
go closer to the floor. It may take longer to stop. Have
the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Car”
in the Index.) Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the
red area, your engine
is too
hot!
If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn
the ignition off. Or,
if the light comes on and stays on
when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and turn
the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the
system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you’re driving, your Buick needs service. If the
light is on but not flashing and the regular brake system
warning light isn’t on,
you still have brakes, but you
don’t have anti-lock brakes. It means
that your engine coolant has overheated. If you
have been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions,
you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
The chapter “Problems on the Road,” this manual
explains what to do. See “Engine Overheating”
in the
Index.
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Engine Overheating
You will find the coolant temperature gage on your
instrument panel.
You may also find a low coolant
warning light.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
I 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.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
0 Tow a trailer.
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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 or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, 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).
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.
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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A CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine
and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids
to blow out and burn you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have
to add coolant at the radiator. Never
turn the radiator pressure cap -- even a little --
when the engine and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill it.
A CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spifl coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and
it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator 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.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an 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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Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Below are explanations of the services listed in Schedule
I and Schedule 11.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed
in
Section D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses
these. All
parts should be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
NOTE: To determine your engine’s displacement and
code, see “Engine Identification”
in the Index.
1.
Engine Oil and Filter Change* -- Always use SH or
SG Energy Conserving I1 oils of proper viscosity. The
“SH” or “SG” designation may be shown alone or in
combination with others, such as “SH/CD,” “SH, SG,
CD,” “SG/CD” etc.
To determine the preferred
viscosity for your vehicle’s engine (e.g., SAE 5W-30-
or SAE 10W-30), see “Engine Oil” in the Index.
2. Chassis Lubrication -- Lubricate the transaxle shift
linkage, parking brake cable guides, underbody
contact points and linkage. If your vehicle is
equipped with grease fittings, lubricate the
suspension and steering linkage. 3.
4.
5.
Tire
and Wheel Rotation and Inspection -- For
proper wear and maximum tire life, rotate your tires
following the instructions
in this manual. See “Tires,
Inspection
& Rotation” in the Index. Check the tires
for uneven wear or damage. If you see irregular or
premature wear, check the wheel alignment. Check
for damaged wheels also.
Engine Accessory Drive Belt(s) Inspection -- Inspect
the belt(s) for cracks, fraying, wear and proper tension.
Replace as needed. (Belts can have small cracks
in
individual ribs without affecting performance).
Cooling System Service* -- Drain, flush and refill
the system
with new or approved recycled coolant
conforming to GM Specification
1825M. Keep
coolant at the proper mixture as specified. See
“Coolant”
in the Index. This provides proper freeze
protection, corrosion inhibitor level and engine
operating temperature.
Inspect hoses and replace if they are cracked, swollen
or deteriorated. Tighten screw-type hose clamps.
Clean the outside of the radiator and air conditioning
condenser. Wash the pressure cap and neck.
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Clock Setting ............................... 128. 132
Comfort Controls
................................ 12 1
Compact Disc Player ............................. 129
Compact Disc Care
.............................. 136
Compact Spare Tire
.............................. 205
Control
of a Vehicle .............................. 143
Controls. Features and
............................. 69
Convenience. Net
................................ 108
Coolant. Engine
................................. 223
WarningGage
................................ 116
Heater
................................... 83. 2 19
Safety Warnings .............................. 187
Courtesy Lights
................................. 105
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 286
Cruise Control
................................... 98
Customer Assistance Hearing /Speech Impaired
...................... 285
Satisfaction Procedure
......................... 283
Daytime Running Lights
......................... 103
Defensive Driving
............................... 140
Defogger. Rear Window
.......................... 125
Defrost
........................................ 121
Dimensions Chart
................................ 259
Disposal of Used Oil
............................. 2 19
DoorLocks
...................................... 71
Downshifting
.................................... 84
Driving
City
........................................ 155
Curve
...................................... 147
Defensive
................................... 140 Drunken
.................................... 140
Foreign Operation
............................. 210 . Freeway ..................................... 156
Hill and Mountain
............................. 159
LongDistance
................................ 157
Night
....................................... 152
Rain
........................................ 153
Through Deep Standing Water
.................... 82
Winter
...................................... 160
Electrical Equipment. Adding
................. 125. 253
Emergency Braking
..................................... 146
Starting
..................................... 173
Towing
..................................... 179
Steering
..................................... 146
Engine Block Heater (Coolant Heater)
................ 83, 219
Coolant
