the BASS lever to give apleasing sound to your
ear.
DNR@
This is the Dynamic Noise Reduction button, DNR@
helps remove background hiss from the radio or tape
player. You may want to leave it pushed in all the time.

To Play A Cassette
Your tape player is built to work best with tapes that are
30 to 45 minutes long on each side.Tapes longer than
that are so thin they may not work well inthis player.
With the radio on,press a tape into the slotmarked
AUTO REVERSE (the tape sidegoes in first).
Once the tape is playing, use the upper and lower knobs
for volume, balance, and fade just asyou did for radio.
The arrows indicatewhich side of the tape is being
played.

PROGRAM
To go from one side of the tape tothe other, press the
RCL-PROG (upper knob).Note the lighted arrows next
to the and 4.
STOP-EJECT
To remove or stop the tape and switch to radio, press the
STOP-EJECT button.

When the end of the tapeis reached, it will
automatically reverseand play the other side of the tape.

FWD
To rapidly advance the tape,press b and the tape will
rapidly go forward until you press the 4 button or
STOP-EJECT lightly.

REV
To rapidly reverse the tape,press 4 and the tape will
rapidly go backward until you press the b button or
STOP-EJECT lightly.

143

It allows you to mute the radio or tape play. Press to
mute; press again to listen.

BAL
The control behind the upper knob allows you to
balance the sound between the right and left speakers.
Notice the display arrow to see where the balance is set.
The Lower Knob
Turn the lower knob to tune radio stations. The tune
knob increases and decreases frequency when it is held
slightly rotated against thespring load. Push it to get
AM or FM frequency.

To Play This Radio
PWR
To turn the radio on,press the PWR button.

The Upper Knob
The upper knob does thesethings:
0 It controls the volume. The volume knob increases
and decreases volume when it is held slightly rotated
against the spring load.

144

FADE
The control behind the lower knob moves the sound
between your front and rear speakers. Notice the display
arrow to seehow the FADE is set.

RCL
It tells you the time or the radio frequency. (When the
ignition is off, push RCL to display the time.) With the
radio on, and the time displayed, push it todisplay the
frequency.
SEEK 4 or b
Pressing the SEEK 4 or b button will cause the
receiver to seek the next lower or higher station and
stop.

SCAN
When you press SCAN, the radio will go to thenext
station and pause and keep doing that until you press
SCAN again. SC will appear in the display.

Pushbuttons
The fivepushbuttons let you return to favorite stations.
You can set the pushbuttons forup to ten stations ( 5 AM
and 5 FM).
Tune in the desired station.
Push the SET button.
Within 5 seconds, push one of the five pushbuttons.
SET will disappear from the displaywhen the station
is set.
Whenever you press that button,the preset station will
return.

Clock
To set the clock:
Press the SET button.
Within 5 seconds, press and hold SCAN until the
correct hour appears on the display.

Press and hold SEEK until the correct minute
appears on the display.

To Adjust The Tone
Use the levers next to the display to set the bass,
midrange, and treble until you get the sound you want.
The 60 and 250 levers adjust the bass;1K is midrange;
3.5K and 10 K control thetreble.
We suggest you start with the center lever(1K) in the
midpoint position, then move the othersup or down
until you get the amount of bass and treble you like.

To Play A Cassette
Your tape player is built to work best with tapes that are
30 to 45 minutes long on each side. Tapes longer than
that are so thin they may not work well inthis player.
With the radio on, press a tape intothe slot marked
AUTO REVERSE (the tape side goes in first).
Once the tape is playing, use the upper and lower knobs
for volume, balance, and fade just as you did for the
radio. The arrowin the graphic display above theword
TAPE indicates which side of the tape is being played.
When the end of the tapeis reached, it will
automatically reverse and play the other sideof the tape.

.-,

145

PROG

To go from one side of the tape to the other, press the
PROG button. The PROG button will also stopREV,
FWD, PREV or NEXT and play the tape.

To hear a passage on the tape that has just played, press

Cr02
This button sets the tape bias. When playing high bias
chrome or metal tapes, press the button to turn the Cr02.
on. Cr02 will appear in the display. When playing
standard bias tapes, press again to turn the Cr02 off.

REV
To rapidly reverse the tape, press REV and the tape will
rapidly reverse to the beginning of the tape or until you
press the PROG or REV button again. The radio will
play during reverse.

FWD
To rapidly advance the tape, press FWD and the tape
will rapidly go forward to the end of the tape or until
you press the PROG or FWD button again. Theradio
will play during forward,

PREV and the tape will back up and stop, ateither the
first 4-second quiet spot in the tape, or when you press
PREV again.

NEXT
To go directly to the next selection on the tape, press
NEXT. A 4-second quiet interval must be present for the
tape to stop. Pressing PROG or NEXT again will play
the tape.

EJECT
To remove or stop the tape and switch to radio, press the
EJECT button.

ST-PL
To immediately switch from tape to radio, press the
ST-PL button and the radio will resume playing the
station that was tuned in when you inserted a tape.
Pressing ST-PL again will allow the tape to resume
where it stopped.

It allows you to mute the radio or tape player. Press
to mute; press again to listen.
The sound balance for the Delco-Bose radio is preset.

The Lower Knob
Turn the lower knob to tune radiostations. The tune
knob increases and decreases station frequency when it
is held slightly rotated against the spring load. Push it to
get AM or FM frequency.

FADE
The control behind the lower knob moves the sound
between your front and rear speakers. Notice the display
arrow to see how FADE is set.

To Play This Radio
PWR
To turn the radio on, press the PWR button.

The Upper Knob
The upper knob does these things:
It controls the volume. The volume knob increases
and decreases volume when it is held slightly rotated
against thespring load.

RCL
It tells you the time or the radiofrequency. When the
ignition is off, push RCL to display the time. With the
radio on,and the time displayed, push it to seethe
frequency.

SEEK 4 or b
Pressing the SEEK 4 or b will cause the receiver to
seek the next lower or higher station and stop.

Clock

SCAN
When you press SCAN, the radio will go to thenext
station and pause and keep doing that until you press
SCAN again. SC will appear in the display.

To set the clock:

Pushbuttons
The fivepushbuttons let you return to favorite stations.
You can set the pushbuttons for up to ten stations ( 5 AM
and 5 FM).

Tune in the desired station.

Press the SET pushbutton. (Note: The display will
shQwSET forabout 5 seconds.)

Within 5 seconds, push one of the five pushbuttons.
SET will disappear from the display when the station
is set.

Whenever you press that pushbutton again, the preset
station will return.

Press the SET pushbutton.
Within 5 seconds, press and hold SCAN until the
correct hour appears on the display.
Press and hold SEEK 4 or
appears on the display.

until the correct minute

To Adjust The Tone
BASS adjusts the bass response up or down. TREB
adjusts the treble response up or down. If the station is
weak or noisy, adjust the TREBLE.down toreduce the
noise. Pressing either button in the center will set the
bass or treble level to a factory preset level.

Once the tapeis playing, use the upper and lower knobs
for volume, and fade justas you did for radio. The arrow
in the graphic.display abovethe word TAPE indicates
which side of the tape is being played. When the end of
the tape is reached, itwill automatically reverseand
play the other sideof the tape.

PROG
To go from one sideof the tape tothe other, press the
PROG button. ThePROG button will also stopREV,
FWD, PREV orNEXT and play the tape,

Cr02
This button sets the tapebias. When playing high bias
chrome or metal tapes, press the button to turn the Cr02
on. Cr02 will appear in the display. When playing
standard bias tapes, press again to turn the Cr02 off.

REV
To reverse the tape, press REV and the tape will rapidly
reverse to the beginning of the tape or until you press
the PROG or REV button again. The radiowill play
during reverse.
FWD
To advance the tape, press FWD and the tape will
rapidly go forward to the end of the tape, oruntil you
press the PROG orFWD button again. The radiowill
play during forward.

To hear apassage on the tapethat has just played, press
PREV and the tape will back up and stop, at either the
first 4-second quiet spot in the tape, or when you press
PROG or PREV again.

To go directly to the next selection on the tape,press
NEXT. A 4-second quiet interval must be present for the
tape to stop.Pressing PROG or NEXT again will play
the tape.

EJECT
To remove or stop thetape and switch to radio,press the
EJECT button.

It allows you to mute the radio or CD player. Press to
mute; press again to listen.

'W
.r.

BAL
The control behind the upper knob allows you to
balance the sound between the right and left speakers.
Notice the display arrow to see where the balance is set.

The Lower Knob
Turn the lower knob to tune radio stations.The tune
knob increases and decreases station frequency when it
is held slightly rotated against the spring load. Turn the
knob to tune slowly. If you hold it for more than a few
seconds, it will tune rapidly. Push it to get AM or FM.

PWR

FADE
The control behind the lower knob moves the sound
between your front and rear speakers. Notice the display
arrow to seehow FADE is set.

To turn the radio on, press the PWR button.

RCL

The Upper Knob
The upper knob does these things:
0 It controls the volume. The volume knob increases
and decreases volume when it is held slightly rotated
against the spring load.

It tells you the time or the radio frequency. When the
ignition is off, push RCL todisplay the time. When the
radio on, and the time displayed,push it to see the
frequency.

To Play This Radio

SEEK 4 or
Pressing the SEEK 4 or will cause the receiver to
seek the next lower or higher station and stop.

SCAN

When you press SCAN, the radio will go to the next
station and pause and keep doing that until you press
SCAN again. SC will appear in the display.

Within 5 seconds, press and hold SCAN until the
correct hour appears on the display.

Press and hold SEEK or 4 until the correct minute
appears on the display.

Pushbuttons
The five pushbuttons let you return to favorite stations.
You can set the pushbuttons for up to ten stations ( 5 AM
and 5 FM).
Tune in the desired station.
Press the SET pushbutton.
0

Within 5 seconds, push one of the five pushbuttons.
SET will disappear from the display when the station
is set.

Whenever you press that button, the preset station will
return.

Clock
To set the clock:
0

Press the SET pushbutton.

To Adjust The Tone
Use the levers next to thedisplay to set the bass,
midrange, and treble until you get the sound you like.
The 60 and 250 levers adjust the bass; 1K is midrange;
-3.5K and 10 K control the treble.
We suggest you start with the center lever (1K) in the
midpoint position, then move the others up or down
until you get the amount of bass and treble you like.

To Play A Compact Disc
Before you begin, please note: DO NOT use mini-discs
that are called singles. They won’t eject. Use full-size
compact discs only.
If the disc player is very hot or if you’re driving on a
very rough road, the disc may come out, or justnot play.
ERR will appear in the display. As soon as things get
back to normal, the disc should play again.
Press PWR to turn the system on.

Insert a disc partway into the slot, label side up. The
player will pull it in. Waita few seconds and the disc
should play.
If the disc comes back out, check whether:
The disc is upside down.
It is dirty, scratched, or wet.
There’s too much moisture in the air. (If there is,
wait about one hour and try again.)

RCL
Press RCL to see what track is playing. Press it again
within 5 seconds to see how long the CD has been
playing that track. The display will automatically return
to the time of day.
The track number also appearswhen you change the
volume, or when a new track starts toplay.

COMP
Pressing the COMP button makes soft and loud passages
more equal in volume. COMP will appear in the display.

RDM
The RDM button meansrandom and when it is pressed,
your CD player will play the tracks in random order
rather than sequential 1,2,3 ... order. Pressing RDM
again will play the disc in sequential order.

REV
Press and hold REVto return rapidly to a favorite
passage in a track. Note the seconds counter reading in
the display. Release it to play the passage.

FWD
Press and hold FWD to advance quickly within a track.
Release it to resume playing. Watch the display to ston
at a specific passage.

PREV
Press PREV to hear the previous track. If you hold this
button or press it more than once, the disc will retreat to
previous tracks.

NEXT
Press NEXT to hearthe next track now (instead of
waiting until the present track is finished.) If you hold
this button, or press it more than once, the disc will
advance further.
STlPL
Press ST/PL (Stop/Play) and the discwill stop and the
radio will play. Press ST/PL again to restart the disc at
the point where it stopped.

Press the PWR button or turn the ignitionkey off to stop
the discplayer. The disc staysin the player and will
resume playing at the point where it stopped.

EJECT
Press EJCT, the discwill eject and the radiowill play.
The discwill start attrack 1 when you reinsert it.
As a feature to protect the disc,
if you turn the ignition off
with the disc partway outof the slot (after eject),it will be
drawn back into the playerin about 30 seconds. The disc
will play at track 1 when the radio is turned on again.

Anti-Theft Feature
Delco-Loc I1 is a security feature for the
compact disc
player. It can be used or ignored. If ignored, thesystem
plays normally. If it is used,your player won’t be usable
if it’s ever stolen,because it won’t turn on.
The instructions below tell you how to enter your
personal secret code into the system. If your vehicle loses
battery power for any reason, you must unlock the system
with the secret code again before the system will turn on.
Be sure toread through the entireprocedure and become
familiar with the appropriate buttonsand knobs before
starting.
Step 1. Write clown any 6-digit number and keep it in a
safe place.

Step 2. Turn the ignitionto the ACC or RUN position.
Step 3. Press PWR to turn the radio off.
Step 4. Press preset 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them
until “---” shows on the display (atleast 5 seconds).
You are now ready to enter your secret code. If you
pause more than 15 seconds between steps you may
have to start over.
Step 5. Press SET and “000”will appear on the display.
Step 6.Press SEEK and hold it until the first digitof
your code appears.
Step 7. Rotate the tune knob right or left to make the
next two numbers agree with your code.
Step 8. Press AM-FM knob and “000” will appear. Now
you are ready to enter thesecond three digits of the code
according to steps 6 and 7.
Step 9. Press the AM-FM knob. The display will show
“rEP” for 5 seconds, and then “OOO” will appear indicating
that some steps are tobe repeated for verification.
Step 10. Repeat steps 6,7,and 8.
Step 11. Press the AM-FM knob. If the display shows
“SEC”, the verification process was successful and the
system is SECURE. If the display shows “---”,the
verification steps were not successful and the entire
sequence must be started again.

To Unlock The System Aftera Power Loss

Disabling The Theft System

When battery power is reapplied to a secured radio, the
radio won’t turn on and “LOC” will appear in the
display.

Step 1. Press presets 1 and 4 for 5 seconds with the
ignition “On” and radio power “Off ”. The displaywill
show “SEC”, indicating the unit is in the secure mode.

Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
15 seconds between steps.

Step 2. Press the SET button. The display will show
“000”.

Step 1. Turn the ignition ON (Radio off.)

Step 3. Enter the first three digitsof the code following
step 6 and 7 of the preceding directions. The display will
show the numbers as entered.

Step 2. Press the SET button. The displaywill show
“000”.
Step 3. Enter the six digitsof the code following steps 6
thru 9 on thepreceding page. The displaywill show the
number as entered.
Step 4. Press the AM/FM button and the time appearsindicating that the disabling sequence was successful. If
the displayindicates “SEC”, the number did not match
and the unit is still secured.

Step 4. Press the AM-FM button. The radio will display
“000”.
Step 5. Enter the second three digitsof the code. The
display will show the numbers as entered.
Step 6. Press the AM-FM button. If the display shows
“---” , the disabling sequence was successful. (The
numbers matched the user-selected code or the factory
back-up code) and the unit is in the UNSECURED
mode. If the display shows “SEC”, the disabling
sequence was unsuccessful and the numbers did not
match either of the codes and the unit will remain in the
SECURED mode.

Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes, or adamaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their
cases awayfrom contaminants, direct sunlight,and
extreme heat. If they aren’t, they may not operate
properly or cause failureof the tapeplayer.
Your tape player should be cleaned regularly each
month or after every 15 hours of use. If you notice a
reduction in sound quality, try a known good cassette to
see if the tape or thetape player is at fault. If this other
cassette has no improvement in sound quality, clean the
tape player.
Clean your tape player with a wiping-action,
non-abrasive cleaning cassette,and follow the directions
provided with it.
Cassettes are subject towear and the sound quality may
degrade over time. Always make sure that the cassette
tape is in good condition beforeyou have your tape
player serviced.

Care of Your Compact Discs
Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a
clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and
clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the signal surface when handling
discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges or the
edge of the hole and the outer edge.

155

Fixed Mast Antenna

The fixed mast antenna can withstand most car washes
without being damaged. If the mast should ever become
slightly bent, you can straighten it out by hand. If the
mast is badly bent, as it might be by vandals, you should
replace it.

3. Wipe cloth over the
mast sections,
removing any dirt.

Check every once in a while to be sure the mast is still
tightened to thefender.

Power Antenna Mast Care
Your power antenna will look its best and work well if
it’s cleaned from time to time.

To Clean the Antenna Mast:
1. Turn on the ignition and radio to raise the antenna to
full mast extension.

2. Dampen a clean cloth with mineral spirits or
equivalent solvent.

4. Wipe dry with clean cloth before retracting.
5. Make the antenna go up and down by turning the
radio orignition on and off.

6. Then repeat if necessary.

I NOTICE:

Don’t lubricate the power antenna. Lubrication
could damage it.

If the mast portion of your antenna is damaged,you can
easily replace it. See your dealer for areplacement kit
and follow the instructionsin the kit.

:. .

I NOTICE:

157

I931 Buick Model 90

@
.

Your Drivingand the Road

Part 4

~~~~~

~~~

Here you’ll find information about drivingon different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also
included many other useful tips on driving.
Part 4 includes:
RoadSigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DefensiveDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DrunkenDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
...................................
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LossofControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DrivingatNight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DrivingintheRain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving in Fog, Mist and Haze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CityDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FreewayDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DrivingonaLongTrip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
HillandMountainRoads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ParkingonHills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WinterDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TowingaTrailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

160
166
167
170
171
176
178
180
181
183
186
187
188
190
192
194
197
201

Color of Road Signs

I
RED means STOP. It may also indicatethat some
movement is not allowed. Examples are DO NOT
ENTER and WRONG WAY.

Road Signs
The road signs you see everywhere are
coded by color,
shape and symbols. It’s a good idea to know these
codes so that you can quickly grasp thebasic meaning
or intentof the sign even before you have a chance to
read it.

RAILROAD
ADVANCE
CROSSING

NARROW
AHEAD
BRIDGE

LOW
FLAGGER SHOULDER

WORKERS
AHEAD

YELLOW indicates a general warning. Slow down and

ORANGE indicates road construction or maintenance.

be careful when you see a yellow sign. It may signal a
railroad crossing ahead, a no passing zone, or some
other potentially dangerous situation. Likewise, a yellow
solid line painted on the road means “Don’t Cross.’’

You’ll want to slow down when you see an orange sign,
as part of the road may be closed off or tom up. And
there may be workers and maintenance vehicles around,
too.

EXIT

HOSPITAL

1 MILE

YT UN

INFORMATION

BLUE signs with white letters show motorists’
services.

GREEN is used to guide the driver. Green signs may
indicate upcoming freeway exits orshow the direction
you should turn to reach a particular place.

II
-,::

SWIMMING

CANOEING

BROWN signs point out recreation areas or points of
historic or cultural interest.

Shape of Road Signs
The shape of the sign will tell you something, too.

ST0 P

An OCTAGONAL
(eight-sided) sign
means STOP. It is
always red with white
letters.

A TRIANGLE, pointed
downward, indicates
YIELD. It assigns the
right-of-way to traffic
on certain approaches
to an intersection.

A DIAMOND-shaped
sign is a warning of
something ahead - for
example, a curve, steep
hill, soft shoulder, or a
narrow bridge.

A TRIANGULAR sign
also is used on
two-lane roads to
indicate aNO
PASSING ZONE. This
sign will be on the left
side of the roadway.

163

Symbols on Road Signs

IIoNLV!

KEEP
RIGHT

LEFT OR
THROUGH

RIGHT TURN
ONLY

RECTANGULAR (square or oblong)signs show speed
limits, parking regulations, givedirections, and such
information as distances tocities.

x
There are many international road signs in use today.
The basic message of many of these signs is in pictures
or graphic symbols. A picture within a circle with a
diagonal line across it shows what not to do.

