
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system
does not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary
use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate
of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a half
( 1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction -- A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B,
and C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking (straight ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
6-44
ProCarManuals.com

Cleaning ...................................... 6-48
Aluminum Wheels
............................ 6-53
Built-in Child Restraint
........................ 6-5 1
Built-in Child Restraint Harness
................. 6-5 1
Glass
....................................... 6-51
Inside of
Your Buick .......................... 6-48
Fabric
...................................... 6-48
Instrumentpanel
............................. 6-50
Leather
..................................... 6-50
Outside of Your Buick
......................... 6-52
Special Problems
............................. 6-49
Stains
...................................... 6-48
Vinyl
....................................... 6-50
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-52
Clock, Setting the
............................... 3-12
Comfort Controls
............................ 3-1, 3-2
Compact Disc Care
............................. 3-36
Compact Disc Player
....................... 3-24, 3-30
Compact Disc Player
Errors .................. 3-24, 3-30
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-37
Console Storage
................................ 2-49
Control, Loss of
................................ 4-16
Control of a Vehicle
.............................. 4-6
Convenience Net
............................... 2-50
Convex Outside
Mirror .......................... 2-48
Coolant
....................................... 6-22
Bleedvalves
................................. 5-22
RecoveryTank
............................... 5-19
Tires
....................................... 6-54
Wheels
..................................... 6-53 Coolant Heater. Engine
.......................... 2-21
Cooling System
................................ 5-17
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-6
Cruise Control
................................. 2-38
Cupholders
............................... 2-49, 2-50
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users
......... 8-4
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8-1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
.................... 8-2
CourtesyLamps
................................ 2-44
CruiseLight
................................... 2-74
Damage. Finish
............................... 6-54
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-54
Daytime Running
Lamps ......................... 2-42
DeadBattery
................................... 5-3
Defects, Reporting Safety
......................... 8-8
Defensive Driving
............................... 4-2
Defogger, Rear Window
......................... 3-11
Defogging ............................ 3-4,3-6, 3-10
Defrosting
............................ 3-4,3-6, 3-10
Delayed Entry Lighting
.......................... 2-45
Delayed
Exit Lighting ........................... 2-45
Dimensions, Vehicle
............................ 6-64
Dolby@ B Noise Reduction
............. 3-18,3-21, 3-29
Dome Lamp Bulb Replacement
.................... 6-37
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning Light
................... 2-75
Driver Information Center
........................ 2-77
Driver Position
................................. 1-11
DoorLocks
..................................... 2-4
9-3
ProCarManuals.com

Driving
........................................ City 4-22
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway
.................................... 4-23
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-29
IntheRain
.................................. 4-19
OnCurves
.................................. 4-12
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
Night
...................................... 4-17
On Grades While Towing a Trailer
............... 4-39
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-25
On Snow or Ice
.............................. 4-28
Through Deep Standing Water
................... 4-21
With a Trailer
................................ 4-37
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-3
Dual Automatic ComforTemp Climate Control
......... 3-7
Dual ComforTemp Climate Control
.................. 3-4
WetRoads
.................................. 4-19
Winter
...................................... 4-27 Identification
................................ 6-57
Oil Level Check .............................. 7-39
Overheating
................................. 5-15
Running
While Parked ......................... 2-32
Specifications
................................ 6-64
Engine Oil
.................................... 6-11
Additives ................................... 6-15
Supercharger
................................ 6-18
Used
....................................... 6-15
What Kind to Use ............................. 6-13
When to Change
.............................. 6-15
Enhanced Traction System ........................ 4-11
Enhanced Traction System-Active Light
............. 2-64
Enhanced Traction System
Warning Light ........... 2-63
Exhaust, Engine
................................ 2-32
Exterior Lamps ................................. 2-41
StartingYow
................................ 2-20
Adding
..................................... 6-12
Checking
................................... 6-12
Ethan01
........................................ 6.- 4
Electrical Equipment. Adding ..... 2.21.2.53.3.35. 6.58
Electrical System
............................... 6-58
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-47
Engine
.............................. 6.9.6.10. 6.11
Coolant
..................................... 6-22
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-21
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-39
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-68
Coolant Temperature Light
..................... 2-68
Exhaust
..................................... 2-32 Fabric
Cleaning
............................... 6-48
Features and Controls
............................ 2-1
Filling Your Tank
................................ 6-5
Filter, Engine Oil
............................... 6-15
Filter, Passenger Compartment Air
................. 6-17
Finish Damage
................................. 6-54
First Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-26
Flashers, Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-16
Finishcare
.................................... 6-53
9-4
ProCarManuals.com

