1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE oil temperature

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2-24 To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110
-volt AC outlet.
CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three
-prong
11 0
-volt AC outlet. If the cord won't reach, use a
heavy
-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don't, it could
be damaged.How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle has a shift lever located on the
steering column.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It's the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can't move easily.
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2-85

GAGE INFO: Use this button to display oil
pressure, oil life, coolant temperature, tire pressure
and battery information.

RESET: This button, used along with other buttons,
will reset system functions.

ENG/MET: Use this button to change the display
between English and metric units.
DIC Controls and Displays
There are two lines in the DIC display. The bottom line on
the display area is left blank when the DIC displays the
driver number identified when entering the vehicle. You
can have your dealer program your name to appear on this
display line. See your dealer for more information.
When you turn the ignition on, the DIC will display your
DRIVER NUMBER. The system will then perform a status
check and display any messages if a problem is detected.
If there are no problems detected, the display will return
to the mode selected by that driver the last time the
ignition was turned off.
If a problem is detected, a diagnostic message will
appear in the display. The following pages will show the
messages you may see on the DIC display.The message center is continuously updated with the
vehicle's performance status.
ODO/TRIP
When this button is pressed, the display will show the
total mileage, and TRIP 1 or TRIP 2 miles. TRIP 1 and
TRIP 2 will display the miles traveled since the last
reset. To reset the trip odometer, press the ODO/TRIP
button until the trip miles are shown in the DIC display,
then press the RESET button. The trip odometer will
now accumulate miles until the next reset.
FUEL INFO
Fuel Used: Press the FUEL INFO button until the
display shows FUEL USED. This display will show you
how much fuel has been used since the last reset. To
learn how much fuel is used from a new starting point,
press the RESET button while the fuel used is displayed
in the DIC.
Fuel Range: Press the FUEL INFO button until the
display shows FUEL RANGE. The fuel range will
calculate the remaining distance you can drive without
refueling. This calculation is based on the average fuel
economy for the last 25 miles (40.25 km) driven, and
the fuel remaining in the fuel tank. The RESET button
does not function in this mode.
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2-86
Instantaneous Fuel Economy: Press the FUEL INFO
button until the display shows FUEL ECONOMY INST.
Instantaneous fuel economy varies with your driving
conditions, such as acceleration, braking and the grade
of the road being traveled. The RESET button does not
function in this mode.
Average Fuel Economy: Press the FUEL INFO button
until the display shows FUEL ECONOMY AVERAGE.
Average fuel economy is viewed as a long term
approximation of your overall driving conditions. To
learn the average fuel economy from a new starting
point, press the RESET button while the average fuel
economy is displayed in the DIC.
GAGE INFO
Coolant Temperature: Press the GAGE INFO button
until COOLANT TEMP appears in the display. If there
are no problems detected with the temperature,
COOLANT TEMP NORMAL will appear in the
display. If the temperature is too high, COOLANT
TEMP HOT will appear in the display. If you see the
COOLANT TEMP HOT message, your engine is
overheated. You should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off your engine as soon as possible.
This manual explains what to do. See ªEngine
Overheatingº in the Index.Battery Volts: Press the GAGE INFO button until the
display shows BATTERY STATE. If the voltage is
normal the display will show BATTERY STATE
NORMAL. If the voltage drops below 10.5 volts, the
display will show BATTERY STATE LOW. If the
voltage is above 16 volts, the display will show
BATTERY STATE HIGH. If the display shows the high
or low message, you need to have your battery checked.
Oil Pressure: Press the GAGE INFO button until OIL
PRESSURE appears in the display. If there are no
problems detected with the oil pressure, the display will
show OIL PRESSURE NORMAL. If a low oil pressure
condition is detected, the display will show OIL
PRESSURE LOW. If you see the OIL PRESSURE
LOW message, you could be low on oil or your oil is
not going through the engine properly. See your dealer
for service.
Oil Life Monitor (Index): Press the GAGE INFO button
until OIL LIFE INDEX appears in the display. The OIL
LIFE INDEX NORMAL display will show an estimate of
the oil's remaining useful life. When the oil life index is
less than 10%, the display will show OIL LIFE INDEX
CHANGE OIL. When you have the oil changed, you will
have to reset the oil life monitor. To reset the Oil Life
Monitor (Index), see ªEngine Oil Life Monitorº or
ªEngine Oil, When to Changeº in the Index.
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6-15
As shown in the chart, SAE 10W-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use SAE 5W
-30 if it's going
to be colder than 60F (16C) before your next oil
change. When it's very cold, you should use SAE
5W
-30. These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils,
such as SAE 20W
-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
ªStarburstº symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench
oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20F (-29C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W
-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
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6-16 Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. Your dealer is ready to
advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short trip/city
maintenance schedule:

Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.

Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop
-and-go traffic).

Most trips are through dusty areas.

You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.

The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months
-- whichever
occurs first. If your vehicle is equipped with the driver
information center, see ªEngine Oil Life Monitor
(Index)º in the Index.If none of them is true, use the long trip/highway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months
-- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
If your vehicle is equipped with the driver information
center, see ªEngine Oil Life Monitor (Index)º in
the Index.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life Monitor (Index)
(If Equipped)
Always reset the engine oil life to 100 percent after
every oil change. It will not reset itself. To reset the Oil
Life Monitor, press and hold the RESET button for more
than five seconds while the OIL LIFE INDEX is being
displayed on the DIC. The oil life will change to 100%.
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6-21
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change the fluid and filter at
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading on
the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
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6-24
Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator pressure cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure
-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC

cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an AC

thermostat
is recommended.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system 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
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX
-COOL
extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL
coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

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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Scheduled Maintenance
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7-5
Short Trip/City Definition
Follow the Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance if
any one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:

Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.

Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop
-and-go traffic).

Most trips are through dusty areas.

You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.

If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down sooner.
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or 3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
(or 6 months, whichever occurs first). Tire Rotation.
Every 12,000 Miles (20 000 km): Passenger
Compartment Air Filter Replacement.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Supercharger Oil Check (or every 36 months,
whichever occurs first) (3800 Code 1 V6 engine only).
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Automatic
Transaxle Service (normal conditions).
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