
0 The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can’t be repaired well because
of the size or location
of the damage.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification
(TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle.
If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an
“MS”
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving.
If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage
to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.
It’s all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It was developed for use
on your vehicle.
A CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your
wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving.
A tire and/or wheel could
fail suddenly, causing
a crash. Use only radial-ply
tires with the wheels on your vehicle.
I
6-47
ProCarManuals.com

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.
6-48
ProCarManuals.com

Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect
on the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on
the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor
pan and exhaust system even though they have
corrosion protection. At
least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can
do
this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched into
the paint surface.
Although no defect
in the paint job causes this, Buick
will repair, at no charge
to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs first.
6-58
ProCarManuals.com

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
IIIIIIIIIIIII 11l1111111111I IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII1111IIIIIIIIIIII
7.
ENGINE/l&8 f - ASSEMBLY
CODE MODEL YEAR PLANT
This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side.
You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The
VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, specifications
and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label on the inside of the trunk lid. It’s
very helpful if you ever need to order parts.
On this
label is:
0 your VIN,
0 the model designation,
0 paint information and
a list of all production options and special
equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
6-60
ProCarManuals.com

Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamps Bulb Number
Back-up .............................. 1156
Center High-Mounted Stop
............... 3155
Front Parking/Turn Signal
........... 4 157NAK
Headlamp, High Beam
.................. 9005
Headlamp, Low Beam.
.................. 9006
Sidemarker, Front ....................... 194
Sidemarker, Rear
........................ 194
Stop/Tail/Turn Signal
................... 3057
Tail (Applique)
....................... 194
Interior Lamps Bulb Number
Dome Lamp ....................... 9425542
*For service information on these bulbs, contact your
dealer service department.
Capacities and Specifications
4T65E:
Automatic Transaxle
Pan Removal and Replacement .... 7.4 quarts (7 L)
After Complete Overhaul
....... 10 quarts (9.5 L)
When drainingheplacing converter; more fluid will
be needed.
Cooling System Including Reservoir
3.8L (Code K) .............. 12.3 quarts (11.6 L)
3.8L (Code 1)
.............. 12.3 quarts (11.6 L)
Air Conditioning* .......... 1.88 lbs. (0.85 kg)
Refrigerant (R-l34a),
*See “Air Conditioning Refrigerants ”later in
this section.
Engine Crankcase
Oil and Filter Change ......... 4.5 quarts (4.3 L)
Wheel Nut Torque .......... 100 lb-ft (140 N-m)
Fuel Tank .................... 17 gallons (64 L)
Wiper Blade Lengths
Type ................................. Hook
Length ..................... 22 inches (56 cm)
Note: All capacities are approximate. When adding, be
sure
to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in
this manual. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

How This Section is Organized
The remainder of this section is divided into five parts:
“Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows
what to have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex,
so unless you are technically
qualified and have the necessary equipment, you should
let your dealer’s service department or another qualified
service center do these jobs.
I
I
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured.
Do your own maintenance
work only
if you have the required know-how
and the proper tools and equipment for the job.
If you have any doubt, have a qualified
technician do the work.
If you are skilled enough to do some work on your
vehicle,
you will probably want to get the service
information. See “Service and Owner Publications”
in the Index.
“Part B: Owner Checks and Services” tells
you what should be checked and when. It also explains
what you can easily do to help keep your vehicle in
good condition.
“Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections”
explains important inspections that your dealer’s service
department or another qualified service center
should perform.
“Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
lists some recommended products to help keep your
vehicle properly maintained. These products, or their
equivalents, should be used whether you do the work
yourself
or have it done.
“Part E: Maintenance Record” provides a place
for you
to record the maintenance performed on your
vehicle. Whenever any maintenance is performed, be
sure to write
it down in this part. This will help you
determine when your next maintenance should be done.
In addition,
it is a good idea to keep your maintenance
receipts. They may be needed to qualify your vehicle for
warranty repairs.
7-3
ProCarManuals.com

Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don’t know
exactly how you’ll drive it. You may drive very short
distances only a few times a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or
you may drive it to work, to do errands or in many
other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than you’ll find
in the schedules in this section.
So please read this
section and note how you drive.
If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good
condition, see your dealer. This
part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when
you should schedule them. If you
go to your dealer for your service needs, you’ll know
that GM-trained and supported service people will
perform the work using genuine GM parts.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in Part
D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses these.
All parts should be replaced and all necessary repairs
done before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
This schedule is for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will find these limits
on your vehicle’s
Tire-Loading Information label. See “Loading Your
Vehicle” in the Index.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
use the recommended fuel. See “Fuel” in the Index.
7-4
ProCarManuals.com