
I NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels when the “TRACTION
OFF” warning light is on can destroy parts of
your vehicle as well as the tires.
If you spin your
wheels too fast while shifting your transaxle
back and forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
When you’re stuck, spin the wheels
as little as
possible.
~~~~~~
1
working. If you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions,
you should pull off the road,
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Light
7
280
stop your vehicle and turn the engine off as soon as
possible.
HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU BADLY!
In “Problems
on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
100
.Id pointer moves into the red area, your engine is too hot!
If you have the Gage Cluster, you have a gage that
shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the gage
This light
tells you that your engine coolant has
overheated or your radiator cooling fans are
not
That reading means the same thing as the warning light.
It means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you
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“Change Oil Soon” Light (Option)
CHANGE
OIL SOON
This light is activated by
the Engine Oil Life
Monitor System. It
indicates that the engine oil
has degraded enough to
require changing. (See
“Engine Oil” in the Index).
This is determined by electronically monitoring engine
speed, coolant temperature and vehicle speed. Since the
change interval is dependent upon driving habits and
conditions, the “Change Oil Soon” light may come on as
early as
2,000 miles or less for harsh conditions.
The “Change Oil Soon” light
is lit for three seconds as a
bulb check each time the ignition key is turned to the
RUN position. If an oil change is required, it will stay
on for
60 seconds each time the engine is started. If the
“Change Oil Soon” light is on continuously, there is a
problem with the Oil Life Monitor System and service is
required. After
changing; the engine oil, the system should be
- reset. This
will cause the “Change Oil Soon” light once
again,
to be lit for just the bulb check period of three
seconds.
The reset button is.inside this hole, which is under the
passenger’s side of the instrument panel, near the door.
With the ignition key in the
RUN position, but the
engine not started, use a pen to push the reset button,
holding
it in for at least 5 seconds but not more than 60
seconds. After 5 seconds, the “Change Oil Soon” light
will flash 4 times and then go off. This indicates that the
Oil Life Monitor System has been reset.
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Auto Dual Zone
, w. .. . . , ... ,
-*FBr
AUTO
When the system is set for
automatic, air will come
from the
floor outlets, the
instrument panel outlets or
both. Fan speed will vary
(unless a blower
LO or HI
button has been pushed) as
the system gets to and
maintains the temperature
setting you have selected.
The display will show the set temperature and blower
speed.
In cold weather the system will delay turning on the fan,
to avoid blowing cold air. The length of the delay
depends on engine coolant temperature, outside
temperature and time since the engine was last started.
Pushing a
LO or HI blower button will override this
delay, and cause the fan to start.
To rid the system of stale air in warm weather, air will
come out of the floor outlets for
a short time. The
front seat passenger can control the air temperature
in their seating area.
__. ylrr
The air temperature for the right side of the front seat
can be set using the control on the passenger’s door.
Both DUAL
ZONE and AUTO buttons will light up. To
turn off this part of the system, push the DUAL ZONE
button again.
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Engine Overheating
You will find the warning light about a hot engine on
your Buick instrument panel and if you have the
optional gage cluster,
a coolant temperature gage.
You will also find a low coolant warning light
on your
Buick instrument panel.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine:
A CAUTION:
- _earn from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even
if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming
.. -m it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there
is no sign of steam or coolant before
opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in
it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine
if it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
sngine is cool.
- -
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine:
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little
too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
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2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the cross-hatched
area.
4. If the fluid level is where it should be, push the
dipstick back
in all the way.
How to Add Fluid:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level
into the cross-hatched area on the dipstick, It
doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a
pint. Don’t overfill. We recommend
you use only fluid
labeled DEXRONWIE, because
fluids with that label
are made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRONB-IIE is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back
in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when
it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in the
Index.
The proper coolant for your Buick will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37 “C) .
0 Give boiling protection up to 262 F ( 128 ” C) .
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights work as they should.
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Radiator Pressure Cap
Your radiator pressure cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly install
to prevent coolant
loss and possible engine
damage from overheating. Be sure the arro
the cap line up with the
ov be on t
radiator filler neck.
Power Steering Fluid
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC@
cap
is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow
of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When
you replace your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid:
Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace
the cap and completely tighten it. Then remove
the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
When the engine compartment is hot, the level
should be at the
“HOT” mark.
0 When the engine compartment is cool, the level
should be at the “FULL COLD” mark.
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Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Below are explanations of the services listed in Schedule
I and Schedule
11.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in
Section
D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle
uses 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.
1. Engine Oil and Filter Change* -- Always use SG
Energy Conserving I1 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. If your vehicle has an Engine
Oil Life
Monitor,
the monitor will show you when to change
the oil. See “Engine Oil Life Monitor” in the Index.
* An Emission Control Service.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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.
Throttle Body Mounting Bolt Torque” -- Check
the torque
of the mounting bolts and/or nuts.
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.
Engine Accessory Drive Belt(s) Inspection --
Inspect the belt(s) for cracks, fraying, wear and
proper tension. Replace as needed.
Cooling System Service* -- Drain, flush and refill
the system with new or approved recycled coolant
conforming to GM Specification
1825M. Keep
coolant at the proper mixture
as specified. See
“Coolant” in the Index. This provides.proper freeze
protection, corrosion inhibitor level and engine
operating temperature.
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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Fasteners. Replacement .......................... 242
Features and Controls
............................. 59
Fetus. Risk to
.. From Safety Belt Use ................ 39
Filling Your Fuel Tank
............................ 246
Filter. Oil
.................................. 254. 292
Finish Care
..................................... 282
Finish Damage
.................................. 283
First Gear. When to Use
............................ 83
FlatTire
....................................... 228
Flooded Engine. Starting
........................... 76
Fluid Fuels in
Foreign Countries
......................... 245
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
........................ 287
Fuseusage
..................................... 288
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 122
Engine Oil Pressure
........................... 123
Fuel
........................................ 118
Volts
....................................... 127
Garage Door Opener Storage
....................... 110
Gasoline
....................................... 244
Gasoline Tank. Filling Your
........................ 246
Gear Positions
................................... 80
Glass Cleaning .................................. 281
Graphic Symbols
................................. 12
Guard Against Theft
.............................. 71
Guide En Francais
................................. 2
Capacities
................................... 292
Brake
....................................... 263
Power Steering
............................... 261
Transaxle/Transmission
........................ 256
Windshield Washer
............................ 262
Fluids and Lubricants Recommended
................ 309
FM Stereo Radio Reception
........................ 139
Fog. Driving
in .................................. 186
Foreign Operation
............................... 245
Francais. Guide
En ................................. 2
Freedom Battery ................................. 265 Halogen Bulbs ................................. 265
Freeway Driving
................................ 188 Hazard Warning Flasher ........................... 210
FrenchLanguageManual
........................... 2 Haze. Drivingin ................................. 186
Front Towing Hook-Up
........................... 219 Headlamp Bulb Replacement ....................... 266
Fuel
.......................................... 243 Headlight High-Low Beam Switch ................... 93
Fuel Tank. Filling Your
........................... 246 Head Restraints .................................. 18
FuelGage ...................................... 118 Headlightonwarning ............................ 101
325
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