1996 BUICK PARK AVENUE maintenance

The 1996 Buick Park Avenue Owner’s Manual
Seats and Restraint Systems ............................................................. 1-1
Features and Controls .................................................................. 2-1
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems ..................................................... 3-1
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains “SRS” system.
This section explains how to start and operate your Buick.
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your
audio system.
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
YourDrivingandtheRoad .............................................................. 4-1
ProblemsontheRoad .................................................................. 5-1
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or
overheated engine, etc.
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Buick’ running properly
and looking good.
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
ServiceandAppearanceCare ............................................................ 6-1
Maintenanceschedule .................................................................. 7-1
Customer Assistance Information ........................................................ 8-1
This section tells you how to contact Buick for assistance and how to get service publications. It also
gives you information
on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 8-7.
Index ........................................................................\
........ 9-1
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want
to read.
i
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I‘ and diagnostic module, which records information
about the air bag system. The module records
information about the readiness
of the system, ‘when
the sensors are activated and driver’s safety belt
usage at deployment.
0 Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag
system. Improper service can mean that yoyr
air bag
syst,em won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the driver’s-or the
right front passenger’s
air bag, they may not
work properly.
You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel’or both the
air
bag module and the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s
air bag. Do not open or
break the
air bag covers.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Buick
Air bags affect how your Buick should be serviced.
There are parts
of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone
is working on your vehicle. Your
Buick dealer and the Park Avenue Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag
system.
To purchase a service manual, see “Service and
Owner Publications’’ in the Index.
For up to
10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with ‘yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualified
to do so.
me air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
1-22
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Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear,
so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have
it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After
a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But
if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even
if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time of the collision.
If your seat adjuster won’t work after
a crash, the special
part of the safety belt that goes through the seat to the
adjuster may need to be replaced.
If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in
this section.
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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;
Shift into a gear; and
e 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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Doing Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own service work, you’ll
want to get the proper Buick Service Manual. It tells you
much more about how to service your Buick than this
manual can.
To order the proper service manual, see
“Service and Owner Publications” in the Index.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, see “Servicing Your Air
Bag-Equipped Buick” in the Index.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date
of any service work you
perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the Index.
You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged
if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, and the proper replacement parts and tools before you attempt any
vehicle maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. “English” and “metric”
fasteners can be easily confused.
If you use
the wrong fasteners, parts can later break
or
fall off. You could be hurt.
6-2
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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 and reservoir are mounted
on the rear (driver’s side)
of the engine block. See
“Maintenance Schedule” in the Index for when you
should check the fluid.
Engine Oil
If the CHECK OIL
LEVEL light on the
instrument panel
comes on, it means
CHECK OIL you need to check
LEVEL your engine oil level
right away.
For more information, see “Check Oil Level Light” in
the Index. You should check your engine oil level
regularly; this is an added reminder.
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2. Remove the air intake hose that snaps over the
throttle body by pulling the hose upward and away from the throttle body. After detaching the hose
from the throttle body, then pull back the entire
rear portion
of the air cleaner by pulling upward
and rearward.
6-18
3. Replace the air filter.
4. Reinstall the rear section of the air cleaner.
5. Reattach the air intake hose.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
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1 Supercharger Oil
Operati--; the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame if the engine
backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with it off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner
off.
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. Unless you
are
technically qualified
and have the proper
tools, you should let
your dealer or a
qualified service
center perform
this
maintenance.
When to Check
Check oil level every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or every
36 months, whichever occurs first.
What Kind of Oil to Use
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants’’ in the Index
and use only the recommended oil.
- 6-19
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