2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE oil change

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.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:

When outside temperatures are above 90F (32C).

At high speed for quite a while.

In heavy traffic
-- especially in hot weather.

While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be
at normal operating temperature, which is 180F to
200F (82C to 93C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50F
(10C). If it's colder than 50F (10C), you may
have to drive longer.

6-24
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.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added
to the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.

6-57
Don't use any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:

Alcohol

Laundry Soap

Bleach

Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl, leather, plastic and painted surfaces
with a clean, damp cloth.
Cleaning of Fabric/Carpet
Your dealer has two cleaners, Multi-Purpose Interior
Cleaner and Capture Non
-Solvent Dry Spot and Soil
Remover for cleaning fabric and carpet. They will clean
normal spots and stains very well. You can get
GM
-approved cleaning products from your dealer.
See ªAppearance Care and Materialsº in the Index.Here are some cleaning tips:

Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.

Clean up stains as soon as you can
-- before they set.

Carefully scrape off any excess stain.

Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean
area often. A soft brush may be used if stains
are stubborn.

If a ring forms on fabric after spot cleaning, clean the
entire area immediately or it will set.
Using Multi-Purpose Interior Cleaner
on Fabric
1. Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
2. Always clean a whole trim panel or section.
Mask surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.
3. Mix powdered cleaner following the directions on
the container label to form thick suds.
4. Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge.
Don't saturate the material and don't rub it roughly.
5. As soon as you've cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
6. Wipe cleaned area with a clean, damp towel or cloth.
7. Wipe with a clean cloth and let dry.

6-76
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.
Capacities
Automatic Transaxle
Pan Removal and Replacement 7.4 quarts (7.0 L). . .
After Complete Overhaul 10.0 quarts (9.5 L). . . . .
Cooling System13.0 quarts (12.3 L) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Crankcase
Oil change with filter change 4.5 quarts (4.3 L). . .
Fuel Tank18.5 U.S. gallons (70.0 L) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Steering
Pump Only 1.0 pint (0.5 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Complete System 1.5 pints (0.7 L). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire PressureSee Tire
-Loading Information label . . .
on the rear edge of the driver's door.
Air Conditioning RefrigerantSee 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.
Wheel Nut Torque
100 lb-ft (140 N´m)
Engine Specifications
VIN Engine Code
3800 V6 Engine (L36) K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3800 V6 Supercharged Engine (L67) 1. . . . . . . . . .
TypeV6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Displacement3.8L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compression Ratio
3800 V6 Engine (L36) 9:4:1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3800 V6 Supercharged Engine (L67) 8:5:1. . . . . . .
Horsepower
3800 V6 Engine (L36) 205. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3800 V6 Supercharged Engine (L67) 240. . . . . . . .
Firing Order1
-6-5-4-3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermostat Temperature195
F (91
C) . . . . . . . . .

Scheduled Maintenance
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): Tire Rotation.
Every 12,000 Miles (20 000 km): Passenger
Compartment Air Filter Replacement.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Engine Air
Cleaner Filter Replacement. 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).
(Continued)

Scheduled Maintenance
7-7
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Passenger
Compartment Air Filter Replacement.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Supercharger Oil
Check (or every 36 months, whichever occurs first)
(3800 Code 1 V6 engine only). Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
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).
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every 60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7-8
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at 150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after 150,000 miles (240 000 km).
See ªOwner Checks and Servicesº and ªPeriodic
Maintenance Inspectionsº following.
Footnotes

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle's useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.* If your vehicle has a GM Oil Life System, the system
will show you when to change the oil
-- usually between
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and 10,000 miles (16 000 km)
since your last oil change. Under severe conditions, the
indicator may come on before 3,000 miles (5 000 km).
Never drive your vehicle more than 10,000 miles
(16 000 km) or 12 months, (whichever occurs first),
without an oil and filter change.
The system won't detect dust in the oil. So if you drive in
a dusty area be sure to change your oil every 3,000
miles (5 000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message appears. Remember to reset the
Oil Life System whenever the oil is changed. For more
information, see ªOil Life Systemº in the Index.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See ªBrake System Inspectionº under
ªPeriodic Maintenance Inspectionsº in Part C of
this schedule.
@ Whenever the tires are rotated, the Check Tire Pressure
System (if your vehicle is so equipped) must be reset.

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7-9
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)

Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)

Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)

Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)

Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
12,000 Miles (20 000 km)

Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)

Replace passenger compartment air filter.

Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
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