1994 BUICK PARK AVENUE maintenance schedule

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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When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
0 Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, belts, cooling system, and brake adjustment.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s
a good idea to review these sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are
tight.
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Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly. Then pull the hood down and close it firmly.
Engine Accessory Belt
A
D
The 3800 (L27) engine uses an engine accessory belt.
This diagram shows the features connected by the belt
routing. See “Maintenance Schedule” in the Index for
when to check
the belt.
A. Power Steering
B. Crank
C. Coolant Pump
D. Air Conditioning
E. Alternator
E Tensioner
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3800 Supercharged (L67) Engine
(Option)
Your Park Avenue Ultra has a 3800 Supercharged
engine. Buick chose supercharging rather than
turbocharging because Buick emphasizes smooth,
refined power.
The Supercharger is a device which is designed to pump
more air into the engine than it would normally use.
This air mixed with fuel, creates increased engine
power. Since
the Supercharger is a pump and is driven
from an engine accessory drive belt, increased pressure
is available at all driving conditions.
The powertrain control module (PCM), works with a
vacuum control to regulate the increased pressure
required during specific driving conditions. When this
increased pressure or boost is not desired, such as during
idling and light throttle cruising, the excess air that the
Supercharger is pumping
is routed through a bypass. All
of these controls, working together provide high
performance character and
fuel efficiency in the 3800
V6 Supercharged Buick engine.
The power steering pump uses a remote reservoir
mounted on the throttle and cruise control cable bracket.
See “Maintenance Schedule’’ in
the Index for when you
should check the fluid.
Engine Accessory Belt
The Supercharged 3800 engine uses two accessory drive
belts. One belt drives the generator and the power
steering pump. The second belt drives the supercharger,
coolant pump and air conditioning compressor. Each
belt has its own tensioner and idler pulley.
1. Front Belt
C. Crank
2. Back belt D. Supercharger
A. Generator
E. Coolant Pump
B. Power Steering Pump E Air Conditioning
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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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2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull
it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the cross-hatched
area.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back
in all the way.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants’’
in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on the
dipstick.
1.
2.
e
0
Pull out the dipstick.
Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole to bring
it to the proper 1evel.It doesn’t
take much fluid, generally less than a pint
(OSL).
Don’t
overfill. We recommend you use only fluid
labeled DEXRON@-111 or DEXRON@-IIE, because
fluids with that label are made especially for your
automatic transaxle. Damage caused by fluid other
than DEXRON@-I11 or DEXRON@-IIE is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How
to Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back
in all the way.
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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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When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60
psi (420 Wa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. Simply looking at the tires will not tell you the
pressure, especially
if you have radial tires -- which
may look properly inflated even if they’re underinflated.
If your tires have valve caps, be sure to put them back
on. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and
moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
To make your tires last longer, have them inspected and
rotated at the mileages recommended
in the
Maintenance Schedule. See “Scheduled Maintenance
Services”
in the Index.
FRONT
Use this rotation pattern.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressure
as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label. Make certain that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” in the
Index.
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