
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
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
look at the fluid level on the dipstick. When
the engine compartment is hot, the level should be
at the
HOT mark. If the fluid is at the ADD mark, you
should add fluid.
What 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.
Windshield Washer Fluid
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 freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
3800 or 3800 Supercharged Engine
6-28
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Fuse
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Description
Anti-lock Brakes
Turn Signals, Cornering Lamps
Radio, HVAC Head, Remote Keyless
Entry, Cluster, CEL
TEL
High Blower
Passenger’s Heated Seat
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Wipers
Underhood Electrical Center -- Passenger’s Side
Some fuses and relays are in the underhood electrical
center on the passenger’s side
of the engine compartment.
m
121
13)
14)
15)
(81
17)
[8)
Fuse
1
2
Description
Cooling Fan
Starter Solenoid
6-64
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Fuse
3
4
5
6
7
8
Description
Power Seats, Rear Defog,
Heated Seats
High Blower, Hazard Flasher, Stoplamps, Power Mirror,
Door Locks
Ignition Switch, BTSI, Stoplamps,
ABS, Turn Signals, Cluster, Air Bag,
DRL Module
Cooling Fan
Interior Lamps, Retained Accessory
Power, ABS, Keyless Entry, CEL TEL,
Data Link, HVAC Head, Cluster,
Radio, AUX Power (Power Drop), Cigarette Lighter
Ignition Switch, Wipers, Radio,
Steering Wheel Controls, Body Control
Module, AUX Power (Power Drop),
Power Windows, Sunroof, HVAC
Controls, DRL, Rear Defog Relay
Relay
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Description
Cooling Fan 2
Cooling Fan 3
Starter Solenoid
Cooling Fan
1
Ignition Main
Not Used
A/C Clutch
Horn
Fog Lamps
Fuel Pump, Speed Control
Fuel Pump
6-65
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n
Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
This section covers the maintenance required for your vehicle. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety,
dependability and emission control performance.
7-2
7-2
7-3
7-4
7-4
7- 14 7- 14
7- 14
7- 15
7- 15
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Envlronment
How This Section
is Organized
Part
A: Scheduled Maintenance Servlces
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
Part
B: Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Fill
At Least Once a Month
At Least Twice a Year
At Least Once a Year
7-18
7- 18
7-18
7-18
7-18 7-18
7-19
7-20 Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Exhaust System Inspection
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Throttle System Inspection
Brake System Inspection
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Part
E: Maintenance Record
7-1
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Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should be
performed at least twice a year (for instance, each spring
and fall).
You should let your dealer’s service department
or other qualij?ed service center do these jobs. Make sure
any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in
a service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering system
for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of wear or lack
of lubrication. Inspect the power steering lines and hoses
for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
Clean and then inspect the drive axle boot seals for
damage, tears or leakage. Replace seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body near
the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged, missing or
out-of-position parts as well as open seams, holes, loose
connections or other conditions which could cause a heat build-up
in the floor pan
or could let exhaust fumes into
the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect
all pipes, fittings
and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the outside of the
radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help ensure
proper operation, a pressure test
of the cooling system and
pressure cap is recommended at least once a year.
Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding, and for
damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as needed. Replace
any components that have high effort or excessive wear.
Do
not lubricate accelerator and cruise control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts,
including calipers, parking brake, etc. Check parking
brake adjustment. You may need to have your brakes
inspected more often if your driving habits or conditions
result in frequent braking.
7-18
ProCarManuals.com

Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part
number or specification may be obtained from your dealer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
Hydraulic Brake
System
Power Steering System
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Engine Oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol of the proper viscosity.
To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil”
in the Index.
50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and use only
GM Goodwrench@ DEX-COOL@
or Havoline@ DEX-COOL@
Coolant. See “Engine Coolant”
in
the Index.
Delco Supreme
1 1 @ Brake Fluid
(GM Part
No. I2377967 or
equivalent
DOT-3 Brake Fluid).
GM Power Steering Fluid (GM
Part
No. 1052884 - 1 pint,
1050017
- 1 quart, or equivalent).
USAGE
Automatic
Transaxle
Key Lock
Cylinders
Supercharger
Windshield
Washer Solvent
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor
and Release
Pawl
Hood and Door
Hinges
Weatherstrip
Conditioning;
FLUIDLUBRICANT
DEXRON@-I11 Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Pu ose Lubricant,
Superlube
% (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
Supercharger
Oil (GM Part
No. 12345982). See “Supercharger
Oil” in the Index.
GM Optikleen@ Washer Solvent
(GM Part
No. 1051515) or
equivalent.
Lubriplate@ Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part
No. 12346293 or
equivalent) or lubricant meeting
requirements
of NLGI # 2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Multi-Pu ose Lubricant,
Superlube
T$ (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM
Part
No. 12345579 or equivalent).
7-19
ProCarManuals.com

1998 BUCK SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out
the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below.)
CURRENT
PUBLICATIONS FOR 1998 BUICK
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE
UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and specifications for the
1998 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS
Service Bulletins give technical service informarlon needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the
diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE ORDER FORM SHOWN ON
THE FOLLOWING PAGE AND MAIL
TO:
Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended to provide basic operational information about the
vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $1
5.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only. RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$1 0.00
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are available for current and past
model GM vehicles. To request an order form, please
specify year and model name of the vehicle.
OR ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
Monday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA-Mastercard-Discover)
ProCarManuals.com

Section 9 Index
Accessory Power Receptacle ..................... 2-52
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle ...... 6-3
Air Bag How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-23
How it Works
................................ 1-21
Location
............................... 1.21. 1-22
Readiness Light
......................... 1.21. 2.60
Servicing
................................... 1-25
System
..................................... 1-19
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-23
What Will You See After
it Inflates ............... 1-24
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-23
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-17
Air Conditioning
........................ 3.3.3.6. 3.9
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-69
Alarm. Instant
................................. 2- 12
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-46
Aluminum or Chrome Wheels. Cleaning
............. 6-54
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Player
with Automatic Tone Control
.................... 3-20
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player ........... 3-13
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Automatic
Tonecontrol
................................. 3-16
Antenna Backglass
................................... 3-31
FixedMast .................................. 3-31 Antifreeze
..................................... 6-23
Anti-Lock Brake System Active Light
................. 2.63. 4.9
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2.62. 4.7
Brakes ...................................... 4-7
Anti-Theft, Radio
.............................. 3-25
Appearancecare
............................... 6-51
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-59
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-7
Ashtrays ...................................... 2-50
Astroroof
..................................... 2-53
Audio Controls, Steering Wheel Touch Control
....... 3-28
Audio Equipment, Adding ........................ 3-29
Audio Systems
................................. 3-12
Audio Systems, Tips
............................ 3-29
Auto-Down Window
............................ 2-33
Automatic
Headlamp Control
............................ 2-42
Overdrive
(a) .......................... 2-24, 2-25
Power Door Locks ............................. 2-7
Transaxlecheck .............................. 7-15
Transaxle Fluid
............................... 6-20
Transaxle Operation
........................... 2-22
Transaxle PARK (P) Mechanism Check
........... 7-17
Using
....................................... 4-9
9-1
.
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