1999 BUICK RIVIERA belt

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4-38
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here's
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don't shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brake until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:

Start your engine;

Shift into a gear; and

Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don't overfill),
engine oil, drive belts, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly. If you're trailering, it's
a good idea to review this information before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. See ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.

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6-11
Your vehicle has a 3800 Supercharged V6 engine. The
supercharger is a device designed to pump more air 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, increased 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 throttle cruising, the excess air that the
supercharger is pumping is routed through a bypass. All
of these controls working together provide high
performance, character and fuel efficiency in the 3800
V6 Supercharged engine.
Engine Oil
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL
light on the instrument
panel comes on, it means
you need to check your
engine oil level right away.For more information, see ªCheck Oil Level Lightº in
the Index. You should check your engine oil level
regularly; this is an added reminder.
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick is a
round, yellow loop located
directly behind the
engine fan.
Turn off the engine and give
the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan.
If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the
actual level.

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6-24
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on 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.
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
The power steering fluid reservoir is located below the
generator and behind the accessory drive belt.
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.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up to
the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.

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6-29 Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top
-quality
GM brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones put in
-- be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts. If you
don't, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you've come to expect can change in many
other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with an ACDelco Freedom

battery. When it's time for a new battery, we recommend
an ACDelco Freedom battery. Get one that has the
replacement number shown on the original battery's label.The battery is located under the rear seat cushion. To
access the battery, see ªRemoving the Rear Seat
Cushionº in the Index. You don't need to access the
battery to jump start your vehicle. See ªJump Startingº
in the Index.
CAUTION:
A battery that isn't properly vented can let
sulfuric acid fumes into the area under the rear
seat cushion. These fumes can damage your rear
seat safety belt systems. You may not be able to
see this damage, and the safety belts might not
provide the protection needed in a crash. If a
replacement battery is ever needed, it must be
vented in the same manner as the original
battery. Always make sure that the vent hose
is properly reattached before reinstalling the
seat cushion.

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6-43 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 ªMSº
(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.
CAUTION:
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.
CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
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.

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6-50 Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components
Use only a mild soap and water solution on a soft
cloth or sponge. Commercial cleaners may affect the
surface finish.
Cleaning Wood Panels
Use a clean cloth moistened in warm, soapy water (use
mild dish washing soap). Dry the wood immediately
with a clean cloth.
Cleaning Speaker Covers
Vacuum around a speaker cover gently, so that the
speaker won't be damaged. Clean spots with just water
and mild soap.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
CAUTION:
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it
may severely weaken them. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with mild soap and
lukewarm water.
Cleaning Glass Surfaces
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner or a
liquid household glass cleaner will remove normal
tobacco smoke and dust films on interior glass. (See
ªAppearance Care and Materialsº in the Index.)
Don't use abrasive cleaners on glass, because they may
cause scratches. Avoid placing decals on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be scraped off later. If
abrasive cleaners are used on the inside of the rear
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached across the
defogger grid.

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6-62
To Remove the Rear Seat Cushion
1. Pull up on the front of the cushion to release the
front hooks.
2. Pull the cushion up and out toward the front of
the vehicle.
To Reinstall the Rear Seat Cushion
CAUTION:
A safety belt that isn't properly routed through
the seat cushion or is twisted won't provide the
protection needed in a crash. If the safety belt
hasn't been routed through the seat cushion at
all, it won't be there to work for the next
passenger. The person sitting in that position
could be badly injured. After reinstalling the seat
cushion, always check to be sure that the safety
belts are properly routed and are not twisted.
1. Buckle the center passenger position safety belt, then
route the safety belts through the proper slots in the
seat cushion. Don't let the safety belts get twisted.
2. Slide the rear of the cushion up and under the
seatback so the rear locating guides hook into the
wire loops on the back frame.
3. With the seat cushion lowered, push rearward and
then press down on the seat cushion until the spring
locks on both ends engage.
4. Check to make sure the safety belts are properly routed
and that no portion of any safety belt is trapped under
the seat. Also make sure the seat cushion is secured.

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Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Bulb Number. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlamp
High
-Beam 9005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low
-Beam 9006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking/Turn 3057. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Back
-Up 3057. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tail 194. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tail/Turn 3057. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior
Rail Courtesy, Reading PC168. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Overhead Reading PC168. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For service information on other bulbs, contact your
dealer's service department.
Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in
English and metric conversions. Please refer to
ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index for
more information.Engine Code 1 (L67) 3.8L V6 SFI
Automatic Transaxle
Drain and Refill 7.4 quarts (7.0 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
After Complete Overhaul 10.0 quarts (9.5 L). . . . .
After performing either transaxle procedure, check
fluid level when done. More fluid may be needed.
Belt Tensions
Automatically controlled by a Self
-Tension idler
pulley. Tension adjustment should never be necessary.
Cooling System13.0 quarts (12.3 L) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Crankcase
Oil change with filter change 4.5 quarts (4.3 L). . . . .
Fuel Tank18.5 gallons (70.0 L) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Nut Torque100 lb
-ft (140 N´m) . . . . . . . . . .
Tire Pressure
See Tire
-Loading Information label on the rear edge
of the driver's door.
R
-134a Air Conditioning
See refrigerant charge label under the hood.
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure
to fill to the appropriate level as recommended in
this manual.