1994 Buick Park Avenue Owners Manual

Inspect the brake hookup, chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, drums, wheel cylinders, 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.

including

brake system. See

NOTE: A low brake fluid level can indicate worn disc brake pads which may need to be serviced, Also, if the brake system warning light stays on or comes on, something may be wrong with the ”Brake System Warning Light” in the Index. If your anti-lock brake system warning light stays on, comes on or flashes, something may be wrong with the anti-lock brake system. See “Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light” in the Index.

Section D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number or specification may be obtained from your GM dealer

USAGE

FLUID/LUBRICANT API service SH or SG Energy Conserving I1 oils of the proper viscosity. The “SH” or “SG” designation may be shown alone or in combination with others, such as “SH/CD,” or “SH, SG, CD,” “SG/CD” etc. To determine the preferred viscosity for your vehicle’s engine, see “Engine Oil” in the Index. S0/50 mixture of water (preferably distilled) and good quality ethylene glycol base antifreeze (GM Part No. 1052753 or equivalent) conforming to GM Specification 182SM or approved recycled coolant conforming to GM Specification 182SM. Delco Supreme 1 I @ Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 1052535) or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.

299

USAGE Parking Brake Guides

Power Steering System Automatic Transaxle Key Lock Cylinders

Supercharger

Automatic Transaxle Shift Linkage Chassis Lubrication

Windshield Washer Solvent

300

FLUID/LUBRICANT

USAGE

FLUID/LUBRICANT

Hood Latch Assembly a. Pivots and

Spring Anchor

b. Release Pawl

a. Engine oil.

b. Chassis

lubricant

meeting

requirements of NLGI Grade 2, Category LB or GC-LB (GM Part No. 1052497 or equivalent).

Hood and Door Hinges Weatherstrips

Engine oil or Lubriplate Lubricant (GM Part No. 1050109). Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part No. 12345579 or equivalent).

See “Specifications Chart” in the Index for recommended replacement filters, valves and spark plugs.

lubricant

(GM Part No.

Chassis 1052497 or equivalent) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI Grade 2, Category LB or GC-LB. GM Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid (GM Part No. 1052884 or equivalent). D E X R O N ~ I I or D E X R O N ~ IIE Automatic Transmission Fluid. Lubricate Lubricant (GM Part No. 12345120), synthetic SAE 5W-30 engine oil or (GM Part No. silicone 1052276 or 1052277). Supercharger Oil 12345982) Engine oil.

(GM Part No.

Multi-Purpose

lubricant

with

Chassis lubricant (GM Part No. 1052497 or equivalent) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI Grade 2, Category LB or GC-LB. GM OptikleenB Washer Solvent (GM Part No. 105 15 15) or equivalent.

Section E: Maintenance Record After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading and who performed the service in the columns indicated. When completing the Maintenance Performed column, insert the numbers

from the Schedule I or Schedule I1 maintenance charts which correspond to the maintenance performed. Also, you should retain all maintenance receipts. Your owner information portfolio is a convenient place to store them.

Maintenance Recora I

SERVICED BY

MAINTENANCE PERFORMED

301

Maintenance Record

302

Part 8 Customer Assistance Information

Here you will find out how to contact Buick if you need assistance. This part also tells you how to obtain service publications and how to report any safety defects. Part 8 includes:

Customer Satisfaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Customer Assistance for Hearing/Speech Impaired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reporting Safety Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RoadsideAssistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ServicePublications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 14 3 14 3 15 3 16 316 316

Customer Satisfaction Procedure Your satisfaction and goodwill are important to your dealer and Buick. Normally, any concern with the sales transaction or the operation of your vehicle will be resolved by your dealer’s Sales or Service Departments. Sometimes, however, despite the best intentions of all concerned, misunderstandings can occur. If your concern has not been resolved to your satisfaction, the following steps should be taken:

STEP ONE -- Discuss your concern with a member of dealership management. Normally, concerns can often be quickly resolved at that level. If the matter has already been reviewed with the Sales, Service, or Parts Manager, contact the owner of the dealership or the General Manager.

303

STEP TWO -- If after contacting a member of dealership management, it appears your concern cannot be resolved by the dealership without further help, contact the Buick Customer Assistance Center by calling 1-800-52 1-7300. In Canada, contact GM of Canada Customer Assistance Center in Oshawa by calling 1-800-263-3777 (English) or 1-800-263-7854 (French). In Mexico, call (525) 254-3777 . In Puerto Rico or U.S. Virgin Islands, call 1-809-763- 13 15. In all other overseas locations, contact GM North American Export Sales in Canada by calling 1-905-644-41 12. For prompt assistance, please have the following information available to give the Customer Assistance Representative:

Your name, address, home and business telephone numbers Vehicle Identification Number (This is available from the vehicle registration or title, or the plate at the left top of the instrument panel and visible through the windshield.) Dealership name and location Vehicle delivery date and present mileage Nature of concern

304

We encourage you to call the toll free number listed previously i n order to give your inquiry prompt attention. However, if you wish to write Buick, write to:

Buick Motor Division, Customer Assistance Center, 902 E. Hamilton Avenue, Flint, MI 48550.