We’re all familiarwith traffic lights or stoplights. Often
green arrows are beingused in the lights for improved
traffic control. On some multilane roads, green arrows
light up, indicating that traffic in one or more lanes can
move or make a turn. Green arrows don’t mean “go no
matter what.” You’ll still need to proceed with caution,
yielding the rightof way to pedestriansand sometimes
to other vehicles.
Some traffic lights also use red arrows to signify that
you must stop beforeturning on red.

Traffic Lights

L m

x
REVERSIBLE
LANE ON
MULTILANE
ROADWAY

Many city roads and expressways, and even bridges, use
reversible-lane traffic control during rush hours. A red X
light above a lane means no driving in that lane at that

165

time. A green arrow means you may drive in that lane.
Look for the signs posted to warn drivers what hours
and days thesesystems are in effect.

If necessary, you can use hand signals out the window:
Left arm straight out for a left turn, down for slow or
about-to-stop, and up for a right turn.

Pavement Markings

Slowing down. If time allows, tapthe brake pedal once
or twice in advance of slowing or stopping. This warns
the driver behind you.

NO
PASSING
ZONE

Disabled. Your four-way flashers signal that your
vehicle is disabled or is a hazard. See “Hazard Warning
Flashers” in the Index.

Traffic Officer
The traffic police officer is also a source of important
information. The officer’s signals govern, no matter
what the traffic lights or other signs say.

Pavement markings add to traffic signs and signals.
They give information to driverswithout taking
attention from the roadway. A solid yellow line on your
side of the road or lane means “don’t cross.”

The next section discusses some of the road conditions
you may encounter.

Your Own Signals

Defensive Driving

Drivers signal toothers, too. It’s not only more polite,
it’s safer to let other drivers know what you are doing.
And in some places the law requires driver signals.

The best advice anyone can give aboutdriving is: Drive
defensively.

Turn and lane change signals. Always signal when you
plan to turn or change lanes.

Please start with a very important safety device in your
Buick: Buckle up. (See “Safety Belts” in the Index.)

Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.”
On city streets, rural roads, or freeways,means
it
“always expect the unexpected.”
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers aregoing to be
careless and make mistakes. Anticipatewhat they might
do. Be ready for theirmistakes.
Expect children todash out from behind parked cars,
often followed by other children.Expect occupants in
parked cars to open doors into traffic. Watch for
movement in parked cars -- someone may be about to
open a door.
Expect other driversto run stop signswhen you are on a
through street. Be ready to brakeif necessary as you go
through intersections.You may not have to use the
brake, but if you do, you will be ready.
If you’re driving through ashopping center parking lot
where there are well-marked lanes, directional arrows,
and designated parking areas, expect some drivers to
ignore all these markings and dash straight toward one
part of the lot.
Pedestrians can be careless.Watch for them. In general,
you must give way to pedestrianseven if you know you
have the right of way.
Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of
accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough

following distance. It’s the best defensive driving
maneuver, in both city and rural driving.You never
know when the vehicle in front of you is going to brake
or turn suddenly.
Here’s a finalbit of information about defensive driving.
The most dangerous time for drivingin the U.S. is very
early on Sunday morning. In fact, GM Research studies
show that the most and the leastdangerous times for
driving, every week, fall on the same day. That day is
Sunday. The most dangerous time is Sunday from 3 a.m.
to 4 a.m. The safest time is Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11
a.m. Driving the same distanceon a Sunday at 3 a.m.
isn’t just a little more dangerous than it is at 10 a.m. It’s
about 134 times more dangerous!
That leads to the next section.

Drunken Driving
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is
a national tragedy. It’s the number one contributor tothe
highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims every
year. Alcohol takes away three things that anyone needs
to drive avehicle:
0

Judgment

Muscular Coordination

Vision

Police records show that half of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol -a driver, a
passenger orsomeone else, such as a pedestrian, had
been drinking. In most cases, these deaths are
the result
of someone who was drinking and driving. Over 25,000
motor vehicle-related deaths occureach year because of
alcohol, and thousands of people are injured.
Just how much alcohol is toomuch if a person plans
to drive?Ideally, no one should drinkalcohol and then
drive. But if one does, then what’s “too much”? It can be
a lot less than many might think. Although it depends on
each person and situation, hereis some general.
information on the problem.

I
1

The Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of someone who is
drinking depends upon four things:
How much alcohol is in the drink.
The drinker’s body weight.
The amount of food that is consumed before and
during drinking.
The length of time it has taken the drinker to
consume the alcohol.

According to the American Medical Association, a
180-pound (82 kg)person who drinks three 12-ounce
(355 ml) bottles of beer in an hour will end up with a
BAC of about 0.06 percent. The person would reach the
same BAC by drinking three 4-ounce (120 ml) glasses
of wine or threemixed drinks if each had 1-1/2 ounces
(45 ml) of a liquor like whiskey, gin or vodka.
It’s the amount of alcohol thatcounts. For example, if
the same person drank three double martinis (3 ounces
or 90 ml of liquor each) within an hour, the person’s

168

BAC would be close to 0.12 percent. A person who
consumes food just before or during drinking
will have a
slightly lowerBAC level.

3 HOURS

NUMBER
OF DRINKS
(as in piclure)

? HOURS

100
120
140

160

180

200

220

240

BODY WEIQHT IN POUNDS

The law in most U.S. states sets thelegal limit at a BAC
of 0.10 percent. In Canada thelimit is 0.08 percent, and
in some other countriesit’s lower than that. The BAC
will be over0.10 percent after three tosix drinks (in one
hour). Of course, as we’ve seen, it depends on how

much alcohol is in the drinks,and how quickly the
person drinks them.
But it’s veryimportant tokeep in mind that the ability to
drive is affected well below a BAC of 0.10 percent.
Research shows that the driving skillsof many people
are impaired at aBAC approaching 0.05 percent, and
that the effects areworse at night. All drivers are
impaired at BAC levels above0.05 percent. Statistics
show that the chanceof being in an accident increases
sharply for driverswho have a BAC of 0.05 percent or
above. A driver with a BAC level of 0.06 percent (three
beers in one hour for a 180-pound or 82 kg person) has
doubled his or her chance of having an accident.At a
BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chanceof that driver
having an accident is six times greater; at a level
of 0.15
percent, the chances are twenty-five times
greater! And,
the body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol
in one drink.No amount of coffee ornumber of cold
showers will speed that up.
“I’ll be careful” isn’t the right answer. What if there’s an
emergency, a need to take sudden action, aswhen a
child darts into the street?A person with a higher BAC
might not beable toreact quickly enough to avoid the
collision.
There’s something else about drinking
and driving that
many people don’t know. Medical research shows that

alcohol in a person’s system can make crash injuries
worse. That’s especially true forbrain, spinal cord and
heart injuries. That means that if anyone who has been
drinking -- driver or passenger-- is in a crash, the
chance of being killed or permanently disabled is higher
than if that person had not been drinking. And we’ve
already seen that the chance of a crash itself is higher for
drinking drivers.

/I\

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go.They are thebrakes, the steering and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work
at the places where the tires meet the road.

CAUTION:

Drlnklng and thendriving Is very dangerous.
Your reflexes, perceptions, and judgmentwlll be
affected by even a small amountof alcohol. You
could have a serious or even fatal accident if
you drive after drinking. Please don’t drink and
drive or rlde with a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you’re with a group,
designate a driver who will not drink

Sometimes, as when you’re driving on snow or ice, it’s
easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control
of your vehicle.

Braking
Braking action involves perceptiontime and reaction
time.
First, you have to decide topush on the brake pedal.
That’s perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That’s reaction time.

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts -- heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking -- rather than keeping pace with traffic. This
is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking.

Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. But
that’s only an average. It might be less with one driver
and as long as two or three seconds or
more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight allplay a part. So do alcohol,
drugs and frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a
vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20
m). That couldbe a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and others
is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distancesvary greatly
with the surfaceof the road (whether it’s pavement or
gravel); the conditionof the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; and the conditionof your brakes.
Most drivers treat their brakeswith care. Some,
however, overwork the braking system with poor
driving habits.

Don’t “ride’’ the brakes by letting your left foot rest
lightly on the brake pedal while driving.

a==-- . .

--CAUTION:

“Riding” your brakes can cause themto overheat
to the point that they won’t work well. You might
not be able to stopyour vehicle in time to avoid
an accident. If you “ride” your brakes, they will
get so hot they will require a lot of pedalforce to
slow youdown. Avoid “riding” the brakes.

I‘I

pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stopand the
brake pedal will be harder to push.

Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Your Buick has an advanced electronic braking system
that will help prevent skidding.
This light on the instrument panel will go on when you
start your vehicle.
See “Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light” in the
Index.

e brakes weafs them out muchfaster
You would need costly brake replacement much
sooner than normal, and it also reduces fuel

If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate alot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking and
longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake
normally but don’t pump your brakes. If you do, the

ANTI
LOCK

Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet.
You’re driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in
front of you.
You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. The
computer separately works the brakes at each front
wheel and at therear wheels.

You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.

CAUTION:
Anti-lock doesn’t changethe time you need to
get your footup to the brake pedal. If you gettoo
close to the vehiclein front of you, you won’t
have time toapply your brakesifethat vehicle
suddenly stows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you have
antblock brakes.

To Use Anti-Lock:

stop. It applies brake pressure to an individual wheel
that the system senses is about to spin.
You may feel the system working, or you may notice
some noise, but this is normal.

TRACTION
OFF

Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
and let anti-lock work for you.
When you start your vehicle and begin to drive away,
you may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise. And
you may even notice that your brake pedal moves a little
while this is going on. This is the ABS system testing
itself. You may also hear this during ahard stop.

Traction Control System (Option)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The traction control system works at
low speeds only, such as when you accelerate from a

174

The “TRACTION OFF” warning light lets you know if
your traction control system is not working. See
“Traction Control System Warning Light” in the Index.

Disc Brake Wear Indicators
Your Buick has front disc brakes and rear drum 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 may come

Rear Drum Brakes

and go or be heard all the timeyour vehicle is moving
(except when you are pushing on the brake pedal
firmly).

A CAUTION:
I The
brake wear
warning
sound
means
that

sooner or later your brakes won’t work well. That
could leadto an accident. When you hear the
brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.

Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected. Also, the rear brake drums
should be removed and inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation or changing. When you have the
front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected,
too.
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. Thiscould be a sign of brake trouble.

could result in costly brake repair.

Brake Adjustment
I

Some driving conditions or climates
may cause abrake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.

Every time you make amoderate brake stop, your
brakes adjust forwear.

If you rarely make amoderate or heavier stop, thenyour
brakes might not adjust correctly. If you drive in that
way, then -- very carefully -- make afew moderate
brake stops about every 1000 miles (1 600 km), so your
brakes will adjust properly.

175

Braking in Emergencies
Use your anti-lock braking system when you need to.
With anti-lock, you ‘cansteer and brake at the same time.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.

Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system fails to function, you can steer but it
.will take much more effort.

Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidentsmentioned on

the news happen on curves. Here’s why:
Experienced driver orbeginner, each.of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible forthe vehicle to changejts path when youturn
the frontwheels. If there’s no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you’ve ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand this.

176

The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the roadsurface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you’re in a curve,speed is the one factoryou can
control.
Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then
you suddenly accelerate.
Those two control systems -- steering .and acceleration -can overwhelm those places where the tires meetthe
road and make you lose control.
What should you do if this ever happens? Let up on the
.acceleratorpedal, steer the vehicle the way you wantit
to go,and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are
based on good weather androad conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you’ll want to goslower.

If you need to reduceyour speed as you approach a
curve, doit before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable,steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.

When you drive into a curve at night,
it’s harder to see
the road ahead of you because it bends away from the
straight beams of your lights. Thisis one good reason to
drive slower.

just as quickly straighten thewheel once you have
avoided the object. You must then be prepared to steer
back to your original lane and then brake to a controlled
stop.

Steering in Emergencies

Depending on your speed, thiscan be rather violent for
an unprepared driver. This is one of the reasons driving
experts recommendthat you use your safety belts and
keep both hands on the steeringwheel.

There are timi% when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and
find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts out
from between
parked cars and stopsright in front of you. You can
avoid theseproblems by braking -- if you can stop in
time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room. That’s
the time for evasive action
-- steering around the
problem.
Your Buick can perform very well in emergencies like
these. First apply your brakes. It is better to remove as
much speed as you can from a possible collision.Then
steer around the problem, to the left or right depending
on the space available.
An emergency like this requires close attention
and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can
turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. But you have to act fast, steerquickly, and

The factthat such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at
all times.

177

Off-Road Recovery
You may find sometime that your right wheels have
dropped off the edgeof a road onto the shoulder while
you’re driving.
If the level of the shoulderis only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer
so that your vehicle straddles the edgeof the pavement.
You can turn the steeringwheel up to 1/4 turn until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge. Then turn
your steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.

If the shoulder appears to be about four
inches
(100 mm) or more below the pavement, this difference
can cause problems. If there is not enough room to pull
entirely onto theshoulder and stop, then follow the same
procedures. But if the right front tirescrubs against the
side of the pavement, do NOT steer more sharply. With
too much steering angle, the vehicle may jump back
onto the road with so much steering input that it crosses
over into the oncoming traffic before you can bring it
back under control.
Instead, ease off again on the accelerator and steering
input, straddle the pavement once more, then try again.

Passing
The driver of a vehicle about topass another on a
two-lane highway waits for just the right moment,
accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes
back into the right lane again. A simple maneuver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane
highway is a potentially dangerous move, since the
passing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncoming
traffic for several seconds. A miscalculation, an error in
judgment, ora brief surrender to frustration or angercan
suddenly put the passing driver face to face with the
worst of all traffic accidents -- the head-on collision.

178

So here are some tips forpassing:
“Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides, and
to crossroads for situationsthat might affect your
passing patterns. If you have any doubt whatsoever
about making a successfulpass, wait for abetter
time.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and
lines. If you can see a signup ahead that might
indicate aturn or an intersection, delayyour pass. A
broken center line usually indicates it’s all right to
pass (providing theroad ahead is clear). Never cross
a solid line on your side of the lane or adouble solid
line, even if the road seems empty of approaching
traffic.
If you suspect that the driver of the vehicle you want
to pass isn’t aware of your presence, tap the horn a
couple of times before passing.

Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass
while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing,
following too closely reduces your area of vision,
especially if you’re following a larger vehicle. Also,
you won’t have adequate spaceif the vehicleahead
suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable
distance.

When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start to acceleratebut stay in the right lane and don’t
get too close.Time your move so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move into the
other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a
“running start’’ that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to cancel your pass,
you need only slow down and drop back again and
wait for anotheropportunity.
If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait
your turn. But take care that someone isn’t trying to
pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle.
Remember to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.
Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane topass. When you are farenough
ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. (Remember that
your right outside mirror is convex. Thevehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than it really is.)

Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on
two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the next
vehicle.

Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lights arenot flashing, it may
be slowing down or startingto turn.

If you’re being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to getahead of you. Perhaps you
can ease alittle to the right.

Loss of Control
Let’s review what driving expertssay about what
happens when the three controlsystems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of less
danger.

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoidmost skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
“overdriving” those conditions. But skids are always
possible.

The threetypes of skids correspond to your Buick’s
three control systems. In the braking skid your wheels
aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slipand
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best
handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide (aswhen you turn a corner
on a wet, snow- or ice-covered road), easeyour foot off
the accelerator pedal as soon as you feel the vehicle start
to slide.Quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to
go. If you start steering quickly enough, your vehicle
will straighten out. As it does, straighten the front
wheels.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you’ll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surfacewith reduced traction, try
your best to avoid.suddensteering, acceleration, or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surfaceis slippery until your

vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues -such as enough water, ice orpacked snow on the road to
make a “mirrored surface” -- and slow down when you
have any doubt.

Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.One
reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired -by alcohol or drugs,with night vision problems, orby
fatigue.

Remember: Any anti-lock braking system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid. Steerthe way you want to
go-

Here are some tipson night driving.

Driving at Night

Drive defensively. Remember, this is the most
dangerous time.

Don’t drink and drive. (See “Drunken Driving” in
the Index for more on this problem.)

Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlights behind you.

Since you can’t see aswell, you may need to slow
down and keep more space between you and other
vehicles. It’s hard to tell how fast the vehicle ahead .
is going just by looking at its taillights.

...,.

..-

Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlights can light up only so much road ahead.
0

In remote areas, watch for animals.

If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safeplace and
rest.

Night Vision
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as
we get older these differences increase. A 50-year-old
driver may require at least twice as much light to see the
same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your night
vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will
have less trouble adjusting tonight.
But if you’re driving, don’twear sunglasses at night.
They may cut down on glare from headlights, but they
also make a lot of things invisible that should remain
visible - such as parked cars, obstacles, pedestrians, or
even trains blocking railway crossings. You may want to
put on your sunglasses after you have pulled into a
brightly-lighted service or refreshment area. Eyes
shielded from that glare may adjust more quickly to
darkness back on the road. But be sure to remove your
sunglasses before you leave the service area.
You can be temporarily blinded by approaching lights. It
can take a second or two, or even several seconds, for
your eyes toreadjust to the dark. When you are faced
with severe glare(as from a driver who doesn’t lower
the high beams, or a vehicle with misaimed headlights),
slow down a little. Avoid staring directly into the
approaching lights. If there is a line of opposing traffic,

make occasional glances over the lineof headlights to
make certain that one of the vehicles isn’t starting to
move into your lane. Once you are past the bright lights,
give your eyes time to readjust before resuming speed.

High Beams
If the vehicle approaching you has its high beams on,
signal by flicking yours to high and then back to low
beam. This is the usual signal to lower the headlight
beams. If the other driver still doesn’t lower the beams,
resist the temptation to put your high beams on. This
only makes two half-blinded drivers.
On a freeway, use your high beams only in remote areas
where you won’t impair approaching drivers. In some
places, like cities, using high beams is illegal.
When you follow another vehicle on a freeway or
highway, use low beams. True, most vehicles now have
day-night mirrors that enable the driver to reduce glare.
But outside mirrors are not of this type and high beams
from behind can bother the driver ahead.

A Few More Night Driving Suggestions
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean -- inside and out. Glare atnight is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a film caused by dust. Tobacco smoke also

makes inside glass surfacesvery filmy and can be a
vision hazard if it’s left there.

Driving in the Rain

Dirty glass makes lights dazzleand flash more than
clean glass would, making the pupilsof your eyes
contract repeatedly. You might even want to keep a cloth
and some glass cleanerin your vehicle if you need to
clean your glass frequently.
Remember that your headlights light up far lessof a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve.
Keep your eyes moving; that way, it’s easier topick out
dimly lighted objects.
Just as your headlights should be checked regularly for
proper aim, so should your eyes be examined regularly.
Some drivers sufferfrom night blindness -- the inability
to see in dim light -- and aren’teven aware of it.
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet
road you can’t stop, accelerate orturn as well because
your tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on dry roads.
And, if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get
even less traction.

It’s always wise to go slower and be cautious if rain
starts to fall while you are driving. The surface
may get
wet suddenly when your reflexes aretuned for driving
on dry pavement.
The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see.Even if your
windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy rain
can make it harder to seeroad signs and traffic signals,
pavement markings, the edge of the road, and even
people walking. Road spray can often be worse for
vision than rain, especially if it comes from a dirty road.

So it is wise to keep your wiping equipment in good
shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled.
Replace your windshield wiper inserts when they show
signs of streaking or missing areas on the windshield, or
when strips of rubber start to separatefrom the inserts.
Driving too fast through large water puddles or even
going through some car washes can cause problems, too.
The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid puddles.
But if you can’t, try to slow down before you hit them.

CAUTION:

Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won’t
work well in a quick stop and may cause pulling
to one side. You could lose controlof the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle
of water or a
car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly until
your brakes work normally.

road. If you can see reflections from trees,telephone
poles, or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple”
the
water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happensat higher speeds. There
just isn’t a’hardand fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice is to slow down whenit is raining, and be
careful.

Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
.

Turn on your headlights-- not just your parkinglights
-- to help make youmore visible to others.

Look for hard-to-see vehicles coming frombehind..
You may want to use your headlights evenin daytime
if it’s raining hard.

