
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper
lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do not,
under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to
the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
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?
4-23
ProCarManuals.com

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
3 \
c
.
If you have the Driver Information Center, an ENGINE
OIL LOW-CHECK LEVEL message will appear when
the engine oil is approximately
1 quart (IL) low. If the
message is displayed, check the dipstick level and add
oil as needed.
6-12
ProCarManuals.com

Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at 150,000 miles (240
000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after 150,000 miles (240
000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
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 the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
# Lubricate the suspension, steering linkage, transaxle
shift linkage, parking brake cable guides and the
underbody contact points and linkage.
* If your vehicle has an Engine Oil Life Monitor, the
monitor will show you when to change the oil
-- usually
between
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and 7,500 miles
(12
500 km) since your last oil change. Under severe
conditions, the indicator may come on before
3,000 miles (5 000 km). Never drive your vehicle more
than
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months, (whichever
occurs first), without an oil change.
The system won’t detect dust in the oil.
So if you
drive in a dusty area be sure to change your oil every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE OIL
light comes on. Remember to reset the Oil Life Monitor
when the oil has been changed. For more information,
see “Engine Oil Life Monitor” in the Index.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspection” in Part C of this schedule.
ProCarManuals.com

Long Tripmighway ,Maintenance Schedule I
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after 150,000 miles
(240 000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
? 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 the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
# Lubricate the suspension, steering linkage, transaxle
shift linkage, parking brake cable guides and the
underbody contact points and linkage.
* If your vehicle has an Engine Oil Life Monitor, the
monitor will show you when to change the oil
-- usually
between
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and 7,500 miles
(12 500 km) since your last oil change. Under severe
conditions, the indicator may come on before
3,000 miles (5 000 km). Never drive your vehicle more
than
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months without an
oil change.
The system won’t detect dust in the oil.
So if you
drive in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE OIL
light comes on. Remember to reset the Oil Life Monitor
when the oil has been changed. For more information,
see “Engine Oil Life Monitor” in the Index.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” in Part
C of this schedule.
7-28
ProCarManuals.com

I I
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-7
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-7
Brake Belt. Engine Accessory
..................... 6-78. 6-79
Blizzard. Driving In
............................. 4-28
Adjustment
.................................. 6-33
Fluid
....................................... 6-30
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-30
Parking
..................................... 2-27
PedalTravel
.................................. 6-33
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-33
System Warning Light
......................... 2-75
Trailer
...................................... 4-36
Transaxle Shift Interlock
....................... 2-30
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-41
Wear
....................................... 6-32
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-7
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking
in Emergencies .......................... 4- 10
Break-In. New Vehicle
.......................... 2- 19
BTSI
......................................... 2-30
BTSICheck
................................... 7-41
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-34
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-5
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-76
Carbon Monoxide
.......... 2-15.2-31.2-32.4-29. 4-35
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-39
Cassette Tape Player
....................... 3- 10. 3- 14
Cassette Tape Player Care ........................ 3-34 Cassette
Tape Player Errors
.................. 3.12. 3.16
CDChanger. TrunkMounted
...................... 3-27
Cellular Phone Readiness Package
................. 2-63
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-26
Central Door Unlocking System
.................... 2-5
Certification Label .............................. 4-31
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-36
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-56
Change Engine Oil Soon
......................... 6-16
Changing a Flat Tire
............................. 5-22
Check Tire Pressure System
....................... 6-49
Checking
Your Restraint Systems .................. 1-47
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-64
Child Restraints
................................ 1-35
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position
........... 1-37
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position
.......... 1-39
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position
.......... 1-41
TopStrap
................................... 1-36
Wheretoput
................................ 1-35
Chrome Wheels. Cleaning
........................ 6-62
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-62
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-68
Cleaner, Air
................................... 6-17
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome Wheels
................... 6-62
Exterior LampsLenses
........................ 6-61
Fabric
................................. 6-57. 6-58
Glass
....................................... 6-60
Inside
of Your Buick .......................... 6-57
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-59
9-2
ProCarManuals.com