A listing of all Buick Zone Offices and offices outside the U.S. which can assist you can also be found in the Warranty and Owner Assistance Information booklet. When contacting Buick, please remember that your concern will likely be resolved in the dealership, using the dealership’s facilities, equipment and personnel. That is why we suggest you follow Step One first if you have a concern. Customer Assistance for the Hearing or Speech Impaired (TDD) To assist customers who have hearing difficulties, Buick has installed special TDD (Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf) equipment at its Customer Assistance Center. Any hearing or speech impaired customer who has access to a TDD or a conventional teletypewriter (TTY) can communicate with Buick by dialing: 1 -800-TD-BUICK. (TDD users in Canada can dial 1-800-263-3830.)

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to notifying General Motors. If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer, or General Motors. To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:

NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportationwashington, D.C. 20590

You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle has a safety defect, you should immediately notify Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:

Transport Canada at Box 8880 Ottawa, Ontario KlG 352.

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO GENERAL MOTORS In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us. Please call us at 1-800-52 1-7300 , or write:

Buick Motor Division Customer Assistance Center 902 E. Hamilton Avenue Flint, MI 48550.

In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English) or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write: General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Assistance Center 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa, Ontario L 1 H 8P7

305

Courtesy Transportation To Buick Motor Division, Quality Means Service -- and service means “keeping you on the road.” Included with your 1994 Buick new car warranty, (36 months, or 36,000 miles), is Courtesy Transportation, a program which will provide Buick retail customers with:

Reimbursement toward a loaner vehicle, courtesy of Buick Motor Division, for up to five days for vehicles requiring overnight warranty repairs. Also, reimbursement up to $30 a day ( 5 days maximum) may be available for the cost of a rental car, bus or even a cab. A free one-way shuttle ride up to 10 miles from the dealership is available for customers whose vehicles require same-day warranty repairs.

Courtesy Transportation is Buick’s way of extending the Premium Service you’ve come to expect for Buick and it’s 3,000 dealers. Please review the Courtesy Transportation glove-box card contained in your vehicle, or consult your Buick dealer for details. In Canada, please consult your GM dealer for information on Courtesy Transportation.

Roadside Assistance Buick Motor Division is proud to offer Buick Roadside Assistance to customers for vehicles covered under the 36 month/36,000 mile new car warranty (whichever comes first). Our commitment to Buick owners has always included superior service through our network of 3,000 Buick dealers. Buick Roadside Assistance provides an extra measure of convenience and security. Buick Roadside Assistance: - Provides owners with access to minor repairs or

towing for disabled vehicles.

- Takes the anxiety out of uncertain situations by

providing easy access to service professionals trained to work with Buick owners, 24-hour a day, 365 days a year, including weekends and holidays.

For details of Buick Roadside Assistance , please consult your Buick Roadside Assistance owner booklet included with your owner’s manual. For needed assistance, call the Buick Roadside Assistance toll-free hotline: 1-800-252- 1 11 2.

306

Canada Roadside Assistance Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive Roadside Assistance program accessible from anywhere in Canada or the United States. Please refer to the separate brochure provided by the dealer or call 1-800-268-6800 for emergency services. Service Publications Information on how to obtain Product Service Publications, Subscriptions and Indexes as described below is applicable only in the fifty U.S. states (and the District of Columbia) and only for cars and light trucks with GVWR less than 10,000 pounds (4 536 kg). In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service Bulletins and Indexes can be obtained by writing to:

General Motors of Canada Limited Service Publications Department 1908 Colonel Sam Dr. Oshawa, Ontario Ll H 8P7

Buick regularly sends its dealers useful service bulletins about Buick products. Buick monitors product performance in the field. We then prepare bulletins for servicing our products better. Now, you can get these bulletins too.

Bulletins cover various subjects. Some pertain to the proper use and care of your vehicle. Some describe costly repairs. Others describe inexpensive repairs which, if done on time with the latest parts, may avoid future costly repairs. Some bulletins tell a technician how to repair a new or unexpected condition. Others describe a quicker way to fix your vehicle. They can help a technician service your vehicle better. Most bulletins apply to conditions affecting a small number of cars or trucks, Your Buick dealer or a qualified technician may have to determine if a specific bulletin applies to your vehicle. You can subscribe to all Buick bulletins. This way you’ll get them as they come out. You can wait a while and get an index to the bulletins. You can also get individual bulletins. However, you’ll need the index to identify them. Subscriptions You can subscribe to all GM Product Service Publications (PSP’s). This will include bulletins for all cars sold by GM and will not be limited to PSP’s applicable to any particular model. When you buy a subscription, you will receive the PSP’s in periodic mailings, shortly after they come out. A subscription entitles you to all PSP’s published by GM during the model year. You can purchase a subscription and get pricing information by calling HELM at 1-800-782-4356. 307

Individual PSP’s If you don’t want to buy all the PSP’s issued by GM for all models in the model year, you can buy individual PSP’s, such as those which may pertain to a particular model. To do this, you will first need to see our index of PSP’s. It provides a variety of information. Here’s what you’ll find in the index and how you can get one: What You’ll Find in the Index:

A list of all PSP’s published by GM in a model year (1990 or later). PSP’s covering all models of GM cars are listed in the same index.

