check engine BUICK RIVIERA 1993 User Guide

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. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to change
your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at a Buick 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.

Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these
stem:
1. Pull out the dipstick and
wipe it with a clean rag
or paper towel.
2. Push it ‘back in aa the way, wait three seconds and
I :then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides ofthe
dipstick, and read the
lower level. The fluid
level must be
.in the
cross-hatched
mea.
P
4. If the fluid level is where it should be, push the
How to Add Fluid:
dipstick back in all the way.
Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to
use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the- fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid
to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on the
dipstick. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a \
pint. D,on’t overfill. We recommend you use only fluid
labeled DEXRONB-IIE, because fluids with that label
230
I

are made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRONs-IIE is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under
“How to Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine 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 “Engine Overheating” in the
Index.
The proper coolant for your Buick
will:
Give freezing protection down to -34’F (-37 ’ C) .
0 Give boiling protection up to 262 ’ F ( 128 ’ C) .
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights work as they should.
What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets “GM Specification 1825-M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts. Use GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) with
any complete coolant change. You can also use a
recycled coolant conforming to “GM Specifications
1825-M” with a complete coolant flush and-refill.
If you
use these, you don’t need to add anything else.
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warnin!
system
is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine coul
get
too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you
or others could be burned. Use a
50150 mix of
clean water and
a proper antifreeze.
231

Adding Coolant
The engine coolant
recovery tank is located at
the left
of the engine
compartment.
To Check Coolant: When
your engine is cold, the
coolant level should be at
“FULL COLD,” or a little
higher. When your engine
is
warm, the level should be
up to
“FULL HOT,” or a
little higher.
To Add Coolant: If you need more coolant, add the
proper mix at the coolant recovery
tank.
232

i Power Steering Fluid I
What to Add:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
I
i
How To Check Power Steering Fluid:
~ 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.
When the engine compartment is hot, the level
When the engine compartment is cool, the level should be
at
the “HOT” mark.
should be at the
“FULL COLD” mark.
I

IMPORTANT:
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
This part covers the maintenance required for your Buick. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its
safety, dependability and emission control performance.
Plan
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The
Plan supplements your new vehicle warranties. See
your Buick dealer for details.
Introduction
A Word About Maintenance
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don't know
exactly how you'll drive it. You may drive very short
distances only a few times a week.
Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or you
may drive it to work, to do errands or in many other
ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their GM
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than you
will
find in the schedules in this part. So please read this part
and note how you drive.
If you have any questions on
how to keep your vehicle in good condition, see your Buick dealer, the place many GM owners choose to
have their maintenance work done. Your dealer can be
relied upon to use proper parts and practices.

.Section B: Owner Checks and
Services At Each Fuel Fill
(It is important for you or a service station attendant
to perform these underhood checks at each fuel
fill.)
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown in
Section
D.
CHECK OR
SERVICE
Engine Oil
Level
Engine Coolant
Level
Windshield
Washer Fluid
Level
WHAT TO DO
Check the engine oil level and add
the proper oil if necessary. See “Engine Oil” in the Index for further
details.
Check the engine coolant level in the
coolant recovery tank and add the
proper coolant mix if necessary. See “Coolant” in the Index for further
details.
Check the windshield washer fluid
level in the windshield washer tank
and add the proper fluid if necessary.
See “Windshield Washer Nuid”
in
the Index for further details. ~-~ ~- ~
280 .~

At Least Once a Month
CHECK OR
Tire Inflation
WHAT TO DO
~~ ~~ ~~ ~
Check tire inflation. Make sure they
are inflated to the pressures specified
on the Tire-Loading Information
label located on the rear edge of the
driver’s door. See “Tires” in the
Index for further details.
At Least Once a Year
CHECK OR
SERVICE I WHAT TO DO
Key Lock
the lubricant specified
in Section D. Cylinders Lubricate the key lock cylinders with
Lubricate all body door hinges. Also
Body
Lubrication lubricate ‘all hinges and latches,
including those for the hood, glove
box door and console door. Section
D tells you what to use.
CHECK OR SERVICE
Starter Switch
WHAT TO DO
or others could be injured.
Follow the stem below.
I
1. Before you start, be sure you have
enough room around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking Brake” in the Index if
necessary) and the regular brake.
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to
turn off the
engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear.
The starter should work only
in “P”
(Park) or “N” (Neutral). If the starter
works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service.
281

CHECK OR SERVICE
Parking Brake
and Automatic
Transmission
“P” (Park)
Mechanism Check
WHAT TO DO
ZAUTION: When you are doing
this check, your vehicle
could
gin to move. You or others
uld be injured and property
be damaged. Make sure
is room in front of your
hicle
in case it begins to roll.
ready to apply the regular
ake at once should the
ehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot
on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
li To check the parking brake: With
the engine running and
transmission in
“N’ (Neutral),
slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal.
Do this
until the vehicle is held by the
parking brake only.
mechanism’s holding ability: Shift
to
“P” (Park). Then release all
brakes.
To check the “P” (Park)
CHECK OR
SERVICE
Underbody
Flushing
WHAT TO DO
At least every spring, use plain water
to flush any corrosive materials
from
the underbody. Take care to clean
thoroughly any areas where mud and
other debris can collect.
283

INSPECTION OR SERVICE
Brake System
Inspection
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
Inspect the complete system. Inspect
brake lines and hoses for proper
hookup, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads
for wear and rotors for surface
condition. Inspect other brake parts, including 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.
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. See
“Brake System Warning Light” in
the Index. If your anti-lock brake
system warning light stays on or
comes
-on, 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
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
FLUID/LUBRICANT
GM Goodwrench Motor Oil or
equivalent for API service SG
Energy Conserving
I1 oils of the
proper viscosity. The
“SG’
designation may be shown alone or
in combination with others, such as
“SG/CC,” “SG/CD,” or
“SF,SG,CC,” etc. To determine the
preferred viscosity for your vehicle’s
engine, see “Engine Oil” in the
Index.
50/50 mixture of water (preferably
distilled) and good quality ethylene
glycol base antifreeze
(GM Part No.
1052753 or equivalent) conforming
to GM Specification 1825M
or
approved recycled coolant
conforming to GM Specification
1825M.
285