1993 BUICK PARK AVENUE Owners Manual

Or you can use the
release lever in the
trunk.
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A 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 I ’ for any “hlss” noise to stop. Then unscrew the
cap all the way. I
When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you hear a clicking noise,
4
&
OTICE:
you neea a new cap, be sure IO get tne rlght
type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type,
it may not fit or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and emissions
system might be damaged.
Checking Things Under the Hood
Hood Release
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.
3 AQ
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Then go to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release. It is under the front edge of the
grille.
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A CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
I underhood electric fan. I
A CAUTION:
1
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber.
You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto
a hot engine.
-- I
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler 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 device which is designed
to pump
more air into the engine than it would normally use.
This air mixed 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.
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The powertrain control module (PCM), works with a
vacuum control to regulate the increased pressure
required during specific driving conditions. When this
increased pressure or boost, is not desired such as during
idling and light throttle cruising, the excess air that the
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 pump uses a remote reservoir
mounted on the throttle and 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 generator and 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 drive belts and supercharger
oil level. Have your dealer check the oil level in the
supercharger.
Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time 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 engine and
give the oil a few minutes
to get back down into the
oil pan. If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not &ow the
actual level.
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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.
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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.
I NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
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,to put the level somewhere in the
proper operating range. Push the-dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
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What Kind of Oil to Use:
Look for three things:
SG
“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 can cause engine damage not I
covered by your warranty.
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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.
HOT
WEATHER
-
-
SAE 5W-30
LOOK
FOR THIS
LABEL
SAE 1OW-30
PREFERRED
above 0°F (-18%)
COLD
WEATHER
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).
ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
DO
NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50
OR
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0 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 OF (1 6 ” 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 SAE 20W-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 for
you:
0 Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less
The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in
door-to-door delivery, or in stop-and-go traffic).
0 You tow a trailer often.
than
10 miles
(16 km).
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,
-20” F (-29 “C) or colder. If your vehicle has
this option, see “Engine Block Heater.”
in the Index.
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