Besides slowing down, allowsome extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you pass
another vehicle. Allow yourselfmore clear room
ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted
by road spray. If the road sprayis so heavy you are
actually blinded, drop back. Don’t pass until
conditions improve. Going more slowly is better than
having an accident.

Use your defoggerif it helps.

Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See
“Tires” in the Index.)

Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous.So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually rideon the water.
This canhappen if the road is wet enough and you’re
going fast enough.When your vehicle is hydroplaning,
it has little or no contact
with the road.
You might not be aware of hydroplaning. You could
drive along forsome time without realizing your tires
aren’t in constant contactwith the road. You could find
out the hard way: when you have to slow, turn, move out
to pass -- or if you get hit by a gustof wind. You could
suddenly find yourself out of control.

Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. Butit can if your
tires haven’t much treador if the pressure in one or more
is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on the

Driving in Fog, Mist and Haze

When you drive into a fog patch, your visibility will be
reduced quickly. The biggest dangers arestriking the
vehicle ahead or being struck by the one behind. Try to
"read" the fog density down the road. If the vehicle
ahead starts to become less clearor, at night, if the
taillights are harder to see, the fog is probably
thickening. Slow down to give traffic behind you a
chance to slow down. Everybody then has a better
chance to avoid hitting the vehicle ahead.

A patch of dense fog may extend only for afew feet
(meters) or for miles (kilometers); you can't really tell
while you're in it. You can only treat the situation with
extreme care.

Fog can occur with high humidity or heavy frost. It can
be so mild that you can seethrough it for several
hundred feet (meters). Or it might be so thick that you
can see only a few feet (meters) ahead. It may come
suddenly to an otherwise clear road. And it can be a
major hazard.

One common fog condition -- sometimes called mist or
ground fog -- can happen in weather that seems perfect,
especially at night or in the early morning in valley and
low, marshy areas. You can be suddenly enveloped in
thick, wet haze that may even coat your windshield. You
can often spot these fog patches or mist layers with your
headlights. But sometimes they can be waiting for you
as you come over a hill or dipinto a shallow valley.
Start your windshield wipers and washer, to help clear
accumulated road dirt. Slow down carefully.

Tips on Driving in Fog
If you get caught in fog, turn your headlights on low
beam, even in daytime. You’ll see -- and be seen -better.
Don’t use your high beams. The light will bounce off
the water droplets that make up fog and reflect back at
you.

Pass other vehicles in fog only if you can see farenough
ahead to pass safely. Even then, be prepared to delay
your pass if you suspect the fog is worse up ahead. If
other vehicles try to pass you, make it easy for them.

City Driving

Use your defogger. In high humidity, even a light
buildup of moisture on the inside of the glass will cut
down on your already limited visibility. Run your
windshield wipers and washer occasionally. Moisture
can build up on the outside glass,and what seems to be
fog may actually be moisture on the outsideof your
windshield.
Treat dense fog as an emergency. Try to find a placeIO
pull off the road. Of course you want to respect
another’s property, but you might need to put something
between you and moving vehicles -- space, trees,
telephone poles, a privatedriveway, anything that
removes you from other traffic.
If visibility is near zero and you must stop but are
unsure whether you are away from the road, turn your
lights on, start your hazard warning flashers, and sound
your horn at intervals or when you hear approaching
traffic.

One of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount of traffic on them. You’ll want to watch out for
what the other drivers aredoing and pay attention to
traffic signals.

187

Here are ways tohcrease your safety in city driving:
0

Know the best way to get to where you are going.
Try not to drivearound trying to pick out a familiar
street or landmark. Get a city map and plan your trip
into an unknown part of the city just asyou would
for a cross-country trip.

Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most
large cities. You'll save timeand energy. (See the
next section, "Freeway Driving.")

Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light
is therebecause the corner isbusy enough to need it.
When a light turns green, and just before you start to
move, check both ways for vehicles that have not
cleared the intersection or may be running the red
light.

Obey all posted speed limits. But remember that they
are for ideal road, weather and visibility conditions.
You may need to drivebelow the posted limit in bad
weather or when visibility is especially poor.

Pull to the right (with care) and stop clear
of
intersections when you see or hearemergency
vehicles.

Freeway Driving

Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways,
parkways, expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways)
are thesafest of all roads. But they have their own
special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same
speed most of the other drivers aredriving. Too-fast or

too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left laneon a freeway as passing
a
lane.

Before changing lanes, check your rearview mirrors.
Then use your turn signal.

Entering the Freeway

Just before you leave the lane, glance
quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there
isn’t another vehicle in your
“blind” spot.

At the entrance thereis usually a ramp mat leads to the
freeway. If you have a clearview of the freeway asyou
drive alongthe entrance ramp,you should begin to
check traffic. Try to.determine where you expect to
blend with the flow. If traffic is light, you may have no
problem. But if it is heavy, find a gap asyou move along
the entering laneand time your approach. Try to merge
into the gap at,close to the prevailing
speed. Switch on
your turn signal, check your rearview mirrors as you
move along,and glance overyour shoulder asoften as
necessary. Try to blendsmoothly with the traffi.c flow.

Driving on the Freeway
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate
if it’s slower. Stay
in the right lane unless you want to ‘pass.If you are on a
two-lane freeway, treat the right Lane as the slow lane
and theleft lane as thepassing lane.
If you are on a three-lanefreeway, treat theright lane as
the slower-speed through lane, themiddle lane as the
higher-speed through lane,and the left lane as the
passing lane.

If you are moving from an outside.to a center lane
on a
freeway having more than two lanes, make sure another
vehicle isn’t about tomove into thesame spot. Look at
the vehicles two lanes over and watch for telltalesigns:
turn signals flashing,an increase in speed, ormoving
toward the edgeof the lane.Be prepared to delayyour
move. .
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certainyou
allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move
slightly slower at night.

Leaving the Freeway
When you want to leave thefreeway, move to theproper
lane well in advance. Dashing across lanes at the last
minute is dangerous. If you miss yourexit donot, under
any circumstances, stopand back up. Drive on to the
next exit.
At each.exit pointis a’deceleration lane. Ideally
it
should be long enough for you to enterit at freeway
speed (after signaling,of course) and then do your

braking before moving onto the exit ramp.
Unfortunately, not all deceleration lanes are long enough
-- some are too short for all the braking. Decide when to
start braking. If you must brake on the through lane, and
if there is traffic close behind you, you can allow a little
extra timeand flash your brake lights (in addition to
your turn signal) as extrawarning that you are aboutto
slow down and exit.
The exitramp can be curved,sometimes quite sharply.
The exitspeed is usually posted. Reduce your speed
according toyour speedometer, not to your sense of
motion. After driving for any distance higher
at
speeds,
you may tend to think you are going slower than you
actually are.For example, 40 mph (65 km/h) might
seem like only 20 mph (30 km/h). Obviously, this could
lead to serious trouble on a ramp designed for 20 mph
(30 km/h)!

your vehicle are in good shape. Here are some tips for a
successful long trip.

Before Leaving ona Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh -- such as after aday’s
work -- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey.Wear comfortable clothingand shoes you
can easily drive in.

Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service expertsin
Buick dealerships all across North America. They’ll be
ready and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?

Driving a Long Distance
Although most long trips today are made on freeways,
there arestill many made on regular highways.
Long-distance driving on freeways and regular
highways is the same in some ways. The trip has to be
planned and the vehicle prepared, you drive at
higher-than-city speeds, and there arelonger turns
behind the wheel. You’ll enjoy your trip more if you and

Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for

long-distance driving?Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid amajor storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?

On the Road
Unless you are the only driver, it is good to share the
driving task with others. Limitturns behind the wheel to
about 100 miles (160 km) or twohours at a sitting.
Then, either change drivers or stopfor some refreshment
like coffee, tea or soft drinks and some limbering up.
But do stop and move around. Eat lightly along the way.
Heavier meals tend to make some people sleepy.

Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as“highway
hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleepat the wheel?
Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine,and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let it
happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road in less than a second, and you could crash and be
injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.

On two-lane highways or undivided multilane highways
that do not have controlled access, you’ll want to watch
for some situationsnot usually found on freeways.
Examples are: stop signsand signals, shopping centers
with direct access tothe highway, no passing zones and
school zones, vehicles turning left and right off the road,
pedestrians, cyclists,parked vehicles, and even animals.

191

Then here are some tips:

e Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.

e Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to
the sides. Check your rearview mirrors frequently
and your instruments from time to time. This can
help you avoid a fixed stare.

e Wear good sunglasses in bright light. Glare can
cause drowsiness. But don't wear sunglasses at
night. They will drastically reduce your overall
vision at thevery time you need all the seeing power
you have.

e If you get sleepy,pull off the road into a rest, service,
or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as
an emergency.

As in any driving situation,keep pace with traffic and
allow adequate following distances.

192

Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're
,planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and
transaxle. These parts can work hard on mountain
roads.

Know how to go uphill. Shift down to “D’ (Drive).
This will help cool your engine and transaxle, and
you can climb thehill better.

Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Don’t make your brakes do it all.
Shift toa lower gear when you go down a steep or
long hill. That way, you will slow down without
excessive use of your brakes.

CAUTION:
Ifyou don’t shift down, your brakes could get so
hot that theywouldn’t work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Sh‘rft down to let your mgilne
assist your brakes on a steep downhill slope.

IA
Coastlng downhill O
n “ N (Neutral) or with the
ignltbn off 5s dangerous. Your brakes will have
to do all the work of slowing down. They touid
get so hot that they woufdn’t work well. You
could crash. Always have your engine running
and your vehicle in gear when you go dawnhill,

Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane
roads in hills ormountains. Don’t swing wide or cut
across the centerof the road. Drive at speedsthat let
you stay in your own lane. That way, you won’t be
surprised by a vehicle coming toward you in the
same lane.
It takes longer to pass another vehicle when you’re
going uphill. You’ll want to leaveextra room to pass.
If a vehicle is passing you and doesn’t have enough
room, slow down to makeit easier forthe other
vehicle to get by.

As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could
be something in your lane, like a stalled caror an
accident.

You may see highway signs on mountains that warn
of special problems. Examples are long grades,
passing or no-passing zones, a falling
rocks area, or
winding roads. Be alert tothese and take appropriate
action.
0

Winter driving can present special problems. See
“Winter Driving” in the Index.

193

Parking on Hills

You can turn your front wheels to keep your vehicle
from rolling downhill or out into traffic.
Here’s how:

Parking Downhill

I
Hills and mountains mean spectacular scenery. But
please be careful where you stop if you decide to look at
the view or take pictures. Look for pull-offs or parking
areas provided for scenic viewing.
Another part of this manual tells how to use your
parking brake (see “Parking Brake” in the Index). But
on a mountain or steephill, you can do one more thing.

694

Turn your wheels to theright.

You don’t have to jam your tires against the curb, if
there is a curb. A gentle contact is all you need.

Parking Uphill

If there is a curb,turn your wheels to the left if the curb
is at the right sideof your vehicle.

If you’re going uphill on a one-way street and you’re
parking on the left side, your wheels should point to the
right.

Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into “P” (Park) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of “F‘” (Park). This is called “torque lock.” To
prevent torque lock, always be sure to shift into “P”
(Park) properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To
find out how, see “Shifting Into ‘P’ (Park)” in the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
“P” (Park) BEFORE you release the parking brake.

If there isno curb when you’re parking uphill, turn the
wheels to theright.
If there is no curb when you’re parking uphill on the left
side of a one-way street, your wheels should be turned
to the left.

If “torque lock” does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the transaxle, so you can pull the shift
lever out of “P” (Park).

Winter Driving

Here are some tips for winter driving:
0

Have your Buick in good shape for winter. Be sure
your engine coolant mix is correct.
Snow tires can help in loose snow, but they may give
you less traction on ice than regular tires. If you do
not expect tobe driving in deep snow, but may have
to travel over ice, you may not want to switch to
snow tires at all.

You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.

Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight,
a red cloth, and a
. couple of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will
be driving under severe conditions, include small
a
bag
of sand, a pieceof old carpet or a couple
of burlap bags
to help providetraction. Be sure you properly secure
these items in your vehicle.

197

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 icebetween your tires and
the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You’ll
have a lot less traction or “grip”and will need to be very
careful.

of all. You can get “wet ice” when it’s about freezing
(32°F; 0°C) and freezing rain beginsto fall. Tryto avoid
driving on wet ice until salt and sandcrews can get there.
Whatever the condition -- smooth ice, packed, blowing
or loose snow -- drive with caution. 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.
Your anti-lock brakes improve your ability to make a
hard stop on a slippery road. Even though you have the
anti-lock braking system, you’ll want to begin stopping
sooner than you would on dry pavement. See
“Anti-lock” in the Index.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery
road.

What’s the worst timefor this? “Wet ice.” 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

Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine
until you hit a spot that’s covered with ice. On an
otherwise clear road, ice patches may appear in
shaded areas where the sun can’t reach: around
clumps of trees, behind buildings, or under bridges.
Sometimes the surface of a curve or an overpass may
remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear. If
you see apatch of ice ahead of you, brake before you
are on it. Try not to brake while you’re actually on
the ice, and avoid sudden steering maneuvers.

If You're Caught ina Blizzard

If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a
serious situation.You should probably stay with your
vehicle unless you know for sure thatyou are near help
and you can hike through the snow. Here are some
things to do to summon helpand keep yourself and your
passengers safe: Turn on your hazard flashers. Tie a red
cloth to your vehicle to alert policethat you've been
stopped by the snow. Put on extra clothing orwrap a
blanket around you. If you have no blankets or extra
clothing, makebody insulators from newspapers, burlap
bags, rags,floor mats -- anything you can wrap around
yourself or tuck under yourclothing tokeep warm.
You can run the engine tokeep warm, but becareful.

CAUTION:

LCAUTION:

Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This cancause deadly CO (carbon monoxide)
gas to get inside. CO could overcome you and
kill you. You can’t see it or smell it, so you might
not know it is in your vehicle. Clear awaysnow
from around the
base of your vehicle,
especially
any that is blocking yourexhaust pipe. And
check around again from time
to time to besure
snow doesn’t collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that’s awayfrom thewind. This will help
keep CO out.
CAUTION: (Continued)

Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a littlefaster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlights. Let the heater run for awhile.

Then, shut the engineoff and close thewindow almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again
and repeat this onlywhen you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle anddo some fairlyvigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.

If You’re Stuck in Deep Snow
This manual explains how to get thevehicle out of deep
snow without damaging it. See “Rocking Your Vehicle”
in the Index.

Towing a Trailer

CAUTION:

If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose controlwhen you pulla
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well-- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull a trailer only if youhave followed all the
steps in this section.

Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairsnot cover
by your warranty. To pull
the advice in this section

Your car can tow a trailer. To identify what the vehicle
trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you should read
the information in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears
later in this section.But trailering is different than just
driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes
in handling, durability, and fuel economy. Successful,
safe trailering takes correct equipment,and it has tobe
used properly.
That’s the reason forthis section, In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important foryour safety and that of
your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.

201

Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies, and tires are forced to work harder
against the drag of the added weight. The engineis
required to operateat relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.
All of that means changes in:
Handling

You can ask a hitch dealer aboutsway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or otherparts could be damaged.
Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.

Durability

Three important considerations have to do with weight:

Fuel economy

Weight of the Trailer

If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer

How heavy can a trailer safely be?

If you do, here are some important points.

It should never weigh more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg),
unless you have the optional 3,000 pound (1350 kg)
trailer towing package. But even that can be too heavy.

There are many different laws having to do with
trailering. Make sure your rig will be legal, not only
where you live but also where you’ll be driving. A
good source forthis information can be state or
provincial police.
Consider using a sway control if your trailer will
weigh 2,000 pounds (900 kg) or less. You should
always use a sway control if your trailer will weigh
more than 2,000 pounds (900 kg).

It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a
trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any
special equipment that you have on your vehicle.

You can ask your dealer forour trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at
Buick Motor Division
Customer Assistance Center
902 E. Hamilton Avenue
Flint, MI 48550.
In Canada, write to
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7.

Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects thetotal capacity
weight of your vehicle. The capacity weight includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in
it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And
if you will tow a trailer, you must subtract thetongue
load from your vehicle’s capacity weight because your
vehicle will be carrying thatweight, too. See “Loading
Your Vehicle” in the Index for more information about
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.

If you’re using a “dead-weight”hitch, the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 10% of the total loaded trailer weight
(B). If you have a “weight-distributing” hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh 12% of the total loaded trailer
weight (B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.

203

Total Weight onYour Vehicle’s Tires

Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the limit for
cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the Certification
label at the rear edgeof the driver’s door (or see“Tire
Loading” in the Index). Then be sure you don’t go over
the GVW limit foryour vehicle.

Safety Chains

Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by, and rough roads are a
few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are
some rules to follow:
0

If you’ll be pulling a trailerthat, when loaded, will
weigh more than 2,000 pounds (900 kg), be sure to
use a properly mounted, weight-distributing hitch
and sway control of the proper size. This equipment
is very important for proper vehicle loading and
good handling when you’re driving.
Will you have to make any holes in the body of your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do,
then be sure toseal the holes later when you remove
the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into your
vehicle (see “Carbon Monoxide” in the Index). Dirt
and water can, too.

The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for
hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to them. Use only a
frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to the
bumper.

You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the
tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to
the road if it becomes separated from the hitch.
Instructions about safety chains may be provided by the
hitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for
attaching safety chains. Always leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety
chains to dragon the ground.

Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes -- and they must be
adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes so you’ll be able toinstall, adjust and
maintain them properly. Because you have anti-lock
brakes, do not try to tap into your vehicle’s brake
system. If you do, both brake systems won’t work well,
or at all.

Driving with a Trailer

Passing

Towing a trailer requires acertain 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.

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.

Before you start, check the trailerhitch and platform,
safety chains, electricalconnector, lights, tires and
mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric brakes, start
your vehicle 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 tobe sure that the
load is secure, and that the lights and any trailer brakes
are still working.

Following Distance
Stay at least twice as farbehind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situationsthat require heavy braking
and sudden turns.

Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steeringwheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move 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.

lbrn 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,

the trailer lights will also flash,telling other drivers
you’re about toturn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash 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’s
important to check occasionally tobe sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.

On a long uphill grade, shift down to “D or 3” (Drive)
and reduce your speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to
reduce the possibility of engine and transaxle
overheating.

Parking on Hills
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.

Your vehicle has bulb warning lights. When you plug
trailer lights into your vehicle’s lighting system, its bulb
warning lights may not let you know if one of your
lights goes out. So, when you have trailer lights plugged
in, be sure to check your vehicle and trailer lights from
time to time to be sure they’re-allworking. Once you
disconnect the trailer lights, the bulb warning lights
again can tell you if one of your vehicle lights is out.

2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.

Driving On Grades

3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.

Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a longor steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.

But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:

1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into “F’”
(Park) yet.

4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to “ P ’ (Park).

5. Release the regular brakes.

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
0

Shift into a gear; and

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’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatictransaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, belt, cooling system,and brake adjustment.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s
a good idea to review these sectionsbefore you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are
tight.

I954 Buick Model 56C

208

@ Part 5 Problems on theRoad
=
I
i

Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that
can occur on the road .
Part 5 includes:
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OtherWarningDevices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“Jump”Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TowingYourBuick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engineoverheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IfaTireGoesFlat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ChangingaFlatTire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CompactSpareTire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If You’re Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice orSnow ..............................................

210
211
212
217
221
228
229
237
239

209
......

Hazard Warning Flashers

I
7

'.. . .

Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lights will flash on and off.

210

, , . ..,

>., :,

Press the button in to make your front and rear turn
signal lights flash on and off.

To turn off the flashers, pull out on the collar. When the
hazard flashers areon, your turn signals won't work.

Your hazard flashers work no matter what position your
key is in, and even if the key isn't in.

Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind your
vehicle.

211

Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables tostart your
Buick. But please follow the stepsbelow to do it safely.

CAUTION:

Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain ass that can explode or
ignite.
They contain enough electricity to burn
you.
Ifyou don’t follow these steps exactlp,
all of these things can hurt you.

damage to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
Trying to start your Buick by pushingor pulling it
won’t work, and it could damage your vehicle.

