BUICK PARK AVENUE 1998 Owners Manual

prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
~ filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC~
.t ;trolled by a themosta
in <he engine coolak system. The thennostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches
a preset temperature.
When you replace your themostat,
an AC@ themostat
is recommended.
ProCarManuals.com

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
Book at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should
be at the FTLL COLD mark. If
necessary, add Q~Y enough fluid to bring the level up
to the mark.
at to use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
“Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants” in the Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure
to use the proper
fluid
can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
What to use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use.
If you will be
operating
your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may
fall below keezing, use a fluid that has suffkient
protection against freezing.
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located by
the coolant recovery tank on the driver’s side of the
engine compartment.
Open
the cap labeled WASHER ONLX Add
washer
fluid until the tank is full.
ProCarManuals.com

Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with DOT-3 brake fluid.
There
are only two reasom why the brake fluid level in the
reservob might
go down. The first is that the brake fluid
goes ~QW to an acceptable Bevel during nd brake
Wg wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid level
goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is Bedung out
of the brake system. If it is, you ~h~~ld have YQW brake
system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later YQIX
brakes won't work wd, or won't work at all.
ProCarManuals.com

So, it isn‘t a good idea to “top oft“ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If YOU add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have loo much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You shouki add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done
on the brake hydraulic system.
When your Srake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. A chime will sound if you
try to drive with this warning light on. See “Brake
System Waning Eight” in the Index.
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3
brAe fluid -- such as Delco Supreme II@ (GM
Part No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a
sealed container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the
mea
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
~~ ~~
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system,
your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
I
1 crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
1
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system
parts. For example, just a few
drops
of minerallbased oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system
parts so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced.
Don’t let someone gut in the
If you spill brake fluid OEI your vehicle’s
painted
surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful
not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Case” in
the Index. wrong
kind of fluid.
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc
brake pads have built-in wear inchcators &at make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and
go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except
when
you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
ProCarManuals.com

Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properiy
torqued whee! nuts irre necessary to heIp
prevent
brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake
pacts for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to GM specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced 2s complete
axle seis.
See "Brake System Inspectioc" in Section 7 of this
nanuai under Part C "Periodic Maintecance
Inspections."
Every time
you apply the brakes, with or wiFhcut the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
Tie braking system a modem vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be of top quality and work weII
together if the vehicle is io lxwe reakly good braking.
Your vehicle \vas designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake puts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake kings wear
down and you have to Rave new ones put irn -- be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts. If YOQ
don't, your brakes may no ionger work properly. For
example,
if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rex brzkes can change -- for the worse. The braking
performance
you've come to expect cm change in many
other ways if someone ~dts in the wrong replacement
brake
parts.
Every new Buick has an ACIMCQ ~reedcm~ battery.
You never have to add water to one of these. Wen it's
time for a new battery, we recommend m ACDelco
Freedom battery. Get one
that has the replacement
mrnber shown cn the original battery's label.
ProCarManuals.com

If you're not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or mcre, remove the black, negative (-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
Bse$tesies have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You ran be badly hurt if JW.I
aren't careful. See "Jump Starting" in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting
hurt.
Contact yoirr dealer to Iem how to prepzre your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see 'Theft-Deterrent
Feature"
in the Index.
Halogen bulbs have pressurized g;as inside and
can burst if YOU drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the btrbb package.
ProCarManuals.com

Each headlamp is amached by thumb screws.
........... .......... ...........
.. ......a , .. .... q::z;*:<i:, :....-. ...
.... .....
... .... ............ ....... ....... ... , .. , .... ..... ..
1. Remove the thumb screws by turning them to
the left.
ProCarManuals.com

2. Pull the headlamp away from the car.
3. Remove the bulb socket
by
turning it onequarter
of a tuna to the left,
while pressing it firmly,
then pull it out. Note:
YQU can use pliers to
remove the bulb socket
if you are unable to do Et
by hand.
.. I '.
..
4. Remove the wire connector from the bulb by
lifting the EQC~ tab ad pulling it away from the
plastic base.
ProCarManuals.com

5. Reverse the above steeps to reassemble ahe Bamp
assembly. The
fiont turn signal bulbs can be accessed by
removing
the headlamp assembly as described in
the previous procedure.
Once
the headlamp
assembly
has been removed,
reach
down from the top
of the vehicle and, while
pressing the
lock tab on the
socket,
turn the socket
onequarter
of a turn and
pull it out.
When reassembling the lamp, make sure
to align
the pin at the outboapd edge of the headlamp
assembly to
the plastic retainer at the outboard
edge
of the vehicle. Remove the
old bulb
by pulling it straight out of the
socket. Replace the bulb
md turn the bulb assembly
back into place.
ProCarManuals.com