
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 your 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 parts, starting a fire. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level
if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is
180°F to 200°F (82°C
to
93 ” C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24
km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it’s colder than 50°F (IOOC), you may have
to drive longer.
To check the fluid level
0 Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever
in PARK (P).
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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. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole
to bring it to the proper level.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a pint
(OSL). Don ’t ouefill. We recommend you use only fluid
labeled DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transaxle. Damage
caused by fluid other than DEXRON@-I11 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.
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:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 262 OF (1 28 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
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. Use GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer)
with any complete coolant flush and refill.
If you use
this mixture, you don’t need to add anything else.
~
6-17
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Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is inzportuntfor you or a service station attendant to
pecform these un,derlwocl clwcks at eaclz~fl~el~fi’ll.
Engine Oil Level
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See “Engine Oil” in the Index for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level
Check the engine coolant level and add the proper
coolant mix if necessary. See “Coolant”
in the Index for
further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation
Check tire inflation. Make sure tires are inflated to the
pressures specified on the Tire-Loading Information
label. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index. See
“Tires”
in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the Index
for further details.
Power Antenna
Clean power antenna mast. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
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Checking Automatic Transaxle Fluid
..................... 6- IS
Brake Fluid ................................. 6-23
Engine Coolant
.............................. 6- 18
Engine Oil ................................... 6-8
Power Steering Fluid ......................... 6-20
Restraint Systems
............................ 1-50
Things Under the Hood
........................ 6-6
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-44
Child Restraints
................................ 1-37
(2-Door Models)
........................... 1-38
(4-Door Models) ........................... 1-40
Securing
in the Center Rear Seat Position ......... 1-42
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-44
TOP Strap ................................... 1-38
Where to Put ................................ 1-37
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 2-4 I
Power Options ................................ 6-53
City Driving
................................... 4- 17
Cleaner. Air ................................... 6-13
Aluminum Wheels ........................... 6-43
Fabric
..................................... 6-39
Glass ...................................... 6-41
Inside of Your Buick .......................... 6-38
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position
Securing
in a Rear Outside Seat Position
Circuit Breaker. Power Windows and Other
Cleaning
Leather
.................................... 6-40
Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades ....... 6-41
Outside
01 Your Buick ........................ 6-42
Special Problems
............................ 6-39
Stains ...................................... 6-39
Tires
......................................... 43
Top
of the Instrument Panel .................... 6-41
Vinyl ...................................... 6-40
Clock. Setting The
............................... 3-5
Comfort Controls
................................
Bleed Valves ................................ 5-21
Heater, Engine
......................... 2- 14, 6- 13
How to Add to the Coolant Recovery Tank ........ 5-18
How to
Add to the Radiator .................... 5-20
Temperature Gage ............................ 2-50
Temperature Light
........................... 2-49
Cooling System
................................ 5-16
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-5
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Engine Coolant ................................. 6- 17
Adding
.................................... 6-18
Checking ................................... 6-18
Heater
................................ 2- 14. 6. I3
Temperature Gage
............................ 2-50
Temperature Light
........................... 2-49
Engineoil
..................................... 6-7
Additives
................................... 6-12
Checking
.................................... 6-8
What Kind to Use ............................ 6- IO
What to Do with Used Oil ..................... 6-13
When to Change
............................. 6- 12
Ethanol
(In Fuel) ................................ 6-3
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-23
Expectant Mothers. Use
of Safety Belts ............. 1-24
Extender. Safety Belt
............................ 1-50
Adding
..................................... 6-9
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-39
Fiberglass Springs
.............................. 6-44
Filling Your Tank ................................ 6-5
Filter
. Air Cleaner .............................. 6- 13
Finish Care .................................... 6-42
Finish Damage
................................. 6-43
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... I 3-18
Fixed Mast Antenna ............................. 3- 19 Flashers
. Hazard Warning ......................... 5- I
Flat
Tire. Changing ............................. 5-24
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-55
Fluid Levels. Maintenance
........................ 7-36
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-40
Foreign Countries
. Fuel ........................... 6-4
Four-Way Manual Seat
........................... 1-2
Freeway Driving
............................... 4-18
French Language Manual
11
Fr011t Seatback Latches ........................... 1-5
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
............................. 6-5
Gage
...................................... 2-44
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
LowLight
.................................. 2-45
Fuse Block. Instrument Panel
..................... 6-48
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-47
.. ...........................
Gage . En. trine Coolant Temperature ............... 2-50
Gasoline
....................................... 6-3
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
......................... 6-4
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) ................ 4-26
Gear Positions
................................. 2- IS
Glass. Cleaning ................................ 6-41
GloveBox ..................................... 2-8
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
.............. 3-26
9-5
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Leaving Your Vehicle ............................. 2-4
Lights Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
....... 2-21
Air Bag Readiness
...................... 1 . 19. 2.46
Anti-Lock Brake System Active
................ 2-49
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
........... 2.48. 4.6
Brake System Warning
........................ 2-47
Charging System
............................. 2-45
Cruise
..................................... 2-53
Engine Coolant Temperature
................... 2-50
Low Coolant
................................ 2-50
Low Fuel
................................... 2-45
LowOilLevel
............................... 2-52
Oil Warning
................................. 2-51
Safety Belt Reminder
..................... 1.6. 2.46
Security
.................................... 2-53
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-5 1
Lighter ....................................... 2-41
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-26
Locks Automatic Door
.............................. 2-4
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-4
Steering Colulnn. Maintenance
................. 7-38
Torque
..................................... 2-21
Trunk
....................................... 2-7
Window
.................................... 2-25
Loss
of Control ................................ 4- I2
Low Coolant Warning Light ...................... 2-50
Door
....................................... 2-3 LowFuelLight
................................ 2-45
Low Oil Level Light
............................ 2-52
Low Trac Light ................................ 2-49
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-40
Lubrication. Body
.............................. 7-37
Luggage Carrier
................................ 2-38
Maintenance Record
........................... 7-42
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Owner Checks and Services
.................... 7-36
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
............... 7-39
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............ 7-40
Schedule1
................................... 7-6
Schedule I Definition .......................... 7-4
Schedule11
................................. 7-26
Schedule
I1 Definition .......................... 7-5
Scheduled Maintenance Services ................. 7-3
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts
............ 6-56
Maintenance, Underbody
......................... 6-44
Maintenance,
When Trailer Towing ................. 4-34
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine
Soon Light) .................................. 2-51
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-1
Manual Outside Mirror .......................... 2-36
Methanol
(In Fuel) ............................... 6-3
Mirrors
....................................... 2-35
Convex Outside
............................. 2-36
Inside Day/Night Rearview
.................... 2-35
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