To Jump Start Your Buick:
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.

2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to
start your Buick, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.

A CAUTION:
I You
could be injured if the vehicles roll. Set the

An electric fan can start up even whenthe engine
is notrunning and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing anA tools away from any underhood
electric fan

parking brake firmly oneach vehicle. Put an
automatic transaxle in “P” (Park) or a manual
transaxle in “N” (Neutral).

3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Turn off all
lights that aren’t needed,and radios. This will avoid
sparks and help save both batteries. And it could
save your radio!

1 NOTICE:

CAUTION:

Find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on eact
battery.

If you leave your ram0 or ’t could be baaly
damaged. Therepairs wouldn’t be covered b)
your warranty.

4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries.

213

CAUTION:

Using a matchnear a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have beenhurt doing
this, and some havebeen blinded. Usea
flashlight if you need more light.
Be sure thebattery has enoug,hwater. You don’t
need to add waterto the Delco Freedom@battery
installed in’every newGM vehicle. But if a battery
amount of fluid
has filler caps, be sure the right
is there. If it is low, add water to’ take careof that
first If you don’tt, explosive gas could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you.
Don’t get it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes oron your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.

5. Check that the jumpercables don’t have loose or
missing insulation. If they do,you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged, too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some basic
th.ings you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) a ~ mgative
d
(-) will go to negative (-) or

214

a metal engine part. Don’t connect (+) to (-) or you’ll
get a short that would damage the battery and maybe
other parts, too.

‘A

CAUTION:

Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands awayfrom movingparts
once the engines are running.

6. Connect the red
positive (+) cable to
the positive (+)
terminal of the
vehicle with the
dead battery. Use a
remote positive (+)
terminal if the
vehicle has one.

7. Don’t let the other
end touch metal.
Connect it to the
positive (+)
terminal of the
good battery. Use a
remote positive (+)
terminal if the
vehicle has one.

8. Now connect the
black negative (-)
cable to the good
battery’s negative
(-) terminal.

Don’t let the other end touch anything until the next
step. The otherend of the negative cable doesn’tgo
to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy unpainted
metal part on the engine of the vehicle with the dead
battery.

9. Attach the cable at
least 18 inches (45
cm) away from the
dead battery, but
not near engine
parts that move.
The elecbical
connection is just as
good there, but the
chance of sparks
getting back to the
battery is much
less.

10.Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the enginefora while.
.
11. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
If it won't start after a few tries, it probably needs
service.

12. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that they don't touch
each other or any other metal.

Towing Your Car
Try to have a GM dealer or aprofessional 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.

If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it
was factory-new by adding aftermarket itemslike fog
lamps, aero skirting,or special tires and wheels, these
instructions and illustrations may not becorrect.
Before you do anything,turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
When you call, tell the towing service:
That your vehicle has front-wheel drive.
The make, model, and year of your vehicle.
Whether you can still move the shift lever.
If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives,let the tow operator
know that this manual contains detailedtowing
instructions and illustrations. The operatormay want to
see them.

217

r /r\

CAUTION:

To help avoid injury to youor others:
0 Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that
is being towed.
0 Never tow faster than safe or posted
speeds.
0 Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted bya tow truck.
0 Always use separate safety chains on each
side when ?owinga vehicle.

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 55 mph (88 k d h ) or
farther than 500 miles (SO0 km) or your transaxle will
be damaged. If these limits must be exceeded, then the
front wheels have to be supported on a dolly.

t
V

218

CAUTION:

A vehicle can fall froma carcarrier if it isn’t
properly secured. This can cause acollision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before it istransported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can becut bysharp
edges underneaththe towed vehicle.

Front Towing Hook-

JPS

Attach "T" hook chains
behind the front wheels into
the bottom slots of the
cradle railson both sides

Position a4" x 4" wood beam across the sling chains
contacting thebottom of the radiator support.Position
the lower sling crossbar justbehind the rear edge of the
front bumper.

219

Rear Towing Hook-Ups
Attach '7"' hook chains to
the slotsin the bottom of
floor pan just ahead of the
rear wheels on both sides.

220

Position the lower sling crossbar directly under the rear
bumper. A 4" x 4" wood beam is not needed.
Attach a separate safety
chain around the outboard
end of each lower control
arm.

Engine Overheating
You will find the warning light about ahot engine on
your Buick instrument panel and if you have the
optional gage cluster, a coolant temperature gage.
You will also find a low coolant warning light on your
Buick instrument panel.

If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine:

If you get the overheat warning but see orhear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:

CAUTION:

_earnfrom an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you justopen the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steamcoming
-m it. Just turnit off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it coolsdown. Wait until
there is no signof steam or coolant before
opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquidsin it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine
if it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
sngine is cool.
-

If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine:

Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.

221

If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:

You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.

1. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.

3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to “N” (Neutral).
w

If you no longer have the overheatwarning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about ten minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive
normally.

. ._

If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for two orthree minutes while you’re parked, to seeif
the warning stops. But then, if you still have the
warning, TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND GET
EVERYONE OUT OF THE VEHICLE until it cools
down.

When you decide it’s safe tolift the hood, here’s what
you’ll see:
Coolant recovery tank
*

Radiator pressure cap
Electric engine fans

CAUTION:

An electric fan under the hood can start upeven
when the engine is not runningand can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.

If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don’t do anything else until it cools down.

The coolant level should be at or above“FULL COLD.”
If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in
the cooling system.
I

CAUTION:

Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot.Don’t touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it couldlose allcoolant. That could
cause anengine fire, and you couldbe burned.
Get any leakfixed before you drivethe vehicle.

.”

Engine damage? Il’onlI mning bUrlr engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warrbllr

If there seems to be no leak, check to see if the electric
engine fans are running.If the engine is overheating,
both fans should be running. If they aren’t, your vehicle
needs service.

223

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at or above “FULL COLD,” add a 50/50 mixture
of clean water (preferably distilled) and the proper
antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank. (See
“Engine
Coolant’’ in the Index for more information about the
proper coolant mix.)

IA
I

In cold weather, water can free

CAUTION:

Adding plain water to your cooling system can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid
like alcohol, can boll befare the proper coolant
mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning system
is set for the groper coolant mix. With plain water
.of the wrung mix, your engine could get too hot
but you wouldn’t get the overheat warning. Your
engine could catch fire and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mix of Glean water and a
proper antifreeze.

I
I
I

CAUTION:

You can be burned if you spill cootant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethyleneglycol
and it will burn if the engineparts are hot
enough. Don’tspill coolant on a hot engine.
When the coolant in the coolant recoverytank is at or
above “FULL COLD,” start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more
thing you can try. You can add the proper coolantmix
directly to the radiator, but be sure the coolingsystem is
cool before you do it.

CAUTION:

Steam and scalding liquids froma hot cooling
system can blow outand burn youbadly. They
are under pressure, and if you turnthe radiator
pressure cap even alittle they can come out
at high speed. Never turn the pressure cap when
e cooling system, including theradiator
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the coolingsystem
and radiator pressure cap to coolif you ever
have to turn thepressure cap.

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator

2. Then keep turning
the pressure cap,
but now push down
as you turn it.
Remove the
pressure cap.

1. You can remove the
radiator pressure
cap when the
cooling system,
including the
radiator pressure
cap and upper
radiator hose, is no
longer hot.

Turn the pressure cap slowly to the left until it first
stops. (Don't press down while turning the pressure
cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.

3. Fill the radiator
with the proper
mix, up to the base
of the filler neck.

I
i

6. Start the engine and
let it run until you
can feel the upper
radiator hose
getting hot.Watch
out forthe engine
fans.

4. Then fill the coolant recoverytank to “FULL
COLD.”

7. By this time the coolant level inside the radiator
filler neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mix through the filler neck until
the level reaches the top of the filler neck.

5. Put the capback on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the radiator pressure cap off.

227

8. Then replace the
pressure cap. Be
sure the arrows on
the pressure cap
line up like this.

If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front .tire fails, the flat tire will create a dragthat
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, then gently brake to a
stop well out of the traffic lane.

A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.
If your tire goes flat, the next section shows how to use
your jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tireand wheel damage
by driving slowly to alevel place. Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.

2
.

I .

CAUTION:

Changing atire can cause an injury. Thevehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over you orother
people. You and they could be badlyinjured. Find
a level place to change your tire. To help prevent
the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in “P” (Park).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain thevehicle won’t move,
you can put chocks at the frontand rear of the
tire farthest away from theone being changed.
That would be the tire on the
other side of the
vehicle, a’ *?e opposite end.

The following stepswill tell you how to use the jackand
change a tire.

Start with the jack and
the wheel wrench.

The equipment you’ll need is in the trunk.

230

The jackhas a bolt at the
end. Attach the wheel
wrench to the jack bolt.

If your Buick has a wheel cover, you must take it off to
reach the wheel nuts. Refer to the correct picture to see
how to remove your wheel cover.

If your vehicle has an aluminum wheel with a center
cover, remove it using the flat end of the wheel wrench.

Rotate the wheel wrench clockwise (to the right). That
will raise the lift head a little.

231

If your vehicle has this
aluminum wheel, you
may have plastic wheel
nut caps. Use the wheel
nut wrench to remove
the wheel nut caps and
to loosen the wheel
nuts.

If your vehicle has wire
wheel covers, remove
them as follows:

3
Use the wire wheel key

wrench to remove the wire
wheel cover.

Put the flat end in the slot
and take the small cover

.,. .

Remove the theft deterrent
wheel nut, by placing the
key end of the wire wheel
key wrench over the nut
and turning it to theleft.
Pull off the wire wheel
cover. Note: When
replacing thewheel cover,
carefully line up the tire
valve stem and the notch in
the wheel cover.

Position the jack under the
vehicle. There is a notch in
the frame neareach of the
wheels. Fit the top of the
jack into thenotch nearest
the wheel with the flat tire.

Using the wheel wrench, loosen all the wheel nuts.
Don’t remove them yet. Next, attach thewheel wrench
to the bolt on the end of the jack. Raisethe jack a little
by rotating the wheel wrench clockwise (tothe right).

The jack handlehas markings at 8” for the rear and 10”
for the front, which will help you to locate the jacking
notches in the frame.

1 CAUTION:
Getting under a vehicle when is
it jacked upis
dangerous. If the vehicle slipsoff the jack, you
could be badly injuredor killed. Never get under
le when itis supported only by a jack.

Raising your vehiclewith the jack improperly

Raise the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrencn
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground
so there is enough room for the spare tire to fit.

Remove all the wheel nuts and take off the flat tire.

CAUTION:

.*.
..

Place the spare on the
wheel mounting surface.

Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheelcould come
off and cause an accident. Whenyou change a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt fromthe places
where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an
emergency, you can use a cloth or a papertowel
to dothis; but be sure to use a scraper or wire
brush later, ifyou need to, to get all the rust or
dirt off.

kemove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting
urfaces or spare wheel.

CAUTION:

Never use oil or grease on studsor nuts. If you
do, the nuts mightcome loose. Your r wheel
could .
y r 2:. 74
fall off, causing a serious accident. &:aF,;--..&
..*

Replace the wheel nuts
with the rounded end of the
nuts toward the wheel.
Tighten each nut by hand
until the wheel is held
lgainst the hub.

Tighten the wheel nuts
firmly in a criss-cross
sequence as shown.

[A
Lower the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. Lower the jackcompletely.

CAUTION:

Incorrect wheel nuts or improperlytightened
wheel nuts can causethe wheel to become loose
and even come off. This could lead to an
accident. Besure touse the correctwheel nuts.
If you have to replace them, be sure to get the
right kind.
Stop somewhere assoon as you can and have
the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 100 ft.
Ibs. (140 N.mh

Don’t try to put a wheel cover on your compact spare
tire. It won’t fit. Store the wheel cover in the trunk until
you have the flat tire repaired or replaced.

I NOTICE:

CAU I ION:

Storing a jack, a tire or other equilpmentin the
passenger compartmentof the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment cowtd strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.

Compact Spare Tire
Now put all the equipment back in the trunk.

WHEEL WRENCH

Although the compact spare was fully inflated when
your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time.Check
the inflation pressure regularly. It should be 60 psi (420
kPa). The compact spare is made to go up to 3,000 miles
(5000 km), so you can finish your trip and have your
full-size tire repaired or replaced where you want. Of
course, it’s best to replace your spare with a full-size tire
as soon as you can. Your spare will last longer and be in
good shape in case you need it again.
Your anti-lock brake system warning light may come on
when you are driving with a compact spare. See
“Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light’’ in the Index.

237

/d
Don't takeyour compact spare through an
automatic car washwith guide rails. The
compact spare can get caught on the rails. That
can damage the tire and wheel, and maybe other

Don't use your compact spare on some other vehicle.
And don't mix your compact spare or wheel with other
wheels or tires. They won't fit. Keep your spare and its
wheel together.

Tire chains won't fit your compact
them will damage your vehicle and destroy the
chains too. Don'tuse,.,,tjce:
, , :" 'ix., chains on
you
,.,
,.,4'#i
. .Ai
compact spare.
,,

238

.,,b
(,:,

,, j v*:'2

CAUTION:

Storing a jack, a tire,or other equipment in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop orcollision, loose
equipment could strikesomeone. Store all thesc
in the proper place.

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow

Spinningyour wheels
lestroy par __ of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spinthe whe
too fast while shifting your transaxle back
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.

What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels. The method known as “rocking” can
help you get out when you’re stuck, but you must use
caution.

CAUTION:

If you letyour tires spin at high speed, they can
explode and youor others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. Thatcould 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.
I

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” (Reverse) 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.

I957 Buick Super

240

I
I

Here you will find information about the care
of your Buick. This part begins with service and fuel information. and
then it shows how to check important fluidand lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle. and a sectiondevoted to its appearance care.
Part 6 includes:
ServiceTips ......................................................................
242
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
243
Hood Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
248
Engineoil .......................................................................
251
AirFilter .........................................................................
255
Automatic Transaxle Fluid ...........................................................
256
Enginecoolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
258
PowerSteeringFluid ...............................................................
261
Windshield Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
262
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
263
Battery ...........................................................................
265
BulbReplacement .................................................................
266
LoadingYourVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
268
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
270
Appearancecare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
278
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
286
Fuses .and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
287
292
Capacities and Specifications ..........................................................

241

Service
I

Your Buick dealer knows your vehicle best and wants
you to be happy with it. We hope you’ll go to your
dealer forall your service needs. You’ll get genuine GM
parts and GM-trained and supported service people.

We hope you’ll want to keep your GM vehicle all GM.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:

U
Delco

CAUTION:

You can be injured if you try to do service work
on avehicle without knowingenough about it.
0 Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, and the proper replacement
parts and tools before you
attempt any
vehicle maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper ‘nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. “English’aand “metric”
fasteners can beeasily confused. If you
use the wrongfasteners, parts can later
break or fall off. You”cauldbe hurt.

Doing Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own service work, you’ll
want to get the proper Buick Service Manual. It tells you
much more about how to serviceyour Buick than this
manual can. To order the proper service manual, see
“Service Publications’’in the Index.

You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service work you
perform. See “Maintenance Record’’ in the Index.

If you tryto do your own service work
knowing enough about it, your vehicle!l
damaged.

Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher. It should meet specifications ASTM D4814 in
the U.S. and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels
should have the proper additives,so you should not have
to add anything to the fuel.
In the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be sure you get the
right kind of gasoline (unleaded).You’ll see
“UNLEADED” right on the pump. And only unleaded
nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler neck.

What about gasolinewith blending materials that
contain oxygen, such as MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.’’ Fuel that is no
more than 15% MTBE is fine for your vehicle.
Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol. Properly-blended fuel
that is no more than 10% ethanol is fine for your
vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.

Be sure theposted octane is at least 87. If the octane is
less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and you
still hearheavy knocking, your engine needs service.
But don’t worry if you hear a little pingingnoise when
you’re accelerating or drivingup a hill. That’s normal,
and you don’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid
of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means
you have a problem.

Fuel that is more than 5% methanol is bad for
your vehicle. Don’tuse it. It can corrode me
parts inyour fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage woul
be covered under your warranty. And even5%
at
or less,
there
must
be
“cosolvents”
and
corrosion preventers in this fuel
to
these problems.

Gasolines for CleanerAir

Fuel

Your use of gasoline with detergent additives will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel
system. That helps keep your engine in tune and your
emission control system working properly. It’s good for
your vehicle, andyou’ll be doing your part for cleaner
air.

If you have the Supercharged 3800 V6 (L67) engine, use
premium unleaded gasoline rated at 91 octaneor higher.
It should meet specifications ASTM D4814 in the U.S.
and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels should have
the proper additives, so you should not have to add
anything to the fuel.

Many gasolines are now blended with materials called
oxygenates. General Motors recommends that you use
gasolines with these blending materials, such as MTBE
and ethanol. By doing so, you can help clean the air,
especially in those parts of the country that have high
carbon monoxide levels.

In the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be sure you get the
right kind of gasoline (unleaded). You’ll see
“UNLEADED” right on the pump. And only unleaded
nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler neck.

In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing
reformulated gasolines. These gasolines are specially
designed to reduce vehicle emissions. General Motors
recommends that you use reformulated gasoline. By
doing so, you can help clean the air, especially in those
parts of the country that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station operators if their
gasolines contain detergents and oxygenates, and if they
have been reformulated to reduce vehicle emissions.

Be sure the posted octane is atleast 9 1. If the octane is
less than 9 1, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive. (In an emergency, you may be able to use
lower octane - as low as 87 -- if heavy knocking does
not occur.) If you’re using 91 or higher octane unleaded
gas and you still get heavy knocking, your engine needs
service.
What about gasoline with blending materials that
contain oxygen, such as MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.’’ Fuel that is no
more than 15% MTBE is fine for your car.

Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol. Properly-blended fuel
that is no more than 10% ethanol is fine for your car.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.

Fuel that is more than5% methanol is bad for
your vehicle. Don’tuse it. It can corrode metal
parts in your fuel systemand also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your Warranty. And even 5%
at
or less, there must be “cosolvents” and
corrosion preventersin this fuel to help avoid

and ethanol. By doing so, you can help cleanthe air,
especially in those parts of the country that have high
carbon monoxide levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers arenow producing
reformulated gasolines. Thesegasolines are specially
designed to reduce vehicle emissions. General Motors
recommends that you use reformulated gasoline. By
doing so, you can help clean the air, especially in those
parts of the country that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station operators if their
gasolines contain detergents and oxygenates, and if they
have been reformulated to reducevehicle emissions.

Fuels in Foreign Countries

Your use of gasoline with detergent additiveswill help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel
system. That helps keep your engine in tune and your
emission control system working properly. It’s good for
your vehicle, and you’ll bedoing your part for cleaner
air.

If you plan on driving in another country outside the
U.S. or Canada, unleaded fuel may be hard to find. Do
not use leaded gasoline. If you use even one tankful,
your emission controls won’t work well or at all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust
system can corrode, and your engine oil can deteriorate
quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor will be damaged.
All of that means costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.

Many gasolines arenow blended with materials called
oxygenates. General Motors recommends that you use
gasolines with these blending materials,such as MTBE

To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact amajor oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.

Gasolines for CleanerAir

245

You can also write us at the following addressfor
advice. Justtell us where you're going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors of Canada Ltd.
International Export Sales
P.O. Box 828
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7N1, Canada

Filling Your Tank

The cap is behind a hinged door on the left side of your
vehicle.

r PUTION:

Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. I?burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don't smoke if you're near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames, andsmoking
materials away from gasoline.

The release button is to the
left of the steering column.

....

Or you can use the
release lever in the
trunk.

247

A
’

Checking Things Under the Hood

CAUTION:

If you get gasoline on you and then something
ignites it, YOU could be badly burned. Gasoline
can spray out on you if you open the fuel filler
cap too quickly. This spray can happen if your
tank is nearly full, and is more likely in hot
weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and wait
for any “hlss”noise to stop. Then unscrew the
cap all the way.

