
The lever on the passenger's
door sets the temperature
for the front seat passenger.
Press the
DUAL button on the system face so the light on
it is lit. Slide the lever on the door toward
W to raise the
temperature. Slide it toward
C to lower the temperature.
To allow the driver to set
the temperature, push the DUAL
button again. The
panel has several settings to control the direction
of
airflow. The indicator light on the button will glow
when
the button is pressed.
OFF: The setting turns the system (including the
fan) off.
VENT This setting brings in outside air and directs it
through the instrument panel outlets.
HTR: This setting sends most of the air through the
ducts near the
floor. The rest comes out of the defroster
and side window vents.
BLEND: This setting allows half of the air to go to the
floor ducts and half to the defrost and side window vents.
FRONT This setting directs most of the air
through the defroster and side window vents. Some
of
the air goes to the floor ducts. The air conditioning
compressor will run automatically
in this setting unless
the outside temperature is below
40°F (4.5"C).
ProCarManuals.com

MAX: This setting recirculates much of the air inside
your vehicle and sends it through
the instrument panel
outlets. The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically
in this setting unless the outside
temperature is below 40°F (4.5"C).
NORM: This setting brings in outside air and sends
it through the instrument panel outlets. The air
conditioning compressor will run automatically
in this
setting unless the outside temperature is below 40°F
(4.5 " C).
BI-LEV: This setting brings in the outside air and
directs
it two ways. Half of the air is directed through
the instrument panel outlets. Most
of the remaining air is
directed through the floor ducts and
a little to the defrost
and side window vents. The air conditioning compressor
will run automatically in this setting unless the outside
temperature
is below 40°F (4.5"C).
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let
hot, inside air escape. This reduces the time the
compressor has to
run, which should help fuel economy.
For quick cool-down on very hot days, use
MAX with
the temperature lever all the way to COOL.
If this
setting is used for long periods of time,
the air in your
vehicle may become too dry.
For normal cooling on hot days, use
NORM with the
temperature lever all the way to COOL. The system will
bring
in outside air and cool it.
On cool but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use BI-LEV with the temperature knob in the
middle. The system will bring
in outside air and direct it
to your upper body, while sending slightly warmed air to
your lower body. You may notice this temperature
difference more at some times than others.
3-3
ProCarManuals.com

I
~~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~ ~~~~ ~~___~~~ ~
Making mrns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do
this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
nrn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your Buick dealer. The green arrows on your
instrument pariel will flash whenever you signal a turn
or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps
will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ ~
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash for turns even
if the bulbs on
the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much
that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transaxle overheating.
If you are towing a trailer that weighs more than
1,000 lbs. (450 kg), you may prefer to drive in
THIRD
(3) instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (a)
(or, as you need to, a lower gear).
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Overheating
YOU will find a coolant temperature gage and a warning
light about a hot engine on your instrument panel. See
“Engine Coolant Temperature Gage” and “Engine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light” in the Index.
You also have a LOW COOLANT warning light on
your instrument panel. See “Low Coolant Light” in
the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even
if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is
no sign of steam or coolant before
opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You
or others could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out of the vehicle
until the engine is cool.
5-12
ProCarManuals.com

Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher.
At a minimum, it should meet specifications ASTM
D4814
in the United States and CGSB 3.5-M93 in Canada.
Improved gasoline specifications have been developed by
the American Automobile Manufacturers Association
(AAMA) for better vehicle performance and engine
protection. Gasolines meeting the
AAMA specification
could provide improved driveability and emission control
system protection compared to other gasolines.
Be sure
the posted octane is at least 87. If the octane is
less than
87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive. If it’s bad enough,
it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at
87 octane or higher and you
still hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
But don’t worry
if you hear a little pinging noise when
you’re accelerating or driving up a hill. That’s normal,
and you don’t
have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid
of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means
you have a problem. If
your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated
on the underhood tune-up label), it
is designed to operate on fuels that meet California specifications. If such fuels are not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle will
operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specifications, but emission control system pexformance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp on your
instrument panel may turn on and/or your vehicle may
fail
a smog-check test. If this occurs, return to your authorized
Buick dealer for diagnosis to determine the cause of
failure. In the event
it is determined that the cause of the
condition is
the type of fuels used, repairs may not be
covered by your warranty.
In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane enhancing
additive called MMT. If you use such fuels, your
emission control system performance may deteriorate
and the malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument
panel may turn on.
If this happens, return to your
authorized Buick dealer for service.
6-3
ProCarManuals.com

Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close
it firmly.
hgine
If the LOW OIL LEVEL
light on the instrument
panel comes on, it means
you need to check your
engine oil
level right away.
For more information, see
“Low Oil Level Light” in
LOW OIL
LEVEL
the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil after you get
fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be
hot and the vehicle must be on level ground. 3.1L
LS2 (Code
M) Engine
The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop near
the front
of the engine.
6-10
ProCarManuals.com

0 If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine,
treat the area with
a watedbaking soda solution:
1 teaspoon
(5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml)
of lukewarm water.
If needed, clean lightly with solvent-type cleaner.
Combination Stains
Stains caused by candy, ice cream, mayonnaise, chili
sauce and unknown stains can be removed
as follows:
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then clean with
cool water and allow to dry.
If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
0 Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have to do it more than once.
Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if
you don’t get them off quickly. Use
a clean cloth and
a GM Vinyl/Leather Cleaner or equivalent product.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap.
For stubborn stains, use a GM Vinylkeather Cleaner
or equivalent product.
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
Soiled leather should be cleaned immediately. If
dirt is allowed to work into the finish, it can harm
the leather.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and
even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
ProCarManuals.com

Appearance Care Materials Chart
PART NUMBER USAGE DESCRIPTION
SIZE
1050004
Also removes old waxes and polishes Tar and Road Oil
Remover
16 oz. (0.473 L) I 050 172 Shines
vehicle without scratching Chamois
2.75
sq. ft.
~~~
1050173 16 oz. (0.473 Lj Chrome Cleaner and Polish
Removes soil
and black marks
White Sidewall Tire Cleaner 16 oz. (0.473 L) 1050174 Removes
rust
and corrosion
~~~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~ ~ ~
105020 I
Windshield washer solvent and antifreeze
Optikleen
32 oz. (0.946 L) 1051515
For
cloth
Spot Lifter 8 oz. (0.237 L) 105 1398* Cleans
vinyl, cloth,
tires and mats
Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner 6 lbs. (2.72 kg)
1050429 Cleans grease, grime
and smoke film
Glass Cleaner 23
oz. (0.680 L) 1050427 Spot
and stain removal
Vinyl and Leather Cleaner
32 02. (0.946 L)
IO502 14 Exterior
cleaner and
polish Magic Mirror Cleaner Polish 16 OZ. (0.473 Lj
I 1 OS2870 I 16 oz. (0.473 L) I Wash and Wax Concentrate I Exterior wash
10529
18** Protects vinyl, leather and rubber
Armor All TM Protector 8 oz. (0.237 L)
1052929
Cleans
vinyl, leather and rubber
Armor All TM Cleaner 16 oz. (0.473 L) 12345002** Attracts and absorbs soils
Capture Dry Spot Remover
8 oz. (0.237 L) 1052930 Spray
on wheel
cleaner
Wheel Cleaner
16 oz. (0.473 L)
12345725 Shines tires
Silicone Tire Shine
12
oz. (0.354 L)
See your General Motors Parts Department for these products. :j: Not recommended for pigskin suede leather.
See "Fluids and Lubricants''
in the Index. :t::f: Not recommended for use on instrument panel vinyl.
6-50
ProCarManuals.com