check engine BUICK RIVIERA 1993 Owners Manual

PASS-Key I1 TM
Your vehicle is equipped with the PASS-Key I1
(Personalized Automotive Security System) theft
deterrent system. PASS-Key
11 TM is a passive theft
deterrent system. This means you don’t have to do
anything different to arm or disarm the system. It works when you insert or remove the key from the ignition.
PASS-Key
TM uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder in your vehicle. When
the PASS-Key
I1 TM system senses that someone is
using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter
and fuel systems. For about three minutes, the starter
won’t work and fuel won’t
go to the engine. If someone
tries to start your vehicle again or uses another key during this time, the vehicle will not start. This
discourages someone Erom randomly trying different
keys with different resistor pellets in an attempt to make
a match.
The ignition key must be clean and dry before it’s
inserted in the ignition or the engine may not start. If the
engine doesn’t start and the “SECURITY” light comes
on, the key may be dirty or wet. Turn the ignition
off.
Clean and dry the key. Wait about three minutes and try
again. The security light will remain on during this time. If the starter still won’t work, and the key appears to be
clean and dry, wait about three minutes and try the other
ignition key. At this time, you may also want
to check
the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index).
If the starter won’t work with the other key, your vehicle
needs service. If your vehicle does start, the first ignition
key may be faulty. See your Buick dealer or
a locksmith
who can service the PASS-Key I1
.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work and the
69

When the “LOW OIL LEVEL” light comes on you
should check your engine oil level and
fill if necessary.
See Engine Oil in the Index.
There are three ways the
LOW light can come on
briefly. Those
three are normal and don’t show a
problem. These three ways are:
1.
2.
3.
could be low on oil, or you might have some other
oil problem.
CAUTION:
Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
109

Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Light and Gage Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service
Engine Soon Light)
the engine off as soon as
possible.
HOT COOLANT CAN
BURN YOU BADLY!
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index. A computer monitors operation
of your fuel, ignition
and emission control systems. This light should come on when the ignition
is on, but the engine is not running, as
a check to show you it
is working. If it does not come on
at all, have it fixed right away. If it stays
on, or it comes
on while you are driving, the computer is indicating that
you have a problem. You should take your vehicle in for
service soon.
113

~ Before Leaving on a
Long Trip 0 Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along
your route? Should
you delay your trip a short time
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you to avoid a major storm system?
must start when you’re not fresh
-- such as after a day’s
work
-- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part 0 Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
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of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in. On the Road
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts in
Buick dealerships all across North America. They’ll be
ready and willing to help if
you need it.
Here are
some things you can check before a trip:
0 Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
0 Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape!
0 Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked all
levels?
0 Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
0 Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving?
Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure? Unless you
are the only driver, it is good to share
the
driving task with others. Limit turns behind the wheel to
about
100 miles (160 km) or two hours at a sitting.
Then, either change drivers or stop for some refreshment
like coffee, tea or soft drinks and some limbering up. But do stop and move around. Eat lightly along the way.
Heavier meals tend to make some people sleepy.
On two-lane highways or undivided multilane highways
that do not have controlled access, you’ll want to watch for some situations not usually found on freeways.
Examples are: stop signs and signals, shopping centers with direct access to the highway, no passing zones and school zones, vehicles turning left and right off the road,
pedestrians, cyclists, parked vehicles. td even animals.
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway
hypnosis”?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel?
Call
it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
172

There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the
rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don't let it
happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road in less than a second. and you could crash and be
injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that
it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
0 Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
0 Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to
the sides. Check your rearview mirrors frequently
and your instruments from time to time. This can
help you avoid a fixed stare.'
Wear good sunglasses in bright light. Glare can
cause drowsiness. But don't wear sunglasses at
night. They will drastically reduce your overall vision at the very time you need all the seeing power
you have.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service,
or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as
an emergency.
As in any driving situation, keep pace with traffic and
allow adequate following distances.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.
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173