Hood Release

When you put the cap back on, turn it tothe right until
you hear a clicking noise,

4
&

OTICE:

you neea a new cap, be sureIO get tne rlght
If you get
type. Your dealer can get one for you.
the wrong type,it may not fit or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and emissions
system mightbe damaged.

3AQ

To open the hood, first pull
the handle inside the
vehicle. It is located on the
lower left side of the
instrument panel. When
you pull this handle, the
hood lock will open.

L
Then go to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release. It is under the front edgeof the
grille.

CAUTION:

An electric fan under thehood can start up and
injure youeven when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
I underhood electric fan.

CAUTION:

Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids likegasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber.You or others
could be burned. Becareful not to drop
or spill
things that will burnonto a hot engine.

-- I

Before closing the hood, be sure all thefiller caps are on
properly. Then just pull the hood down and close it
firmly.

3800 V6 Supercharged Engine
Your Park Avenue Ultra has a 3800 V6 Supercharged
engine. Buick chose supercharging rather than
turbocharging because Buick emphasizes smooth,
refined power.
The Supercharger is a devicewhich is designed to pump
more air into the engine than it would normally use.
This airmixed with fuel, creates increased engine
power. Since the Supercharger is a pump and is driven
from an engine accessory drive belt, increased pressure
is available at all driving conditions.

250

The powertrain control module(PCM), works with a
vacuum control to regulate the
increased pressure
required during specific drivingconditions. When this
increased pressure or boost,is not desired such as during
idling and light throttle cruising, the
excess air thatthe
Supercharger is pumping is routed through a bypass. All
of these controls,working together provide high
performance character and fuel efficiency
in the 3800
V6 Supercharged Buick engine.
The power steering pumpuses a remote reservoir
mounted on the throttleand cruise control cable bracket.
See “Maintenance Schedule’’ in the Index for when you
should check the fluid.
The supercharged 3800 engine uses two accessory drive
belts. One belt drives the generatorand the power
steering pump. The second belt drives the supercharger,
coolant pump and air conditioning
compressor. Each
belt has its own tensioner and idler pulley. See
“Maintenance Schedule’’ in the Index for when you
should check the accessory drivebelts and supercharger
oil level. Have your dealer check the oil levelin the
supercharger.

Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil everytime you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick
is
directly behind the engine
fan. Turn off the engineand
give the oil few
a minutes
to get back down into the
oil pan. If youdon’t, the oil
dipstick might not&ow the
actual level.

To Check Engine Oil:
Pull out the dipstick and
clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back
in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip
lower.

I
i

I NOTICE:

Don’t add too muchoil. If your engine hasso
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged,

Use the engine oil fill cap next to the oil dipstick to add
oil.
Just fill it enough,toput the level somewhere in the
proper operating range. Push the-dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.

When to Add Oil: If the oil is at or below the ADD
line you’ll need to add some oil. But you must use the
right kind. This section explains what kind of oil to use.
For crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and
Specifications”in the Index.

252

What Kind of Oil to Use:
Look for three things:

RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.

“SG” must be on the oil container, either by itself or
combined with other quality designations,such as
“SG/CC,” “SG/CD,” “SF,SG,CC,” etc. These letters
show American Petroleum Institute (API) levels of
quality.

If you use oils that don’t have the “SG”
designation, you cancauseenginedamagenot
covered by your warranty.

LOOK
FOR THIS
LABEL

HOT
WEATHER

I
I

SAE 1OW-30
PREFERRED
SAE 5W-30

COLD
WEATHER

above 0°F
(-18%)

IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30
GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30
GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES
ABOVE 40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C).
DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED

SAE low-30
As shown in this chart, SAE 1OW-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use SAE 5W-30 if it’s
going to be colder than 60 O F (16 ” C) before your
next oil change. When it’s very cold, below 0°F
(- 18” C), you should use SAE 5W-30.

These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or
thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE
low-40 or SAE20W-50.
0

Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the container will help you
save fuel.

This doughnut-shaped logo (symbol) is used on most oil
containers to help you select the correct oil.
You should look for this on the oil container, and use
only those oils that display the logo.

GM Goodwrench@oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil)
meets all the requirements for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives: Don’t add anything to your oil.
Your Buick dealer is ready to advise if you think
something should be added.

When to Change Engine Oil: See if any one of these
is true foryou:
0

Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less
than 10 miles (16 km).
The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in
door-to-door delivery, or in stop-and-go traffic).

You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.

If any one of these is true for your vehicle, then you
need to change your oil and filter every 3,000 miles
( 5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever comes first. (See
“Change Oil Soon” in the Index.)

If none of them is true, change the oil every 7,500 miles
(12 500 km) or 12months -- whichever comes first.
Change the filter at the first oil change and at every
other oil change after that. (See “Change Oil Soon” in
the Index.)
Engine Block Heater: An engine block heater can be a
big help if you have to park outside in very cold
weather, -20” F (-29 “C) or colder. If your vehicle has
this option, see “Engine Block Heater.” in the Index.

Air Cleaner

What to Do with Used Oil:

CAUTION:

Used engine oil contains things that have cause
skin cancer in laboratory animals. Don't let used
oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw away
clothing or rags containing used engine
0"

Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. Don't
ever disposeof it by pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams orbodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a servicestation or a local recycling
center for help.

The air cleaner is in the front right section of the engine
compartment. To check or replace the filter, undo the
wing screws and pull the air cleaner open. Replace the
air filter, close the cover and screw in the wing screws.

Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determinewhen
to replacethe air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services’’ inthe Index.

CAUTION:

Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others to be burned. Theair cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stopsflame if the
engine backfires. If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you couldbe burned. Don’t drive with
it off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner off.

:
I

i
’

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change:
A good time tocheck your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when to change
your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Index.

How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at a Buick dealership Service
Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to followall the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading on the
dipstick.

NOTICE:
If the air clean
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.

transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the
fluid couldcome out and fall on hotengine parts,
starting a fire. Besure to get an a
if youcheck your transaxle fluid.

Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:

Let the enginerun at idle for three to fiveminutes.

When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32 C).

At high speed for quite a while.

Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these
steps:

In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
0

three secondsin each range. Then, position the shift
lever in “ P ’ (Park).

While pulling a trailer.

To get the right reading,the fluid should beat normal
operating temperature, which is 180 F to 200 F
(82OC to 93OC).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
50 F
(24 km) when outside temperatures .are above
(10OC). If it’s colder than 50°F (lO°C), you may have
to drive longer.

To check the fluid level:
Park your vehicle on a level place.
0

Place the shift lever in “ P ’ (Park) with the parking
brake applied.
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about

1. Pull out the dipstickand wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.

2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.

dipstick, Itdoesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a
pint. Don’t overfill. We recommend you use only fluid
labeled DEXRONWIE, because fluids with that label
are made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRONB-IIE is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0

After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.

Engine Coolant
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. Thefluid level must be in the cross-hatched
area.

4. If the fluid level is where it should be, push the
dipstick back in all the way.

How to Add Fluid:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on the

The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in the
Index.
The proper coolant for your Buick will:
0

Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37“C) .

Give boiling protection up to 262 F ( 128” C) .

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning lights work as they should.

What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets “GM
Specification 1825-M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825-M with a complete coolant flush
and refill. Use GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer)
with any complete coolant change.If you use these, you
don’t need to add anything else.

If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The’: . repair cost wouldn’t be covered byyour
-..._
warranty. Too much water in the mix can !ete;::
and crack the engine, radiator, heaterCore and
other parts.
~. - . -

-..
.

:-:

:,,I

. ~.
. .
’.
- . . .~..,
~

Adding Coolant

CAUTION:

Adding only plainwater to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid likealcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t
get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fireand you or
others couldbe burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and a proper antifreeze.

The coolant recovery tank IS located at the left of the
engine compartment.

259

To Check Coolant: When your engine is cold, the
coolant level should be at “FULL COLD,” or a little
higher. When your engine is warm, the level should be
up to “FULL HOT,” or a little higher.

‘

CAUTION:
T‘urning the radiatorpressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have to add coolant at the radiator. Never
turn the radiator pressure cap even a little
#hen the engine and radiator are hot.

Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill it.

If this light comes on, it means you’re low on engine
coolant.

To Add Coolant: If you need more coolant, add the
proper mix at the coolant recovery .tank.

CAUTION:

You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.

Radiator Pressure Cap

Power Steering Fluid

Your radiator pressure capis a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly install
to prevent coolantloss and possible engine
damage from overheating. Be sure the arro
thecaplineupwiththe
ov
be on t
radiator filler neck.

When you replace your radiator pressure cap,an AC@
cap is recommended.

Thermostat

How To Check Power Steering Fluid:

Engine coolant temperatureis controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolantsystem. The thermostatstops the
flow of coolant through the radiatoruntil the coolant
reaches apreset temperature.

Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tightenit. Then remove
the cap againand look at thefluid level on the dipstick.
When the engine compartment is hot, the level
should be at the “HOT” mark.

When you replace your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
0

When the engine compartment is cool, the level
should be at the “FULL COLD” mark.

What to Add:

Windshield Washer Fluid

Refer to the Maintenance Scheduleto determine what
kind of fluid touse. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.

To Add:

_.. .

NOTICE:
When adding power steering fluid
or making a
complete fluid change, always use the proper
fluid. Failureto use the proper flui
leaks and damage hoses and seals

Open the cap labeled
“WASHER FLUID ONLY.”
Add washer fluid until the
bottle is full.

Brake Master Cylinder
0

Your brake master cylinder is here. It is filled with
DOT-3 brake fluid.

There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
your master cylinder might go down. The first is that the
brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings areput in,
the fluid level goes back up. The otherreason is that
fluid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system fixed, since a leak means

that sooner or later your brakes won’t work well, or
won’t work at all. So, it isn’t a good idea to “topoff’
your brake fluid. Adding brake fluid won’t correct a
leak. If you add fluid when your linings areworn, then
you’ll have too much fluid when you get new brake
linings. You should add (or remove) brake fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.

I-

CAUTION:

If you have too much brake fluid,
it can spillon
if the engine is hot
the engine. The fluid will burn
enough. You or others could be burned, and
your
vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only
when work is done on the brake hydraulic
system.

When your brake fluid fallsto a low level, your brake
warning light will come on and a chime will sound.

What to Add:
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid -- such as Delco Supreme 11@ (GM part
No.1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.

Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern 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.
Vehicles wedesign and test have top-quality GM brake
parts in them, as your Buick does when it is new. When
you replace parts of your braking system -- for example,
when your brake linings wear down and you have to
have new ones put in -- be sureyou get new genuine
GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your brakes may no
longer work properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the

balance between your front and rear brakes can change,
for theworse. The braking performance you’ve come to
expect can change in many other ways if someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake parts.

Battery
Every new Buick has a Delco Freedom@battery. You
never have toadd water to one of these. When it’s time
for anew battery, we recommend aDelco Freedoms
battery. Get one thathas the catalognumber shown on
the original battery’s label.

Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to driveyour vehicle for 25 days or
more, take off the black, negative (-) cable from the

CAUTION:

Batteries have acid that can burn youand gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting’’ in the Index
for tips on working around
a battery without
getting hurt.

Contact your dealer tolearn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storageperiods.

Halogen Bulbs

battery. This will help keep your battery from running
down.
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch
the bulb. You or
others could be injured.
Take special care when
handling and disposing ofhalogen bulbs.

HeadlampBulbReplacement

Remove the retainers by turning in a counter-clockwise
direction.

Each headlamp is attached by retainers with round
plastic knobs.

I
Lift the headlamp away from the car.

Turn the bulb socket1/4
turn counter-clockwise,
while pressing it firmly.

Taillamp Bulb Replacement

Remove wire connector
from the bulb by lifting
the lock tab and pulling it
away from the plastic
base.

To reassemble, attach thewire connector (A) to the
plastic base making sure the lock tab (B) is over the lock
(C). Install the bulbby putting the small tab(D) into the
small notch in the lamp (E). Turn the bulb socket 1/4
turn clockwise to lock into place.

Open the trunk. On either side of the rear of the trunk
are two plastic nuts. Remove only the sidethat you need
to access. Pull the carpet back away from the rear area.

Loading Your Vehicle

TIRE-LOADING INFORMATION
OCCUPANTS
VEHICLE CAP. WT.
FRT.
CTR.
RR.
TOTAL
LBS.
KG.~
~~

MAX. LOADING & GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE
CAPACITY
WEIGHT
XXX
COLD
TIRE
PRESSURE
SPEED
SIZE TIRE
PSVKPa
RTG
FRT.
RR.
SPA.
IF TIRES ARE HOT, ADD 4PSV28KPa
SEE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL
The taillamp, sidemarker and back-up lights can now be
INFORMATION
l l ] m \ : l .$$;;r#,:

accessed. Two of the taillamp bulbs are on a tabbed
assembly. Squeeze the release in and pull the assembly
out. Pull the bulb straight out from the socket. To
replace theassembly, the tabs must be inserted into the
slots. Push the other end in until it locks into place.
To replace the third taillamp bulb and sidemarker bulb,
turn the socket 1/4 turn and pull it out. Pull the bulb
straight out from the socket.
The backup bulb can be replaced by squeezing the lock
on the socket, turning it l/4 turn and pulling it out. Pull
the bulb straight out. Reverse the above steps to
reassemble thelight and the trunk trim.

268

Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire Loading Information Label
found on the rear edge of the driver's door tells you the
proper size, speed rating and recommended inflation
pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you
important information about the number of people that
can be in your vehicle and the total weight that you can
carry. This weight is called the Vehicle Capacity Weight
and includes the weight of all occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.

MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP
DATE
GVWR
GAWR
FRT
GAWR

THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE U S . FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE
SAFETY, BUMPER, AND THEFT PREVENTION
STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF
MANUFACTURE.SHOWN ABOVE.

And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread it
out. Don’t carry more than 176 pounds (80 kilograms)
in your trunk.

CAUTION:

Do not load your vehicle any heavier thanthe
GVWR or the maximum front and rear GAWRs. If
you do, parts on your vehicle can break, or it can
change theway your vehicle handles. These
could cause you to lose control. Also,
overloading can shorten thelife of your vehicle.

The other labelis the Certification label,found on the
rear edge of the driver’sdoor. It tells you the gross
weight capacity of your vehicle, called the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fueland cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the frontor rear
axle.
If you put things inside your vehicle -- like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else-- they will go asfast

as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop orturn quickly,
or if there is a crash, they'll keep going.

k!, CAUTION':
Things you put inside your
vehicle can strikeand
injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in a
crash.
Put things in the trun'k of
your vehicle. Put
them asfar forward as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
0 Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.
When you carry something inside
the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
0 Don't leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.

Tires
We don't make tires. Your new vehicle comes with high
quality tires made by a leading tire manufacturer. These
tires are warranted by the tiremanufacturers and their
warranties are delivered with every new Buick. If your
spare tire is a different brand than your road tires, you
will have a tire warranty folder from each of these
manufacturers.

1 /rl
I

Inflation - Tire Pressure

CAUTION:

Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are
dangerous.
0 Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have anair-out and a
serious accident. See “Loading Your
Vehicle” in the Index.
Underinflated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
checked
pressure. Tire pressure should
when your tires are cold.
0 Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut,
punctured, or broken by a sudden impact,
such as when you hit a pothole. Keep tires
at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
I-

The Tire-Loading Information label which is located on
the rear edge of the driver’s door shows the correct
inflation pressures for your tires, when they’re cold.
“Cold” means your vehicle has been sitting for at least.
three hours or driven -- 3 more than a mile.

NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell youthat underinflation
,overinflation is

When to Check: Check your tires once a month or
more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at 60
psi (420 Ha).

How to Check: Use a good quality pocket-type gage to
check tire pressure. Simply looking at the tires will not
tell you the pressure, especially if you have radial tires -which may look properly inflated even if they’re
underinflated.

If your tires have valve caps, be sure to put them back
on. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and
moisture.

Tire Inspectionand Rotation
To make your tires last longer, have them inspected and
rotated at themileages recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule. See “Scheduled Maintenance
Services” in the Index.

Use this rotation pattern.
After the tires have been rotated, adjustthe front and
rear inflation pressure as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label. Make certain thatall wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” in the
Index.

When It’s Time for New Tires

CAUTION:

One way to tell when it’s
time fornew tires is to
check the treadwear.
indicators, which will
appear when your tires
have only 2/32 inch (1.6
mm) or lessof tread
remaining.

Rust or dirt ona wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make wheelnuts become
loose after a time. The wheelcould come off and
cause an accident. When you change a wheel,
remove any rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency,
you can use a cloth or a papertowel to do this;
but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later, if
you need to, to get all the rust or dirt off. (See
“Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index.)

You need a new tire if:

YOUcan see the indicators atthree places around the
tire.
You can see cord or fabric showingthrough the tire’s
rubber.
0

The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.

The tire has a bump, bulge or split.

273

The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage that
can’t be repaired well because of the size orlocation
of the damage.

Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way,
your vehicle will continue tohave tires that are designed
to giveproper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by a “MS”
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.

CAUTION:

Xing tires could causeyou to lose control
hile driving. If you mix tires ob different sizes or
types (radial and bias-betted tires;), the vehicle
may not handleproperly, and youcoutd have a
crash. Be sure to use the samesize and type
tires on all wheels.
It’s all right to drivewith your compact spare,
bbugh. It was developedfor limited use on your

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.)
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 conditionsof their use, however, and
may depart significantlyfrom the norm due tovariations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.

Traction - A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are: A, B,
and C. They represent the tire’s ability to stopon 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 braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.

Temperature - A, B, C
The temperature grades areA (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 degenerateand reduce tirelife, and
excessive temperaturecan 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.
Those grades are molded on the sidewalls of passenger
car tires.
While the tires available asstandard or optional
equipment on General Motors vehicles may vary with
respect to these grades, all such tires meet General
Motors performance standards and have been approved
for use on General Motors vehicles. All passenger type
(P Metric) tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.

Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.

275

In most cases, you will not need to have your wheels
aligned again. However, if you notice unusual tire wear
or your vehicle pulling oneway or the other, the
alignment may need to bereset. If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your
wheels may need to be rebalanced.

Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset, and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts,
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for your Buick
model.

Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts, or wheel nuts onyour vehicle can be
rngerous. It couldaffect the braking and
~ndling
of your vehicle, makeyour tires loseair
and make you losecontrol. You could have a
collision in which you or others could be injured.
- ..ways use the correct wheel, wheel bolts,
d
for replacement.
..

Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts,
and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the wheel leaks air
out, replace it (except some aluminum wheels, which
can sometimes be repaired). Seeyour Buick dealer if
any of these conditions exist.

CAUTION:

wheel nuts

1: NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can atso cause Droblemswith
bearing life, brake cooling,
speedometer/odometer calibration, headllgb,,
aim, bumper height,vehicle ground clearance
and tire or tire chain clearance to the body an(
chassis.

Tire Chains

teplacement WFpels

/11

CAUTION:

Putting a used wheel on your vehicle
is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been use#-.Jr
how many miles it’s been driven. It could fail
suddenly and causean accident. If you t---re to
replace a wheel use anewGM original
equipment

el.

277

Appearance Care
I

CAUTION:

Cleaning products can behazardous.Someare
toxic. Others can burst intoflame if you strikea
match or get themon a hot part of the vehicle.
Some aredangerous if youbreathe their fumes
in a closed space. When you use anything in a
container to clean your Buick, besure to follow
the instructions. And always open your doors or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
0 Benzene
Naphtha
0 CarbonTetrachloride
Acetone
0 PaintThinner
0 Turpentine
Thinner 0 Lacquer
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous-- some morethan
others -- and they canall damage your vehicle,

278

Cleaning the Insideof Your Buick
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Buick dealer has two GM cleaners -- a
solvent-type spot lifter and a foam-type powdered
cleaner. They will clean normal spots and stains very
well.
Here are some cleaning tips:

Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.

Clean up stains as soon as you can

Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean
area often. A soft brush may be used if stains are
stubborn.

ore they set.

Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area
only. If you use them, don’t saturatethe stained area.

If a ring forms after spot cleaning,clean the entire
area immediately or it will set.

