Page 214 of 324
Now put all the equipment back securely in the trunk.
Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare was fully inflated when
your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time. Check
the inflation pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi (420
kPa). The compact spare is made to go up to 3,000 miles
(5000 km), so you can finish your trip and have your
full-size tire repaired or replaced where you want.
Of
course, it’s best to replace your spare with a full-size ti\
re
as soon as you can. Your spare will last longer and be in
good shape in case you need it again.
Your anti-lock brake system warning light may come on
when you are driving with a compact spare. See
“Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light” in the Index.
212
Page 225 of 324
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 a---
underhood electric fan.
-
A CAUTION:
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.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly.
Then just pull the hood down and close
it firmly.
Page 238 of 324

Brake Master Cylinder you’ll have too much fluid when you get new brake
linines. You should add (or remove) brake fluid, as
U
your brake master cylinder necessary, only when work is done on the brake
is here. It is filled with hydraulic system.
DOT-3 brake fluid.
I
I
A CAUTION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid will burn
if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
arr’
your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake flutu
only when work is done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in light will on. See System Warning
your master cylinder might go down. The first is that the Light,’ in the Index,
brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the fluid level goes back
up. The other reason is that
fluid ’is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system fixed, since a leak means
that sooner or later
your brakes won’t work well, or
won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’
your brake fluid. Adding brake fluid won’t correct a
leak. If you add fluid when your linings are worn, then
236
Page 239 of 324

What to Add: Replacing Brake System Parts
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 (GM Part
No.1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only. The
braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality GM brake
parts in them, as your Buick does when it is new. When
you replace parts of your braking system
-- for example,
when your brake linings wear down and you have to
have new ones put in
-- be sure you get new genuine
GM replacement parts.
If you don’t, your brakes may no
longer work properly. For example,
if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the
balance between your front and rear brakes can change, for the worse. The braking performance you’ve come to
expect can change in many other ways if someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Every new Buick has a Delco Freedoms battery. You
never have to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedoma
battery. Get one that has the ‘catalog number shown on
the original battery’s label.
h
237
Page 283 of 324

At Least Once a Month
CHECK OR
Tire Inflation
WHAT TO DO
~~ ~~ ~~ ~
Check tire inflation. Make sure they
are inflated to the pressures specified
on the Tire-Loading Information
label located on the rear edge of the
driver’s door. See “Tires” in the
Index for further details.
At Least Once a Year
CHECK OR
SERVICE I WHAT TO DO
Key Lock
the lubricant specified
in Section D. Cylinders Lubricate the key lock cylinders with
Lubricate all body door hinges. Also
Body
Lubrication lubricate ‘all hinges and latches,
including those for the hood, glove
box door and console door. Section
D tells you what to use.
CHECK OR SERVICE
Starter Switch
WHAT TO DO
or others could be injured.
Follow the stem below.
I
1. Before you start, be sure you have
enough room around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking Brake” in the Index if
necessary) and the regular brake.
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to
turn off the
engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear.
The starter should work only
in “P”
(Park) or “N” (Neutral). If the starter
works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service.
281
Page 285 of 324

CHECK OR SERVICE
Parking Brake
and Automatic
Transmission
“P” (Park)
Mechanism Check
WHAT TO DO
ZAUTION: When you are doing
this check, your vehicle
could
gin to move. You or others
uld be injured and property
be damaged. Make sure
is room in front of your
hicle
in case it begins to roll.
ready to apply the regular
ake at once should the
ehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot
on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
li To check the parking brake: With
the engine running and
transmission in
“N’ (Neutral),
slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal.
Do this
until the vehicle is held by the
parking brake only.
mechanism’s holding ability: Shift
to
“P” (Park). Then release all
brakes.
To check the “P” (Park)
CHECK OR
SERVICE
Underbody
Flushing
WHAT TO DO
At least every spring, use plain water
to flush any corrosive materials
from
the underbody. Take care to clean
thoroughly any areas where mud and
other debris can collect.
283
Page 287 of 324

INSPECTION OR SERVICE
Brake System
Inspection
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
Inspect the complete system. Inspect
brake lines and hoses for proper
hookup, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads
for wear and rotors for surface
condition. Inspect other brake parts, including calipers, parking brake,
etc. Check parking brake
adjustment. You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often if
your driving habits or conditions
result in frequent braking.
NOTE: A low brake fluid level can
indicate worn disc brake pads which
may need to be serviced. Also, if the
brake system warning light stays on
or comes on, something may be
wrong with the brake system. See
“Brake System Warning Light” in
the Index. If your anti-lock brake
system warning light stays on or
comes
-on, something may be wrong
with the anti-lock brake system. See “Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.
Section D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from your
GM dealer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
FLUID/LUBRICANT
GM Goodwrench Motor Oil or
equivalent for API service SG
Energy Conserving
I1 oils of the
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, see “Engine Oil” in the
Index.
50/50 mixture of water (preferably
distilled) and good quality ethylene
glycol base antifreeze
(GM Part No.
1052753 or equivalent) conforming
to GM Specification 1825M
or
approved recycled coolant
conforming to GM Specification
1825M.
285
Page 288 of 324

I
USAGE I FLUID/LUBRICANT
Hydraulic Brake Delco Supreme ll@ Brake Fluid
System (GM Part No. 1052535) or
Parking Brake Chassis lubricant meeting Guides requirements
of NLGI Grade 2,
Category LB or GC-LB (GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent).
Power Steering GM Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid System
- (GM Part No. 1052884) or
equivalent
DOT-3 brake fluid.
equivalent.
Automatic
Transaxle
1
Key Lock
Cylinders
DEXFtON@ IIE Automatic
Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. 1234588 1) or equivalent.
Lubricate with Multi-Purpose
Lubricant (GM Part
No. 12345 120),
synthetic
SAE 5W-30 engine oil or
silicone lubricant (GM Part
No.
1052276 or 1052277).
Automatic Engine oil.
Transaxle Shift Linkage ~ ~~~
Chassis
Lubrication Chassis lubricant . meeting
requirements
of NLGI Grade 2,
Category LB
or GC-LB (GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent).
USAGE
Windshield
Washer Solvent
Hood Latch Assembly
a. Pivots and Spring
Anchor
b. Release Pawl
Hood and Door
Hinges, Fuel Door Hinge
Weatherstrips
FLUIDLUBRICANT
GM Optikleen@ Washer Solvent
(GM Part No. 1051515) or
equivalent.
a. Engine oil.
b. Chassis lubricant meeting
requirements
of NLGI Grade 2,
Category LB or GC-LB (GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent).
Engine oil or Lubriplate Lubricant (GM Part No. 1050109).
Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part
No. 12345579 or equivalent).
See “Specifications Chart” in the Index for
recommended replacement filters, valves and
spark
plugs.
286