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 213 of 324
Tighten the wheel nuts
firmly in a criss-cross
sequence as
shown. A CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become
loose and even come
off. This could lead to an
accident. Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts.
If you have to replace them, be sure to get the
right kind.
Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have
the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to
100
ft. Ibs. (140.m).
Don't try to put a wheel cover on your compact spare
tire. It won't fit. Store the.whee1 cover
in the trunk until
you have the flat tire repaired
or replaced.
Page 248 of 324
When to Check: Check your tires once a month or
more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60
psi (420 kPa).
I
How to Check: Use a good quality pocket-type gage to
check tire pressure. Simply looking at the tires will not
tell you the pressure, especially
if you have radial tires --
which may look properly inflated even if they’re
underinflated.
If your tires have valve caps, be sure to put them back on. They help prevent leaks .by keeping out dirt and
moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
To make your tires last longer, have them inspected and
rotated at the mileages recommended
in the
Maintenance, Schedule. See “Scheduled Maintenance
Services”
in the Index.
r-
Use this rotation pattern.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressure
as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label. Make certain that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque”
in the
Index.
Page 276 of 324

Scheduled Maintenance Services Schedule I
Follow Schedule I if your car is MAINLY driven under one or more of the following conditions:
0 When most trips are less than 4 miles (6 kilometers).
0 When most trips are less than 10 miles (16 kilometers) and outside temperatures remain below fieezing.
0 When most trips include extended idling and/or frequent low-spee\
d operation as in stop-and-go traffic.
0 Towing a trailer.*?
0 When operating in dusty areas.
Schedule I should also be followed if the car is used for delivery service, police, taxi or other commercial applications.
TO BE SERVICED
(See Explanation of
Scheduled Maintenance
Services Following
Schedules
I and n)
Item No.
1. Engine Oil & Oil Filter
Change*
2. Chassis Lubrication
3. Throttle Body Mounting
Bolt Torque*
4. Tire
& Wheel Inspection &
Rotation
5. Engine Accessory Drive Belt(s) Inspection*
6. Cooling System Service*
WHEN TO PERFORM
Miles (kilometers) or Months, Whichever MILES (000)
Occurs First
k
Every 3 000 mi. (5000 km)
or 3 months. , I
Every other oil change
At
6 000 mi. (10 000 km)
only
I
At 6 000 mi. (10 000 km) and
then every
15 000 mi. (25 000
km) or as necessary I
Every 30 000 mi.
(50 000 km) or 24 months.
KILOMETERS (000)
30 35
00
0
0
..
45 50 55
000
0
0
65 70
00
0
274
Page 278 of 324
~ Scheduled Maintenance Services Schedule I1
~
~ .
I
Follow Schedule
I1 ONLY if none of the driving conditions specified in Schedule I apply.
TO BE SERVICED
(See Explanation of
Scheduled Maintenance Services Following Schedules
I and II)
Item No.
1. Engine Oil Change*
Oil Filter Change*
2. Chassis Lubrication
3. Throttle Body Mounting Bolt Torque*
4. Tire & Wheel Inspection & Rotation
5. .Engine Accessory Drive Belt(s) Inspection*
6. Cooling System Service*
7. Transaxle Service
WHEN TO PERFORM
Miles (kilometers) or
7.5
Months, Whichever Occurs First
12.5
Every
7 500 mi. (12 500 km) or 12 mos. 0
At first and then every other oil change 0
Every 7 500 mi. (12 500 km) or 12 mos. 0
At 7 500 mi. (12 500 km) only 0
At 7 500 mi. (12 500 km) and then every
15
000 mi. (25 000 km) or as necessary 0
Every 30 000 mi. (50 000 km) or 24 mos.
See Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance
Services Following Schedules
I and I1
MILES (000)
KILOMETERS (000)
276 -
Page 280 of 324
Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance 3. Throttle Body Mounting Bolt Torque" -- Check
Services the torque of the mounting bolts and/or nuts.
* An Emission Control Service.
The
U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency has determined that the failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to thecompletion 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 EMaintenance Record".
278
Page 299 of 324

Part 9 Index
I
I
Acc (Ignition Key Position) ........................ 72
Accessory Power. Retained
......................... 83
Adding Brake Fluid
.................................. 236
Coolant
.............................. 199.202. 23 1
Electrical Equipment
.......................... 125
Power Steering Fluid
.......................... 234
Transaxle/Transmission Fluid
.................... 229
Windshield Washer Fluid
....................... 235
Additives. Engine Oil
............................. 226
Adjustment. Brake
............................... 157
Adult Safety Belt Usage
............................ 26
AirBag
......................................... 32
Aircleaner
..................................... 228
Airconditioner
................................. 119
Airoutlets
..................................... 118
Airsystem
..................................... 118
Alcohol. Driving Under the Influence of
.............. 148
Alcohol in Gasoline
.............................. 2 17
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
....................... 257
AM Radio Reception
............................. 124
Engineoil
................................... 224
. ..
K . . B
AM Stereo Radio Reception ....................... 124
Antenna
....................................... 137
Antifreeze
...................................... 231
Antilock Brake System
........................... 154
Anti-Theft Tips
................................... 66
Appearance Care
................................ 252
Armrest Storage
................................. 104
Astroroof
...................................... 102
Audio Systems
.................................. 124
Automatic Door Locks
............................. 63
Automatic Pull-Down Feature
....................... 64
Automatic Overdrive
.............................. 77
Automatic Transaxle
.............................. 75
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
......................... 229
Automatic Transaxle Torque Lock
................... 178
Antilock Braking System Warning Light
.............. 112
Appearance Care and Maintenance Materials
.......... 260
Ashtrays
....................................... 103
Baby. Holding a
................................. 44
Battery
........................................ 237