Instrument Panel ............................... 2-55
Cleaning
.................................... 6-50
Cluster
................................ 2-56. 2-57
Fuse Block
.................................. 6-59
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
................ 2-44
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-44
Jack. Tire
...... 5.25.5.27.5.28.5.29.5.30.5.31. 5.33
Jump Starting
................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-40
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2- 16
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels Certification
................................. 4-32
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-57
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-3 1
Vehicle Identification Number ................... 6-57
Lamps
........................................ 2-41
Courtesy
.................................... 2-44
Dome
...................................... 2-46
Fog ........................................ 2-44
Exterior
.................................... 2-4 1
Interior ..................................... 2-44
Reading, Rearview Mirror
...................... 2-46
Leaving Your Vehicle
with the Engine Running ....... 2-30
Cornering
................................... 2-44
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-9 Lighter
....................................... 2-51
Lights Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1.20. 2.60
Anti-Lock Brake System Active
............. 2.63. 4.9
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-61
ChangeOilSoon
............................. 2-73
Charging System
............................. 2-60
DoorRrunk
Ajar Warning ...................... 2-75
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.62. 4.7
Cruise
...................................... 2-74
Engine Coolant Temperature Light
............... 2-68
Enhanced Traction System Active
................ 2-64
Enhanced Traction System Warning
.............. 2-63
Interior
..................................... 2-44
Low Coolant Warning
.................... 2-69. 6-24
LowFuel
................................... 2-76
Low Oil Level
.......................... 2.72. 6-11
Low Traction
................................ 2-66
Low Washer Fluid Warning
................ 2.38. 2-75
Oil Warning
................................. 2-71
Performance Shift
....................... 2-27. 2-74
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-6. 2-59
Security
.................................... 2-74
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-69
Service Vehicle Soon
.......................... 2-75
Tire Pressure Monitor
......................... 2-67
Traction Control System Active
.................. 2-66
Traction Control System Warning
................ 2-65
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-31
9-6
ProCarManuals.com

Locks Automatic Power Door
......................... 2-7
Cylinders
................................... 7-40
DelayedLocking
.............................. 2-8
Ignition Transaxle Check
....................... 7-42
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-40
Lockout Prevention Feature
...................... 2-5
ManualDoor
................................. 2-4
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
Rear Door Security
............................. 2-6
Trunk
...................................... 2-15
Window
.................................... 2-34
Loss
of Control ................................ 4- 16
Low Coolant Warning Light
................. 2.69. 6.24
LowFuelLight
................................ 2-76
Low Oil Level Light
....................... 2.72. 6. 11
Low Traction Light ............................. 2-66
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
............. 2.38. 2-75
Low-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-36
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-44
Lubrication Service. Body
........................ 7-40
Door
........................................ 2-4
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts
........... 6-65
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-46
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
How it’s Organized
............................ 7-3
Introduction
.................................. 7-2
Long Trip/Highway
........................... 7-28 Long
Trip/Highway Definition
................... 7-6
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-39
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-43
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short Trip/City
................................ 7-7
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-5
Your Vehicle and the Environment
................ 7-2
Maintenance Schedule. Recommended Fluids
andLubricants
.............................. 7-44
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-55
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-69
Manual DoorLocks
................................... 2-4
Frontseat
.................................... 1-2
Manual Single Zone Climate Control
................ 3-2
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-47
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-48
Electrochromic Day/Night
...................... 2-47
Heated Foldaway Outside
...................... 2-48
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-47
Power Outside
............................... 2-48
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-52
Mountain Roads
................................ 4-25
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-35
MMT
......................................... 6-4
ProCarManuals.com

