Page 248 of 426

2
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains OF
steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicje. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the T-hook siob. Never use
J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain and
suspension components. When your vehicle
is being towed, have the ignition key
in OW. The steering wheel should be
clamped in a.
straight-ahead position, with a clamping device
designed for towing service. DQ not use the vehicle’s
steering
column iock for this. The transaxle should be in
NEUTRAL (N) and the parking brake released.
Don’t have your vehicle towed the front wheels,
unless you must. If the vehicle must be towed QII the
front wheels, be sure to fallow the speed and distance
restrictions later in this section or your transaxle will be
damaged. If these Limits must be exceeded, then the
front wheels have to be supported on a dolly.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 261 of 426

0:. .. . .
If 8 Goes FE&
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially
if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
i...
...
out of a &e, it’s much moie likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are
a few
tips about what to expect
and what to do: 1 ‘i
< 1 If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
’, !! pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take YOLK foot off the g accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
P Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
-4 ,i a stop well out of the traffic lane.
.2? .
A rear blowout, particularly on a cwe, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use in a
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if
CQQ~EUI~ begins to flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the
mows
on the pressure cap line up like this.
s~. h any kearblowout, remove your foot kom the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the
way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to
a stop -- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat
tire safely.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 286 of 426

Your vehicle may have 2 3800 Sqercharged engine.
Supercharging, rather
than turbocharging, emphasizes
smooth, refined power.
The supercharger is a device which is designed to pump
more ais 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, iwreased 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 tfarsttIe cruising, the excess air that the
supercharger is pumping is routed through a bypass.
AB1 sf these controk working together provide high
performance character and fuel efficiency in the
3800 V6 Supercharged engine.
The power steering pump and reservoir are mounted on
the rear (driver’s side) sf the engine biock. See
“Maintenance Schedule”
in the Index for when you
should check the fluid.
c
ENGINE OIL LOW CHECK LEVEL HMBHBMrn
Ef you have the Driver Infcmation Center, an ENGINE
OIL LOW-CHECK LEVEL message will appear when
the engine oil is approximately I quart (fL) Isw. 11 the
message is displayed, check the dipstick level and add
oil as needed.
7r
ProCarManuals.com
Page 346 of 426

The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. Please refer to “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index for more information.
Automatic Transaxle AT (Overdrive)
Pan Removal and Replacement ................................................... 6 quarts (5.6 L)
After Complete Overhaul ...................................................... 1 I quarts (10.4 E)
When draining or replacing torque convertep; nzore fluid may be needed.
Belt Tensions
Automatically controlled by a Self-Tension idler pulley. Tension adjustment should never be necessary.
Cooling System ............................................................. 13 quarts (12.3 k)
Engine Crankcase
Oil change with filter change ................................................... 4.5 quarts (4.3 L)
Power Steering
Complete System ............................................................ 1 1/2 pints (0.7 L)
Tire Pressure
See the Tire-Loading Information label on the rear edge of the driver’s door.
WheelNutTorque ........................................................ 1001b-ft(140N-m)
R-134a Air Conditioning ................................ See refrigerant charge label under the hood.
FuelTank ................................................................ 18SgaIlons(70L)
PumpOnly ..................................................................... 1pint(OSE)
NOTE: All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in
this manual.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 348 of 426

Qverall
Length ................. 206.8 inches (525.3 cm)
Width ................... 74.7 inches ( B 89.7 cm)
Height ................... 58.8 inches (147.6 cm)
Wheelbase .............. B 13.8 inches (289.1 cm)
Front Tread ............... 62.7 inches (159.3 cm)
Rear Tread ............... 62.3 inches (158.2 cm)
".. - ?$ ~.p~~~$ 5 ~~4a~~.~ena~~~~ T:. '..
17. ~~~~ja-aee~~~~~~~ , ..-. yay&
Engine Oil Filter ................ AC Type PF-47
_L
Air Cleaner Element .......... AC Type A- 1096C
Fuel Filter .................... AC Type GF-627
Spark Plugs ................... AC Type 41-921
Gap: 0.060 inch (. 152 crn)
Windshield Wiper Blades
Type
............................ Hook Style
Length
..................... 22 inches (56 cm)
Filter
(HVAC air filter) ..... GM Part No. 52472175
Passenger
Compartment
Air
&g&ze &yggsGyy 15 jL2Q e. ,.', E c/ I'
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
E Tensioner
ProCarManuals.com
Page 349 of 426
1. Front Belt C. Crank
2. Back Belt D. Supercharger
A. Generator E. Coolant Pump
B. Power Steering IF. Air Conditioning The Supercharged
3800 engine
uses two accessory drive
belts. One belt drives the generator, power steering
pump, coolant
pump surd air conditioning compressor.
The second belt drives the superchwger. Each belt has
its own tensioner
mi idler pulley. See ‘‘Maintenance
Schedule” in the Index
for when to check he accessory
drive belts and supercharger oil level. Have your dealer
check the
oil level in the supercharger.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 386 of 426
USAGE
Engine
Oil
Hydraulic Brake
System
Engine 8iI with the American
Petroleurn Institute Certified FCX
Gasoline Engines “St;t;$urst”
SYII-I~Q~ of the proper viscosity. To
determine the prefexed viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine 02’’ in the Index.
USAGE
Power Steering
System
Key Lock
Cylinders
Superchargsr
Chassis
Lubrication
Chassis Lubricant (GM Bart
No. 12377985 or equivalerzt) or
lubricant meeting requireaents
of NLGL # 2, Category LB or
GC-LB.
GM Power Steering Fluid (GM
Part Nc. 1052884 - H pint,
10500 17 - 1 quart, or equivalent).
DEXRONB-IZ Automatic
Transmission
Fluid.
Multi-Pu ose Lubricant,
Superlube
(GM Part
No. 22346241 or equivalent).
Supercharger Oil (GM Part
No. 12345982). See “Supercharger
Oil” in the Index.
Chassis Lubricant
(GM Part
No. 12377985 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI # 2, Category LB or
%
GC-LB.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 400 of 426

1998 BUICK SERVICE PUBLICATIONS OWDERBMG 1NFOR
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1998 BUCK
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
OR engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrica!, steering,
body, elc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $90.640
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE
UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manuas provides information on unit repair sewice
PFOCedureS, adjtistrnents and specifications for the
1998 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS
Service Bulietins give technicat service information needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions
to assist in the
diagnosis
and service of your vehicle.
OWNER'S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended to provide basic operational information about 9hc
vehicle. The owner's manual wiil include the Maintenance
Schedule for
all modeis.
In-Pot-tf~lio: lncilsdes a Portfo/io, Owner's Manual and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $I 5.00
Without Portfolio: Owner's Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $10.00
CURRENT & BAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are avaiiable for current and past
model GM vehicfes. To request an order form, please
specify year and model name
of t,he vehicle.
ProCarManuals.com