0 Ordering information so you can buy the specific

PSP’s you may want. Price information for the PSP’s you may want to buy.

How You Can Get an Index: Indexes are published periodically. Most of the PSP’s which could potentially apply to the most recent GM models will be listed in the most recent publication for that model year. This means you may want to wait until the end of the model year before ordering an index, if

you are interested in buying PSP’s pertaining to a current model year car or truck. Some PSP’s pertaining to a particular model year vehicle may be published in later years, and these would be listed in the later year’s index. When you order an index for a model year that is not over yet, we’ll send you the most recently published issue. Check the ordering form for indexes for earlier model years. Cut out the ordering form, fill it out, and mail it in. We will then see to it that an index is mailed to you. There is no charge for indexes for the 1990- 1994 model years. Copies at Participating Dealers Copies of Indexes and individual PSP’s are at your participating Buick dealer. You can ask to see them. A VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER: These PSP’s are meant for technicians. They are not meant for the “do-it-yourselfer.” Technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job quickly and safely. Buick Service Publications You can get these by using the order form:

308

W 2

5 W

v) v)

W U n n a

309

R

3 3

310

Part 9 INDEX

81

Accessory Power . Retained . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adding

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 Brake Fluid 14 1. 276 Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Engineoil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Power Steering Fluid 244 Transaxle Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Windshield Waher Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 Air Bag (Supplemental Restraint System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 36 Air Bag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aircleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 Airconditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Air Conditioner Refrigerant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282 Alcohol. Driving Under the Influence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Alcohol in Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Aluminum Wheels . Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 I58 Antenna Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Antifreeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Anti-lock Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Anti-lock Braking System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 268 Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appearance Care and Maintenance Materials . . . . . . . . . . 275 Ashtrays and Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 7 Astroroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Assistance. Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306 143 Audio Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Automatic Overdrive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Automatic Ride Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Automatic Transaxle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 88 Shifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Blizzard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 Block Heater (Engine Coolant Heater) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Blowout. Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Brake

Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 Anti-lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 Master Cylinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 PedalTravel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254

311

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

System. Anti-lock Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 System Warning Light 122 84. 90 Transaxle Shift Interlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Brakes. Trailer 191 Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Braking in Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Break-In. New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Bulbchart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256 Bulb Replacement Bulbs. Halogen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.....................

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Canadian Roadside Assistance 307 Capacities and Specifications Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Carbon Monoxide 146. 149 Cassette Tape Player Cassette Tape Player Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 Cautions. Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 CB Radio. Adding 144 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Cellular Telephone. Adding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chains. Tire 267 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Change Oil Soon Light Changing a Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 15 Check Oil Level Light 126 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Checking

Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Engineoil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power Steering Fluid Restraint Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Transaxle Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

252 247 238 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 6 1 244

Underhood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234 Windshield Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 Chemical Paint Spotting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Children and Safety Belts 46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 Circuit Breakers and Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 City Driving Cleaner. Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 Cleaning

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 Aluminum Wheels 158 Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cassette Player 157 Fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 Inside Your Buick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268 Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 Leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 Outside Your Buick 158 Power Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Speaker Covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 Underbody Maintenance ........................ 274 Vinyl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 White Sidewall Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 Windshield and Wiper Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 Clock Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146.149. 152 Comfort Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Compact Disc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Compact Disc Care 158 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224 Compact Spare Tire Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

312

63 111

Controls. Features and ............................. Convenience Net ................................ Coolant Engine ...................................... 247 Engine. Warning Light/Gage .................... 124 Heater ................................... 82. 242 Safety Warnings .............................. 207 Courtesy Lights ................................. 104 Courtesy Transportation ........................... 306 Cruise Control ................................... 98 Customer Assistance Hearing/Speech Impaired ....................... Satisfaction Procedure .........................

304 303

Daytime Running Lights ......................... 105 Defensive Driving ............................... 162 Defogger. Rear Window .......................... 139 Defrost ........................................ 138 Dimensions Chart ................................ 280 Disc Brake Wear Indicators ........................ 253 Disposal of Used Oil ............................. 243 Door Ajar Light ................................. 130 DoorLocks ...................................... 65 Downshifting ..................................... 85 Driving City ........................................ 179 Curve ...................................... 170 Defensive ................................... 162 Drunken .................................... 162 Foreign Country .............................. 232 Freeway ..................................... 180

Hill and Mountain Roads ....................... Long Distance ................................ Night ....................................... Rain ........................................ Through Deep Standing Water .................... Winter ......................................

