Page 8 of 324
In World War 11, Buick built aircraft engines, tanks and A high-compression V-8 engine was introduced in 1953.
other military hardware. This post-war period brought
And Buick’s famous vertical pillar “toothy” grille
great styling and engineering changes which resulted in (introduced in 1942), became more massive in the
increased sales. The torque converter automatic post-war era.
transmission, Dynaflow, was introduced in the 1948
Roadmaster. Buick’s famous “portholes” came along in 1949.
1949 Roadmaster
1953 Skylark
Page 9 of 324
Motor Trend magazine named the 1962 Buick Special
“Car
of the Year”, The first production V-6 engine was
used in the Special, ~~
i J
5
Buicks are, and will continue to be, premium American
motorcars with smooth power, high performance, rich
detail and comfortable accommodation. Buicks are POWERFUL.
Buicks. are MATURE.
Page 12 of 324

HowtoUsethisManual ................................................................
This part tells you how to use your manual and includes safety and vehicle damage warnings & symbols.
SeatsandSafetyBelts ..................................................................
This part tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly.
Featuresandcontrols ..................................................................
This part explains how to start and operate your Buick.
This part tells you how to adjust the ventilation
& comfort controls and how to operate your sound system.
YourDrivingandtheRoad ..............................................................
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
ProblemsontheRoad ..................................................................
This part tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or engine overheating.
ServiceandAppearanceCare ............................................................
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Buick running properly and looking good.
Maintenanceschedule ..................................................................
This part tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubrica\
nts to use.
Customer Assistance Information ........................................................
This part tells you how to contact Buick for assistance and how to get service publications. It also gives
you information on “Reporting Safety Defects.”
Index ........................................................................\
........
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something
you want to read.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems .....................................................
10
13
59
117
139
183
215
269
289
297
Page 14 of 324

Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you will find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BURNS AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,111,
COULD pq
FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:
FASTEN SEAT 4
BELTS
These symbols
have to do with
your lights:
SIGNALS TURN
HIGH BEAM
OR = =o
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols
are on some
of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD ’ ’ ’ 4- #-
WASHER
f0 -**
WINDSHIELD Q
WASHER I
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
L.
HEADLAMP - ,~*-,
WASHER iQ
WIPER -
L
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT F-
TEMP --
ENGINE
CHARGING
I-1
BATTERY SYSTEM
RADIATOR
a
COOLANT
FUEL
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
Wb
TEMP OIL &
ANTILOCK (@)
BRAKE
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
RADIO
‘‘ill
SELECTOR
RADIO
k
VOLUME
CONDITIONING
AIR 33
HATCHBACK /y
TRUNK
RELEASE
t LIGHTER 1-
HORN
SPEAKER
cr
~ 12 , .
Page 61 of 324

@) Part 2 Features & Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional featur\
es on your Buick. and information on starting. shifting
and braking
. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is working
properly
.. and what to do if you have a problem .
Part 2 includes:
Keys
........................................................................\
....
DoorLocks ....................................................................... \
NewVehicleBreak-In ..............................................................
StartingtheEngine .................................................................
ShiftingtheTransaxle ..............................................................
Windows ........................................................................\
.
TiltSteeringWheel ................................................................
Multi-FunctionLever ...............................................................
TurnandLaneChangeSignals ...................................................
Headlight High-Low Beam Changer ..............................................
Windshield Wipermasher ......................................................
CruiseControl ................................................................
Instrumentpanel ...................................................................
Speedometer and Odometer ......................................................
Warning Lights and Gages ......................................................
60
61
70
72
75 84
84
85
85 87
87
90
105
105
107
c 59
Page 71 of 324

PASS-Key I1 TM
Your vehicle is equipped with the PASS-Key I1
(Personalized Automotive Security System) theft
deterrent system. PASS-Key
11 TM is a passive theft
deterrent system. This means you don’t have to do
anything different to arm or disarm the system. It works when you insert or remove the key from the ignition.
PASS-Key
TM uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder in your vehicle. When
the PASS-Key
I1 TM system senses that someone is
using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter
and fuel systems. For about three minutes, the starter
won’t work and fuel won’t
go to the engine. If someone
tries to start your vehicle again or uses another key during this time, the vehicle will not start. This
discourages someone Erom randomly trying different
keys with different resistor pellets in an attempt to make
a match.
The ignition key must be clean and dry before it’s
inserted in the ignition or the engine may not start. If the
engine doesn’t start and the “SECURITY” light comes
on, the key may be dirty or wet. Turn the ignition
off.
Clean and dry the key. Wait about three minutes and try
again. The security light will remain on during this time. If the starter still won’t work, and the key appears to be
clean and dry, wait about three minutes and try the other
ignition key. At this time, you may also want
to check
the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index).
If the starter won’t work with the other key, your vehicle
needs service. If your vehicle does start, the first ignition
key may be faulty. See your Buick dealer or
a locksmith
who can service the PASS-Key I1
.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work and the
69
Page 72 of 324
Se6urity light will flash. But you don’t have to wait three
minutes before trying one
of the ignition keys.
See
your Buick dealer or a locksmith who can service
the Pass-Key
11 TM to have a new key made.
If you’re ever driving and the “SECURITY” light comes on and continues to flash,
you will be able to restart
your engine if
you turn it off. Your PASS-Key 11 TM
system, however, is not working properly and must be
serviced by your Buick dealer. Your vehicle is not
protected
by the PASS-Key 11 system.
If you lose
or damage a PASS-Key 11 ignition key, see
your Buick dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key I1
TM to have a new key made.
70
Page 74 of 324

Starting Your Engine The other positions let you perform these functions:
ACC: Accessory lets you use things like the radio and
the windshield wipers when the engine is
off. To use
Acc, push
in the key and turn it toward you. Your
steering wheel will remain locked, just as it was before
you inserted the key.
OFF: This position lets you turn off the engine but still
turri the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering wheel like “Lock.” Use “Off’ if you must have your car
in motion while the engine is off.
RUN: This is the position for driving.
START This key position starts your engine. Move your shift lever
to “P,’ (Park) or “N’ (Neutral).
Your engine won’t start in any other position
-- that’s a
safety feature, To restart when you’re already moving,
use
“N” (Neutral) only.
1. Don’t push the accelerator pedal before starting your
engine.
In some other vehicles you might need to do
this, but because of your vehicle’s computer systems,
you don’t.
starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down
as your engine gets warm.
3. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in “Start”
for about three seconds at a time until your engine
2. Turn your ignition key to “Start.” When the engine
72