
In  World War II, 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-compression V-8 engine  was  introduced  in 1953. 
And  Buick’s  famous  vertical  pillar  “toothy”  grille 
(introduced  in 
1942), became  more  massive in the  post- 
war  era. 
I953 Skylark 
1949 Roadmaster 
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If there  is no curb  when  you’re  parking  uphill, turn the 
wheels  to  the  right. 
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. 
Torque Lock 
If you are  parking  on a hill  and  you  don’t shift your 
transaxle  into 
“P” mk)  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 “I”’ (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 “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). 
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r- 9. Tighten  the  wheel nuts 
firmly in a criss-cross 
sequence 
as shown. 
)Y 
I 
I A CAUTION: 
Incorrect wheel  nuts  or  improperly  tightened 
wheel  nuts  can  muse the  wheel 
to become 
loose  and 
wen come off. This  could lead to an 
accident. 
Be sure  to  use  the correct wheel 
nuts. If .you have to  replace  them, be sum to 
get the  right  kind. 
Stop  somewhere 
EIS soon as you can and have 
the  nuts  tightened  with  a torque  wrench 
to 100 
pound-femt (140 Nnm). 
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Tire Inspection and Rotation 
To make  your tires  last  longer,  have  them  inspected  and 
rotated  at  the  mileages  recommended 
in the  Maintenance 
Schedule.  See  “Scheduled  Maintenance  Services” 
in the 
Index. 
Use  this  rotation  pattern. 
After  the  tires have  been  rotated,  adjust  the  front  and  rear 
inflation  pressure  as  shown  on  the  Tire-Loading 
Information  label.  Make  certain  that  -all  wheel 
nuts are 
properly  tightend.  See  “Wheel 
Nut Torque”  in  the 
Index. 
1 
I A CAUTION: 
Rust or dirt on  a wheel, or on  the parts to 
which 
It Is fastened,  can make the’wheel nuts 
become loose after a Qlme. The wheel could 
come off and cause an  accident.  When you 
change a wheel, remove any  rust or dirt from 
places  where the wheel attaches to  the 
vehlcle. 
In an emergency, you can use a cloth 
or a paper towel to do this;  but be sure to us8 
a scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to 
get 
all the rust or dirt off. (See “Changing a 
Flat Tlre” in  the  Index.) 
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Fuse Usage 
I 
I 
Fuse  Rating 
(AMPS) 
A 
B 
C 
D  E 
15 
20 
10 
10 
15 
ECM;  MAF  Sensor (3300 Engine only) 
ECM  Injectors/Coil 
Eng.  A/C  Relay;  EGR  Solenoid;  Canister  Purge  Solenoid 
Fan/Elect;  Generator;  DRL  Module 
Turn  Signal  Flasher;  Back-up Lights; 
TruWLiftgate  Release 
Fuse 
F 
G 
H 
I 
J 
K 
L 
M 
Rating 
(AMPS) 
10 
20 
20 
10 
20 
20 
30" 
5 
Circuitry N 
0 
P 
Q 
10 
30" 
25 
20 
15 
15 
15 
Circuitry 
Supplemental  Inflatable  Restraint  (Air  Bagj 
Tail;  Park;  Side  Marker;  License  Plate;  Stop/Turn  Signal 
Heater/Air  Conditioner 
Gages;  Warning  Indicators;  Torque  Convert 
Clutch;  Audible  Warning  System;  Computer  Command  Control;  Trunk  Release;  Brake 
Warning  Indicator;  Rear  Defog  Switch; 
Speedometer 
Stop  Lights;  Hazard  Flashers 
Interior,  Underhood,  Courtesy,  I/P,  Trunk  Lights;  Door 
Locks; Horn Relay,  Passive  Restraint 
System,  Deck  Lid  Release,  Power  Antenna 
Liftgate  Release;  Power  Windows 
Illumination  for:  I/P,  Radio, 
Pod Lights, 
Ashtray,  Console  Light,  Heater-A/C  Control, 
Defog  Switch,  Headlight  Switch 
Radio,  Cruise  Control 
Seats,  Door 
Locks, Rear  Defog 
Windshield  Wipe/Wash 
Cigarette  Lighter 
Safety  Belt/Chirne  (ICAM)  Module  (Located 
behind the fuse  block,  above  the  hush  panel.) 
Remote  Lock  Control  (Located  behind  the  fuse 
block,  above  the  hush  panel.)  Fuel  Pump,  ECM  (Located  under  the  hood.) 
*Circuit  Breaker 
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Explanation of Scheduled  Maintenance  Services 
Below  are  explanations  of  the  services  listed  in  Schedule 
I and  Schedule II. 
The  proper  fluids and lubricants  to  use  are  listed  in 
Section 
D. Make  sure  whoever  services  your  vehicle  uses 
ITEM 
NO. SERVICE 
1 Engine Oil and  Filter  Change-Always  use 
SG Energy  Conserving 11 oils of 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  viscosity  for  your 
vehicle’s  engine  (e.g.,  SAE 
5W-30 or  SAE 
10W-30), see  “Engine  Oil”  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.  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. 
ITEM 
NO. SERVICE 
3 Throttle  Body Mounting  Bolt Torque (3300 V6 
Code N Engine  Only)*-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.’ 
*An  Emission  Control  Service. 
~2 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.” 
