
tder the hood can =&drt up even
is not running and can injure
--, clothing and tools away frnm
I nlcwtric fan-
~ ~~~~ ---
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don’t do anything else until it
cools down. The
coolant level should be at or above the
“COLD”. If
it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else
in the
cooling system.
9
Heater and radiator hoses, and other englne
parts, can be very hot.
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine
if there is a leak. If you r,,,
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned
my leak fixed before you drive +he vehicl,.
I U
If there seems to be no leak, check to see if the electric
engine fan
is running. If the engine is overheating, the
fan should be running.
If it isn’t, your vehicle needs
service.
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Youlean be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
-d it wiil burn if the engine parts are hot
ough. Don't spill
coolant -on a hot engine.
,- '
.Steam and scalding liquids- from a hot 'bootin!,
system can btow o.ut and burn you badly. They
are under pressure,..and.
if you turn the. radiatr-
pre,ssure cap
- even a little - they can come brl
cooling system, including the, radiator pressye
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at or cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system'and
above "COLD," start your vehicle. radiator pressure cap to cool if:you-ever have to
If the overheat warning continues, there's one more -turn the pressure cap.
thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant mix 3
directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling system is
cool before you do it.
- at high speed. Never turn,the cap'when the+;:.::
-, .I
I
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/;1 CAUTION:
I
Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle could
equipment could strike someone. Store
all the$$
in the proper place.
3use
injury. In a sudden stop or collision,
loose
!-
1
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of you1
vehicle
as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you
can destroy your transaxle
Aocking your vehicle to get it out:
If - You’re Stuck: In Sand; Mud’ Ice Or First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
Snow clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
What
you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is and forth between “R” (Reverse) and a forward gear,
to spin your wheels. The method known as “rocking” spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
can help you get out when you’re stuck, but you must accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly
on
use caution. the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear. If
that doesn’t get
you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see
“Towing Your Vehicle”
in the Index.
IT you let your tires spin at h I speea, they can
explode and you or others could be injured. And
the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels as little
as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as
shown on the speedometer.
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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 DEXRONB-IIE, 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.
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 overheat.ing or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
The proper coolant for your Buick will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34OF (-37OC) .
0 Give boiling protection up to 262 OF (128 “C) .
Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights work as they should.
What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets
“GM
Specification 1825-M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825-M with a complete coolant flush
and refill. Use GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer)
with any complete coolant change. If you use these, you
don’t need to add anything else.
can be aangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overhe-”
warning. Your engine could catch fire and
yuu or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and a proper antifreeze.
G:~Z.+T~:, p:.t+d+s
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ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by
your
warranty. Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the enqine, radiator, heater
core and
other parts.
I
Adding Coolant
The 3.1 liter engine has the coolant recovery tank
located at the
left of the engine Compartment.
__./”
t
The 3.8 liter engine has the coolant recovery tank
located at the left of
the engine compartment.
To Check Coolant: When your engine is cold, the
coolant
level should be at “COLD” or a little higher.
When your engine is warm, the level should
be up to
“HOT,” or a little higher.
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Radiator Pressure Cap rower Steerlng Fluid
1; NOTICE: 1
.:: Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (1 05 kPa)
:: pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed
,*to prevent coolant loss and possible engine
q:. damage from overheating. Be sure the arrows on
,. the cap line up with the overflow tube on the
8: radiator filfer neck.
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.
L
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.
0 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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Defrost ........................................ 112
Dimensions
.................................... 261
Disc Brake Wear Indicators
........................ 142
Disposal of Used Oil
............................. 224
DoorLocks
...................................... 59
Down Hills and Mountains. Driving
................. 16 1
Downhill Parking ................................ 163
Driving
Downshifting
.................................... 73
AtNight .................................... 149
Defensively
.................................. 134
Drunk
...................................... 135
In a Foreign Country
........................... 2 16
InCities
..................................... 156
In
Fog. Mist or Haze ........................... 154
InRain ..................................... 152
InWinter
.................................... 166
OnCurves ................................... 144
On Freeways
................................. 157
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 16 1
On a Long Trip ............................... 159
On Snow or Ice
............................... 167
Through Deep Standing Water
.................... 70
Drunken Driving
................................ 135 Electric
Outside Rearview Mirror Control
............ 94.
Electrical Equipment. Adding .................. 114. 256
Emergencies. Braking
............................ 143
Etnergencies
on the Road .......................... 177
Emergencies. Steering
in .......................... 145
Emergency Starting. Discharged Battery
.............. 180
Emergency Wrecker Towing
....................... 185
Energy Conserving Oil ............................ 221
Engine
Block Heater
.............................. 70. 224
Coolant
..................................... 228
Coolant Temperature Warning Gage
.............. 103
Oil ......................................... 220
Oil Additives
................................. 223
Oil Pressure Warning Gage
...................... 104
Oil. When to Change .......................... 221
Starting
...................................... 67
Wa-ning Light About Need for Service ............ 107
Ethanol
in Gasoline .............................. 215
Exhaust
......................................... 78
Expectant Mothers. Use of Safety Belts by ............. 33
Expressway Driving .............................. 157
Extender. Safety Belt .............................. 55
Exterior Appearance
............................. 251
Overheating
.................................. 192
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Long Distance Driving ............................ 159
LossofControl
................................. 148
Low Coolant Warning Light
....................... 110
Low Fuel Light ................................. 105
Low Oil Pressure. Warning Light ................... 110
Luggage Carrier ..............................
Maintenance
Inspections
.............
Record .................
..................
..................
. . 101
... 279
... 282
Schedule
.................................... 256
Underbody
.................................. 253
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
....................... 107
Manualseat
..................................... 14
Markings. Pavement
............................. 134
Master Cylinder. Brake
........................... 233
Methanol
in Gasoline ............................. 215
Mirrors
......................................... 94
Mist, Driving
in ................................. 154
Mobile Telephone, Adding a
....................... I14
Mountain Driving
................................ 16 1
MTBE in Gasoline ............................... 215
N (Neutral) Gear Position ......................... 72
New Vehicle “Break-In”
........................... 65
NightDriving ................................... 149
Nightvision
.................................... 150
Notices About Damage
............................. 2 Octane
Required for Your Car
..................... 237
Odometer
....................................... 99
Off (Ignition Key Position) ......................... 67
Off-Road Recovery
.............................. 146
Oil. Change Your Engine .......................... 221
Oil. Engine
..................................... 220
Oil Pressure Warning Light
........................ 105
Operation in Foreign Countries ..................... 216
Outside Mirrors
.................................. 94
Overdrive, Automatic
............................. 72
Overheated Engine
............................... 192
Owner Checks and Services
........................ 276
P (Park) Position ................................ 71
Paint Spotting
................................... 254
Park. Shifting Into
................................ 75
Parking Brake
.................................... 74
Parking on Hills
................................. 163
Parking Over Things That Burn
...................... 77
Pavement Markings
.............................. 134
PedalTravel, Brake
.............................. 143
Perception Time, Braking
......................... 139
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................... 279
Polishing and Waxing
............................ 252
Passing
........................................ 147
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