Page 12 of 388
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BURNS AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
These symbols
have to do with
your lights:
SIGNALS e e
TURN
WARNING
A
HAZARD
FLASHER
RUNNING
0
DAYTIME -
LAMPS '**
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols
are on
some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING FAN
These symbols are used
on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT
TEMP
-
CHARGING I-1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(0)
ENGINE OIL e,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(@)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols you may see:
FUSE
I
LIGHTER I
HORN h=r
SPEAKER
b
FUEL n3
X
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Oil Pressure Light/Gage
FZ
OIL
If your car has the optional gage cluster, the oil pressure
gage shows the engine oil pressure in pounds per square
inch (psi). Canadian vehicles indicate pressure in
kilopascals (Pa). There
are three ways the oil pressure light can come on
briefly, which are normal and don’t
show a problem.
They are:
0 The light comes on when you turn your key to RUN.
It goes off once you turn the key to START. That’s
just a check to be sure the light works. If it doesn’t,
be sure to have it fixed
so it will be there to warn you
if something goes wrong.
If you’re “idling” at a stop sign, the light may blink
on and then off.
If you make a hard stop, the light may come on
for a moment.
When this light
comes on and stays on, it means oil isn’t
going through your engine properly.
You could be low
on oil, or you might have some other oil problem. See
your dealer for service.
2-78
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Page 135 of 388

Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches fire.
You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and
is not covered by
your warranty.
Check Oil Level Light (Option)
CHECK
OIL LEVEL
The CHECK OIL LEVEL
light comes on for three
seconds as a bulb check
each time the ignition key is
turned to the
RUN position.
If the light doesn’t come on,
have your vehicle serviced.
If the engine oil is more than one quart low, the light
will come on briefly, then go off for
15-25 seconds, and
then come back on for
20-40 seconds.
However, the system will not register low engine oil if it
has not been more than eight minutes since the engine
was last shut off.
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL light comes back on, the
engine oil should be checked at the dipstick then
brought up to the proper level if necessary. See “Engine
Oil” in the Index.
2-79
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Page 195 of 388

The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh
-- such as after a day’s
work
-- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive
in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go.
If it needs
service, have
it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts in
Buick dealerships all across
North America. They’ll be
ready and willing
to help if you need it. Here
are some things
you can check before a trip:
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
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Page 226 of 388
When you decideit’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what
you’ll see:
An electric fan under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing and tools aw~ay from
any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don’t
do anything else until it cools down.
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Electric Engine Fans
5-14
.I .
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wv DCIIC~ II [~uut: n) u~gmc (L36)
When you open the hood on the 3800 (L36) engine, here’s what you will see:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B. Battery
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
D. Engine Oil Dipstick E.
Oil
Fill Cap
E Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Dipstick
G. Brake Master Cylinder
.. ,.
H. Air Cleaner
I. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir
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Page 259 of 388
3800 Supercharged (L67) Engine (Option)
When you open the hood on the 3800 Supercharged engine, here's what you will see:
... . .
A. Supercharged Engine Coolant
B. Battery
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
Surge
Tank D. Supercharged
Engine Oil
E. Supercharged Oil Fill Cap
F. Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Dipstick
Dipstick
-.
G. Brake
Master Cylinder
H. Air Cleaner
I. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir
6-11
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Page 260 of 388

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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