1994 BUICK PARK AVENUE Owners Manual

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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Adding Coolant
The coolant recovery tank is located at the left of the
engine compartment.
To Check Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
“FULL COLD’ or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level should be up to
“FULL HOT” or a little
higher.
COOLANT
LOW
If this light comes on, it means you’re low on engine
coolant.
To Add Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
coolant recovery tank.
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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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Power Steering Fluid
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then remove
the cap again and look at the fluid level
on the dimtick.
When the engine compartment is hot, the level
should be at the
“HOT” mark.
0 When the engine compartment is cool, the level
should be at the
“FULL COLD” mark.
What to Add
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
NOTICE:
When adding power steering fluid or making a
complete fluid change, always use the proper
fluid. Failure to use the proper fluid can cause
leaks and damage hoses and seals.
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Windshield Washer Fluid
To Add
Open the cap labeled
“WASHER
FLUID ONLY.”
Add washer fluid until the
bottle
is full.
~ ~ NOTICE:
~ When using concentrated washer fluid,
~ follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
~ adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution
to
freeze and damage your washer fluid tank
and other parts of the washer system.
Also,
water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only 3/4 full
when it’s very cold. This allows for
expansion, which could damage the tank
if
it is completely full.
windshield washer.
It can damage your
washer system and paint.
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your
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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.
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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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I 1 Brake Adiustment
I NOTICE:
I
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
- - __-- - - - -- tJ-----------
I Every time you apply the brakes moderately, with or
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or
lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but
if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected. Also, the rear brake drums
should be removed and inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation or changing. When you have the
front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected,
too.
Brake linings
should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal
travel. This could be a sign
of brake trouble. without the vehicle moving,
your brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake
parts
in them, as your Buick does when it is new. When
you replace parts of your braking system
-- for example,
when your brake linings wear down and you have
to
have new ones put in -- be sure you get new genuine
GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your brakes may no
longer work properly. For example,
if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the
balance between your front and rear brakes can change,
for the worse. The braking performance you’ve come to
expect can change
in many other ways if someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake parts.
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