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.
207
ProCarManuals.com
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.
247
ProCarManuals.com
Brakes
Brake Master Cylinder
Your brake master cylinder is here. It is filled with
DOT-3 brake fluid. fluid is leaking
out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system fixed, since a leak means
that sooner or later your brakes won’t work well, or
won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’
your brake fluid. Adding brake fluid won’t correct a
leak. If you add fluid when your linings are worn, then
you’ll have too much fluid when you get new brake
linings.
You should add (or remove) brake fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level
in
your master cylinder might go down. The first is that the
brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the fluid level goes back up. The other reason is that When
your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. A chime will sound if you
try to drive with this warning light on. See “Brake
System Warning Light” in the Index.
252
ProCarManuals.com
Replaceable Light Bulbs
Application Number
Exterior
Headlight High Beam
......................... 9005
Low Beam ......................... 9006
Park/Turn
........................ 2057NA
Park
.............................. 194NA
Side Marker. Front
.................. 194NA
Backup
............................. 1156
High Level Stop
...................... 3 156
License
.............................. 194
Side Marker. Rear
....................... 24
Tail
................................. 194
Tail/stop/turn
......................... 3057
Application
Interior Illumination
Ashtray .............................. 161
Domemeading. Front
................... 564
Reading. Rear
..................... A3173B
Door Warning
...................... PC168
Engine Compartment
................... 561
Footwell Courtesy ...................... 168
GloveBox
............................ 194
Luggage Compartment
................... 93
Vanity Mirror. Front ................... 7056
Vanity Mirror. Rear ..................... 564
281
ProCarManuals.com
INSPECTION
OR SERVICE
Brake System
[nspection
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
Inspect the complete system. Inspect
brake
lines and hoses for proper
hookup, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for
wear and rotors for surface condition.
Also inspect drum brake linings for
wear and cracks. Inspect other brake
parts, including drums, wheel
cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check parking brake adjustment. You
may need
to have your brakes inspected
more often if your driving habits or
conditions result
in frequent braking.
NOTE:
A low brake fluid level can
indicate worn disc brake pads which
may need to be serviced, Also,
if the
brake system warning light stays on or
comes
on, something may be wrong
with the brake system. See ”Brake
System Warning Light”
in the Index. If
your anti-lock brake system warning
light stays on, comes on or flashes,
something may
be wrong with the
anti-lock brake system. See “Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light”
in the
Index.
Section D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from your
GM dealer
I USAGE FLUID/LUBRICANT
API service
SH or SG Energy
Conserving I1 oils
of the proper
viscosity. The
“SH” or “SG” designation
may be shown alone or
in combination
with others, such as “SH/CD,” or
“SH,
SG, CD,” “SG/CD” etc. To determine
the preferred viscosity for your vehicle’s
engine, see “Engine Oil”
in the Index.
S0/50 mixture of water (preferably
distilled) and good quality ethylene
glycol base antifreeze
(GM Part No.
1052753 or equivalent) conforming to
GM Specification 182SM or approved
recycled coolant conforming to
GM
Specification 182SM.
Delco Supreme
1 I@ Brake Fluid (GM
Part
No. 1052535) or equivalent
DOT-3 brake fluid.
~ 299
ProCarManuals.com
Part 9 INDEX
Accessory Power . Retained ........................ 81
Adding
Brake Fluid
.................................. 252
Electrical Equipment
...................... 14 1. 276
Engine Coolant
............................... 247
Engineoil
................................... 238
Power Steering Fluid
.......................... 250
Transaxle Fluid
............................... 244
Windshield Waher Fluid
....................... 251
Air Bag (Supplemental Restraint System)
.............. 34
Air Bag Readiness Light
........................... 36
Aircleaner
..................................... 243
Airconditioner
................................. 140
Air Conditioner Refrigerant
........................ 282
Alcohol. Driving Under the Influence
................ 167
Alcohol
in Gasoline .............................. 229
Aluminum Wheels
. Cleaning ....................... 273
Antenna Care
................................... I58
Antifreeze
...................................... 247
Anti-lock Brake System
........................... 167
Anti-lock Braking System Warning Light
............. 123
Appearance Care
................................ 268
Appearance Care and Maintenance Materials
.......... 275
Ashtrays and Lighter
............................. 11 7
Astroroof
...................................... 112 Assistance. Roadside
............................. 306
Audio Systems
.................................. 143
Automatic Door Locks
............................. 67
Automatic Overdrive
.............................. 85
Automatic Ride Control ........................... 115
Automatic Transaxle .............................. 83
Fluid
....................................... 244
Shifting
...................................... 88
Battery
....................................... 255
Jump Starting
................................ 198
Warning Light
................................ 128
Blizzard
....................................... 186
Block Heater (Engine Coolant Heater) ................ 82
Blowout. Tire
................................... 215
Brake Adjustment
.................................. 254
Anti-lock
.................................... 167
Fluid
....................................... 252
Master Cylinder
.............................. 252
Parking
...................................... 87
PedalTravel
................................. 254
Replacement
................................. 254
311
ProCarManuals.com
System. Anti-lock Warning Light ................. 123
System Warning Light
......................... 122
Transaxle Shift Interlock
...................... 84. 90
Wear
....................................... 253
Brakes. Trailer
.................................. 191
Braking ........................................ 166
Braking in Emergencies
........................... 170
Break-In. New Vehicle
............................ 79
Bulbchart ..................................... 281
Bulb Replacement
............................... 256
Bulbs. Halogen
.................................. 255
Canadian Roadside Assistance
..................... 307
Capacities and Specifications Chart .................. 282
Carbon Monoxide
................................ 91
Cassette Tape Player
......................... 146. 149
Cassette Tape Player Care
......................... 157
Cautions. Safety
.................................. 10
CB Radio. Adding ............................... 144
Cellular Telephone. Adding
........................ 144
Chains. Tire
.................................... 267
Change Oil Soon Light
........................... 127
Changing a Flat Tire
.............................. 2 15
Check Oil Level Light ............................ 126
Checking Brake Fluid
.................................. 252
Engine Coolant
............................... 247
Engineoil
................................... 238
Power Steering Fluid
.......................... 250
Restraint Systems
.............................. 6 1
Transaxle Fluid ............................... 244 Underhood
..................................... 234
Windshield Washer Fluid
.......................... 251
Chemical Paint Spotting
........................... 274
Child Restraints
.................................. 48
Children and Safety Belts
.......................... 46
Cigarette Lighter
................................ 118
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
........................ 277
City Driving
.................................... 179
Cleaner.
Air .................................... 243
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels
............................ 273
Antenna .....................................
158
Cassette Player ............................... 157
Fabric
...................................... 269
Glass
....................................... 271
Inside Your Buick ............................. 268
Instrument Panel
.............................. 271
Leather
..................................... 270
Outside
Your Buick ........................... 272
Power Antenna
............................... 158
Speaker Covers ............................... 271
Underbody Maintenance
........................ 274
Vinyl ....................................... 270
White Sidewall Tires
........................... 273
Clock Setting
............................ 146.149. 152
Comfort Controls
................................ 131
Compact Disc
................................... 153
Compact Disc Care .............................. 158
Compact Spare Tire
.............................. 224
Control of
a Vehicle .............................. 165
Safety Belts
.................................. 271
Windshield and Wiper Blades
.................... 272
312
ProCarManuals.com
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
313
ProCarManuals.com