
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements
that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? 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 clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own
oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing
oil from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of
oil by putting it in the trash, 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 properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
Air Cleaner
1
The air cleaner is in the front right section of the engine
compartment.
To check or replace the filter, undo the
wing screws and pull the air cleaner open. Replace the
air filter, close
the cover and tighten the wing screws.
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Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage
it. Always
have the air cleaner
in place when you’re driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to- Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed. Refer
to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when to change
your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services’’ in
the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose
to have this done at a Buick dealership Service
Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading
on the
dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle.
Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system, starting a fire. Be sure
to get
an accurate reading if you check your transaxle
fluid.
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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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What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean
the brake fluid
reservoir cap before removing
it.
Brake Wear
Your Buick has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
NOTICE:
0 DOT-5 silicone brake fluid can damage
your vehicle. Don’t use
it.
Don’t let someone put in the wrong kind of
fluid. For example, just
a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in
your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to
be replaced.
Brake fluid can damage paint, so be careful
not
to spill brake fluid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash
it off immediately. See
“Appearance Care”
in the Index.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and
go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except
when
you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
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Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area
only. If
you use them, don’t saturate the stained area.
0 If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately or
it will set.
Using Foam-Type Cleaner on Fabric
0 Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
0 Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.
0 Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the
directions on the container label.
0 Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge.
0 Don’t saturate the material.
0 Don’t rub it roughly.
0 As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
0 Rinse the section with a clean, wet sponge.
0 Wipe off what’s left with a slightly damp paper towel
or cloth.
0 Then dry it immediately with a blow dryer or a heat
lamp.
I NOTICE:
I
Be careful with a hair dryer or heat lamp. You
could scorch the fabric.
Wipe with a clean cloth.
Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all.
Some spots and stains will clean off better
with just
water and mild soap.
If you need to use a solvent:
0 Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with
a clean, dull knife or scraper. Use very little cleaner,
light pressure and clean cloths (preferably
cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at the outside of
the stain, “feathering” toward
the center. Keep
changing to a clean section of the cloth.
When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately dry
the area with an air hose, hair dryer, or heat lamp to
help prevent a cleaning ring. (See the previous
NOTICE.)
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Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains
Such as grease, oil, butter, margarine, shoe polish,
coffee with cream, chewing gum, cosmetic creams,
vegetable oils, wax crayon, tar and asphalt.
0 Carefully scrape off excess stain.
Follow the solvent-type instructions described
earlier.
Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and asphalt will stain if
left on
a vehicle seat fabric. They should be removed
as soon as possible. Be careful, because the cleaner
will dissolve them and may cause them to spread.
Non-Greasy Stains
Such as catsup, coffee (black), egg, fruit, fruit juice,
milk, soft drinks, wine, vomit, urine and blood.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge the
soiled area with cool water.
If a stain remains, follow the foam-type instructions
described earlier.
If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine,
treat
the area with a waterbaking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml)
of lukewarm water.
If needed, clean lightly with solvent-type cleaner.
Combination Stains
Such as candy, ice cream, mayonnaise, chili sauce and
unknown stains.
0 Carefully scrape off excess stain, then clean with
cool water and allow to dry.
If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if
may
have to do
it more than once.
you don’t get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth and
a solvent-type vinyl cleaner.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap.
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0 For stubborn stains, use a mild solution of 10%
isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and
90% water.
0 Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
Soiled leather should be cleaned immediately. If dirt
is allowed to work into finish,
it can harm the
leather.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections
in the windshield
and even make
it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Cleaning Speaker Covers
Vacuum around a speaker cover gently, so that the
speaker won’t be damaged. If something gets on one of
them, follow the steps earlier under “Using
Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric.” Use as little solvent as
you can.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
Glass
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM
Part
No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner
will remove normal tobacco smoke and dust films.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass, because they may
cause scratches. Avoid placing decals on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be scraped off later. If
abrasive cleaners are used on the inside
of the rear
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached across the
defogger grid.
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Foreign Material
Calcium chloride and other salts, ice melting agents,
road oil and tar, tree sap, bird droppings, chemica
industrial chimneys, and other foreign matter can
damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on
pa
surfaces. Use cleaners that are marked safe for pa
surfaces to remove foreign matter.
~~
Finish Damage
.Is from
.inted inted
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches
in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor
pan, and
exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody
with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed
in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody vehicle washing system
can do this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched into
the paint surface.
Although no defect
in the paint job causes this, Buick
will repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever comes first.
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