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Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block Heater) (Canada Only)
In very cold weather, 0°F (-18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged
in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt outlet.
I NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to
store the cord
as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the weather, the kind
of oil
you have, and some other things. Instead of trying to list
everything here, we ask that you contact a Buick dealer
in the area where you’ll be parking your vehicle. The
dealer can give you the best advice for that particular
area.
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NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
Trying to start your Buick by pushing or pulling
it
won’t work, and it could damage your vehicle.
To Jump Start Your Buick:
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
I NOTICE:
I
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other.
If they are, it could cause a ground
connection
you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to
start your car, and the bad grounding could damage
the electrical systems.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Turn off all
lights that aren’t needed, and radios. This will avo
sparks and help save both batteries. And it could
save your radio! ‘id
I NOTICE:
If you
leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries.
Find the positive
(+) and nenative (-) terminals on each
battery.
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If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or
so:
1. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. Try to keep your engine under load (in a drive gear
where the engine runs slower).
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. When you
decide it's safe to
lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
(A) Coolant recovery tank
(B) Radiator pressure cap
(C) Electric engine fan
You may decide not to
lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
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When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you hear at least three clicks.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system might be damaged.
Checking Things Under the Hood
Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull
the handle inside the vehicle.
It is located on the
lower left side of the
instrument panel.
Then go
to the front of the
vehicle and release the
secondary hood release.
Lift the hood.
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Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size
and rating.
Headlights
The headlight wiring is protected by a circuit breaker in
the light switch. An electrical overload will cause the
lights
to go on and off or, in some cases, to remain off. If
this happens, have your headlight system checked right
away.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse.
If the motor overheats due to heavy snow, etc.,
the wiper will stop until the motor cools.
If
the overload is caused by some electrical problem, have
it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Window
Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse panel protect the power
windows and other power accessories. When the current
load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting
the circuit until the problem is fixed.
Cigarette Lighter Fuse and Safety Belt Fuse
These fuses are located behind the glove box. The fuse
holders are taped together with gray tape.
Other Fuses
The Safety Belt/Chime (ICAM) Module fuse and the
Remote Lock Control fuse are located behind the fuse
block, above the hush panel.
The Fuel Pump and
ECM fuses are located under the
hood.
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