Page 8 of 324
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.
1
1949 Roadmaster
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.
’* R
1953 Skylark
c
Page 292 of 324

CHECK OR
SERVICE
Brake-
Transmission Shift Interlock
BTSI
Automatic
Transmission)
WHAT TO DO
CAUTION: When you are doing
this check, the vehicle could
I
move suddenly. If it does, you
or others could be injured.
Follow the steps below.
1. Before you 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
“Parking Brake”
in the Index if
necessary).
NOTE: Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately
if the vehicle
begins
to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to
the
“RUN” position, but don’t start
the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the shift
lever out of
“P’ (Park) with normal
effort. If the shift lever moves out of
“P’ (Park), your vehicle’s BTSI
needs service.
CHECK OR
I SERVICE I WHAT TO DO
Steering While parked, and with the parking
Column Lock brake set, try to
turn the key to
“LOCK” in each shift lever position.
The key should turn to “LOCK”
only
when the shift lever is in “P’
(Park).
The key should come out only in
“LOCK.”
290
Page 293 of 324

CHECK OR
SERVICE
Parking Brake
and Automatic
Transmission
“P” (Park)
Mechanism
Check
WHAT TO DO
CAUTION: When you are doing
this check, your vehicle could
begin
to move. 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
-
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake: With
the engine running and
transmission in
“N’ (Neutral),
slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this
until the vehicle is held by the
parking brake only.
mechanism’s holding ability: Shift
to “P’ (Park). Then release all
brakes.
To check the “P” (Park)
CHECK OR
I SERVICE I WHAT TO DO
Underbody
Flushing At least every spring, use plain water
to flush
any corrosive materials from
the underbody. Take care to clean
thoroughly any areas where mud and
other debris can collect.
Page 296 of 324

USAGE FLUID/LUBRICANT
Hydraulic Brake
(GM Part No.
1052535) or
System Delco
Supreme 11
@ Brake Fluid
equivalent
DOT-3 brake fluid.
Parking Brake
Category LB or GC-LB (GM Part
requirements
of NLGI Grade 2,
Guides Chassis
lubricant meeting
No. 1052497 or equivalent).
Power Steering
Transmission Fluid (GM Part No.
Transaxle
DEXRON@ IIE Automatic Automatic
(GM Part No. 1052884) or
System GM Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid
equivalent.
1234588 1).
Key Lock Lubricate with Multi-Purpose
Cylinders Lubricant
(GM Part
No. 12345 120),
synthetic SAE 5W-30 engine oil or
silicone lubricant (GM Part
No.
1052276 or 1052277).
Automatic
Transaxle Shift Engine
oil.
Linkage
USAGE
Chassis
Lubrication
Windshield
Washer Solvent
Hood Latch
Assembly a. Pivots and
Spring
Anchor
b. Release
Pawl
Hood and Door
Hinges, Fuel
Door Hinge
Weatherstrips
FLUID/LUBRICANT
Chassis lubricant meeting
requirements
of NLGI Grade 2,
Category LB or GC-LB (GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent).
GM Optikleen@ Washer Solvent
(GM Part
No. 105 15 15) or
equivalent.
a. Engine oil.
b. Chassis lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI Grade 2,
Category LB or GC-LB (GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent).
Engine oil or Lubriplate Lubricant
(GM Part
No. 1050109).
Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part
No. 12345579 or equivalent).
See “Specifications Chart” in the Index for
recommended replacement filters. valves and spark
plugs.
294
Page 307 of 324

XI Engineoil ..................................
Power Steering Fluid .........................
Transaxle/Transmission Fluid ................ 24
Windshield Washer Fluid
.........................
Additives . Engine Oil ............................
Acc (Ignition Key Position) ......................... 69
Adding Brake Fluid
.................................. 248
Coolant
................................. 211. 243
Electrical Eauiument
...................... 128. 269
. 236
. 246
1. 277
. 247
I” . 239
Adjustment. Brake
............................... 163
Adult Safety Belt Usage
............................ 24
AirBag
......................................... 33
Aircleaner ..................................... 240
Air Conditioner
............................. 1 19. 125
Air Outlets
..................................... 11 8
Air System
................................. 1 19. 125
Alcohol. Driving Under the Influence
of .............. 155
Alcohol in Gasoline .............................. 231
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
....................... 266
AM Radio Reception
............................. 127
AM Stereo Radio Reception
....................... 128
Antenna
....................................... 142
Antifreeze
...................................... 243
@) Part 9 Index
Antilock Brake System ........................... 160
Anti-Theft Tips
................................... 66
Anti-Theft Feature. Delco Loc I1 .................... 139
Appearance Care
................................ 262
Armrest. Storage
................................ 104
Ashtrays ....................................... 102
Audio Systems
.................................. 127
Automatic Air Conditioning System
................. 119
Automatic Overdrive
.............................. 74
Automatic Transaxle
.............................. 73
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
..................... 24 1. 277
Automatic Transaxle Torque
Lock ................... 184
Antilock Braking System Warning Light
.............. 108
Appearance Care and Maintenance Materials .......... 268
Baby. Holding
a ................................. 42
Battery
........................................ 249
Battery Cables. Starting With
....................... 198
Battery Warning Light
............................ 115
Blizzard.
If You’re Caught in a ..................... 187
BloodAlcoholLevel
............................. 156
“Blowout. .. Tire ................................. 216
Boat. Towinga .................................. 189
305