
Windshield Wipers You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain
or
snow. Turn the band to choose the delay time. The
. .I . . . /, ., . closer to LO, the shorter the delay between wipes. ,. .
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
marked
WIPER.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one cycle. If you want more cycles, hold the
band on MIST longer. For
steady wiping at low speed, turn the band away
from you to the
LO position. For high-speed wiping,
turn the band further, to HI. To stop the wipers, move
the band to OFF.
Remember that damaged wiper blades may prevent you
from seeing well enough to drive safely.
To avoid
damage, be sure to clear ice and snow from the
wiper blades before using them. If they’re frozen
to the windshield, carefully loosen or thaw them.
If your blades become damaged, get new blades
or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor.
A
circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools. Clear
away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
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Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet
road, you can’t stop, accelerate or turn as well because your
tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on dry roads.
And, if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get
even less traction. It’s always wise to go slower and be
cautious if rain starts to fall while you are driving. The
surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes
are
tuned for driving on dry pavement.
The heavier the rain, the harder
it is to see. Even if your
windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy rain
can make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals,
pavement markings, the edge of the road and even
people walking.
It’s wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment
in good shape and keep your windshield washer tank
filled with washer fluid. Replace your windshield wiper
inserts when they show signs of streaking or missing
areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to
separate from the inserts.
4-18
ProCarManuals.com

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
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Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways.
To replace the wiper blade assembly:
1.
2.
3.
Position the wipers on the windshield in the “mid”
wipe position.
Lift the windshield wiper
arm away from the
windshield. Note: The windshield wiper does not
have a locking upright position feature.
Push the tab on the wiper blade assembly and pull
the assembly down enough to release it from the
“U”
hooked end of the wiper arm. Slide the assembly
away
from the arm. 4. Replace the blade.
5. To reinstall the wiper blade assembly, slide it over
the wiper
arm to engage the “U” hooked end on the
wiper blade assembly. Pull up on the assembly to
lock it into place.
ProCarManuals.com

Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
I
Do not bleacn or dye safety belts. If you do, it
may severely weaken them. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with mild soap and
lukewarm water.
Glass
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM
Part
No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner
will remove normal tobacco smoke and dust films on
interior glass.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass, because they may
cause scratches. Avoid placing decals on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be scraped off later. If
abrasive cleaners are used on the inside
of the rear
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached across the
defogger grid.
Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running, wax,
sap or other material may be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with GM
Windshield Cleaner, Bon Ami@ Powder (non-scratching
glass cleaning powder), GM Part
No. 105001 1. The
windshield is clean if beads do not form when you rinse
it with water.
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by wiping vigorously with
a cloth soaked in full-strength windshield
washer solvent. Then rinse the blade with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth at least every six
months. During very cold, damp weather more frequent
application may be required. (See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants’’ in the Index.)
ProCarManuals.com

Vehicle Dimensions
Overall
Length ................. 206.8 inches (525.3 cm)
Width
................... 74.7 inches ( 189.7 cm)
Height
................... 58.1 inches (147.6 cm)
Wheelbase
.............. 113.8 inches (289.1 cm)
Front Tread
............... 62.7 inches (159.3 cm)
Rear Tread
............... 62.3 inches ( 15 8.2 cm)
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Air Cleaner Element .......... AC Type A- 1096C
Engine Oil Filter
................ AC Type PF-47
Fuel Filter
.................... AC Type GF-627
Spark Plugs
................... AC Type 41-921
Gap: 0.060 inch
(. 152 cm)
Windshield Wiper Blades
Type
............................ Hook Style
Length
..................... 22 inches (56 cm)
Engine Accessory Belt (L36)
The 3800 (L36) engine uses an engine accessory belt.
This diagram shows the features connected by the belt
routing. See “Maintenance Schedule” in the Index for
when to check the belt.
A
C
A. Power Steering
B. Generator
C. Air Conditioning
D. Crank
E. Coolant Pump
F. Tensioner
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ProCarManuals.com

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
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. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace blade
inserts that appear worn or damaged or that streak or
miss areas of the windshield. Also see “Wiper Blades,
Cleaning” in the Index.
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle fluid level; add if needed. See
“Automatic Transaxle” in the Index. A fluid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in
Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges. Also lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the hood, glove box
door and console door.
Part D tells you what to use.
More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
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ProCarManuals.com

Leather ..................................... 6-59
Outside of Your Buick
......................... 6-61
Speakercovers
.............................. 6-59
Special Problems
............................. 6-58
Stains
...................................... 6-58
Tires
....................................... 6-63
Vinyl
....................................... 6-59
Wheels
..................................... 6-62
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-60
Climate Control. Passenger
........................ 3-9
Climate Control. Steering Wheel Touch Control
........ 3-9
Climate Control System
........................... 3-2
Clock. Setting the
............................... 3- 10
Coinholder
.................................... 2-59
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-2
Personal Choice
............................... 3-2
Steering Wheel Touch Control
.................... 3-9
Compact Disc Care
............................. 3-35
Compact Disc Player
....................... 3-18. 3-21
Compact Disc Player Errors
............. 3.20.3-25. 3-28
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-32
Compass. Rearview Mirror with
................... 2-51
Content Theft-Deterrent System
................... 2- 16
Control of a Vehicle
.............................. 4-6
ConvenienceNet
............................... 2-61
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-55
Heater. Engine
............................... 2-22
RecoveryTarik
.......................... 5.15. 5.16
Cooling System
................................ 5-14
Coolant
....................................... 6-24 Cornering
Lamps
............................... 2-45
Courtesy Lamps
................................. 2-46
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-6
Cruise Control
................................. 2-39
Cupholders
............................... 2.59. 2.60
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users
......... 8-4
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8-1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
.................... 8-2
Damage. Finish
............................... 6-63
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-63
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-45
Dead Battery
................................... 5-3
Defects. Reporting Safety
..................... 8-8. 8-9
Defensive Driving
............................... 4-2
Defogger. Rear Window
.......................... 3-8
Defogging ..................................... 3-8
Defrosting ..................................... 3-8
Delayed Locking
.......................... 2.11. 2.90
Dimensions. Vehcle
............................ 6-78
Dolby@ B Noise Reduction
.................. 3.13. 3.17
Door
Ajar Reminder ........................... 2.5. 2.88
Central Unlocking System
....................... 2-5
Driver Information Center
........................ 2-84
Controls and Displays
......................... 2-85
Personal Choice Programming ................... 2-88
Warnings and Messages
........................ 2-88
DIC
.......................................... 2-84
Locks
....................................... 2-4
9-3
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