182 181 175 176 82 184

Engine

170 198 171 205

Electrical Equipment. Adding ................. 144. 276 Electronic Level Control .......................... 115 Emergency Braking ..................................... Starting ..................................... Steering ..................................... Towing ..................................... Accessory Belt ........................... 236, 237 Block Heater (Coolant Heater) ................ 82, 242 Coolant ..................................... 247 Coolant Temperature Warning Light .............. 124 Exhaust .................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Identification (VIN) .......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 ................. 238 Oil ........................ ................. 242 Oil Additives ................ ................. 127 Oil Life Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 125 Oil Pressure Warning Light/Gage ................. 207 Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Starting .................... .................. 81 Ethanol IiGasoline .............................. 229 Expectant Mothers. Use of Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Extender. Safety Belt .............................. 61

313

Identification Label. Service Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 Identification Number. Vehicle VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 Idling Your Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Indicators. Warning Lights. Gages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Infant Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Inflation. Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 InstrumentPanel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Jack. Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keyless Entry System. Remote ......................

215 198 70

K e y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FASS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reminder Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

64 79 77 65

Label. Service Parts Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 Lamp Monitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Lane Change Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 LapBelt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Lap-Shoulder Belt Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Leather Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 Leaving Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Level Control. Electronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 15 License Plate Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Lighter. Cigarette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lights

118 Air Bag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Daytime Running . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Illuminated Entry System ........................ 75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Operation “On ”Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256 Removing & Replacing Bulbs Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Time Out Feature 104 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 Loading Your Vehicle Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Locks. Rear Door Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Long Distance Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loss of Control 173 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Low Coolant Warning Light Lubricants and Fluids. Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299

Maintenance

Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298 Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Underbody 274 Malfunction Indicator Light (Service Engine Soon Light) 128 Manualseat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

315

Master Cylinder, Brake ........................... Memory Seat and Mirrors .......................... Methanol in Gasoline ............................. Mirrors ........................................ Monitors, Lamp .................................

252 15 229 108 107

N e t , Convenience ............................... 111 Neutral Gear Position .............................. 84 New Vehicle Break-In ............................. 79 Night Driving ......... ; ......................... 175 Number, Vehicle Identification (VIN) ................ 276

Octane Requirements ....................... 229,230 Odometer ...................................... 119 Off-Road Recovery .............................. 172 Oi1,Engine ..................................... 238 Change ..................................... 242 Quality ..................................... 240 WarningLight ................................ 125 Overdrive, Automatic ............................. 85 Overheated Engine ............................... 207

P a i n t Spotting ................................. .274 Park Position .................................... 83 Park, Shifting Into ................................ 88 Park, Shifting Out ............................... . 9 0

316

Parking

Brake ........................................ 87 Over Things That Burn .......................... 91 With A Trailer ................................ 193 With the Engine Running ........................ 89 Passing ....................................... -172 PASS-Key, Theft Deterrent System ................... 77 Polishing and Waxing ........................... .272 Power

Accessory Power, Retained ...................... 81 Antenna ..................................... 158 DoorLocks ................................... 67 Mirrors ..................................... 108 Seats ........................................ 14 Steering ..................................... 170 Steering Fluid ................................ 250 Windows ..................................... 93 Pregnancy, Safety Belts Use ........................ 41 Problems on the Road ............................ 195 Publications, Service ............................. 308

Radiator Overheating ............................ 207 Radiator Pressure Cap ........................... .249 Radio ......................................... 143 Reading Lights .................................. 106 Rear Door Security Lock ........................... 74 Rear Passenger ComforTemp ....................... 132 Rear Window Defogger ........................... 139 Rearview Mirror ................................. 108

Reclining Seatbacks ............................... 16 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ................ 299 Remote Keyless Entry System ....................... 70 Remote Trunk Release ............................. 68 Replacing Brake System Parts . .......................... 254 Light Bulbs .............................. 256. 281 Safety Belts ................................... 62 Tires ....................................... 264 Wheels ..................................... 266 Reporting Safety Defects .......................... 305 Restraint System. Supplemental (Air Bag) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Restraint Systems ................................. 19 Restraints. Child .................................. 48 Restraints. Head .................................. 18 Retained Accessory Power .......................... 81 Reverse Gear Position ............................. 84 Ride Control. Auto ............................... 11 5 Roads. Hill and Mountain ......................... 182 Roadside Assistance .............................. 306 ............................ 226 Rocking Your Vehicle Rotation. Tire ................................... 262 Running Your Engine While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Safety Belts .................................... 19 Adults ....................................... 26 Care ........................................ 271 Center Passenger Position ........................ 42 Checking ...................................... 61 Children ..................................... 46 Driver Position ................................ 26

