
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
(This applies only
to vehicles sold in the United States.)
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on
a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
c- qraded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due
to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction - A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are: A, B,
and C. They represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
6-34
ProCarManuals.com

Temperature - A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately
or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
These grades are molded
on the sidewalls of passenger
car tires. While the tires
available
as standard or optional
equipment on General Motors vehicles may vary with
respect to these grades, all such tires meet General
Motors performance standards and have been approved
for use
on General Motors vehicles. All passenger type
(P Metric) tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements
in addition to these grades.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire
life
and best overall performance.
In most cases, you will
not need to have your wheels
aligned again. However,
if you notice unusual tire
wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need
to be reset. If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your
wheels may need
to be rebalanced.
6-35
ProCarManuals.com

Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst
into flame if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part
of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous
if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you
use anything from a container to clean your
Buick, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings
and instructions. And always open your doors or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
0 Gasoline
0 Benzene
Naphtha
0 Carbon Tetrachloride
0 Acetone
0 Paint Thinner
0 Turpentine
0 Lacquer Thinner
0 Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous -- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too. Don’t
use any
of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
Alcohol
Laundry Soap
0 Bleach
0 Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Buick
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe
vinyl or leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Buick dealer has two
GM cleaners, a solvent-type
spot lifter and a foam-type powdered cleaner.
They will
clean normal spots and stains very well.
Do not use
them on
vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
0
0
0
0
0
Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
Clean
LIP stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
Use a clean cloth
or sponge, and change to a clean area
often.
A soft brush may be used if stains are stubborn.
Use solvent-type cleaners
in a well-ventilated area
only.
If you use them, don’t saturate the stained area.
If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately or
it will set.
6-38
ProCarManuals.com

Park (P) Position ............................. 2- I5
Second Gear (2) Position
...................... 2- 18
Reverse (R) Position .......................... 2- I6
Shifting .................................... 2-15
Third Gear (3) Position
........................ 2- I7
Automatic Transaxle Fluid ........................ 6- 15
Adding
.................................... 6-17
Checking
................................... 6- 15
Battery ...................................... 6-26
Cllarpe Light
................................ 2-45
Jump Starting
................................ 5-2
Replacement. Remote Lock Control
............... 2-6
Saver
...................................... 2- 33
Warnings .................................... 5-2
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-3
Bleed Valves. Coolant
........................... 5-21
Blizzard ...................................... 4-24
Brake
Adjustment
................................. 6-25
Fluid. Adding
............................... 6-23
Master Cylinder
............................. 6-23
Parking
.................................... 2-19
PedalTravel ................................ 6-25
System Parts. Replacing ....................... 6-26
System Warning Light
........................ 2-47
Trailer
..................................... 4- 31
Transaxle Shift Interlock ....................... 2-22 Transaxle Shift Interlock
. Maintenance ........... 7-37
Wear
...................................... 6-25
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-6
Brakes. Trailer .................................
Braking . In Emcrgencies .......................... 4-8
Break-In. New Vehicle .......................... 2-10
BTSI (Brake Transaxle Shift Interlock)
.............. 2-22
Maintenance
................................. 7-37
Bulb Replacen~ent ......................... 6-27. 6-54
Braking
........................................ 4-5
BTSI
(Brake Transaxle Shift Interlock).
Canada. Vehicles First Sold In 11
Canadian Roadside Assistance ...................... 8-6
Capacities and Specit'ications
...................... 6-55
Carbon Monoxide
.................... 2-23. 4-25. 4-31
Cassette Dcck. Maintenance ...................... 7-36
Cassette
Tape Player ........................ 3-8. 3-11
Casselte Tape Player Care
........................ 3-18
CDPlaye r
..................................... 3-13
Center Console
................................. 2-38
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-24
Certification Label .............................. 4-26
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-31
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-37
Changing
a Flat Tire ............................. 5-24
Charging System Light
.......................... 2-45
Checking Your Restraint Systems .................. 1-50
.. .......................
9-2
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-27
Hazard Wdrning Flashers
.......................... 5- I
Head Restraints ................................. 1-5
Headlamp Bulb Replacement ...................... 6-27
Headlamp HigldLow Beam Changer
................ 2-26
Headlamp. Wiring
.............................. 6-53
Headlamps. Operation
........................... 2-3 1
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance .............. 8-2
Heating
........................................ 3-4
Heritage Pages
................................... 111
High-Beam Lamps. How to Change ................ 2-26
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-20
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-20
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-3 1
Hood Release ................................... 6-7
Horn
......................................... 2-25
HotEngine
.................................... 5-14
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4- 16
...
Ice . Driving On ................................ 4-23
Ignition Key Positions
........................... 2- IO
Ignition Switch ................................. 2- IO
Illuminated Entry System ......................... 2-33
Intlation
- Tire Pressure .......................... 6-3 I
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror ................. 2-35
Inspections Brake System
............................... 7-39
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-39
Restraint Systems
............................ 7-39 Steering
. Suspension and
Front-Wheel-Drive
Axle
Boot and Seal ......................... 7-39
Throttle Linkage
............................. 7-39
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-42
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
................. 2-32
Instrument Panel
. Cleaning ....................... 6-41
Interior Lamps ................................. 2-33
Jack
. Tire .................................... 5-26
Jump Starting
................................... 5-2
Key Lock Cylinders
. Maintenance ................ 7-37
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2-11
Keys .......................................... 2-1
Lamp . M. L~ If unction Indicator ..................... 2-51
La111ps ........................................ 2-31
Battery Saver
............................... 2-33
Daytime Running
............................ 2-32
Dome
..................................... 2-35
Illuminated Entry
............................ 2-33
Interior
.................................... 2-33
On Reminder
................................ 2-31
Panel
...................................... 2-32
Larger Children
. Safety Belt Use ................... 1-47
Latches . Front Searback ........................... 1-5
Lane Change Indicator ........................... 2-26
ProCarManuals.com

