Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher. It should meet specifications ASTM D48 14
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.
Be sure the posted 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 hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
But don’t worry
if you hear a little pinging noise when
you’re accelerating or driving up 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.
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 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.
Fuel that is more than 5% methanol is bad for
your vehicle. Don’t use it. It can corrode I..,
parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty. And even
at 5
or less, there must be “cosolvents” and
corrosion preventers in this fuel to help
avoid
these problems.
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
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, and you’ll
be doing your part for cleaner
air.
Many gasolines are now blended with materials called
oxygenates. General Motors recommends that you
use
231
SAE low-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE low-30 is best
for your vehicle. However, you can use SAE 5W-30
if
it’s going to be colder than 60 F ( 16 C) before
your next oil change. When it’s very cold, below
0 F (- 1 8 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
1OW-40 or SAE 20W-50.
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 for you:
Then go
to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release. Lift the hood.
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
0 It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less
than
10 miles ( 16 km).
0 The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in
0 You tow a trailer often.
0 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 12 months -- 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,
0 F (- 18 C) or colder. If your vehicle has this
option,
see “Engine Block Heater” in the Index.
door-to-door delivery, or
in stop-and-go traffic).
239
Electric Outside Mirror Control .................... 100
Electrical Equipment. Adding
.................. 128. 269
Emergencies. Braking
............................ 163
Emergencies on the Road
.......................... 195
Emergencies. Steering in
......... ; ................ 164
Emergency Starting. Dead Battery
................... 198
Emergency Wrecker Towing
....................... 203
Engine Energy Conserving
Oil ............................ 237
Block Heater
.............................. 72. 239
Coolant
................................. 21 1. 243
Coolant Temperature Warning Light
.............. 110
Exhaust
...................................... 81
Identification
................................. 269
Oil
......................................... 236
Oil Additives
................................. 239
Oil Life Monitor
.............................. 114
Oil Pressure Warning Light
..................... 112
Oil. When to Change
...................... 239. 277
Overheating
.................................. 208
Starting
...................................... 70
Warning Light. Need for Service
................. 111
Ethanol in Gasoline
.............................. 231
Expectant Mothers. Use of Safety Belts
............... 37
Explanation of Scheduled Services
.................. 286
Expressway Driving
.............................. 176
Extender. Safety Belt
.............................. 55
Exterior Appearance ............................. 265 Fasteners.
Replacement
.......................... 230
Features and Controls
............................. 57
Fetus. Risk to
.. From Safety Belt Use ................ 37
Filling Your Fuel Tank
............................ 233
Filter. Oil
...................................... 275
Finish Care
..................................... 266
Finish Damage
.................................. 267
First Gear. When to Use
............................ 75
Flat Tire
....................................... 216
Flooded Engine. Starting a
.......................... 70
Fluid
Capacities
................................... 275
Brake
....................................... 248
Power Steering
........... ; ................... 246
Transaxle/Transmission
........................ 241
Windshield Washer
............................ 247
Fluids and Lubricants Recommended
................ 293
FM Stereo Radio Reception
........................ 127
Fog. Driving
in .................................. 173
Francais. Guide En
................................. 2
Freedom Battery
................................. 249
Freeway Driving
................................ 176
French LanguageManual
........................... 2
Front Brake Disc Wear Indicators
................... 162
Front Towing Hook-Ups
.......................... 206
Fuel
.......................................... 231
Fuel Gage
...................................... 106
Fuel Tank. Filling Your
........................... 233
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
........................ 270
Fuseusage ..................................... 271
Foreign Operation
............................... 232
308