Using Foam-Type Cleaner on Fabric
Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
0

Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the
directions on the containerlabel.

e careful witha hair dry

Wipe with a clean cloth.

Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on
Fabric

Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge.

First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all.
Some spotsand stains will clean off better with just
water and mild soap.

Don’t saturate the material.

If you need to use it,then:

Don’t rub it roughly.

As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
Rinse the section with a clean, wet sponge.
Wipe off what’s left with a slightly damp paper towel
or cloth.
Then dry it immediately with an air hose, a hair
dryer or aheat lamp.

Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with
a clean, dull knife or scraper. Use very little cleaner,
light pressure and clean cloths(preferably
cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at the outside of
the stain, “feathering”toward the center. Keep
changing to a clean section of the cloth,
When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately dry
the area with an air hose, hair dryer, or heat lamp to
help prevent a cleaning ring. (See theprevious
NOTICE.)

Finally, if needed, clean lightly with solvent-type
cleaner.

Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains: Like grease, oil, butter,
margarine, shoe polish, coffee with cream, chewing
gum, cosmetic creams, vegetable oils, wax crayon, tar
and asphalt.

Combination Stains: Like candy, ice cream,
mayonnaise, chili sauce and unknown stains.

Carefully scrape off excess stain.

Carefully scrape off excess stain, then clean with
cool water and allow to dry.

Then follow the solvent-type instructions above.

If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.

Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and asphalt will stain if
left on a vehicle seat fabric. They should be removed
as soon as possible. Be careful, because the cleaner
will dissolve them and may cause them to bleed.

Non-Greasy Stains: Like catsup, coffee (black), egg,
fruit, fruit juice,milk, soft drinks, wine, vomit, urine and
blood.
0 Carefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge the
soiled area with cool water.
0 If a stain remains, follow the foam-type instructions
above.
0 If an odor lingers after cleaningvomit or urine, treat
the area with a waterbaking soda solution: 1
teaspoon ( 5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml) of
lukewarm water.

Cleaning Vinyl or Leather
Just use warm water and a clean cloth.
Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have to do it more than once.
0

Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if
you don’t get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth and
solvent-type vinyl/leather cleaner.

Cleaning the Top of the Instrument
Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make it difficult to seethrough the windshield
under certain conditions.

Cleaning Speaker Covers
Vacuum around a Delco-Bose speaker covergently, so
that the speaker won’t be damaged. If something gets on
one of them, followthe steps earlierunder “Using
Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric.” Use as little solvent as
you can.

Care of Safety Belts

Cleaning .the Outside of the
Windshield and Wiper Blades

Keep belts clean and dry.

Don’t use abrasive cleanerson glass, because they may
caus.e scratches. Avoid placing decals on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be scraped off later. If
abrasive cleaners areused on the inside of the rear
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached across the
defogger grid.

If the windshield is not clear afterusing the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running, wax
or othermaterial may be on the blade or windshield.

CAUTION:

Do not bleach or dye safety belts.If you do, it
may severely weaken them.In a crash they might
not be ableto provide adequate protection. Clean
safety belts only with mild soap and lukewarm

Clean the outside of the windshield with GM
Windshield Cleaner, Bon-Ami Powders (GM Part No.
1050011). The windshield is clean if beads do not form
when you rinse it with water.

Clean the blade by wiping vigorously with a cloth
soaked in full strength windshield washer solvent. Then
rinse the blade with water.

Glass
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glassueaner (GM
Part No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner
will remove normal tobacco smokeand dust films.

Wiper blades should be checked on a regular basis and
replaced when worn.

Cleaning the Outside of Your Buick

Finish Care

The paint finisll on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.

Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Buick may
be necessary to remove residue from the paint finish.
You can get GM approved cleaning products from your
dealer. (See “Appearance Care and Materials” in the
Index .)

Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to keep
it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold
Water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use
liquid hand, dish or car washing (non-detergent) soaps.
Don’t use cleaning agents that contain acid or abrasives.
All cleaning agents should be flushed promptly and not
allowed to dry on the surface, or they could stain. Dry
the finish with a soft, clean chamois or a 100% cotton
towel to avoid surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter your
vehicle.

282

Your Buick has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish. The
clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat.

Aluminum Wheels (If So Equipped)

Sheet Metal Damage

Your aluminum wheels have a protective coatingsimilar
to the painted surface of your car. Don’t use strong
soaps, chemicals, chrome polish, or other abrasive
cleaners on them because you could damage this
coating. After rinsing thoroughly, a wax may be applied.

If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement,make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosionmaterial to the parts repaired or
replaced to restorecorrosion protection.

I NOTICE:
If you have aluminum wheels, don’t
use an
automatic vehicle wash that has
hard silicon
carbide cleaning brushes. These brushes
can
take off the protective coating.

White Sidewall Tires
Your Buick dealer has a GM White Sidewall Tire
Cleaner. You can use a stiff brush with it.

Weatherstrips
These areplaces where glass or metal meets rubber.
Silicone grease therewill make them last longer, seal
better, and not stick or squeak.Apply silicone grease
with a clean cloth at least every six months.

Foreign Material
Calcium chloride and other salts, icemelting agents,
road oil and tar, tree sap, bird droppings, chemicalsfrom
industrial chimneys, and other foreign matter can
damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Use cleaners that are marked safe for painted
surfaces for thesestains.

Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratchesin the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.

Underbody Maintenance

Chemical Paint Spotting

Chemicals used for iceand snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these arenot
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust)can occur on the
underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and
exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.

Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etchgd into
the paint surface.

At least every spring, flush thesematerials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areaswhere mud
and other debriscan collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody vehicle washing system
can do this for you.

Although no defect in the paint job causes this,Buick
will repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever comes first.

Appearance Care and Maintenance Materials
You can get these from your Buick dealer.

* Not recommended for pigskin suede leather.
See Your General Motors Dealers for These Products.
See Your Maintenance Schedule for Other Products.

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label on the spare tire cover. It’s very
helpful if you ever need to orderparts. On this label is:

I ID BllHlll1111111IIIIIM11111111111llll1111111111111111I=

Your VIN.

SAMPLE4UXPM072675

Its model designation.

Paint information.

A list of all production options and special
equipment.

\ ASSEMBLY
PLANT

ENGINE A
9
3
CODE
MODEL YEAR

This is the legal identifier for your Buick. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side. You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.

Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.

Add-on Electrical Equipment

I NOTICE:

Engine Identification
The eighth character in your VIN is the engine code for
your GM engine. Thiscode will help you identify your
engine, specifications, and replacement parts in this
section.

Don’t add anything electrical to your Buick
unless you check with your dealer first. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle
and the damage wouldn’t
be covered by your
warranty. Some of it can just keep other things
from working as they should.

Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your car are protected from short
circuits by a combination of fuses and circuit breakers.
This greatly reduces the chance of fires caused by
electrical problems.

towards you. It will come down so the fuses can be
accessed.

If you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have a
spare fuse,you can “borrow” one of the correct value.
Just pick some feature of your car that you can get along
without -- like the radio or cigarettelighter -- and use its
fuse, if it is of the value you need. Replace it as soon as
you can.

Remove the cover to access the fuses. To put the cover
on, insert the tabs into the lower part of the fuse panel
and snap it in place. Squeeze the tabs together and then
push the fuse panel back up into the instrument panel
until it locks in place.

The fuse panel is located under the instrument panel,
next to the parking brake. To release and lower the fuse
panel, squeeze the two tabs together. Then pull it

287

FUSE USAGE
Amp
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

10
20
30
30
15

10
20
10
15
15
20
20
15
15
10
25
10
10
10
20
25
10
25

The fusechart, below, shows how to tell a blown fuse
from a good fuse.

Description
Crank Signal - Sir
Trunk Release/Fuel.Dr Rel/Back-up Lamps
Breaker Pwr Wdo/Sun Roof
Brkr-Pwr Acsry
Not Used
Ign/Ret Acsry ContDnst Cstr
Supplemental Inflatable Rst
Corn Lps/Turn Sig
Spare
Spare
Bat/Radio/IP/Oil Life Oil Level/Frt Lighter
Electronic Level Control
Brake & Hazard Lamps
Park Lamps
Courtesy Lps/Pwr Mirrors
Cooling Fan/Transmission
Air Cond
Not Used
Antilock Brakes
Low Cool/Lp Mon/Oil Lvl-life
IP Lighting
Spare
Spare
IgnitionBadio
Wiperwasher

GOOD
FUSE

.r,
' T I

BLOWN
FUSE

PART
GM
NO.
'
RATING '
12004003 ....................
3 AMP
12004005 ................... 5 AMP
12004006 ................... 7.5AMP
12004007 ................... 10 AMP
12004008 ................... 15 AMP
12004009 ................... 20 AMP
12004010 ................... 25 AMP
12004011 ................... 30AMP

COLOF
VIOLET
TAN
BROWN
RED
LIGHT BLUE
YELLOW
WHITE
LIGHT GREEN

There are additional fuses located
behind the right sound
insulator panel on the passenger side.If these require
service, seeyour Buick dealer.

Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse.If the motor overheats due to heavy
snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the motor cools. If
the overload is caused by some electrical problem and
not snow, etc., be sure to get it fixed.

Maxifuse/Relay Center
To check the fusesin this underhood fuse center, turn
the twoknobs 1/4 turn counterclockwise and remove the
cover. The insideof the cover has a chartthat explains
the features and controls
governed by each fuse and
relay.

Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse panel protect the power
windows and other power accessories. When the current
load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting the circuituntil the problem is fixed or goes
away.

The PASS-Key 'I1TM fuse is located in the right side relay
center.

Headlights
The headlightwiring is protected by a circuitbreaker in
the underhood fuse center. An electrical overload will
cause the lights to goon and off, or in some cases to
remain off. If this happens,have your headlight wiring
checked right away.

Park Avenue Dimensions
Inches Unless Otherwise Noted

Overall:
Length ..........................
205.3
Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74.9
Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55.1
Wheel Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110.8
Front Tread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60.5
60.2
Rear Tread ........................

Interior Front:
Leg Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42.0
Head Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.8
Shoulder Room ....................
59.1
Hip Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55.1

Interior Rear:
Leg Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.6
Head Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.8
Shoulder Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59.1
Hip Room ........................
55.1

Trunk Capacity .
Cu . Ft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.3
Passengers:
Front ...............................
3
Rear ................................
3
Base Curb Weight.
Lbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3580
(ULTRA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3673

Replaceable Light Bulbs
Application

Number
Application

Exterior
Headlight
High Beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9005
9006
LowBeam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2057NA
Park/Turn ........................
Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194NA
Side Marker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194NA
3156
Backup .............................
1156
Cornering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1156
High Level Stop ......................
License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
24
Side Marker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
194
Tail/Stop/Turn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3057

Interior Illumination
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
194
Dome/Reading. Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 562
564
Reading. Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PC 168
Door Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door Warning ......................
PC 168
Engine Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561
Footwell Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
194
GloveBox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Luggage Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EP6-93
Vanity Mirror. Front and Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . 564

Number

Capacities and Specifications
Engine CodeL1 (L27)23.8L V-6 SF1
Engine Code l1(L67)23.8L V-6 SF1
Fuel Tank Capacity 18.0 gallons/68 liters

Belt Tensions Automatically controlled by a Self-Tension idler
pulley. Tensionadjustment should never be
necessary.

Transaxle Drain & Refill -6 quarts/5.6 liters

MaintenanceItemPart Numbers3
Air Filter - A1096C
Fuel Filter -GF580
Oil Filter -PF47
PCV Valve -CV892C
Radiator Cap -RC27
Spark Plug -41-600, GAP 0.060”

Cooling SystemCapacity
With air conditioning: 13 quarts/l2.5 liters

Crankcase Capacity
4 quarts/3.8 liters

Air Conditioning Capacity42.87 lbs. (1.09 kilograms)
~~~~

2
3
4

~~~

____

8th Character of the Vehicle Identification Number.
Made in a GM plant in the United States,
Part numbers are AC type.
Air Conditioning Refrigerant: Notall air-conditioning refrigerants are the same. If the air conditioning systemin your
vehicle needs refrigerant, besure the proper refrigerant is used.If you’re not sure ask your Buick dealer.

292

Part 7

MaintenanceSchedule

This part covers themaintenance required for your Buick . Your vehicle needs these services toretain its safety.
dependability and emission controlperformance .
Part 7 includes:
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294
A Word About Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Your Vehicle and the Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
How This Part is Organized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Section A: Scheduled Maintenance Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .296
Using Your Maintenance Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
SelectingtheRightSchedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Schedule1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Schedule11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
300
Explanation of Scheduled .Maintenance Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Section B: Owner Checks and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
304
AtEachFuelFill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
AtLeastOnceaMonth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
305
AtLeastOnceaYear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Section C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Section D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Section E: Maintenance Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311

293
....

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

- ___......

.
~~

Introduction
A Word About Maintenance

IMPORTANT:.
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER

LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED

I I Protection I
Plan

Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The
Plan supplements your new vehicle warranties. See
your Buick dealer for details.

We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don’t know
exactly how you’ll drive it. You may drive very short
distances only a few times a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or you
may drive it to work, to do errands orin many other
ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their GM
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than you will
find in the schedules in this part. So please read this part
and note how you drive. If you have any questions on
how to keep your vehicle in good condition, see your
Buick dealer, the place many GM owners choose to
have their maintenance work done. Your dealer can be
relied upon to use proper parts and practices.

Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance or the
removal of important components can significantly
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels oreven the wrong tire inflation can increase the
level of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect
our environment, and to help keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.

How This Part is Organized
The remainder of this part is divided into five sections:
“Section A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows
what to have done and how often. Someof these
services can be complex, so unless you are technically
qualified and have the necessary equipment, you should
let your dealer’s servicedepartment or anotherqualified
service centerdo these jobs.

CAUTION:

“-rforming maintenance work ona vehicle can
De dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured. Do your own maintenance
work only if you have the required know-how and
the proper tools and equipmentforthe job. If you
’~ ue any doubt, havea qualified technician do

If you are skilled enough to do some work on your
vehicle, you will probably want to get the service
information GM publishes. You will find a list of
publications and how to get them in’this manual. See
“Service Publications” in the Index.
“Section B: Owner Checks and Services” tells you what
should be checked whenever you stop for fuel.It also
explains what you can easily do to help keep your
vehicle in good condition.

“Section C:Periodic Maintenance Inspections” explains
important inspections that your Buick dealer’s service
department or another qualifiedservice center should
perform.
“Section D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” lists
some products GM recommends to help keep your
vehicle properly maintained. These products, or their
equivalents, should be used whether youdo the work
yourself or have it done.
“Section E: Maintenance Record” provides a place for
you to record the maintenance performed on your
vehicle. Whenever any maintenance is performed, be
sure to write it down in this section. Thiswill help you
determine when your next maintenance should be done.
In addition, it is a good idea to keep your maintenance
receipts. They may be needed to qualify your vehicle for
warranty repairs.

Section A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedules
This section tells you the maintenance services you
should have done and when you should schedule them.
Your Buick dealer knows your vehicle best and wants
you to be happy with it. If you go to your dealer foryour
service needs, you’ll know that GM-trained and
supported service people will perform the work using
genuine GM parts.
These schedules are forvehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will find these limits on your vehicle’s
Tire-Loading Information label. See “Loading Your
Vehicle” in the Index.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
0

use the recommended unleaded fuel. See “Fuel” 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
schedule to follow:

Schedule I
Is any one of these true for your vehicle?
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
Most trips are less than 10 miles (16 km) when
outside temperatures arebelow freezing.
The engineis 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.

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.

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 include extended idling and/or frequent low-speed operation as in stop-and-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 applications.

TO BE SERVICED
(See Explanation of
Scheduled Maintenance
Services Following
Schedules I and 11)

Item No.
1. Engine Oil & Oil Filter
Change*
2. Chassis Lubrication

3. Throttle Body Mounting
Bolt Torque*

4.Tire & Wheel Inspection &
Rotation
5. Engine Accessory Drive
Belt(s) Inspection*

TO BE SERVICED
(See Explanation of
Scheduled Maintenance
Services Following
Schedules I and 11)

WHEN TO PERFORM
Miles (kilometers)or
Months, Whichever
Occurs First

Ztem No.
6' 'ling

I
I
I

MILES (000)
.
.
6

12 15

KILOMETERS (000)
25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75

System Service*

7. Transaxle Service

Every 30 000 mi.
(50 000 km) or 24 months.

See Explanation of Scheduled
Maintenance Service
Following Schedules I and I1

8* Spark
Replacement*

9. Spark Plug
Wire Inspection*?

Replacement"?

Every 30 000 mi
(50 000 km)

11. Fuel Tank, Cap &
Lines Inspection
12. Supercharger Oil Check
(3.8L Code 1 engine only)

a
a

Every 30 000 mi
(50 000 km) or 36 months

The servicesshown in this schedule upto 48 000 miles (80 000 km) should be performed after 48 000 miles at the same
intervals.
*

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 E:Maintenance
Record".

Scheduled Maintenance Services Schedule I1
~~

ONLY if none of thedriving conditions specified in Schedule I apply.

-11

TO BE SERVICED
(See Explanation of
Scheduled Maintenance
Services Following
Schedules I and 11)

Item No.

MILES (000)

WHEN TO PERFORM
Miles (kilometers)or
Months, Whichever
Occurs First

KILOMETERS (000)
25

62.5

75
0

1. Engine Oil Change*

Every 7 500 mi. (12 500 km) or 12 mos.

Oil Filter Change*

At first and then every other oil change

2. Chassis Lubrication

Every 7 500 mi. ( 12 500 km) or 12 mos.

3. Throttle Body Mounting Bolt Torque*

At 7 500 mi. (12 500 km) only

4.Tire & Wheel Inspection & Rotation

At 7 500 mi. (12 500 km) and then every
15 000 mi. (25 000 km) or as necessary

5. Engine Accessory Drive Belt(s) Inspection*
Every 30 000 mi. (50 000 km) or 24 mos.
6. Cooling System Service*
7. Transaxle Service

See Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance
Services Following Schedules I and I1

.
I
.
I
0

TO BE SERVICED
(See Explanation of
Scheduled Maintenance
Services Following
Schedules I and 11)

Item No.

WHEN TO PERFORM
Miles (kilometers) or
Months, Whichever
Occurs First

MILES (000)

8. Spark Plug Replacement*

9. Spark Plug Wire Inspection”?
Every 30 000 mi. (50 000 km)
10.Air Cleaner Filter Replacement*
11. Fuel Tank, Cap & Lines Inspection*?
I

12. Supercharger Oil Check
(3.8L Code 1 engine only)

The servicesshown in this schedule up to 45 000 miles (75 000 km) should be performed after 45 000 miles at the Same
intervals.

Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Below are explanations of the services listed in Schedule
I and Schedule 11.
The proper fluids and lubricants touse are listed in
Section D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle
uses these. All parts should be replaced and all
necessary repairs done before you or anyone else drives
the vehicle.
NOTE: To determine your engine’s displacement and
code, see “Engine Identification” in the Index.

1. Engine Oil and Filter Change* -- Always use SG
Energy Conserving I1 oils of proper viscosity. The
“SG” designation may be shown alone orin
combination with others, such as “SG/CC”,
“SG/CD” or “SF, SG, CC,”etc. To determine the
preferred viscosity for your vehicle’s engine (e.g.,
SAE 5W-30 or SAE 10W-30), see “Engine Oil” in
the Index. If your vehicle has an Engine Oil Life
Monitor, the monitor will show you when to change
the oil. See “Engine Oil Life Monitor” in the Index.
*

2. Chassis Lubrication -- Lubricate the transaxle shift
linkage, parking brake cable guides, underbody
contact points and linkage. If your vehicle is
equipped with grease fittings,lubricate the
suspension and steering linkage.
3. Throttle Body Mounting Bolt Torque”-- Check
the torque of the mounting bolts and/or nuts.
4. Tire and Wheel Rotation and Inspection -- For
proper wear and maximum tire life, rotate your tires
following the instructions in this manual. See “Tires,
Inspection & Rotation” in the Index.Check the tires
for uneven wear or damage. If you see irregular or
premature wear, check the wheel alignment. Check
for damaged wheels also.
5. Engine Accessory Drive Belt(s) Inspection -Inspect the belt(s) for cracks, fraying,wear and
proper tension. Replace as needed.
6. Cooling System Service* -- Drain, flush and refill
the system with new or approved recycled coolant
conforming to GM Specification 1825M. Keep
coolant at the proper mixture as specified. See
“Coolant” in the Index. This provides.proper freeze
protection, corrosion inhibitor level and engine
operating temperature.