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
9-7
ProCarManuals.com

Manual Outside .............................. 2-36
Power Outside
............................... 2-36
Visor Vanity
................................ 2-39
MTBE(1nFuel)
................................. 6-3
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-25
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-37
Neutral Position. Automatic Transaxle
.............. 2-
New Vehicle Break-In
........................... 2-
Night Vision
................................... 4-
Odometer
.................................... 2-43
Odometer. Tamper Resistant
...................... 2-43
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-43
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 10
Warning Light ............................... 2-5 1
Owner Publications ............................ 8-7
Service and Owner Publications
.................. 8-6
Service Bulletins
.............................. 8-7
Service Manuals
.............................. 8-7
Outlet. Accessory
............................... 2-39
Overdrive Position. Automatic Transaxle
............ 2- 17
Overheated Engine
.............................. 5- 14
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-36
Owner Publications. Ordering ...................... 8-7
Oi
I
Engine ...................................... 6-7
Ordering
16
IO
14
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-44
Panel Lamps
................................... 2-32
Park Position, Automatic Transaxle
................. 2-15
Park (P), Shifting Into
........................... 2-20
Park (P), Shifting Out
Of ......................... 2-22
Parking AtNight
.................................... 2-8
Brake
...................................... 2-19
Brake and Transaxle Park Mechanism Check
...... 7-39
Lots
........................................ 2-8
On Hills While Towing
a Trailer ................ 4-34
Over Things
That Burn ........................ 2-22
PASS-Key
I1 ................................... 2-9
Passenger Temperature Lever
...................... 3-2
Passing
....................................... 4-11
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-39
Power Antenna Mast Care
........................ 3-19
Power Antenna, Maintenance
..................... 7-36
Power Door Locks
............................... 2-4
Power Outside Mirrors
........................... 2-36
Powerseat
..................................... 1-2
Power Steering .................................. 4-8
Power Steering Fluid
Adding
.................................... 6-22
Checking
................................... 6-20
Power Windows
................................ 2-24
Pregnancy, Use
of Safety Belts .................... 1-24
Pressure, Tire
.................................. 6-31
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
Publications . Service and Owner .................... 8-6
9-8
ProCarManuals.com