..................................... 223
Coolant Temperature Warning Gage
.............. 116
Exhaust
...................................... 91
Identification
(VIN) ........................... 253
Oil
......................................... 214
Oil Additives
................................. 218
Oil Pressure Warning Gage
...................... 117
Overheating
.................................. 187
Starting
....................................... 80
Ethanol in Gasoline .............................. 209
Exhaust
......................................... 91
Expectant Mothers, Use of Safety Belts
............... 38
Extender, Safety Belt
.............................. 67
295
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Fabric Cleaning ................................ 245
Features and Controls
............................. 69
Fiberglass Springs
............................... 25 1
Filling the Fuel Tank ............................. 21 1
Filter. Oil ...................................... 214
Finish Care
..................................... 248
Finish Damage
.................................. 250
FirstGear
....................................... 86
Flash-To-Pass
................................... 96
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 172
Flat Tire ....................................... 196
FloodedEngine
.................................. 80
Fluid Brake
....................................... 228
Capacities
............................... 26 1. 262
Power Steering
............................... 226
Transaxle
.................................... 220
Windshield Washer
............................ 227
Fluids and Lubricants Recommended
................ 279
FogLights
..................................... 103
Foreign Operation
............................... 2 10
Francais. Guide En
................................. 2
Freeway Driving
................................ 156
French Language Manual
........................... 2
Fuel
.......................................... 209
Capacities
............................... 26 1. 262
FillingYourTank
............................. 211
Gage
....................................... 113
In Foreign Countries ........................... 2 10
LowLight ................................... 114
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
........................ 254 Gage
Battery (Voltage Indicator)
...................... 119
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 116
Fuel
........................................ 113
Gasoline
....................................... 209
Gasoline Tank Filling
............................. 211
Gear Positions
................................... 84
Engine Oil
Pressure
........................... 117
Glasscleaning
.................................. 247
Halogen Bulbs
................................. 231
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 172
Headlamp Bulb Replacement
........................ 23
Headlights
..................................... 103
High-Low Beam Changer
....................... 96
Headlight “On” Warning
....................... 103
Head Restraints
.................................. 17
Hearing Impaired Assistance ....................... 285
Heater
......................................... 121
Heater. Engine Block (Engine Coolant Heater)
...... 83. 219
Highway Hypnosis
............................... 158
Hill and Mountain Roads
.......................... 159
Hitches. Trailer
.................................. 166
Hood Release
................................... 212
Horn
........................................... 93
Hot Coolant Warning Gage
........................ 116
Hot Engine Safety Warnings
....................... 187
Hydroplaning
................................... 154
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Tape Player Care ................................ 135
Temperature Warning Light
........................ 1 16
Theft
........................................... 77
Thermostat
..................................... 225
Third Gear Position
............................... 85
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................... 93
Time (Setting the Clock)
...................... 128. 132
Tire
........................................... 236
Balance
..................................... 241
Chains
...................................... 243
Flat
........................................ 196
Inflation
..................................... 237
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 238
Loading Information
........................... 234
Pressure
..................................... 237
Quality Grading
.............................. 240
Replacement
................................. 239
Spare
....................................... 205
Wear Indicators
............................... 239
White Sidewall
............................... 249
TorqueLock
..................................... 90
TowingHookups
................................ 182
Towing Your Buick
.............................. 179
Trailer Towing
.................................. 164
Transaxle. Automatic
.............................. 84
Transaxle Fluid
.................................. 220
Trip Odometer
.................................. 1 12
Trunk Release. Remote
............................ 73
Turn Signalmeadlight Beam Lever
................... 94
Turn Signal Indicator
.............................. 94
Turn Signal Reminder
............................. 95 Underbody
Cleaning
............................ 250
Unleaded Gasoline
............................... 209
Upholstery Care
.................................. 244
Used Oil Disposal
............................... 219
Used Replacement Wheels
......
Vehicle Identification Number (VI
Vehicle Loading ..............
Vehicle Storage ..............
.................. 242
N) ............... 253
.................. 234
.................. 230 . Ventilation ..................................... 121
Vinyl Cleaning .................................. 246
VoltsGage
..................................... 119
warning Flashers. Hazard
........................ 172
Warning Lights
.................................. 112
Air Bag Readiness ............................. 35
Anti-lock Brake System
........................ 115
Battery
...................................... 119
CheckGages
................................. 119
Brake
....................................... 114
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 116
Engineoil
................................... 117
LowCoolant
................................. 117
LowFuel
.................................... 114
LowOil
..................................... 118
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)
. . 120
Washer. Windshield
............................... 97
Washing Your Vehicle
............................ 248
Safety Belt
................................... 25
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