Net. Convenience .............................. 2-50
New Vehicle "Break-In"
......................... 2- 18
Nightvision ................................... 4-18
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-24
odometer
.................................... 2-58
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-58
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 14
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-11
Oil Warning Light
.............................. 2-7 1
Overdrive (0). Automatic ................... 2-25. 2-26
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-39
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8- 10
Overheating Engine
............................. 5-
15
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-55
Park
Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-23
Shifting Into
................................. 2-29
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-3 1
Parking
AtNight
.................................... 2-16
Brake
...................................... 2-28
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-42
Lots
....................................... 2-16
Over Things That Burn ........................ 2-3 1
With a Trailer ................................ 4-39
Passing
....................................... 4-15
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter .................. 6- 17
PASS-Key 11 2-17
Pass-through Trunk Cushion Cupholders
............ 2-50
8 .................................
Pass-through Trunk ............................. 2-50
Performance Shift Light
..................... 2-27. 2-74
Performance Shifting
............................ 2-27
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-43
Auxiliary Connection
.......................... 2-53
DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Option Fuses
...... ......................... 6-58
Outside Mirrors
.............................. 2-48
Retained Accessory
........................... 2-46
Seat (Six-Way)
................................ 1-3
Steering
.................................... 4-12
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-26
Windows
................................... 2-33
Pregnancy. Use
of Safety Belts .................... 1-18
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner ................... 8-10
Publications. Service and Owner. Ordering in Canada
... 8-9
Power
Radiator. Adding Coolant
....................... 5-21
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... 6-25
Radio Reception
................................ 3-34
Rain. Driving
In ................................ 4-19
Rainy Weather Tips
............................. 4-21
Reading Lamps. Rearview Mirror
.................. 2-46
Radios
....................................... 3-13
9-8
ProCarManuals.com

Safety Belts. Care ............................... 6-5 1
Safety Defects, Reporting
......................... 8-8 ...
SafetyChains .................................. 4-37
Safety Warnings and Symbols ...................... vlll
Seatback
Seats Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................... 7-4
RecliningFront ............................... 1-4
Heated ....,..............................,.. l-3
Power ....................................... l-3
Seatcontrols ...............,................. l-2
Securing a Child Restraint . . 1-49, 1-50, 1-51, 1-53, 1-54
Manual Front ................................. 1-2
Restraint Systems .............................. 1-1
Six-Way Power ............................... 1-3
Two-way Manual ............................. 1-2
Second Gear, Automatic Transaxle ................. 2-26
SecurityLight .................................. 2-74
Bulletins, Ordering ............................ 8-10
Engine Soon Light ............................ 2-69
Manuals, Ordering ............................ 8-10
Parts Identification Label ....................... 6-57
Work, Doing Your Own ......................... 6-2
Service and Appearance Care ...................... 6-1
Service Vehicle Soon Light ....................... 2-75
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Buick ............ 1-24
Sheet Metal Damage ............................ 6-54
SecuritySystem ................................ 2-17
Service ........................................ 6-2
Publications, Ordering ......................... 8-10
'I
9-10
ProCarManuals.com

Storage. Vehicle ................................ 6-32
Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow
.................. 5-38
Sun Visors
.................................... 2-52
Sunroof
....................................... 2-54
Symbols. Vehicle
.................................. x
Synchronization. Remote Keyless Entry ............. 2- 14
Tachometer .................................. 2-58
Tail/Stop/Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement
....... 6-35
TapePlayerCare
............................... 3-35
Temperature Control
............. 3-2. 3.4. 3.5. 3.7. 3.8.
Theft
......................................... 2-16
Theft-Deterrent Feature
.......................... 3-3 1
Theft-Deterrent System .......................... 2- 17
Thermostat
.................................... 6-25
Third Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-25
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-34
Time. Setting the
............................... 3- 12
Tire Pressure Monitor Light
....................... 2-67
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-3 1
Tires ......................................... 6-39
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-45
BuyingNew
................................. 6-43
Chains
..................................... 6-46
Changing
a Flat .............................. 5-25
Cleaning .................................... 6-54
Compact Spare
............................... 5-37
Inflation
.................................... 6-40
THEFTLOCK" ................................. 3-31 Inflation Check
............................... 7-39
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-41
Loading
.................................... 4-31
Pressure
.................................... 6-40
Storing the Flat
............................... 5-35
Storing the Spare
............................. 5-36
Temperature
................................. 6-45
Traction
.................................... 6-44
Treadwear
................................... 6-44
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-44
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-42
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-45
When It's Time for New
....................... 6-42
TopStrap
..................................... 1-50
TorqueLock
................................... 2-30
Torque. Wheel
Nut ......................... 5.34. 6.42
Towing
a Trailer ................................ 4-33
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-9
Traction Control System (3800 Supercharged Engine)
... 4-9
Traction Control System Active Light
............... 2-66
Traction Control System Warning Light
............. 2-65
Trailer Backing
Up ................................. 4-38
Brakes
..................................... 4-37
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-39
Driving
with ................................. 4-37
Following Distance
........................... 4-38
Hitches
..................................... 4-36
If You Decide to Pull A ........................ 4-34
9-11
ProCarManuals.com