Extender ..................................... 61 Lap ......................................... 42 Lap-Shoulder .............................. 27. 44 Larger Children ................................ 58 Pregnancy. Use During .......................... 41 ProperlyWo rn ................................. 26 Questions About ............................... 24 Rear Seat Passengers ........................... 43 Reminder Light ................................ 25 Replacement .................................. 62 Right Front Passenger Position .................... 41 Shoulder Belt Height Adju'ster ..................... 28 Smaller Children and Babies ..................... 46 Torn ......................................... 62 Twisted ....................................... 33 Why Safety Belts Work .......................... 20 Safety Cautions .................................. 10 Safety Defects, Reporting ......................... 305 Scheduled Maintenance Services ................ 288, 290 Seat Adjustment ............................... 14, 62 Seats and Restraint Systems ......................... 13 SecondGearPosition .............................. 85 Securing a Child Restraint ..................... 50,53, 55 Security Light .................................... 76 Security Lock, Rear Door .......................... 74 Service and Appearance Care ...................... 227 Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) ..... 128 Service Information .............................. 228 Service Parts Identification Label ................... 276 Service Publications .............................. 307 Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Buick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Sheet Metal Damage ............................. 273

317

1

Shift Brake-Transaxle Interlock .................. 84. 90 Shifting the Transaxle ............................. 83 Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster ....................... 28 Skidding ....................................... 174 Sound Equipment. Adding .......................... 144 Soundsystems .................................. 143 Spare Tire ...................................... 224 Specifications Chart .............................. 282 Speech Impaired Customer Assistance ............... 304 Speed Control .................................... 98 Speedometer .................................... 119 Stains ......................................... 270 Starting Your Car (Jump Starting) ................... 198 Starting Your Engine ............................... 81 Steering ....................................... 170 Emergencies ................................. 17 1 Wheel Controls ............................... 155 ................................... 93 Wheel. Tilt Stereo Sound Systems ............................ 143 Storage Armrest ................................. 1 15 Storage. Garage Door Opener ...................... 1 12 . Storing Your Car ................................ 255 Stuck. If Your Car is .............................. 225 Sunroof ........................................ 112 . Supercharged Engine ............................. 237 Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System (Air Bag) ...... 34

Tachometer ................................... Taillamp Bulb Replacement ........................ Tape Player Care ................................ Temperature Warning Light .........................

129 257 157 124

Theft ........................................... 75 Deterrent System. PASS-Key ..................... 77 Deterrent System. Universal ...................... 76 Thermostat ..................................... 249 Third Gear Position ............................... 85 Tilt Steering Wheel ............................... 93 Time (Setting the Clock) ................... 146.149. 152 Tire ........................................... 260 Balance ..................................... 265 Chains ...................................... 267 Flat ........................................ 215 Inflation ..................................... 261 Inspection and Rotation ........................ 262 Quality Grading .............................. 264 Replacement ................................. 264 Spare ....................................... 224 Wear Indicators ............................... 263 White Sidewall ............................... 273 TorqueLock ..................................... 90 Towing Your Buick .............................. 203 Towing Hookups ............................ 205. 206 Traction Control System .......................... 168 Traction Control System Warning Light .............. 123 Trailer Brakes ................................... 191 Trailer Towing .................................. 188 Transaxle. Automatic .............................. 83 Transaxle Fluid .................................. 244 Trip Odometer .................................. 120 Trunk Ajar Light ................................ 130 Trunk Release. Remote ............................... Automatic Pull-Down ..........................

68 69

318

Turn Signalmeadlight Beam Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Turn Signal Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Twilight Sentinel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Underbody Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 Universal Theft Deterrent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Unleaded Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Upholstery Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 Used Oil Disposal

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 Vehicle Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 Vehicle Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 1 Vinyl. Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 Voltage Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

w a r n i n g Flashers. Hazard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 120 Warning Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AirBag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Anti-lock Brake System ........................ 123 Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 ChangeOilSoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 CheckOilLevel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Engine Coolant Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Engineoil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

LightsON ................................... 103 LowCoolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 LowFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 I ndicator Lamp) . . 128 Service Engine Soon (Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Traction Control System . . . . . . . . Trunk Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Washer Fluid Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 . . . . . . . . . . . . 97. 251 Washer. Windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 . . . . . . . . . . . . Washing Your Vehicle Weatherstrips 273 Weight Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 Aluminum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 Cover Removal ............................... 217 NutTorque .................................. 223 Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266 Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Windshield Cleaning .................................... 272 Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 Wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Winter Driving .................................. 184 WreckerTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 ........................ 161 Your Driving and the Road Your Vehicle and the Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285

Wheel

319

Fuel Mileage Chart

MILES PER GALLON

10

11

12

13

14 17

16

15

18

19

20

22

21

23

24

25 28

27

26

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17

S i 60 66

50

60

70

65

70

75

80

85 90

95

100 105

115 120 125 130 135 140 145 150 155

I60 I65 170 175 180

77

96

90

84

80 88 90

96

104

102 108 114 120

IS0 156 162

126 132 138 144

152 160 I68 176

72 78 84 91

I68 174 180 186 192 98 105 112 119 126 133 140 147 154 161 168 175 I82 189 196 203 210 217 224 I 12 120 128 136 144 126 135 144 153 162 171 180 189 198 207 216 225 234 243

