1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE Owners Manual

Starter Switch Check
A CAUTION:
Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
2. Fdy apply both the parking brake (see “Parking
around
the vehicle.
Brake” in the Index
if necessary) and the
regular brake.
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
should work only in PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N). If
the starter works in any other position, your vehicle
needs service.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
r
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
It should be parked on a
level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake”
in the Index if necessary).
NOTE: Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN
position, but don’t start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of
PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle’s BTSI
needs service.
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1 !
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
The key should turn to LOCK only when the shift
lever is
in PARK (P).
The key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P)
Mechanism Check
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there
is room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake
at once should the vehicle begin to move. Park on a fairly
steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transaxle in NEUTRAL (N),
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK
(P). Then
release all brakes.
Underbody Flushing Service At least every spring, use plain water to
flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
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Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each
spring and fall). You should let your
GM dealer’s
service department or other qualified service center do
these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures
to perform these services may be
found in a
GM service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear
or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals
if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body near
the exhaust system.
Look for broken, damaged, missing or out-of-position parts
as well
as open seams, holes, loose
connections or other conditions which could cause a heat
build-up
in the floor pan or could let exhaust fumes into
the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust”
in the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damage or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any cables that have high effort or
excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check parking brake adjustment. You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often
if your driving habits
or conditions result in frequent braking.
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Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from your
GM dealer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
-
Engine Coolant
Hydraulic Brake System
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FLUIDLUBRICANT
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol of the proper viscosity.
To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
50/50 mixture
of clean water
(preferably distilled) and use only
GM Goodwrench@ DEX-COOL@
or Havoline@ DEX-COOL@
coolant. See “Engine Coolant’’ in
the Index.
Delco Supreme
11@ Brake Fluid
(GM Part
No. 12377967 or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid).
USAGE
Parking Brake
Cable Guides
FLUID/LUBRICANT
Chassis lubricant (GM Part
No. 12377985 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of
NLGI # 2, Category LB or
GC-LB.
Power Steering
System
Automatic
Transaxle
Key Lock
Cylinders
Supercharger GM
Power Steering Fluid (GM
Part
No. 1052884 - 1 pint,
1050017
- 1 quart, or equivalent).
DEXRON@-111 Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Purgse lubricant,
Superlube (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
~
Supercharger Oil (GM Part
No. 12345982). See “Supercharger
Oil’’ in the Index.
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I USAGE
Chassis
Lubrication
Windshield
Washer Solvent
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Pivots, Spring
Anchor and
Release Pawl
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Chassis lubricant (GM Part
No. 12377985 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI
# 2, Category LB
or GC-LB.
GM Optikleen@ Washer Solvent
(GM Part
No. 1051515) or
equivalent.
Lubriplate lubricant aerosol (GM
Part
No. 12346293 or equivalent)
or lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI
# 2, Category LB
or GC-LB.
USAGE
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Hood and Door
Superlube
% (GM Part
Hinges Multi-pu
ose lubricant,
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
Weatherstrip Part
No. 12345579 or equivalent).
Conditioning Dielectric
Silicone Grease (GM
See “Replacement Parts”
in the Index for recommended
replacement filters and spark plugs.
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Part E: Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the
date, odometer reading and who performed the service in the boxes provided after the maintenance interval.
Any additional information from “Owner Checks and Services” or “Periodic Maintenance”
can be added on
the following record pages. Also,
you should retain all
maintenance receipts. Your owner information portfolio
is a convenient place to store them.
Maintenance Record
ODOMETER
DATE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
SERVICED
BY READING
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Maintenance Record ~~ ~ ~~ ~
ODOMETER
DATE READING SERVICED
BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
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Maintenance Record
ODOMETER SERVICED
BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
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