1993 BUICK SKYLARK engine

Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher. It should meet specifications ASTM D48
14 in
the U.S. and CGSB
3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels
should have the proper additives,
so you should not have
to add anything to the fuel.
In the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be sure you get the \
right kind of gasoline (unleaded). You’ll see
“UNLEADED” right on the pump. And only unleaded
nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler neck.
Be sure the posted octane is at least
87. If the octane is
less than
87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive.
If it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at
87 octane or higher and you
still hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service. But don’t worry if you hear a little pinging noise when
you’re accelerating
or driving up a hill. That’s normal,
and you don’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid\
of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means
you have a problem.
What about gasoline with blending materials that contain oxygen, such as MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.” Fuel that
is no
more than
15% MTBE is fine for your vehicle. Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol. Properly-blended fuel
that is no more than
10% ethanol is
fine for your
vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
Gasolines for Cleaner
Air
Your use of gasoline with detergent additives will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel
system. That helps keep your engine in tune and your
emission control system working properly. It’s good for
your vehicle, and you’ll be doing your part for cleaner
air.
Many gasolines are now blended with materials called
oxygenates. General Motors recommends that you use
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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 any
underhood electric fan.
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
I could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that
will burn onto a hot engine.
I
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly.
Then just pull the hood down and close it firmly. '

Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel.
In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be
on level ground.
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I
The engine oil dipstick is located directly behind the
engine fan.
Turn
off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to get
back down into the oil pan.
If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
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To Check Engine Oil: Pull out the dipstick and clean it
with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the tip lower.
When to Add Oil: If the oil is at or below the upper
mark, then you’ll need
to add some oil. But you must
use the right kind,. This section explains what kind of oil
to use. For crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.
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What Kind of Oil to Use:
Look for three things:
SG
“SG’ must be on the oil container, either by itself or
combined with other quality designations, such
as
“SG/CC,” “SG/CD,” “SF,SG,CC;” etc. These letters
show American Petroleum Institute (API) levels
of
quality.
I
0 SAE low-30 (V6 3.3L LG7 Engine)
As shown in this viscosity chart,
SAE 1OW-30 is
best for your vehicle. However, you can use SAE
5W-30
if it’s going to be colder than 60 OF ( 16 C)
before your next oil change. When it’s very cold,
below
O°F (-18 C), you should use SAE 5W-30.
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOW AND COLD 16, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE El.. -_ .-J TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATMER
r
“F
k100
+ 80
+ 60
+ 40
+ 20
0
f
r
“C
. +38
.+27
- +16
.+4
.-7
. -18
WEATHER LOOK
LABEL
FOR THIS IOW-30
1
-
-
above WF
SAE 5W-30
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30 GRADE OILS’ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30 GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES
ABOVE 40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C).
ANY OTHER GRADE
OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40,
SAE 2OW-50 OR

RECOMMENDED SAE VlSCOSlTY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE
OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
COLD
FOR LOOK THIS @
LABEL
5W-30
"t'LcoNse94'
IE 1OW-30
SAE 5W-30 PREFERRED
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE low-30
GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30 GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES
ABOVE 40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C). WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
SAE 5W-30 (L4 2.3L L40 Engine)
As shown in this viscosity chart, SAE
5W-30 is best
for your vehicle. However, you can use
SAE low-30
if it's going to be
0 OF (- 18 C) or above.
These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or
thickness.
Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the container will help you
save fuel.
This doughnut-shaped logo (symbol) is used on most oil
containers to help you select the correct oil.
You should look for this on the oil container, and use
only those oils that display the logo.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada,
GM Engine Oil)
meets all the requirements for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives: Don't add anything to your oil.
Your Buick dealer is ready to advise if you think
something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil: See if any one of these
is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
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0 It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less
than
10 miles (16 km).
0 The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in
door-to-door delivery, or in stop-and-go traffic).
0 You tow a trailer often.
0 Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one
of these is true for your vehicle, then you
need to change your oil and filter every
3,000 miles (5
000 km) or 3 months -- whichever comes first.
If none of them is true, change the oil every 7,500 miles
(12
500 km) or 12 months -- whichever comes first.
Change the filter at the first oil change and at every
other oil change after that.
Engine Block Heater: An engine block heater can be a
big help if you have to park outside in very cold weather, -20
F (-29 C) or colder. If your vehicle has
this option, see “Engine Block Heater.” in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil:
I sed engine oil contains things that have caused
skin cancer in laboratory animals. Don’t let used
oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good
hand cleaner. Wash
or properly throw away
c-othing
or rags containing used engine oil.
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. Don’t
ever dispose of it by pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used
oil. If
you have a problem propeily disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling center for help.
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Air Cleaner
The air cleaner is located on the driver’s side of the
engine compartment. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.