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When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you: NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
“Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the proper oil
can result
in engine damage not covered by your
warranty.
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This
is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving
in stop-and-go traffic).
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil)
meets all the requirements for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Buick dealer is
ready to advise if you think something should be added.
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
Tf any one of these is true for your vehicle, then you
need to change your oil and filter every
3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever comes first.
If none of them is true, change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
comes first.
6-12
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Page 221 of 340

Engine Coolant Heater
An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have
to park outside in very cold weather,
0 OF (- 1 8 O C) or
colder. If your vehicle has this option, see “Engine
Coolant Heater” in
the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t
let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing
or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat
to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from
the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies
of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil. if
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
Air Cleaner
To check or replace the air filter, remove the four screws
and pull off the cover.
6-13
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Page 263 of 340

Capacities and Specifications
Automatic Transaxle
Pan Removal and Replacement ....... 7 quarts (6.7 L)
When drainingheplacing converteq more fluid muy be
needed.
Cooling System Including Reservoir
3. IL (Code M) ................ 11.6 quarts (10.93 L)
3.8L (Code L) ................. 10.7 quarts (10.1 L)
Engine Specifications ..............................
Type ............................................
Displacement .....................................
Compression Ratio .................................
Firing Order ......................................
Thermostat Temperature ............................
ValveArrangement ................................
Refrigerant (R-l34a), Air Conditioning*
Engine Crankcase Oil
and Filter Change .............. 5 quarts (4.7 L)
Fuel Tank ..................... 17.1 gallons (64.7 L)
*See “Air Conditioning Rejrigerunts” later irz this
section.
.............................. 2.0 pounds (0.91 kg)
3.1L (Code M)
V6
191 CID (3.1L)
9.6:
1
1-2-3-4-5-6
195°F (91OC)
In-Head
3.8L (Code L)
V6
231 CID (3.8L)
9.0: I
1-2-3-4-5-6
195°F (91
“C)
In-Head
6-55
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Page 264 of 340

Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Air Cleaner Filter
Battery
AllEngines ............................ A1208C
3.1L (Code
M) ......................... 525 CCA
3.8L (Code L) ......................... 690 CCA
AllEngines ............................... PF47
All Engines
............................ CV892C
All Engines
.............................. RC27
3.1
L (Code M) ....................... mR44LTSM6
Gap: 0.060” ( 1.52 mm)
Gap: 0.060” (1.52 mm)
Engine Oil Filter
PCV Valve
Radiator
Cap
Spark Plugs
3-8L(CodeL) ........................... 41-601
Dimensions
Exterior
Length
2-Door Models ................. 193.6” (4 917 mm)
4-Door Models
................. 194.8” (4 949 mm)
All Models ..................... .72.5” (I 842 mm)
2-Door Models ................. .53.0” (1 347 mm)
&Door Models ................. .54.5“ (1 384 mm)
All Models
..................... 107.5” (2 730 mm)
All Models ..................... .59.5“(1 512 mm)
All Models ..................... .S8.0” (1 472 mm)
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Front Tread
Rear Tread
6-56
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Page 272 of 340

Maintenance Schedule
I Schedule I Definition I
Follow Maintenance Schedule I if any one of these is
true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to IO miles (8 to 16 kin).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving
in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a can-ier on top of
your vehicle.
Schedule
1 should also be followed if the vehicle is used
for delivery service, police, taxi, or other commercial
application.
Schedule I Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 knl) or 3 Months,
Whichever Occurs First
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) or
6 months,
Whichever Occurs First
Chassis Lubrication
At 6,000 Miles ( 10 000 km) - Then Every
12,000 Miles
(25 000 km)
Tire Rotation
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
Air Cleaner Filter Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 kin)
Air Cleaner Filter Replacement
Spark Plug Replacement
Spark Plug Wire Inspection
Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection
Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection
(or every
24 months, whichever occurs first)
Cooling System Service
(or every 24 months,
whichever occurs first)
Automatic T~-ansaxle Service (severe conditions only)
Engine
Oil and Filter Change
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
7-4
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Page 273 of 340
Maintenance Schedule
Follow Schedule I1 od~? if none of the conditions from
Schedule
I is true.
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
Engine Oil and Filter Change (or every 12 nmnths,
whichever occurs first)
Chassis Lubrication
(or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first)
At 7,500 Miles (12 500 km) - Then Every
15,000 Miles
(25 000 km)
Tire Rotation
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection (or every
24 months, whichever occurs first)
Cooling System Service (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs first)
Spark Plug Replacement
Spark
Plug Wire Inspection
Air Cleaner Filter Replacement
Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
Automatic Transaxle Service (severe conditions only)
7-5
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Page 274 of 340
Maintenance Schedule I
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(1 66 000 km) at the same intervals.
Footnotes
I* The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not
nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of vehicle useful Me. We, however, urge that
all recommended maintenance services be performed at
the indicated intervals and
the maintenance be recorded.
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Etnissiorz Cmttrol Service.
DATE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
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Page 275 of 340
I Maintenance Schedule I I
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate the shift linkage, parking brake
cable guides, underbody contact points and
linkage (or every
6 months, whichever
occurs first).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation”
in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
DATE SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or e JerT
3 months, whichever occurs first).
I DATE I ACTUALMILEAGE I SERVICED BY: I
- 7-7
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