I 84 192 200 20X 216 224 232 240 248 256 264 272 280 288 252 261 270 279 288 297 306 315 324

198 204 210 216

231 238 245 252

220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 3

165 176 187 198 209 220 231 242 253 264 275 286 297 308 3 19 330 341 352

108 117 120 130 140 1 50 160 170 I80 190 200 2 I 132 143 154

99 I I 1 0 0 1 10 12 I 120 132 144 I56 168 180 192 204 216 228 240 252 264 776 I30 143 156 169 182 195 208 22 I 234 247 260 273 286 299 3 12 325 338 351 364 377 390 403 416 429 442 455 468 168 182 196 210 224 140 154 1 50 165 180 195 210 225 240 160 176 192 208 224 240

238 252 266 280 294 308 322 336 350 364 378 392 406 420 434 348 255 270 285 300 3 I5 330 345 360 375 390 405 420 43.5 450 465

256 272 288 304 320 336 352 368 384 400 416 432 448 464 480

288 300 3 12 324 336 348 360 372 384 396 408 420 432

10 320 330 340 350 360 363 374 385 396

480 495 5 10 525 540

462 476 490 504

I 238 255 272

289 306 323 340 357 374 391 308 415 442 459

170 187 204 22 1 X 0 198 216 234 252 270 2x8 306 324 342 360 378 396 414 432 450 468 486 504 522 540 558 576 594 18 I90 209 228 247 266 285 304 323 342 361 380 309 41 8 437 456 475 494 19 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 440 460 480 500 520 540 20 21 210 231 22 -

308 330 352 374 396 41 8 440 462 484 SO6 528 550 572 594 6

483 504 525 546 567 588 609 630 651 672 693 714

336 357 378 399 420 441 462

476 493 5 I O 527 544 56 I

220 242 264 286

560 580 600 620 640

51 3 532 55 I

252 273 294 315

I6 638 660

682 704 726 748 770

570 589 608 627 646 665 684

660 680 700 720 735 7.56

792

496 5 I2 528 544 560 576 578 595 61 2 61 2 630 648

320

Park Avenue

The 1994 Buick Park Avenue

Owner's Manual

Litho in USA Part No. 25609656 B First Edition

@Copyright General Motors Corporation 1993 All Rights Reserved

We support voluntary technician certification.

WE SUPPORT

VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION THROUGH

Nacmnal lnstllule for

AUTOMOTIVE

SERVICE

EXCELLENCE

For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a French Language Manual: Aux proprietaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en francais chez votre concessionaire ou au DGN Marketing Services Ltd., 1500 Bonhill Rd., Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1C7.

GENERAL MOTORS, GM and the GM Emblem, Buick, and the Buick Emblem are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation. This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the product after that time without further notice. For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada Limited” for Buick Motor Division whenever it appears in this manual. Please keep this manual in your Buick, so it will be there if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new owner can use it.

innovator. Buick engineers developed the “valve-in-head” engine, a light, powerful and reliable engine which would eventually influence the entire automotive industry. William C. Durant was instrumental in promoting Buicks across the country using his Durant-Dort Carriage Co. outlets and salespeople as the nucleus of a giant distribution system. He knew the Buick as a “self-seller”. If automobiles could be this good, he thought, maybe it was time to switch from the horse and buggy business to automobiles.

At the 1905, New York Auto Show, Durant took orders for 1,000 Buicks before the company had built 40. On Buick’s success, Durant created a holding company, September 16, 1908. He called it General Motors.

William C . (Billy) Durant

Walter Marr and Thomas Buick Buick’s chief engineer, Walter L. Marr (left), and Thomas D. Buick, son of founder David Dunbar Buick, drove the first Flint Buick in a successful Flint-Detroit round trip in July 1904. David Buick was building gasoline engines by 1899, and Man; his engineer, apparently built the first auto to be called a Buick in 1900. However, Buick traditionally dates its beginnings to 1903. That was the year the company was reorganized, refinanced and moved from Detroit to Flint. Buick has always been a product

Durant also created a racing team that won 500 racing trophies in 1909 and 1910, including successes at Indianapolis two years before the Indy 500 began. The success of Buick engines was visible not only on the race track, but in endurance tests across the country and around the world. Buick was the only car to complete a 1,000-mile Chicago-to-New York race in 1906. And a Buick was the first car to travel across South America, driven from Buenos Aires, Argentina, over the Andes to Santiago, Chile in 19 14.

Buick drew plenty of attention because it could climb hills and run through mud like no other car. Buick’s endurance and reliability were world famous. During World War I, Buick built Liberty aircraft engines as well as Red Cross ambulances so successful that one Buick ambulance was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French government. As a builder of premier automobiles, Buick was hard hit by the Great Depression. However, new General Manager, Harlow H. Curtice created popular new models including the Special and the Roadmaster. Buick sales soon flourished.