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Snowstorm (see “Winter  Driving”) 
Sound  Equipment.  Adding 
........................... 117 
Sound  Systems  (see  ‘Audio  Systems”) 
Spare  Tire.  Compact. 
...................... .205. 215. 218 
Specifications  and  Capacities 
................... .270.  272 
Specifications.  Engine 
......................... .270.  272 
Speed  Control  (see  “Cruise  Control”) 
Speedometer 
..................................... 106 
Stains.  Removing 
.................................. 258 
Starting  .Your  Engine 
................................ 74 
Starting  Your  Vehicle  if  the  Battery 
is Dead 
Steering  (see  “Jump  Starting”) 
In  Emergencies 
.................................. 151 
Off-Road  Recovery 
.............................. 152 
Tips 
.......................................... l50 
Steering  Wheel.  Tilt ................................ 86 
Stereo  Sound  Systems  (see  “Audio  Systems”) 
Storage  Armrest 
....................................... 103 
Convenience  Net 
................................ 101 
Rear  Locking  Compartment 
........................ 103 
Rear  Storage  Security  Cover 
....................... 101 
Storing  Your  Vehicle ............................... 244 
Stuck.  If  You Are 
.................................. 219 
Sun  Visors 
........................................ 100 
Supplemental  Inflatable  Restraint  (Air  Bag) 
.............. 35 
TAlgate  Ajar  warning  Light 
........................ 111 Tape  Player  (see  “Audio  Systems”) 
Technical  Facts 
& Specifications 
Bulbs 
......................................... 269 
Electrical  Equipment.  Add-on 
.............. .75.  117. 265 
Fluid  Capacities 
& Types ................ .270.  272.  292 
Fuseusage 
.................................... 267 
Service 
Parts Identification  Label ................... 265 
Vehicle  Identification  Number  (VIN) 
................ 265 
Temperature  Warning  Light 
.......................... 110 
Theft 
............................................ 71 
Thermostat 
...................................... 241 
Tilt  Steering  Wheel 
................................. 86 
Time.  Setting  the 
.......................... .118.  121.  124 
Tire  hading 
................................ .249.  251 
Tires 
........................................... 251 
Chains 
................................... .218.  257 
Flat.  Changing 
.................................. 205 
Inflation 
....................................... 252 
Inspection 
& Rotation ............................ 253 
Loading 
................................... 249. 251 
Pressure ....................................... 252 
QualityGrading 
................................. 255 
Spare.  Compact 
......................... .205.  215.  218 
Wear  Indicators 
................................... 254 
Wheel  Replacement 
......................... .256.  257 
When  to  Replace  Wheels 
.......................... 256 
Winter  Driving.  and  Tires 
......................... 171 
Torquebk 
..................................... 170 
BuyingNew 
.................................... 254 
Wheel  Alignment  and  Tire  Balance 
.................. 256 
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Towing a Trailer .................................. 175 
Towing  Your  Buick 
................................ 189 
Traf%lc  Lights ...................................... 140 
Trailer  Towing .................................... 175 
Driving  with  a  Trailer ........... i ............... -179 
Maintenance. ................................... 181 
Parking  on Hills ......................... .. ....... 180 
Trailer Brakes .................................. 178 
Turn Signals .................................... 179 
Transaxle,  Automatic (see “Automatic  Transaxle”) 
Transmission,  Automatic  (see  ‘Automatic  Transaxle”) 
Trip  Odometer. 
................................... 106 
Trunk  Lock 
....................................... 69 
Remote  Release  Button ............................ 69 
Turn  Signal  Indicator ............................... 87 
Turn Signal/Headlight  Beam  Lever ..................... 86 
Cruise  Control ................................... 91 
Headlight  High/Low  Beam ......................... 88 
Turn & Lane  Change  Signals ....................... 87 
Turn Signal  Indicator ............................... 87 
Windshield  Wipers .............................. -88 
windshield  Washer ................................. 89 
Turn Signal  Reminder ............................... 87 
underbody  Maintenance .......................... 263 
Unleaded  Gasoline ................................ 223 
Upholstery  Care .................................. 258 
Urban  Driving .................................. 1 . 162 
Vehicle Identification  Number.(VIN) ................. 265 
Vehicle hading .................................. 249 
Vehicle  Storage .................................... 244 
Vent Windows,  Flip-Open ............................ 85 
Ventilation .................................... U. 116 
VIN ......................................... : ... 269 
Visor Vanity Mirror. ............................... 100 
Volts  Gage ....................................... 109 
warning  Flashers.  Hazard ......................... 184 
Warning  Lights .................................. -106 
AirBag ........................................ 36 
Battery ......................................... 108 
Brake ......................................... 109 
Coolant  Temperature 
............................. 110 
Oil ........................................... 107 
Safety  Belt  Reminder  Light ......................... 29 
Service  Engine  Soon .............................. 111 
TailgateAjar .................................... 111 
Washer,  Windshield .................................. 89 
WasherNiper,  Rear  Window ......................... 90 
Weight 
Gross  Axle  Weight  Rating  (GAWR) 
................... 250 
Gross  Vehicle  Weight  Rating (GVWR) ............... 250 
Wheel  Alignment and Tire  Balance ................... 256 
Wheel  Covers,  How to Remove ....................... 210 
WheelNuts ...................................... 209 
Wheel  Nut  Torque ................................. 215 
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