Walter Marr and Thomas Buick
Buick’s chief engineer, Walter L. Marr (left), and
Thomas D. Buick, son
of founder David Dunbar Buick,
drove the first Flint Buick in a successful Flint-Detroit
round trip in July
1904.
David Buick was building gasoline engines by 1899,
and Man; his engineer, apparently built the first auto to
be called a Buick in
1900. However, Buick traditionally
dates its beginnings to
1903. That was the year the
company was reorganized, refinanced and moved
from
Detroit to Flint. Buick has always been a product innovator.
Buick engineers developed the
“valve-in-head” engine, a light, powerful and reliable
engine which would eventually influence the entire
automotive industry.
William C. Durant was instrumental in promoting
Buicks across the country using
his Durant-Dort
Carriage Co. outlets and salespeople as the nucleus of a
giant distribution system. He knew the Buick as
a
“self-seller”. If automobiles could be this good, he
thought, maybe it was time to switch from the horse and
buggy business to automobiles.
At the
1905, New York
Auto
Show, Durant took
orders for
1,000 Buicks
before the company had
success, Durant created
a
holding company,
September
16, 1908. He
called
it General Motors.
built
40. On Buick’s
William C. (Billy) Durant
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Durant also created a racing team that won 500 racing
trophies
in 1909 and 1910, including successes at
Indianapolis two years before the Indy
500 began.
The success
of Buick engines was visible not only on
the race track, but in endurance tests across the country
and around the world. Buick was the only car to
complete a 1,000-mile Chicago-to-New York race
in
1906. And a Buick was the first car to travel across
South America, driven from Buenos Aires, Argentina,
over the Andes
to Santiago, Chile in 19 14.
191 I Model 21 Touring Car on Buick’s Test Hill
Buick drew plenty of attention because it could climb
hills and run through mud
like no other car. Buick’s
endurance and reliability were world famous.
During World War
I, Buick built Liberty aircraft engines
as well
as Red Cross ambulances so successful that one
Buick ambulance was awarded the Croix de Guerre by
the French government.
As a builder
of premier automobiles, Buick was hard hit
by the Great Depression. However, new General
Manager, Harlow
H. Curtice created popular new
models including the Special and the Roadmaster. Buick
sales soon flourished.
First Buick Factory
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In World War 11, Buick built aircraft engines, tanks and
other military hardware. This post-war period brought
great styling and engineering changes which resulted
in
increased sales. The torque converter automatic
transmission, Dynaflow, was introduced
in the 1948
Roadmaster. Buick’s famous “portholes” came along
in
1949.
., ..
. . . ., . .
, ., .. . .. . ,
I949 Roadmaster
A high-compression V-8 engine was introduced in 1953.
And Buick’s famous vertical pillar “toothy” grille,
(introduced
in 1942), became more massive in the
post-war era.
1953 Skylark
Motor Trend magazine named the 1962 Buick Special,
“Car of
the Year”. The first production V-6 engine was
used
in the Special.
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Table of Contents
How to Use this Manual ................................................................ 10
This part tells you how to use your manual and includes safety and vehicle damage \
warnings and symbols.
Seats and Restraint Systems ............................................................. 13
This part tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properl\
y. It also explains the “SRS” system.
FeaturesandControls .................................................................. 63
This part explains how to start and operate your Buick.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems ..................................................... 131
This part tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your
sound system.
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about
the road and how to drive under different conditions.
ProblemsontheRoad .................................................................. 195
This part tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or engine
overheating, etc.
Here
the manual tells you how to keep your Buick running properly and \
looking good.
