
Part 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road .
Part 5 includes:
Hazard Warning Flashers .................................................. ....
Other Wa-ning Devices ........................................ ...............
“Jump”Starting ...................................................................
TowingYourBuick ................................................................
Engineoverheating ................................................................
IfaTireGoesFlat .................................................................
ChangingaFlatTire ................................................................
Compact Spare Tire .................................................................
If You’re Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow ..............................................
196
197
198
203
207
214
215
224
225
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Engine Overheating
You will find a warning light about a hot engine on your
Buick instrument panel and if you have the optional
gage cluster, a coolant temperature gage. You will also
find a low coolant warning light.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
If NO Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
0 Idle for long periods in traffic.
0 Tow a trailer.
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If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don’t do anything else
until it cools down.
P
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.
I NOTICE:
I
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered
by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, check to see if the electric
engine fans are running.
If the engine is overheating,
both
fans should be running. If they aren’t, your vehicle
needs service.
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Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when
it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in the
Index.
The proper coolant for your Buick will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37 “C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 262°F (128 “C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature,
Let the warning lights work as they should.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets “GM
Specification 1825-M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts.
You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825-M with a complete coolant flush
and refill. If you use this mixture,
you don’t need to add
anything else.
I NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
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Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill
it.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Your radiator pressure cap is a 15 psi (1 05 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed
to prevent coolant
loss and possible engine
damage from overheating. Be sure the arrows on
the cap line up with the overflow tube on the
radiator filler neck.
Wlien you replace your radiator pressure cap, ap AC@
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an
AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
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I
Controls. Features and ............................. 63
Convenience Net ................................ 111
Coolant Engine
...................................... 247
Engine. Warning Light/Gage
.................... 124
Heater
................................... 82. 242
Safety Warnings
.............................. 207
Courtesy Lights
................................. 104
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 306
Cruise Control
................................... 98
Customer Assistance Hearing/Speech Impaired
....................... 304
Satisfaction Procedure
......................... 303
Daytime Running Lights
......................... 105
Defensive Driving
............................... 162
Defogger. Rear Window
.......................... 139
Defrost
........................................ 138
Dimensions Chart
................................ 280
Disc Brake Wear Indicators
........................ 253
Disposal of Used Oil
............................. 243
Door Ajar Light
................................. 130
DoorLocks
...................................... 65
Downshifting
..................................... 85
Driving City
........................................ 179
Curve
...................................... 170
Defensive
................................... 162
Drunken
.................................... 162
Foreign Country
.............................. 232
Freeway
..................................... 180 Hill
and Mountain Roads
....................... 182
Long Distance
................................ 181
Night
....................................... 175
Rain
........................................ 176
Through Deep Standing Water
.................... 82
Winter
...................................... 184
Electrical Equipment. Adding
................. 144. 276
Electronic Level Control
.......................... 115
Emergency
Braking
..................................... 170
Starting
..................................... 198
Steering
..................................... 171
Towing
..................................... 205
Accessory Belt
........................... 236, 237
Block Heater (Coolant Heater)
................ 82, 242
Coolant
..................................... 247
Engine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light
.............. 124
Exhaust
....................
Identification (VIN) ..........
Oil ........................
Oil Additives ................
Oil Life Monitor .............
Oil Pressure Warning Light/Gage
Overheating
.................
Starting ....................
.................. 91
................. 276
................. 238
................. 242
................. 127
................. 125
................. 207
.................. 81
Ethanol IiGasoline
.............................. 229
Extender. Safety Belt
.............................. 61
Expectant
Mothers. Use of Safety Belts
............... 41
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Master Cylinder, Brake ........................... 252
Memory Seat and Mirrors
.......................... 15
Methanol in Gasoline
............................. 229
Mirrors
........................................ 108
Monitors, Lamp
................................. 107
Net, Convenience
............................... 111
Neutral Gear Position .............................. 84
New Vehicle Break-In
............................. 79
Night Driving
......... ; ......................... 175
Number, Vehicle Identification (VIN)
................ 276
Octane Requirements
....................... 229,230
Odometer
...................................... 119
Oi1,Engine
..................................... 238
Off-Road Recovery
.............................. 172
Change
..................................... 242
Quality
..................................... 240
WarningLight
................................ 125
Overheated Engine
............................... 207
Overdrive, Automatic
............................. 85
Paint Spotting
................................. .274
Park Position
.................................... 83
Park, Shifting Into
................................ 88
Park, Shifting Out
............................... .90 Parking
Brake
........................................ 87
Over Things That Burn
.......................... 91
With A Trailer
................................ 193
With the Engine Running
........................ 89
Passing
....................................... -172
PASS-Key, Theft Deterrent System
................... 77
Polishing and Waxing
........................... .272
Power Accessory Power, Retained
...................... 81
Antenna
..................................... 158
DoorLocks
................................... 67
Mirrors
..................................... 108
Seats
........................................ 14
Steering
..................................... 170
Steering Fluid
................................ 250
Windows ..................................... 93
Pregnancy, Safety Belts Use
........................ 41
Problems on the Road
............................ 195
Publications, Service
............................. 308
Radiator Overheating
............................ 207
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... .249
Reading Lights
.................................. 106
Rear Passenger ComforTemp
....................... 132
Rear Window Defogger
........................... 139
Radio
......................................... 143
Rear Door Security Lock
........................... 74
Rearview Mirror
................................. 108
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