191 I Model 21 Touring Car on Buick’s Test Hill

First Buick Factory

In World War 11, Buick built aircraft engines, tanks and other military hardware. This post-war period brought great styling and engineering changes which resulted in increased sales. The torque converter automatic transmission, Dynaflow, was introduced in the 1948 Roadmaster. Buick’s famous “portholes” came along in 1949.

A high-compression V-8 engine was introduced in 1953. And Buick’s famous vertical pillar “toothy” grille, (introduced in 1942), became more massive in the post-war era.

. , .

. . . ., . . , ., .. . .. . ,

I949 Roadmaster

1953 Skylark Motor Trend magazine named the 1962 Buick Special, “Car of the Year”. The first production V-6 engine was used in the Special.

/ 962 Buick Special Built inside the walls of the old buildings in Buick’s former Flint complex, which formed the cornerstone of General Motors, Buick City, is a state-of-the-art assembly facility with more than 200 robots and other high-tech equipment. It was completed in the fall of 1985. Buicks are, and will continue to be, premium American motorcars with smooth power, high performance, rich detail and comfortable accommodation.

Ed Mertz, General Manager, Buick Motor Division. Our mission is simple: “Buick will provide Premium American Motorcars backed with services that exceed our customers’ expectations, throughout the purchase, ownership, service and repurchase experience.” Buicks are SUBSTANTIAL. Buicks are DISTINCTIVE. Buicks are POWERFUL. Buicks are MATURE.

A

I923 Sport Roadster

Table of Contents

This part explains how to start and operate your Buick.

This part tells you how to use your manual and includes safety and vehicle damage warnings and symbols.

This part tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your sound system.

How to Use this Manual ................................................................ Seats and Restraint Systems ............................................................. This part tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SRS” system. FeaturesandControls .................................................................. Comfort Controls and Audio Systems ..................................................... YourDrivingandtheRoad .............................................................. Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions. ProblemsontheRoad .................................................................. Serviceand Appearancecare ............................................................ Maintenanceschedule .................................................................. Customer Assistance Information ........................................................ Index ................................................................................

This part tells you how to contact Buick for assistance and how to get service publications. It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 305.

This part tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or engine overheating, etc.

This part tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.

Here the manual tells you how to keep your Buick running properly and looking good.

Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find something you want to read.

10

13

63

131

161

195

227

283

303

311

You will also find a circle with a slash through it in this book. fi This safety symbol means

“Don’t,” “Don’t do this,” or “Don’t let this happen.”

How to Use This Manual Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning to end when they first receive their new vehicle. This will help you learn about the features and controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find that pictures and words work together to explain things quickly. Safety Warnings and Symbols You will find a number of safety cautions in this book. We use a box with gray background and the word CAUTION to tell you about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the warning.

In the gray caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you or others could be hurt.

10

Vehicle Damage Warnings Also, in this book you will find these notices:

NOTICE:

In the notice area, we tell you about something that can damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the damage. When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different words. You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use yellow for cautions, blue for notices and the words CAUTION or NOTICE.

11

Vehicle Symbols These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.

These symbols are used on warning and indicator lights:

These symbols are important for you and your passengers whenever your vehicle is driven:

These symbols have to do with your lights:

These symbols are on some of your controls:

WINoSHIELD

WIPER

For example, these symbols are used on an original battery:

POSSIBLE A

CAUTION

INJURY

PROTECT EYES BY SHIELDING

CAUSTIC

BURNS

AVOID SPARKS OR FLAMES

SPARK OR FLAME COULD EXPLODE BATTERY

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,111,

SEAT

DOOR LOCK UNLOCK

FASTEN

BELTS

POWER WINDOW

WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER

WARNING FLASHER

A HAZARD HIGH BEAM OR = -0 $0

FOG LAMPS

WINDOW DEFOGGER

VENTILATING FAN

Here are some other symbols you may see:

FUSE

RADIO

SELECTOR fi

"i"

CHARGING 1-1

BATTERY

SYSTEM

RADIO VOLUME

RADIATOR COOLANT

FUEL

ENGINE OIL PRESSURE W

ANTILOCK BRAKE

LIGHTER n

(a) TEMP OIL &

@ Part 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

Here you’ll find information about the seats in your Buick. and how to use your safety belts properly . You can also learn about some things you should not do with safety belts . Part 1 includes:

SeatsandSeatControls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 HeadRestraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 SafetyBelts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Lap-ShoulderBelt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Supplemental Restraint System (Air bag) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Smaller Children and Babies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 LargerChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 SafetyBeltExtender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Checking Your Restraint System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Replacing Safety Belts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

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Seats and Seat Controls This section tells you about the seats -- how to adjust them, and also about memory seats, reclining seatbacks and head restraints. Manual Seat

Power Seat

. , . . . . . . . . ,

Front Control (F): Raise the front of the seat by pushing on the left side of the switch. Push on the right side of the switch to lower the front of the seat. Center Control (C): Move the seat forward or back by holding the control to the front or back. Raise the seat by holding the control to the left. Hold the control to the right to lower the seat. Rear Control (R): Raise the rear of the seat by holding the switch to the left. Holding the switch to the right lowers the rear of the seat.

