
Performance Shifting (If Equipped)
Press the performance shift button to allow the
transaxle
to shift at higher
engine speeds, increasing
acceleration performance.
PERF
SHIFT
The PERF SHIFT light
on your instrument panel
cluster will glow when
performance shifting is
being used.
Downshifts will occur at a lower percentage of accelerator
use while you’re
in the performance shift mode. Press the button again to return to normal shifting. The
transaxle will then shift at lower engine speeds,
increasing
fuel economy.
Shift Lock Release
P
1
If your vehicle’s battery should
vehicle electrical power, there is an access slot that will allow you
to override PARK (P) lock if
your shifter is stuck in PARK
(P).
I( go dead or there is a lack of
The access slot
is located beneath a small cap on the
right side of the console shift panel.
To remove the
cap, use a screwdriver or key. Then insert the key or screwdriver into the slot. Make sure you have your
foot on the brake pedal while you are performing this
procedure. Press down and hold.
You will now be able
to shift your vehicle out
of PARK (P).
2-27
ProCarManuals.com

If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently
put fuel into your vehicle?
If
so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine
if the fuel
cap has been left
off or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn
the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If
so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out.
A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If
so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see
“Fuel” in the Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You may
notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you
put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on
acceleration or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to
turn on. If you
experience one or more of these conditions,
change the
fuel brand you use. It will require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools
to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.
Oil Warning Light
If you have a problem with
your oil, this light may stay
on after you start your
engine,
or come on when
you are driving.
This indicates that oil is not going through your engine
quickly enough to keep it lubricated. The engine could
be low on oil or could have some other oil problem.
Have it fixed right away.
2-71
ProCarManuals.com

Fuel Gage Low Fuel Light
1 12
Your fuel gage tells you
about how much fuel you
have left when the ignition
is on. When the indicator
nears
EMPTY (E), you still
have a little fuel
left, but
you should get more soon.
Here are some things owners ask about. All these
situations are normal and do not show a problem with
your fuel gage:
At the service station, the pump shuts off before the
gage reads
FULL (F).
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the gage
indicated. For example, the gage may have indicated
the tank was half full, but it actually took a little more
or less than half the tank’s capacity to fill it.
0 The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up. If
your fuel is low, a circular
light
on your instrument
panel cluster will come
on
and stay on and a chime will
sound periodically until you
add fuel. It will also come
on for a few seconds when
you first turn
on the ignition
as a check to show you it’s
working. If it doesn’t come
on then, have it fixed.
2-76
ProCarManuals.com

Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when
you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do
it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can.
To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
Loading Your Vehicle
OCCUPANTS VEHICLE CAP. WT.
TIRE-LOADING INFORMATION
FRT. CTR. RR. TOTAL LBS. KG
MAX. LOADING & GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE
CAPACITY WEIGHT XXX COLD TIRE
TIRE SIZE SPEED PRESSURE
RTG PSIlKPa
FRT.
RR.
SPA.
IF TIRES ARE HOT,
ADD 4PSIi28KPa
SEE OWNER’S MANUAL
FOR ADDITIONAL
, INFORMATION
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label
is inside the trunk lid. The label tells you the proper size,
speed rating and recommended inflation pressures for
the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you important
information about the number
of people that can be in
your vehicle and the total weight you can carry. This
weight is called the vehicle capacity weight and includes
the weight of all occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory-installed options.
4-31
ProCarManuals.com

MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP
DATE
GVWR GAWR FRT GAWR RR
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLI-
CABLE
U.S. FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE
SAFETY, BUMPER, AND THEFT PREVENTION
STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE
OF
MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
I
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, or it can change the
way your vehicle
handles. These could cause
you to lose control.
Also, overloading can shorten the life
of
your vehicle.
The other label is the Certification label, found on the
rear edge of the driver’s door. It tells you the gross NOTICE:
weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
(Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR includes the
Your warranty does not cover parts or weight capacity of your vehicle, called the GVWR
rear axle. tools, packages or anything else
-- they will go as fast as
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front or If you put things inside your vehicle -- like suitcases,
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle or the Gross
components that fail because of overloading.
If you do have a heavy load, spread it out. Don’t carry
more than
167 pounds (75 kg) in your trunk. the vehicle
goes. If you have
to stop or turn quickly, or
if there is
a crash, they’ll keep going.
4-32
ProCarManuals.com

Do not tow a trailer if your vehicle is equipped with the
3800 L67 Supercharged engine.
Your vehicle
can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
proper trailer towing equipment.
To identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight of the Trailer”
that appears later in this section. But trailering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and
it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many
of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers.
So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies and tires are forced
to work harder
against the drag
of the added weight. The engine is
required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
0
0
0
0
0
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to
do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this
information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first
1,000 miles
(1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during
the first 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over
50 mph (80 km/h) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.
Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speed
for trailers (or no more than
55 mph (90 km/h)) to
save wear on your vehicle’s parts.
4-34
ProCarManuals.com

Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your Buick. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how
to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
6-2
6-3
6-5
6-5
6-7
6-11
6-1
1
6-16
6-19
6-22
6-26
6-27
6-28
6-3
1
6-32 6-39
6-47
6-48
6-5
1
6-5 1
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
Service
Fuel
Fuels in Foreign Countries
Filling Your Tank
Checking Things Under the Hood
3800 Supercharged (Code 1) Engine
Engine Oil
Air Cleaner
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Engine Coolant
Power Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid
Brakes
Battery
Bulb Replacement
Tires
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside
of Your Buick
Cleaning the Built-in Child Restraint
Care
of Safety Belts and Built-in Child
Restraint Harness 6-5
1
6-52
6-52
6-52
6-53
6-54 6-54
6-54
6-55
6-55
6-5 6
6-57
6-57
6-58
6-63
6-63
6-64
6-65
6-65 Cleaning Glass Surfaces
Cleaning
the Outside of the Windshield and
Wiper Blades
Weatherstrips Cleaning the Outside of Your Buick
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome Wheels
Cleaning Tires
Sheet Metal Damage
Finish Damage
Underbody Maintenance
Chemical Paint Spotting
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)
Service Parts Identification Label
Electrical System Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Vehicle Dimensions
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6-1
ProCarManuals.com

Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country ourside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use
of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice.
Just tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN).
General Motors International Product Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
Filling Your Tank
A CA ION:
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don’t smoke
if you’re near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
The tethered cap is behind a hinged door on the left side
of your vehicle.
6-5
ProCarManuals.com