
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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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.
I
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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MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP
DATE GVWR GAWR FRT GAWR
RR
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLI-
CABLE
US. FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE
SAFETY, BUMPER, AND THEFT PREVENTION
STANDARDS IN EFFECT
ON THE DATE OF
MANUFACTURE.SHOWN ABOVE.
The other label is the Certification label, found on the
rear edge of the driver’s door.
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, fuel and cargo.
Never exceed
the GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front
or rear
axle. 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.
.A CAUTION:
I
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR or the maximum front and rear GAWRs. If
you do, parts on your vehicle can break, or it can
change the way your vehicle handles. These
could cause you to lose control. Also,
overloading can shorten the life of your vehicle.
If you put things inside your vehicle -- like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else
-- they will go as fast
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Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on
the underbody. If these are not
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.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can 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.
Chemical Paint Spotting
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.
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.
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FUSE USAGE
Amp Description
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
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
The fuse chart, below, shows how to tell a blown fuse
from a
good fuse.
GOOD
FUSE 1 BLOWN .r, ' \' gJ
'TI r
FUSE
GM PART NO. ' RATING ' COLOF
12004003 .................... 3 AMP VIOLET
12004005
................... 5 AMP TAN
12004006
................... 7.5 AMP BROWN
12004007
................... 10 AMP RED
12004008
................... 15 AMP LIGHT
BLUE
12004009
................... 20 AMP YELLOW
12004010
................... 25 AMP WHITE
1200401
1 ................... 30 AMP LIGHT
GREEN
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Capacities and Specifications
Engine Code L1 (L27)2 3.8L V-6 SF1
Engine Code
l1 (L67)2 3.8L V-6 SF1
Belt Tensions -
Automatically controlled by a Self-Tension idler
pulley. Tension adjustment should never be
necessary.
Cooling System Capacity -
With air conditioning: 13 quarts/l2.5 liters
Crankcase Capacity -
4 quarts/3.8 liters
Air Conditioning Capacity4 -
2.87 lbs. (1.09 kilograms)
Fuel Tank Capacity -
18.0 gallons/68 liters
Transaxle -
Drain & Refill - 6 quarts/5.6 liters
Maintenance Item Part Numbers3 -
Air Filter - A1096C
Fuel Filter
- GF580
Oil Filter
- PF47
PCV Valve
- CV892C
Radiator Cap
- RC27
Spark Plug
- 41-600, GAP 0.060”
~~~~ ~~~ -. ____ ____ ~~ -. ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~
1 8th Character of the Vehicle Identification Number.
2 Made in a GM plant in the United States,
3 Part numbers are AC type.
4 Air Conditioning Refrigerant: Not all air-conditioning refrigerants are the same. If the air conditioning system in your
vehicle needs refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant is used.
If you’re not sure ask your Buick dealer.
292
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Part 7 Maintenance Schedule
I
This part covers the maintenance required for your Buick . Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety.
dependability and emission control performance
.
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
. .. ...... .... ..-..- ........... - ___ ~~
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