An Emission Control Service.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has
determined that thefailure 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 indicatedintervals and the maintenance be recorded in “Section E:Maintenance Record”.

302

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 ensureproper operation, we recommend a
pressure testof both the cooling system and the
pressure cap.

7. Transaxle Service -- Change both the fluid and
filter every 15,000miles (25 000 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 OF (32 “C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
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 fluidand filter every
100,000 miles ( 160 000 km).
*

8. Spark Plug Replacement* -- Replace spark plugs
with the proper type. See “SpecificationsChart” in
the Index.
9. Spark Plug Wire Inspection*? -- Inspect for
burns, cracks or otherdamage. Check the boot fit at
the distributor 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 foran even filler neck imprint or any
damage. Replace parts as needed. Periodic
replacement of the fuel filter is not required.
12. Supercharger Oil Check -- Check oil every 30,000
miles (50 000 km) or 36 months. Add the proper
synthetic oil. S.ee “Recommended Fluid and
Lubricants’’ in the Index.

An Emission Control Service.

? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that

thefailure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the
emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to thecompletion 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 E:Maintenance Record’‘.

303

At Each Fuel Fill

Section B: Owner Checks and
Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.

(It isimportant for you or a service station attendant
to perform theseunderhood checks at each fuelfill.
.

Be sure any necessary repairs arecompleted at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are
added to your
vehicle, make sure they are theproper ones, as shown in
Section D.

304

CHECK OR
SERVICE
EngineOil
Level

WHAT TO DO
Check the engine oil level and add
the proper oil if
necessary.
See
“Engine Oil” in the Indexfor further
details.

EngineCoolant
Level

Check theengine coolant level in the
coolant recovery tankandaddthe
proper coolant mix if necessary. See
“Coolant” intheIndex for further
details.

Windshield
WasherFluid
Level

Check the windshield washer fluid
level in the windshield washer tank
and add the proper fluid
if necessary.
See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in
the Index for further details.

At Least Once A Month
WHAT TO DO
Check tire inflation. Make sure they
are inflated to the pressures specified
on the
Tire-Loading
Information
label located on the rear edge of the
driver’s door. See “Tires” in the
Index for further details.

Tire Inflation

At Least Once A Year
CHECK OR
SERVICE
Key
Lock
Cylinders
Body
Lubrication

WHAT TO DO
Lubricate the
key
lock
cylinders with
lubricant
the
specified in Section D.
Lubricate all body door hinges.
Also
lubricate all hinges and latches,
including those’for the hood, glove
box door and console door. Section
D tells you what to use.

CHECK OR
SERVICE
Starter Switch

WHAT TO DO

I
1. Before you start, be sure you have
enough room around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake
(see “Parking Brake” in the Index if
necessary) and the regular brake.

NOTE: Do notusethe accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn
off the
engine immediately if it starts.

3. Try to start the engine in each gear.
The starter should work only in “P”
(Park) or “N” (Neutral). If the starter
worksinany
other position, your
vehicle needs service.

CHECK OR
SERVICE
Brake-Transaxle
Shift Interlock
-- BTSI
(Automatic
Transaxle)

WHAT TO DO

CHECK OR
SERVICE
Steering
Column Lock

WHAT TO DO
~

While parked, and with the parking
brake set, tryto turn thekeyto
“LOCK” in each shift lever position.
The key should turn to “LOCK”
only when the shift lever is in “P”
(Park).

injured. Follow
the
steps
below.

I‘

1. Beforeyou start, be sure you have
enough room around the vehicle. It
should be parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake (see
“ParkingBrake”
in theIndex
if
necessary).
NOTE: Be ready to apply the regular
brakeimmediately
if thevehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to
the “RUN” position, but don’t start
theengine.Withoutapplyingthe
regular brake, try to move the shift
lever out of “ P ’ (Park) with normal
of
effort. If the shift lever moves out
“P” (Park), yourvehicle’sBTSI
needs service.

The key should come out only in
“LOCK.”

CHECK OR
SERVICE
Parking Brake
and Automatic
Transaxle “P”
(Park)
Mechanism
Check

WHAT TO DO

CAUTION:When you are doing
this check, your vehicle could
begin to mowe. You or others
could be injured and property
could be damaged. Make sure
there is room in front of your
vehicle in case it begins to roll.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake
at
once
should
the
vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehiclefacingdownhill.Keeping
your foot on
the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
0 To check the parking brake: With
the engine running and transaxle
in“N” (Neutral), slowly remove
foot pressure from the regular
brake pedal. Do this until the
vehicle is held by the parking brake
only.

To check the “P” (Park)
mechanism’s holding ability: Shift
to “P” (Park). Then release all
brakes.

CHECK OR
WHAT TO DO
SERVICE
Underbody
At least
every
spring,
use
plain
water
Flushing
flush
toany
corrosive
materials
from
theunderbody.Take care to clean
thoroughly anyareas where mud and
other debris can collect.

Section C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each
spring and fall). You should let your GM dealer’s
service department or other qualified service center do
these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.

308

INSPECTION
OR SERVICE

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE

Steering,
Suspension and
Front-WheelDrive Axle
Boot and Seal
Inspection

Inspect the front and rear suspension
and steering system for damaged,
loose or missing parts, signs
of wear,
or lack of lubrication. Inspectthe
power steering lines and hoses for
proper
hookup,
binding,
leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then
inspect the drive axle boot seals for
damage, tears orleakage. Replaceseals if necessary.

Exhaust System
Inspection

Inspect the complete exhaust
system. Inspect the bodynear the
exhaust system.Lookforbroken,
damaged, missing or out-of-position
parts as well as open seams, holes,
loose connections, or other
conditions which couldcause a heat
build-up in the floor panor could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See
“Engine Exhaust” in the Index.

Throttle
Linkage
Inspection

Inspect the throttle linkage for
interference or binding,
and
for
damaged or missing parts. Replace
parts as needed.

INSPECTION
OR SERVICE
Brake System
Inspection

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
Inspect the complete system. Inspect
brake lines andhoses for proper
hookup, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads
for
wear
and rotors for surface
condition. Also inspect drum brake
linings for wear and cracks. Inspect
other brake parts, including drums,
wheel cylinders, calipers, parking
brake, etc. Check
parking
brake
adjustment. You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often if
your driving habits or conditions
result in frequent braking.
NOTE: A low brake fluid level can
indicate worn disc brake pads which
may need to be serviced. Also, if the
brake system warning light stays on
or comes on, something maybe
wrongwith the brake system. See
“Brake SystemWarningLight”
in
the Index. If your anti-lock brake
systemwarning light stays on or
comes on, something may be wrong
with the anti-lock brake system. See
“Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.

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

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
“SG/CC,”
“SG/CD,”
or
“SF,SG,CC,” etc. To determine the
preferred viscosityfor your vehicle’s
engine, see “Engine Oil” in the
Index.

Engine Coolant

50/50 mixture of water (preferably
distilled) and good 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

FLUID/LUBRICANT
Delco Supreme 1 l @ BrakeFluid
(GM Part No. 1052535) or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.

Parking Brake
Guides

Chassis
meeting
lubricant
requirements of NLGI Grade 2,
CategoryLBorGC-LB(GMPart
No. 1052497 or equivalent).

Power Steering
System

GM Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid
(GM
Part
No. 1052884)
or
equivalent.

Automatic
Transaxle
Key Lock
Cylinders

DEXRON@
IIE
Automatic
TransmissionFluid(GMPart
No.
12345881).
Lubricate Multi-Purpose
with
Lubricant (GM Part No. 12345120),
synthetic SAE 5W-30 engine oil or
No.
silicone lubricant (GMPart
1052276 or 1052277).

Automatic
Transaxle Shift
Linkage

Engine oil.

Supercharger

Supercharger Oil
(GM Part No. 12345982)

USAGE
Chassis
Lubrication

FLUIDlLUBRICANT
Chassis
lubricant
meeting
requirements of NLGIGrade
2,
Category LB or GC-LB (GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent).

Windshield
Washer Solvent

GM Optikleen@ Washer
Solvent
(GM
1051515)
No.
Part or
equivalent.

Hood Latch
Assembly
a. Pivots and
Spring Anchor

a. Engine oil.

b. Release Pawl

b. Chassis lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGIGrade
CategoryLBorGC-LB(GMPart
No. 1052497 or equivalent).

Hood and Door
Hinges

Engineoilor Lubriplate Lubricant
(GM Part No. 1050109).

Weatherstrips

Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part
No. 12345579 or equivalent).

See “Specifications Chart” in the Index for
recommended replacement filters, valves and spark
plugs.

Section E: Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services areperformed, record the
date, odometer reading and who performed the service
in the columns indicated. When completing the
Maintenance Performed column, insert the numbers

from the Schedule I or Schedule I1 maintenance charts
which correspond to the maintenance performed. Also,
you should retain all maintenance receipts. Your owner
information portfolio is a convenientplace to store
them.

Maintenance Record
DATE

ODOMETER
READING

SERVICED BY

MAINTENANCE PERFORMED

Maintenance Record

'!
i

312

Part 8

CustomerAssistanceInformation
m

Here you will find out how to contact Buick if you need assistance. Thispart also tells you how to obtain service
publications and how to report any safety defects.
Part 8 includes:
Customer Satisfaction
Customer Assistance for Hearing/Speech Impaired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ServicePublications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Customer Satisfaction Procedure
Your satisfaction and goodwill are important to your
dealer and Buick. Normally, any problems with the sales
transaction or the operationof your vehicle will be
resolved by your dealer’s Sales or Service Departments.
Sometimes, however, despite thebest intentions of all
concerned, misunderstandingscan occur. If your
concern has not been resolved to your satisfaction, the
following stepsshould be taken:

3 14
3 15
316

STEP ONE -- Discuss your problem with a member of
dealership management. Complaints can often be
quickly resolved at that level. If the matter has already
been reviewed with the Sales, Service, orParts Manager,
contact the owner of the dealership or the General
Manager.

313

STEP TWO-- If after contacting amember of
Dealership Management, it appearsyour problem cannot
be resolved by the dealership without further help,
contact the Buick Customer Assistance Center by
calling 1-800-521-7300. In Canada, contact GM of
Canada Customer Assistance Center in Oshawa by
calling 1-800-263-3777 (English) or 1-800-263-7854
(French).

In order to give your inquiry prompt attention, please
call the toll-free number listed above. However, if you
wish to write Buick, write to Buick Motor Division,
Customer Assistance Center, 902 E.Hamilton Avenue,
Flint, MI 48550. A listing of all Buick Zone Offices and
offices outside the U.S. which can assist you can also be
found in the warranty booklet.

In Mexico, call 254- 17-86. In Puerto Rico or U.S. Virgin
Islands, call 1-809-763-1315. In all other overseas
locations, contact GM International Export Sales in
1
Canada by calling 1-4 16-644-412.

When contacting Buick, please remember that your
problem will likely be resolved in the dealership, using
the dealership's facilities, equipment and personnel.
That is why we suggest you follow StepOne first if you
have a problem.

For prompt assistance, please have the following
information available to givethe Customer Assistance
Representative:

Customer Assistance for the Hearing
or Speech Impaired

Your name, address, telephone number

Vehicle Identification Number (This is available
from the vehicle registration or title, or the plate
attached to the left top of the instrument panel and
visible through the windshield.)

Dealership name and location

Vehicle delivery date and present mileage

Nature of problem

314

To assist owners who have hearing difficulties, Buick
has installed special TDD (Telecommunication Devices
for the Deaf) equipment in its Customer Assistance
Center. Any hearing or speech impaired customer who
has access to a TDD or aconventional teletypewriter
(TTY) can communicate with Buick by dialing:
1-800-TD-BUICK. (TDD users in Canada can dial
1-800-263-3830.)

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
TO THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
TO THE CANADIAN
GOVERNMENT

If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could
cause a crash or could causeinjury or death, you should
immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to
notifying General Motors.

If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:

If NHTSA receives similar complaints,it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect existsin
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between you, your dealer, or
General Motors.

To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0 123 in the
Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the Hotline.

Transport Canada at Box 8880
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 352.

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
TO GENERAL MOTORS
In addition tonotifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada)
in a situation like this,we certainly hope you’ll notify
us. Please call us at 1-800-521-7300 , or write:
Buick Motor Division
Customer Assistance Center
902 E. Hamilton Avenue
Flint, Mi 48550
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English) or
1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7

315

Service Publications
Information on how to obtain Product Service
Publications, Subscriptions and Indexes asdescribed
below is applicable only in the fifty U.S. states (and the
District of Columbia) and only for carsand light trucks
with GVWR less than 10,000 pounds (4 536 kg).
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins and Indexes can be obtained by writing to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Service Publications Department
1908 Colonel Sam Dr.
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Buick regularly sends its dealers useful service bulletins
about Buick products. Buick monitors product
performance in the field. We then prepare bulletins for
servicing our products better. Now, youcan get these
bulletins too.

Bulletins cover various subjects. Some pertain to the
proper use and care of your vehicle. Some describe
costly repairs. Others describe inexpensive repairs
which, if done on time with the latest parts, may avoid
future costly repairs. Some bulletins tell a technician
how to repair a new or unexpected condition. Others
describe aquicker way to fix your vehicle. They can
help a technician service your vehicle better.
Most bulletins apply to conditions affecting a small
number of cars or trucks. Your Buick dealer or a
qualified technician may have to determineif a specific
bulletin applies to your vehicle.
You can subscribe to all Buick bulletins. This way you’ll
get them as they come out. You can wait a while and get
an index to the bulletins. You can also get individual
bulletins. However, you’ll need the index to identify
them.

Subscriptions

Individual PSP’s

You can subscribe to allBuick Product Service
Publications (PSP’s). This will include bulletins forall
cars sold by Buick and will not be limited to PSP’s
applicable to any particularmodel. When you buy a
subscription, you will receive thePSP’s in periodic
mailings, shortly afterthey come out. A subscription
costs U.S. $86.50 ($106.50 including a special binder)
and it entitles you to all PSP’s published by Buick
during the model year. You can purchase a subscription
by sending acheck or money order to Service
Publications, Post Office Box 1901, Flint, Michigan,
48501, along with the order form located in the
following text. You may get additional subscription
ordering forms by calling the toll-free number shown in
the following text.

If you don’t want to buy all the PSP’s issued by Buick
for all models in the model year, you can buy individual
PSP’s, such as those which may pertain to aparticular
model. To do this, you will first need to see our index of
PSP’s. It provides a variety of information. Here’s what
you’ll find in the index and how you can get one:

What You’ll Find in the Index:
A list of all PSP’s published by Buick in a model
year PSP’s covering all models of Buick cars are
listed in the same index.
Ordering information so you can buy the specific
PSP’s you may want.
Price information for the PSP’s you may want to
buy.

How You Can Get an Index:

Toll-Free Telephone Number

Indexes are published periodically. Most of the PSP’s
which could potentially apply to themost recent Buick
models will be listed in the most recent publication for
that model year. This means you may want to wait until
the end of the model year before ordering an index, if
you are interested in buying PSP’s pertaining to a
current model year car or truck.

If you want an additional ordering form for an index or a
subscription, just call toll-free and we’ll be happy to
send you one. Automated recording equipment will take
your name and mailing address, Thenumber to call is
1-800-551-4123.

Some PSP’s pertaining to a particular model year
vehicle may be published in later years, and these would
be listed in the later year’s index. When you order an
index for a model year that is not over yet, we’ll send
you the most recently published issue. Check the
ordering form for indexes for earliermodel years.

Copies of Indexes and individual PSP’s are at your
participating Buick dealer. You can ask to seethem.

Cut out theordering form, fill it out,and mail it in. We
will then see to it that an index is mailed to you. There is
no charge for indexes for the 1989-1993 model years.

Copies at Participating Dealers

A VERY IMPORTANTREMINDER: These PSP’s are
meant for technicians. They are not meant for the
“do-it-yourselfer.” Technicians have the equipment,
tools, safety instructions, and know-how to doa job
quickly and safely.

Buick Service Publications
You can get these by using the order form:

a
N

319

il
I

Part 9

Index
.

Ace

(Ignition Key Position) ........................ 75
Accessory Power. Retained .........................
76
Adding
Brake Fluid ..................................
263
259
Coolant .....................................
Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140,286
Engineoil ...................................
252
Power Steering Fluid ..........................
261
Transaxle/Transmission Fluid ....................
256
Windshield Washer Fluid ...........................
262
Additives, Engine Oil .............................
254
Adjustment, Brake ...............................
175
Adult Safety Belt Usage .............................25
AirBag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
255
Aircleaner .....................................
Air Conditioner .............................
132,137
Air Outlets .....................................
130
Air System .................................
132,137
Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Alcohol in Gasoline ..............................
243
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning .......................
283
AM Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

AM Stereo Radio Reception .........................140
Antenna .......................................
156
Antifreeze ......................................
258
Antilock BrakeSystem ...........................
172
Antilock Braking System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Anti-TheftTips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Anti-Theft Feature, Delco LOCI1 ....................
153
Appearance Care ..................................278
Appearance Care and Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Armrest, Storage ................................
113
Ashtrays .. : ......................................
115
Astroroof ......................................
109
Audio Systems ..................................
139
Automatic Air Conditioning System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
63
Automatic Door Locks .............................
Automatic Mirror ................................
106
Automatic Overdrive ..............................
82
Automatic Pull-Down, Trunk ........................
65
Automatic Transaxle ..............................
80
Automatic Transaxle Fluid .........................
256
Automatic Transaxle Torque Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

321

Baby. Holding a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Battery ........................................ 265
. Battery Cables, Starting With .......................
212
Battery Warning Light ............................
126
Blizzard, If You’re Caught in a ..................... 199
Blood Alcohol Level .............................
167
“Blowout,” Tire .................................229
Boat, Towinga .................................. 201
Brake
Adjustment ..................................
175
Fluid .......................................
263
Lining Replacement, How to Drive After . . . . . . . 74, 264
MasterCylinder ..............................263
Parking ......................................84
PedalTravel ................................. 175
Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80,87
Brake System, Antilock Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Brake System Warning Light ....................... 119
Brake Wear Indicators, Disc .......................
174
Brakes,Antilock ................................
172
Brakes, Rear.....................................
175
Braking ........................................
171
Braking Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Braking If Your Engine Stops ...................... 172
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .- 7 4
Break-In Schedule, When Towinga Trailer ............ 202
Bulbchart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291

322

Bulb Replacement. Headlamp ...................... 266
Bulb Replacement Taillamp ........................
267
Bulbs. Halogen ..................................
265
Bulbs. Turn Signal ................................
92

201
c a m p e r . Towing a ..............................
Capacities ...................................... 292
Cap. Radiator Pressure ............................261
Carbon Monoxide in Exhaust .......................
88
Care. Appearance ................................
278
Cassette Tape Player Care .........................
155
Cautions. Safety ..................................
10
CB Radio. Adding A ............................. 140
Cellular Telephone. Adding a ......................
140
Chains. Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
“Change Oil Soon” Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Change Oil. When to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125.251
Changing a Flat Tire ..............................
229
Charge. Battery. Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
“Check Oil Level” Light ..........................
124
Checking
263
BrakeFluid ..................................
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Engine Oil Level ...............................
252
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..261.
Safety Belt Systems ............................
57
256
Transaxle Fluid ...............................