If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
0 Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and
transaxle. These parts can work hard on mountain
roads.
@ Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know
is thisi let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Don't make your brakes do it all.
Shift to a lower gear when you go down a steep or
long
hill. That way, you will slow down without
excessive use of your brakes.
If you don't shift down, your brakes could get
11 so hot that they wouldn't work well. You would
then have poor braking
or even none going
down a
hill. You could crash. Shift down to let
your engine assist your brakes on a steep
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0
/d CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in "N" (Neutral) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have
to do all the work of slowing down. They could
get
so hot that they wouldn't work well. You
could crash. Always have your engine running
and your vehicle
in gear -]en you go downhill.
Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down
to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool
your
engine and transaxle, and you can climb the hill
better.
Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Don't swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your own lane. That way, you won't be
surprised by a vehicle coming toward you
in the
same lane.
It takes longer to pass another vehicle when you're going uphill. You'll want
to leave extra room to pass.
If a vehicle is passing you and doesn't have enough
room, slow down to make it easier for the other
vehicle to get by.

bags, rags, floor mats -- anything you can wrap around
yourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm.
You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You can’t see
it or
smell it,
so you might not know it was in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the ba
!
of your vehicle, especially any that is blocking
your exhaust pipe- And check ar
from time to time to be sure snow
collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that’s away from the wind. This
will heir
keep CO out.
I CAUTION: (Continued)
Run your engine only
as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make
it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly.
This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlights. Let the heater run for awhile.
181

A CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been blinded. Use a
flashlight if you need more
light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You don’t
need to add water to the Delco Freedom@
battery installed
in every new GM vehicle. But if
a battery has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid
is there. If it is low, add water to
take care of that first. If you don’t, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don’t get
it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immedia
y.
1 5. Check that theJumper cames don’t have loose wr
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged, too. Before
you connect the cables, here are some things
you should know. Positive (+) will go to positive (+)
and negative (-) will go to negative (-) or
a metal
engine part. Don’t connect
(+) to (-) or you’ll get a
short that would damage the batterv and maybe other
parts, too.
A CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure
you badly. Keep your hands away from moving
parts once the engines are
running.
6. Connect the red
positive
(+) cable
to the positive
(+)
terminal of the
vehicle with the
dead battery. Use a
I * ;,* remote positive (+) , . ”, . , ,, ,, terminal if the &&>>;&,3; ,, , ,, ~
vehicle has one.

I
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with detergent additives will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel
system. That helps keep your engine in tune and your
emission control system working properly. It’s good €or
your vehicle, and you’ll be doing your part for cleaner
air.
Many gasolines are now blended with materials called oxygenates. General Motors recommends that you use
gasolines with these blending materials, such as MTBE
and ethanol. By doing
so, you can help clean the air,
especially in those parts
of the country that have high
carbon monoxide levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing
reformulated gasolines. These gasolines are specially
designed to reduce vehicle emissions. General Motors
recommends that you use reformulated gasoline. By
doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially in those
parts of the country that have high Ozone levels.
You should ask your service station operators if their
gasolines contain detergents and oxygenates, and if they
have been reformulated
to reduce vehicle emissions.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
U.S. or Canada, unleaded fuel may be hard to find. Do
not use leaded gasoline. If you use even one tankful,
your emission controls won’t work well or at all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust system can corrode, and your engine oil can deteriorate
quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor will be damaged.
All of that means costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN).
General Motors of Canada Ltd.
International Export Sales
P.O. Box 828
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7N1, Canada
218

Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel.
In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine
oil dipstick.is
directly behind the engine
fan..
Turn off the engine and
give the oil a
few minutes
to drain back into the oil
pan.
If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not show the
actual level.
To Check Engine Oil: Pull ’
1 out the dipstick and clean it
with a paper towel or cloth,
I.ii’ ” then push it back in all the
.. , way. Remove it again,
When to Add Oil: If the oil is at or below the ADD
mark, then you’ll need to add some oil. But you must
use tlwright kind. This section explains what kind
of oil
to use. For crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and
Specifications”
in the Index.