1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE Owners Manual

Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids
md Eubricmts” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid
to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
I. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole
to bring it to the proper level.
It doesn’t
take much fluid, generally less than one
pint
(0.5 L). Don’t ove@Zl.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level ips
4. When the correct fluid level is obt.ained, push the
described
under “How to Check.”
dipstick back in
dl the way.
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 MI0 h) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL“ extended life coolant,
The following explains
your coding system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If YOU have a
problem with engine overheating, see “Engine
Overheating”
in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL’
coolant will:
J
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 OF 129 ” C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
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NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is importrant that you use
O~Y DEX-CQOE~ (sficate-free) COQI~~.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to the
system, premature engine, heater
core or
radiator corrosion may result.
Hw addition, the
engine coolant
will require change SQB~~F -- at
30,000 des (50 000 b) or 24 months,
whichever occurs
first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is not
c~vemdl by
your new vehicle warranty.
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled)
and one-half DEX-COOL’ coolant which
won’t damage aluminum pats. If you use this mixture,
YOU don’t need to add anything else.
..
..
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Blain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol,
can boil before the proper
coolant mixture
will. Your vehicle’s CQO~~
warning system is set for the proper c~~lmt
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get too
hot but you wouldn’t
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and
yon or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean water and
DEX-CBOL@ codant.
6-24
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The csdant recovery tank is located QII the @river's side
of the engine compartment.
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1 f ENG. COOLANT LOW CHECK LEVEL
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator
are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn yon
badly. With the codant recovery tank, you will
almost never have fO add coolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap -- even a
little -- when the engine sand radiator are hot.
You can be burned if you spill cooiant QPB hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
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prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
~ filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC~
.t ;trolled by a themosta
in flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches
a preset temperature.
When you replace your themostat,
an AC@ themostat
is recommended.
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When the engine compartment is cool, wipe the cap and
the top
of the reservoir clean, then unscrew the cap and
wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again and
Book at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should
be at the FTLL COLD mark. If
necessary, add Q~Y enough fluid to bring the level up
to the mark.
at to use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
“Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants” in the Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure
to use the proper
fluid
can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
What to use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use.
If you will be
operating
your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may
fall below keezing, use a fluid that has suffkient
protection against freezing.
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located by
the coolant recovery tank on the driver’s side of the
engine compartment.
Open
the cap labeled WASHER ONLX Add
washer
fluid until the tank is full.
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Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with DOT-3 brake fluid.
There
are only two reasom why the brake fluid level in the
reservob might
go down. The first is that the brake fluid
goes ~QW to an acceptable Bevel during nd brake
Wg wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid level
goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is Bedung out
of the brake system. If it is, you ~h~~ld have YQW brake
system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later YQIX
brakes won't work wd, or won't work at all.
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So, it isn‘t a good idea to “top oft“ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If YOU add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have loo much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You shouki add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done
on the brake hydraulic system.
When your Srake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. A chime will sound if you
try to drive with this warning light on. See “Brake
System Waning Eight” in the Index.
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3
brAe fluid -- such as Delco Supreme II@ (GM
Part No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a
sealed container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the
mea
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
~~ ~~
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system,
your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
I
1 crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
1
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