Under the Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Windshield Washer Fluid ..........................
262
Chemical Paint Spotting ...........................
284
Child Restraints ..................................
46
Children and Safety Belts .......................
4434
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Circuit Breakers ................................. 287
CityDriving ....................................
187
Cleaner, Air ....................................
255
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels ............................
283
Fabric ......................................
279
Glass .......................................
281
Inside Your Car ...............................
278
Outside Your Car .............................
282
Power Antenna ...............................
156
Safety Belts ..................................
281
Top of the Instrument Panel .....................
280
Underbody of Your Car ........................
284
vinyl or Leather ..............................
280
Weather Strips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .- 2 8 3
283
White Sidewall Tires ...........................
Windshield and Wiper Blades ....................
281
130
Comfort Control System ..........................
Clock, Setting the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142,145,148,151
Closed-In Places, Don’t Idle in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
88
COinExhaust ...................................
160
Color of Road Signs ..............................
Comfort Control and Audio Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
155
Compact Disc Care ..............................

237
Compact Spare Tire ..............................
Contents. Table of .................................
9
Contra1 of a Vehicle ..............................
170
Control. Loss of .................................
180
Controls. Features and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Convex Outside Mirror ...........................
108
ConvenienceNet ................................
109
Coolant. Engine .................................
258
Coolant. Engine. Warning Light ....................
123
Coolant. Safety Warnings About ....................
224
CourtesyLights .................................
113
Covers. How to Remove Wheel .....................
231
Cruise Control ..................................
-96
Cruise Control. Change Speed With . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Cruise Control. Turning Off ........................
100
Cruise Control. Using on Hills ......................
100
Curves. Driving on ...............................
176
Customer Assistance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313

D (Drive) Third Gear .............................

82
@ Automatic Overdrive ........................... 82
Damage To Finish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283
Damage to Sheet Metal ...........................
283
11
Damagewarnings ................................
Daytime Running Lights ...........................
103
212
Dead Battery. What To Do .........................
DefensiveDriving ...............................
166
Defogger. Rear Window ......................
136. 139

323

Defogging .....................................
135
Defrost .................................... 136.138
DelcoSoundSystems ............................
139
Dimensions .................................... 290
Disc Brake Wear Indicators ........................ 174
Disposal, Used Oil ............................... 255
Door Ajar Light ..................................128
DoorLocks ......................................62
Door Locks, Automatic ............................ 63
Downhill Parking ................................ 194
Downshifting ....................................82
Driving
AtNight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Defensively ..................................
166
Drunk .......................................167
In a Foreign Country ...........................245
In Cities ......................................187
In Fog, Mist or Haze ...........................
186
InRain ..................................... 183
In Winter ..................................... 197
On a Long Trip ...............................
190
On Freeways .................................
188
-0nCurves ................................... 176
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 192
198
On Snow or Ice ...............................
Through Deep Standing Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
DrunkenDriving .................................167
Dual Automatic ComforTempClimate Control . . . . . . . . . 133

324

Fasteners. Replacement ..........................
242
Features and Controls .............................
59
Fetus. Risk to ..From Safety Belt Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Filling Your Fuel Tank ............................
246
Filter. Oil ..................................
254.292
Finish Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
282
Finish Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
283
First Gear. When to Use ............................
83
FlatTire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
228
Flooded Engine. Starting ...........................
76
Fluid
292
Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
263
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
261
Transaxle/Transmission ........................
256
Windshield Washer ............................
262
Fluids and Lubricants Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
FM Stereo Radio Reception ........................
139
Fog. Driving in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
186
245
Foreign Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
Francais. Guide En . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
265
Freedom Battery .................................
188
Freeway Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FrenchLanguageManual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
219
Front Towing Hook-Up ...........................
243
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FuelGage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
118
246
FuelTank. Filling Your ...........................

Fuels in Foreign Countries .........................
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ........................
Fuseusage .....................................

245
287
288

Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature ....................
122
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
118
Volts .......................................
127
Garage Door Opener Storage .......................
110
Gasoline .......................................
244
Gasoline Tank. Filling Your ........................
246
Gear Positions ...................................
80
Glass Cleaning ..................................
281
Graphic Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
Guard Against Theft ..............................
71
Guide En Francais .................................
2

Halogen Bulbs .................................
265
HazardWarning Flasher ...........................
210
Haze. Drivingin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
186
Headlamp Bulb Replacement .......................
266
Headlight High-LowBeam Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Headlightonwarning ............................
101
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18

325
~~

-~ ...........

~~~~

......

.
.
.
.
.
.
_
_
,

_
.
.
.
_
_

_ .
~
.
.
.
.
.

Hearing Impaired Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 14
Heater .....................................
135.138
Heater. Engine Block ..........................
79. 254
High Speed. Shifting When Your Eogine is Running . . . . . 82
“Highway Hypnosis’’ .............................
191
Hill and Mountain Roads ..........................
192
Hills.Parkingon ................................
194
Hitches. Trailer .................................. 204
Holding a Baby in Your Car .........................
45
248
Hood. Opening the ...............................
90
Horn ...........................................
122
Hot Coolant Warning Light ........................
Hot Engine. Safety Warnings About . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
Hydroplaning ...................................
185

198
Ice. Driving on .................................
Identification Label. Service Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
286
Identification Number.Vehicle .....................
Idling Your Engine ................................
87
If You’re Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Ignition Key Positions .............................
75
Indicator. Turn Signal ............................. 92
174
Indicators. Disc Brake Wear .......................
Indicators. Warning Lights and Gages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Infant Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Inflation. Tire ...................................
271
Illuminated Entry System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
70
Inside Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
106
Inspection. Tires .................................
272

Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Interior Cleaning ................................
278
Interlock. BrakeRransaxle Shift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80.87
Introduction How To Use This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

ack. Tire .....................................
Jacking Up the Car ...............................
Jump Starting ...................................

230
230
212

K e y s ..........................................
Keyless Entry System. Remote ......................
KilometerIndicator ..............................

60
66
117

Label. Service Parts Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Lamp Monitors ..................................
105
Lane Change Indicator .............................
91
LapBelt ........................................ 40
Lap-Shoulder Belt Usage by Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Leaving Your Vehicle ..............................
64
112
Level Control Electronic ..........................
License Plate Holder, Rear .........................
115
19
Light, Safety Belt .................................
Light, Turn Signal Indicator .........................
92
116
Lighter, Cigarette ................................
Lights
103
Daytime. Running .............................

Gages and Warning Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
101
Time Out Feature .............................
113
165
Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“On” Warning ................................
101
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
92
Loading YourVehicle ............................
268
Locks. Door .....................................
62
Locks. Rear Door Security ..........................
69
Long Distance Driving ............................
190
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
180
119
LowFuelLight .................................
Low Oil Pressure. Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Maintenance
Inspections ..................................
Record ......................................
Schedule ....................................
Underbody . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Malfunction Indicator Light ........................
Manualseat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Markings, Pavement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Master Cylinder, Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Memory Seat and Mirrors ..........................
Methanol in Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mirrors
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convex Outside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

308
311
293
284
126
14
166
263
15
243
106
108

Heated Outside Rearview .......................
Inside ......................................
Outside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mist, Driving in .................................
Mobile Telephone, Adding a .......................
Monitors, Lamp .................................
Mountain Driving ................................
MTBE In Gasoline ...............................

108
106
108
186
140
105
192
243

N (Neutral) Gear Position

......................... 81
109
Netconvenience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NewVehicle “Break-In” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
NightDriving ...................................
181
Nightvision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
182
NoticesAbout Damage ............................
11
O c t a n e Required for Your Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Odometer ......................................
117
Odometer. Trip ..................................
117
Off (Ignition Key Position) .........................
76
Off Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
178
Oil. Change Your Engine ......................
25 1.293
Oil. Engine .....................................
251
Oil Pressure Warning Light ........................
123
245
Operation in Foreign Countries .....................
Overdrive. Automatic .............................
82
Overheated Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221

327

P (Park) Position

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Paint Spotting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284
101
Panel Lights ....................................
Park. Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Park. Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Parking Brake ....................................
84
Parking on Hills .................................
194
Parking Over Things That Bum ......................
88
Passing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
PASS-Key. Theft Deterrent System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
PavementMarkings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Pedal Travel. Brake ..............................
176
Perception Time in Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Polishing and Waxing ............................
282
Power
Antenna Care ................................
156
DoorLocks ...................................
62
Seat Controls ..................................
14
Steering .....................................
176
Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Windows ..................................... 90
Pregnancy. Use of Safety Belts During . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Pressure. Tire ................................... 271
209
Problems on the Road ............................
Proper Safety Belt Usage for Adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Publications Order Form ..........................
3 19
Publications. Service ............................. 3 16
Pull-Down. Automatic Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Push-Starting Your Car ...........................
212

(Reverse) Gear Position .........................
81
Racing. Shifting When Your Engine is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Radiator Overheating .............................
221
Radiator Pressure Cap ............................
261
Radio. Two-way. Adding a ........................
140
RadioSystems ..................................
139
Rain. Driving in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183
Reaction Time in Braking .........................
171
Reading Lights ..................................
104
RearBrakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Rear Door Security Lock ...........................
69
Rear License Plate Holder .........................
115
Rear Passenger ComforTemp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Rear Towing Hook-Ups ...........................
220
Rear Window Defogger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136. 139
Reclining Front Seatbacks ..........................
16
178
Recovery. Off Road ...............................
Recreational Vehicle Towing .......................
201
Remote Keyless Entry System .......................
66
Remote Trunk Release .............................
65
Replaceable Light Bulbs ..........................
291
Replacing Brake System Parts ......................
264
Replacing Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : . . . . . . . . . 57
273
ReplacingTires .................................
276
Replacing Wheels ...............................
315
Reporting Safety Defects ..........................
Restarting Your Car When It’s Moving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Restraint.Child ..................................
46
Restraint Systems. Checking Your ....................
57
Restraints. Head ..................................
18

Retained Accessory Power ..........................
76
Reverse Gear Position .............................
81
“Riding” the Brakes ..............................
171
Road Signs .....................................
160
Roads. Hill and Mountain ..........................
192
Rocking YourVehicle ............................
239
Rotation. Tire ...................................
272
Run (Ignition Key Position) .........................
76
Running Lights. Daytime ..........................
103
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Safety Belt Care ................................
281
Safety Belt Extender .............................. 57
Safety Belt Reminder Light .........................
19
Safety Belt Replacement ...........................
57
Safety Belt. Lap ..................................
40
Safety Belt. Lap-Shoulder .......................... 26
Safety Belt. Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Safety Belt Usage By Adults ........................
25
Safety Belt Usage By Children ......................
44
Safety Belt Usage During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
Safety Belts. Center. Adult Passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Safety Belts. Cleaning ............................
281
Safety Belts. Questions About .......................
24
Safety Belts. Rear Seat Passengers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Safety Belts. Right Front Adult Passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Safety Belts. Too Loose ............................
30
Safety Belts. Torn .................................
58

Safety Belts. Twisted ..............................
33
20
Safety Belts. Why They Work .......................
Safety Belts. Worn Under Arm ....................... 32
315
Safety Defects.Reporting .........................
10
Safety Warnings ..................................
296
Scheduled Maintenance Services ....................
14.58
Seat Adjustment ...............................
13
Seats and Safety Belts .............................
Seat Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
82
Second Gear. When to Use .........................
Securing a Child Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46.47.50. 52
73
Security Light ....................................
69
Security Lock. Rear Door ..........................
242
Service Tips .....................................
241
Service and Appearance Care ......................
“Service Engine Soon” Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Service Parts Identification Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
316
Service Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
142.145.148. 151
Setting the Clock .....................
117
Setting the Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
163
ShapeofRoadSigns .............................
283
Sheet Metal Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift Brake-Transaxle Interlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80. 87
Shift Lever Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
86
Shifting Into Park .................................
87
Shifting Out Of Park ..............................
28
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster .......................
Signaling Turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Signs.Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Skidding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
180

329

275

Snow or Ice. Driving on ...........................
198
Snowstorm. If You’re Caught in a Bad ............... 199
Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279
Sound Equipment. Adding .........................
140
Sound Systems ..................................
140
SpareTire ...................................... 237
292
Specifications Chart ..............................
Speech Impaired, Customer Assistance for . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
117
Speedometer ....................................
Stains, Removing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280
Start (Ignition Key Position) ........................
76
Starting Your Engine ..............................
76
Starting Your Car if the Battery is “Dead” . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Steam From Hot(Overheated) Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
Steep Hill Parking ...............................
194
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Steering in Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
SteeringTips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Steering Wheel, Tilt ...............................
90
Steering Without Power Assist .....................
176
Balance
Stereo Sound Systems ............................
139
Storage Armrest .................................
113
Storage,. Garage Door Opener ......................
110
Storing Your Car ................................
265
76
Stuck, If Your Ignition Key is .......................
Stuck, If Your Car is. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Subscribing to Buick ProductService Publications . . . . . . 317
Sunroof ........................................ ‘109
SunVisors .....................................
114
Supercharged Engine .............................
250

330

Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System (SIR) ......... 34
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System Light . . . . . . . . . 35
Symbols on Road Signs ...........................
164
Symbols Used on Your Car .........................
12

Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
127
Tachometer .....................................
Taillamp Bulb Replacement ........................
267
Tamper-Resistance of Odometer ....................
117
Tape Player Care ................................
155
71
Theft ...........................................
Theft Deterrent System, PASS-Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Theft Deterrent System, Universal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Thermostat .....................................
261
Third Gear, When to Use ............................
82
Tilt Steering Wheel ...............................
90
Time, Setting the .....................
142,145,148,151
Time Out Feature, Lights ..........................
113
....................................
Tire
Tirechains ..................................... 277
228
Tire, Flat .......................................
TireInflation ...................................
271
Tire Inspection and Rotation .......................
272
Tire Quality Grading .............................
274
Tires .......................................... 270
Tires, When to Replace ...........................
373
Tires, White Sidewall Cleaning .....................
283
58
Torn Safety Belts .................................
Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

Towing a Trailer .................................
201
Towing Your Buick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 17
174
Traction Control System ..........................
Traction Control System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Trademarks. GM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
Traffic Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Traffic Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
166
Trailer Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
204
Trailer Towing ..................................
201
Transaxleflransmission Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Transaxle Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
256
Travel. Brake Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
175
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
117
Trunk Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
128
Trunk Release. Remote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
T u n Signalmeadlight Beam Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Twilight Sentinel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
102
Twisted Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Two Children Wearing the Same Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Underbody Maintenance .........................
Uniform Tire Quality Grading ......................
Universal Theft Deterrent ..........................
Unleaded Gasoline ...............................
Uphill Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Upholstery Care .................................
Used Oil. How to Dispose of .......................

284
274
71
243
195
278
255

Vehicle Damage.Warnmgs ........................
Vehicle Identification Number ......................
Vehicle Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vinyl. Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Visors.DualSun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VisorVanity Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VoltsGage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11
286
265
12
280
114
114
127

W a r n i n g.
Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
211
Flasher. Hazard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Light. Antilock Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Light. Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Light. Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
119
Light. Change Oil Soon ........................
125
Light. Check Oil Level .........................
124
Light. Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
128
Light. Engine Coolant Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Light. Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
123
Light. Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Light. Traction Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Light. Trunk Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
128
Light. Washer Fluid Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
94
Lights and Indicators on Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . 117
10
Warnings. Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washer. Windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
94. 281
Wear Indicators. Disc Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
174
Weather Strips. Cleaning ..........................
283

331
.
.
-.. . . .

_
.
.
L
.
^
L
.
.
.

.........

......

... -._e-

_.,.

Wet Road Driving ...............................
Wheel Alignment ................................
Wheel Covers Removal ...........................
Wheel Nut Torque ...............................
Wheel Replacement ..............................
White Sidewall Tires. Cleaning .....................
Why Wear Safety Belts ? ...........................
Windows. Power ................................
Windshield
Cleaning ....................................
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washer Fluid ..................................
Wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter Driving ..................................
Wire Wheel Cover ...............................
Working On Your Car ............................
Worn Tires .....................................
WreckerTowing .................................

183
275
231
236
276
283
20
-90
281
94
262
93
197
232
242
273
217

Y o u r Driving and the Road . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
YourOwn Signals ...............................
166
Your Vehicle and the Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295

Owner’s Record of Upkeep & Fuel Usage
DATE

MILEAGE

AMOUNT

COMMENTS

333

Owner’s Record of Upkeep & Fuel Usage
DATE

334

MILEAGE

AMOUNT

._.

COMMENTS

OMMENTS

Owner’s Record of Upkeep & Fuel Usage
AMOUNT
DATE

MILEAGE

Fuel Mileage Chart
MILES PER GALLON
10

12 21
13
201918
14171615

5 60
55
50

2322

100 105 110
115
120
125
130
135

95
90

30 3231

66
60

104
112
120
128
136

90
99

100 110
120
130
140
150
160
170

110
121
132
143
154
165
176
187
198

120
132
144
156
168

130
143
156
169
182
195
208
221
234
247
260
273
286
299
312
325
338
351
364
377
390
403
416
429
442
455
468

140
154
168
182
196
210
224
238
252
266
280
294
308
322
336
350
364
378
392
406
420

150 165 180 195
210
225
240
255
270
285
300
15
3
330
345
360
375
390
405
420
435
450
465
480
495
10
5
525
540

160
176
192
208
224
240
256
272
288
304
320
336
352
368
384
400
416
432
448
464
480
496

170
187
204
221
238
255
272
289
306
323
340
357
374
391
408
425
442
459
476
493
510
527
544
561
578
595
612

180
198
216
234
252
270
288
306
324
342
360
378
396
414
432
450
468
486
504
522
540
558
576
594
612
630
648

190
209
228
247
266
285
304
323
342
361
380
399
418
437
456
475
494
13
532
5 551
570
589
608
627
646
665
684

200 220
240
260
280
300
320
340
360
380
400
420
440
460
480
500
520
540

210 231 252
273
294
I5
336
3 357
378
399
420

72 102
96
90
84
78
105
98

112
119
126

33363534

I40 145
150
155
160
165
170
175
180

108 114
120
126
132
138
144
150
156
162
168
174

180 186
192
198
204
210
216

133
140
147
'154
161
168
175
182
189
196
203
210
217
224
231
238

245
252

1 4 4 152 1.60
168
176
184
192
200
208
216
224
232
240
248
256
264

272 280
288

108 117
126
135
144
153
162
171
180
189
198
207
216

22 220
242
264
286
308
330
352
374
396
418
440
462
484
-

29
25282726

225
234
243
252
261
270
279
288
297
306
315
324
180 190
200
210
220
230
240
250
260
270
280
290
300
310
320
330
340
350
360

209
220

231 242
253
264
275
286
297
308
319
330
341
352
363
374
385
396

180 192 204
216
228
240
252
264
276
288
300
312
324
336
348
360
372
384
396
408
420
432

.434 448
462
476
490
504

512 528
544
560
576

560
580
600
620
640
660
680
700
720
441
462
483
504

525
546
567
588
609
630
651
672
506
528
550
572
594
616
638
660
682
704
726
748
770
792

693 714
735
756

.... ..

THIS MANUAL IS PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER USING
"UM50% WASTEPAPER, 10% POST CONSUMER WASTE

., .._- ..

...

Source Exif Data:

File Type                       : PDF
File Type Extension             : pdf
MIME Type                       : application/pdf
PDF Version                     : 1.3
Linearized                      : No
XMP Toolkit                     : Adobe XMP Core 5.5-c012 1.149602, 2012/10/10-18:10:24
Format                          : application/pdf
Subject                         : Owner's Manual
Description                     : Owner's Manual
Modified                        : 2014:10:26 07:07:22-04:00
Creator                         : Creative Document Solutions, LLC.
Title                           : Owner's Manual
Size                            : 18779653
Author                          : Creative Document Solutions, LLC.
Extracted                       : 2014:10:17 12:05:20-04:00
Sha 1                           : 3ced7bc9ae7991689f94bd80cf2b562b7405383c
Modify Date                     : 2001:11:20 12:37:33-05:00
Metadata Date                   : 2001:11:20 12:37:33-05:00
Create Date                     : 2001:11:09 17:58:26-05:00
Creator Tool                    : Acrobat Capture 3.0
Keywords                        : Owner's Manual
Producer                        : Adobe PDF Library 4.0
Style                           : Searchable Image (Exact)
Tags                            : OwnerCenter:GMNA/asset_type/owner_manual, OwnerCenter:GMNA/1993/buick/park_avenue
Page Layout                     : SinglePage
Page Mode                       : UseOutlines
Page Count                      : 340

EXIF Metadata provided by EXIF.tools

Buick 1993 Park Avenue Owners Manual Owner's

Navigation menu

Versions of this User Manual:

Views

Navigation