1993 BUICK SKYLARK engine coolant

Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you will. find -on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
Q
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD CAUSE
BA~~RY
BURNS AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD pq
FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle- is
driven:
FASTEN SEAT 4
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
These symbols
have to do with
your lights:
SIGNALS e 9
TU-RN
HIGH BEAM
OR = =o
FOG LAMPS # 0
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD ' ' '
. WASHER
CI 0s
-tO -1
WINDSHIELD
WASHER 8
wI*DsHIELDw DEFROSTER
WINDOW
Ltft,
REAR
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING FAN
3f
HEADLAMP -
WIPER
WASHER
EQ
L
~
These symbols
are used
on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT F-
TEMP *-
ENGINE
CHARGING BATTERY
SYSTEM
RADIATOR
a
COOLANT
FUEL @
ENGINE OIL e,
PRESSURE
TEMP
OIL &
ANTILOCK (@)
BRAKE
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
RAD10 k
VOLUME
CONDITIONING
AIR e
HATCHBACK TRUNK
RELEASE
LIGHTER
1-i
HORN
SPEAKER
12

Low Coolant Warning Light
If this light comes on, your
system is low on coolant
and the engine may
overheat.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light)
See “Engine Coolant’’ in the Index and have your
vehicle serviced as
soon as you can. A computer monitors operation of your fuel, ignition
and emission control systems. This light should come on when the ignition is on,
but the engine is not running, as
a check
to show you it is working. If it does not come on
at all, have it fixed right away. If
it stays on, or it comes
on while you are driving, the computkr is indicating that
you have a problem. You should take your vehicle in for
service soon.

BIL (Bi-level) Windshield Defrost
This
setting allows the outside air to flow through your
Buick in two ways. Cooler air is directed to the upper
portion of your body through the vent outlets. Slightly
warmer air
is directed through the heater ducts and
defroster outlets.
Vent
Using vent will allow outside air to flow through the
instrument panel outlets. Set the temperature knob as
desired.
Heater
On days when it’s cold outside, this setting sends heated
air through the heater ducts and
the windshield defroster
outlets. If you have the engine block heater, you can use
it in cold weather (+2OoF/-8 OC or lower) to heat your
vehicle’s passenger area quicker. The engine block
heater warms the engine coolant which
will ultimately
warm the passenger area more efficiently.
( See “Engine
Block Heater” in the Index.)
Blend
This setting divides the air flow equally between the
heater and the defroster outlets. This setting operates the defroster. Most
of the air comes
out near the windshield. Use defrost when you get fog or
ice on the windshield.
Rear Window Defogger (Option)
The lines you see on the
rear window warm
the
glass. Press the button to
start warming your
.window. Pressing the
button again will shut it off.
If you
turn the rear defogger on while driving at or
above
45 mph (72 km/h), it will stay on as long as that
speed is maintained.
You must press the button to shut
it
off.
121

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your Buick in good shape for winter. Be sure
your engine coolant mix is correct.
e Snow tires can help in loose snow, but they may give
you less traction on ice than regular tires. If you do
not expect30 be driving
in deep snow, but may have
to travel over ice, you may not want to switch to snow
tires at all.
YOU may want to put winter emergincy supplies in
your trunk. Include
an ice
scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing,
a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth, and a
couple of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will
be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag
of sand, a piece
of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction.
Be sure you properly secure
these items in your vehicle.
175

11 ,m CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even
if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming
from
it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle
until it cools down. Wait until
there
is no sign of steam or coolant before
opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine
if it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
I
I

If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about ten minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the, warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign
of steam, you can idle the engine
for two.or three minutes while you’re parked, to see if
the warning stops. But then, if you still have the
warning, TURN
OFF THE ENGINE AND GET
EVERYONE OUT
OF THE VEHICLE until it cools
down.
You may decide not.to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what \
you’ll see:
0 Coolant surge tank with pressure cap
Electric engine fan
198

A CAUTION:
I
An electric fan under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
don’t
do anything else until it cools down.
The coolant level should be at or above
“FULL 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.
A CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
-le engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Nt any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
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.
199

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge
Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at or above
“FULL COLD,” add a 50/50 mixture of
clean water (preferably distilled) and the proper
antifreeze at the coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system, including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap, is cool before you do it. (See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index for more information about the
proper coolant mix.)
/I CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system
can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the coolant
surge tank pressure cap
-- even a little -- they can
come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap when
lhe cooling system, including the coolant surge
tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the coolin-
system and coolant surge tank pressure cap
13
cool if you ever have to turn the pressure cap.
t