DriverPosition ................................. 1-13
Driving City
........................................ 4-21
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-22
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-28
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
In the Rain
.................................. 4- 18
Night
...................................... 4-16
On Curves
.................................. 4-11
On Grades While Towing a Trailer
............... 4-38
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-24
OnSnowandIce
............................. 4-27
Throughwater
............................... 4-20
WetRoads
.................................. 4-18
Winter
...................................... 4-26
With a Trailer
................................ 4-36
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-2
Dual Automatic ComforTemp Climate Control
......... 3-2
Electrical Equipment, Adding
.......... 2-22,3-33, 6-67
Electrical System
............................... 6-67
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-50
With Compass ............................... 2-51
Electronic Level Control
......................... 4-32
Engine
....................................... 6-11
Accessory Belt
.......................... 6-78, 6-79
Coolant
..................................... 6-24
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-22 Coolant
Level Check
.......................... 7-39
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-77
Exhaust
................. 2.15.2.31.2.32. 4 .29. 4.35
Identification
................................ 6-66
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-39
OilLifeIndex
................................ 2-87
Overheating
................................. 5-12
Specifications
................................ 6-65
Starting
..................................... 2-21
Supercharged
................................ 6-12
Engineoil
.................................... 6-12
Adding
..................................... 6-14
Additives
................................... 6-16
Checking
................................... 6-13
Pressure Light
............................... 2-80
Used
....................................... 6-17
Whentochange
.............................. 6-16
Entry Lighting, Delayed
.......................... 2-46
Exhaust, Engine
................. 2-15,2-31,2-32, 4-35
Exit Lighting, Delayed
........................... 2-47
Express-Down Window
.......................... 2-33
Express-Open Astroroof
......................... 2-64
Fabric Cleaning
.......................... 6-57, 6-58
Fan Control, Climate Control System
................ 3-3
Filling Your Tank
................................ 6-6
Filter, Air
..................................... 6-17
Filter, Engine Oil
............................... 6-16
Filter, Passenger Compartment Air
.................. 3-7
Running
While Parked
......................... 2-32
9-4
ProCarManuals.com

Lights Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1.21. 2.74
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.76. 4.7
Battery Warning
.............................. 2-74
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-75
Engine Oil Pressure Light
...................... 2-80
Interior
..................................... 2-46
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1.9, 2.73
ServiceEngine Soon
.......................... 2-78
Service Vehicle Soon
.......................... 2-81
Traction Control System Warning
............ 2.76. 4.9
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-30
Locks Cylinders
................................... 7-40
Door
........................................ 2-4
FuelDoor
.................................... 6- 7
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................. 7-42
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-40
Lockout Protection
............................. 2-8
Memory Door
............................ 2.5. 2.90
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
Rear Door Security
............................. 2-7
Trunk Release ................................ 2- 14
Window
.................................... 2-33
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-44
Lubrication Service. Body
........................ 7-40
Lumbar Controls
................................ 1-2
Magnasteer
................................ 4. 10
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts
............ 6-78 Maintenance
Kecord
............................ 7-46
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Long Tripmighway Definition
................... 7-6
Long Tripmighway Intervals
..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-39
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-43
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-44
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-5
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-64
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-38
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-78
Maxifuse@/Relay Center
......................... 6-67
Memory Door Locks
........................ 2-5. 2-90
Memory Seat and Mirrors
......................... 1-3
Memory Seat Recall
............................. 2-92
Methanol
...................................... 6-5
Mirrors Convex Outside
.............................. 2-55
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview
.............. 2-50
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview with Compass
. . 2-51
Heated Outside
............................... 2-55
Illuminated Visor Vanity
....................... 2-62
Inside Manual Daymight Rearview
.............. 2-50
Memory
..................................... 1-3
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-54
MMT ......................................... 6-4
MountainRoads
................................ 4-24
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-34
9-7
ProCarManuals.com

Net. Convenience .............................. 2-61
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-25
New Vehicle Break-In
........................... 2-19
Nightvision
................................... 4-17
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
............. 6-78
Odometer
.................................... 2-72
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-72
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 13
Oil. Engine .................................... 6-12
OilLifeIndex
.................................. 2-87
Oil Pressure Light
.............................. 2-80
Oil. Supercharger
............................... 6-20
Opener. Garage Door ....................... 2-56. 2-64
Outside Mirrors
................................ 2-54
Overdrive. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-25
Overheating Engine
............................. 5 - 12
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-39
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8- 10
Paint Spotting. Chemical
........................ 6-64
ParadeDimming
............................... 2-49
Park
Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-24
Shifting Into
................................. 2-28
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-30
AtNight
.................... ....... 2-15
Brake
................... ......... 2-27
Parking Brake
Mechanism Check
....................... 7-42
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-31
With a Trailer
................................ 4-38
Passenger Climate Control
......................... 3-9
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
................... 3-7
PASS-Key I11 2-17
Perimeter Lighting
......................... 2.47. 2.92
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-43
Personal Choice Comfort Controls
.............................. 3-2
DICDisplay
................................. 2-85
Radio Controls
............................... 3-10
Personal Choice Features
......................... 2-10
Delayed Loclung
........................ 2.11. 2.90
Memory Door Locks
...................... 2.5. 2.90
Perimeter Lighting
....................... 2.47. 2.92
Programming. DIC
............................ 2-88
Security Feedback
....................... 2- 11. 2.91
DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Remote Control Mirror
........................ 2-54
Seat
......................................... 1-2
Seatback Recliner
.............................. 1-5
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-28
Windows
................................... 2-33
Power. Retained Accessory
........ ............ 2-21
Lots
....................................... 2-16
Passing
...................................... 4-13 6 ................................
Power Steering
.................................... 4-10
9-8
ProCarManuals.com