This part tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
This part tells you how
to contact Buick for assistance and how to get service publications. It also
gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on pag\
e
305.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
YourDrivingandtheRoad .............................................................. 161
Serviceand Appearancecare
............................................................ 227
Maintenanceschedule .................................................................. 283
Customer Assistance Information
........................................................ 303
Index
........................................................................\
........ 311
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Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BURNS AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,111,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN SEAT
4
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
These symbols
have to
do with
your lights:
WARNING A
HAZARD
FLASHER
HIGH BEAM OR
= -0
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols
are on some
of
your controls:
WINoSHIELD WIPER w
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING FAN
These symbols
are
used on
warning and indicator lights:
CHARGING 1-1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
RADIATOR
a
COOLANT
FUEL
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
Wb
TEMP OIL &
ANTILOCK (a)
BRAKE
Here are some
other symbols you may see:
FUSE
RADIO
"i"
SELECTOR fi
RADIO >
VOLUME
LIGHTER
n
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Part 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Buick. and information on starting. shifting
and braking
. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is working
properly
.. and what to do if you have a problem .
Part 2 includes:
Keys ........................................................................\
.... 64
DoorLocks
....................................................................... \
65
NewVehicleBreak-In
.............................................................. 79
StartingtheEngine
................................................................. 81
Shifting the Transaxle .............................................................. 83
Windows ........................................................................\
. 93
93
Turn Signal/Headlight Beam Lever
.................................................... 94
Headlight High-Low Beam Changer
.............................................. 96
Windshield Wipermasher
...................................................... 96
Cruisecontrol
................................................................ 98
Headlights
........................................................................\
103
Mirrors
........................................................................\
.. 108
Instrumentpanel ................................................................... 119
Speedometer and Odometer ..................................................... 119
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators ............................................. 120
TiltSteeringWheel ................................................................
. . 63
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Illuminated Entry System (Option)
With this option, when you
push the door handle
button,
a light around the
door lock will come on for
about
25 seconds.
You’ll be able to see where to put the door key when it’s
dark, and the lights inside your Buick will go on.
They’ll
go off when you start your engine, or when 25
seconds have passed. If you have the Remote Keyless
Entry System option, it can make the illuminated entry
system work too. (See Remote Keyless Entry System in
the Index.)
If
you have this option, your interior lights will
automatically shut off after a
10 minute period if a door
is left ajar. This feature
is designed to help eliminate
battery wear down.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your Buick has a number of theft deterrent
features,
we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you can
help.
Key in the Ignition
If you walk away from your vehicle with the keys
inside, it’s an easy target for joy riders or professional
thieves
-- so don’t do it.
When you park your Buick and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear a chime reminding you
to remove your key
from the ignition and take
it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and
so will your
ignition and transaxle. And remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables
out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
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When the PASS-Key% system senses that someone is using the wrong key,
it shuts down the vehicle’s starter
and fuel systems. For about three minutes,
the starter
won’t work and
fuel won’t go to the engine. If someone
tries to start your vehicle again or uses another key
during this time, the vehicle will not start. This
discourages someone from randomly trying different
keys with different resistor pellets in an attempt to make
a match.
The ignition key must be clean and dry before it’s
inserted in the ignition or the engine may not start. If the
engine does not start and the “SECURITY’’ light comes
on, the key may be dirty
or wet. Turn the ignition off.
Clean and dry the key. Wait about three minutes and try
again. The security light may remain on during this
time. If
the starter still won’t work, and the key appears
to be clean and dry, wait about three minutes and try the
other ignition key. At this time, you may also want to
check the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the
Index). If
the starter won’t work with the other key, your vehicle needs
service. If your vehicle does start, the first
ignition key may be faulty. See your Buick dealer or a
locksmith who can service the PASS-Key@II.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work and the
“SECURITY” light
will flash. But you don’t have to
wait three minutes before trying one of the other ignition
keys.
See your Buick dealer or
a locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key@II to have a new key made.
If you’re ever driving and the “SECURITY” light comes
on and stays on,
you will be able to restart your engine if
you turn it off. Your PASS-Key% system, however, is
not working properly
and must be serviced by your
Buick dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
PASS-Key% system.
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key@II ignition key, see
your Buick dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key@II to have a
new key made.
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