Move the lever under the front seat to unlock it. Slide the seat to where you want it. Then release the lever and try to move the seat with your body, to make sure the seat is locked into place.

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Memory Seat and Mirrors (Option) If your Buick has this option, the control looks like this:

You can use this when you want to save a seat and mirror adjustment. Here’s how to make it work: 1. Adjust the driver’s seat to your desired position.

Adjust both outside mirrors to suit you. See “Outside Mirrors” in the Index.

2. Press the SET button, and then one of the two

memory buttons within 5 seconds. You will hear one beep when you press the set button, and two beeps when you press the memory button to confirm that the mirror and seat positions are entered in memory.

Now it’s set. When your Buick is in PARK with the ignition ON, push the memory button you just set and the seat and mirrors will go to where you’ve just set them. With the ignition OFF, the system will work in any shift lever position. To do the same thing for a second driver, follow the steps above but use the other memory button. If you hit the wrong memory setting, or if there is a third driver, the seat adjuster will still work, so you can adjust the seat to where you want it. The EXIT button allows you to get out of the car more easily. Push it while you’re in PARK with the ignition ON, or anytime with the ignition OFF, to make the seat go all the way down and back. Also, you will hear a beep when the EXIT button is pushed.

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Reclining Front Seatback(s) To adjust the seatback, lift the lever on the outer side of the seat. Release the lever to lock the seatback where you want it. Pull up on the lever and the seat will go to its upright position.

If you have the power recline option, it works vith the switch on the side df the seat. Push it back to recline the seat, push it forward to return the meatback to the up position.

But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle moving.

is

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Heated Seat (Option)

Head Restraints

If your vehicle has this option, push the switch on the side of the driver’s seat forward and the driver’s seat will start to warm up. The light on top of the switch will turn orange for low or red for high. Push the switch rearward to stop the seat from warming.

Slide the head restraint up or down so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your ears. This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash.

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Safety Belts: They’re For Everyone This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts properly. It also tells you some things you should not do with safety belts. And it explains the Supplemental Restraint System, or “air bag” system.

- This figure lights up

as a reminder to buckle up. (See “Safety Belt Reminder Light” in the Index.)

In many states and Canadian provinces, the law says to wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work. You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one. A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt or killed.

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After more than 25 years of safety belts in vehicles, the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does matter ... a lot!

Why Safety Belts Work When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes.

For example, if the bike is going 10 mph (16 km/h), so is the child.

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I

When the bike hits the block, it stops. But the child keeps going!

Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it's just a seat on wheels.

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p= ’:\ ,

Put someone on it.

Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider doesn’t stop.

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. .

->

... . .

The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield ...

or the instrument panel ...

rl

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Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers

Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?

won’t have to wear safety belts?

A: You could be -- whether you’re wearing a safety belt or not. But you can easily unbuckle a safety belt, even if you’re upside down. And your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted. &: Why don’t they just put in air bags so people A: Air bags, or Supplemental Restraint Systems, are in some vehicles today and will be in more of them in the future. But they are supplemental systems only -- so they work with safety belts, not instead of them. Every air bag system ever offered for sale has required the use of safety belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that has air bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions.

or the safety belts! With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance, and your strongest bones take the forces. That’s why safety belts make such good sense.

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@ If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from

home, why should I wear safety belts?

A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an accident -- even one that isn’t your fault -- you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver doesn’t protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 kmh). Safetv belts are for everyone.

Safety Belt Reminder Light

When the key is turned to “Run” or “Start,” a chime will come on for about eight seconds to remind people to fasten their safety belts. The safety belt light will also come on and stay on for about 70 seconds. If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the chime nor the light will come on.

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Driver Position This section describes the driver’s restraint system

How To Wear Safety Belts Properly Adults This section is only for people of adult size. Be aware that there are special things to know about safety belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be riding in your Buick, see the section after this one, called “Children.” Follow those rules for everyone’s protection. First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has. We’ll start with the driver position.

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Lap-Shoulder Belt

The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear it properly. 1. Close and lock the door. 2. Adjust the seat (to see how, see “Seats” in the Index)

so you can sit up straight.

’ 3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.

Don’t let it get twisted.

4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.

Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

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Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster

The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you'd be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. The safety belt locks if there's a sudden stop or crash. 28

You can move the shoulder belt adjuster to the height that is right for you.

1

To move it up or down, squeeze the release handle. When you release the handle, try to move it down a little to make sure it has locked into position. You can move the adjuster up from a lower position by pushing the bottom of the release handle.

Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is properly positioned on your shoulder, away from your face and neck. To help you find a height that is right for you, follow these guidelines: For a tall person: Use the upper or upper-middle position. For a person of average height: Use a position somewhere in the middle. For a short person: Use the lower or lower-middle position.

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@ What’s wrong with this?

A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’t give nearly

as much protection this way.

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