key BUICK SKYLARK 1993 User Guide

steering wheel will remain locked, just as it was before
you inserted the key.
OFF: This position lets you turn off the engine but still
turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
wheel like “Lock.” Use
“Off’” if you must .have your car
in motion while the engine is
off.
RUN: This is the position for driving.
START This key position starts your engine.
Starting .Your Engine
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN)
shows the code letter or
number for your engine. You will- find the VIN at the
top
left of your instrument panel. (See “Vehicle
Identification Number” in the Index.) Follow the proper
steps to start the engine.
Move your shift lever to
“P” (Park) or “N” (Neutral).
Your engine won’t start in any other position
-- that’s a
safety feature;
To restart when you’re already moving,
use
“N’ (Neutral) only.
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1 To start your L4 2.3 Lites (Code 3) engine:
I
Don’t push the accelerator pedal before starting your
engine. In some other vehicles you might need to do
this, but because of your vehicle’s computer systems,
you don’t.
Turn your ignition key to “Start.” When the engine
starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down
as your engine gets warm.
If it doesn’t start right away, and the weather is very
cold (below
-20’ .F, or -29’ C), push the accelerator
pedal about one-quarter of the way down while you
turn the key to
“Start.” Do this until the engine starts.
As soon as it does, let go of’the key.
4. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could
be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
“Start” for about three seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
If the car starts briefly but
then stops again, do the same thing, but this time
keep the pedal about one-quarter of the way down
for five or six seconds.
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
electrical equipment, check
you don’t, your engine rnigh
the part
of this Manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towin
Your Car” in the Index.
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To start your V6 3.3 Liter (Code N) engine:
1.
2.
3.
Don’t push the accelerator pedal before starting your
engine. In some other vehicles you might need to do
this, but because
of your vehicle’s computer systems,
you don’t.
Turn your ignition key to “Start.” When the engine
starts, let go
of the key. The idle speed will go down
as your engine gets warm.
.4
If it doesn’t start right away, push the accelerator
pedal about one-quarter of the way down while you
turn the key to “Start.”
Do this until the engine starts.
As soon as it does, let go of the key and the
accelerator pedal.
4. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded
with too much gasoline.
Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding
it there as you hold the key in
“Start
” for about 15 seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline
from the engine. Turn the ignition key to
“Off.” Wait 10 seconds, then repeat Step 3.
seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
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Automatic Transaxle
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
P.(Park)
This locks your front wheels. It’s the best position to
use when you start your engine because your vehicle
can’t move easily.
A CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever
is not fully in “P” (Park) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can
roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
ehicle won’t move, when you’re on fairly level
ound, always set your parking brake and move
e shift lever to
“P” (Park). See “Shifting Into ‘P’
ark)”
in the Index. If you are parking on a hill
, if you’re pulling a trailer, also see “Parking on
11s” or “ Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in “P” (Park) range before
starting the engine. Your Buick has a brake-transaxle
shift interlock. You have to fully apply your regular
brake before you can shift from “P” (Park) when the
ignition key is in the “Run” position.
If you cannot shift
out of
“P” (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever - push
the shift lever all the way into
“P,’ (Park) and also
release the shift lever button on floor shift console
models
- as you maintain brake application. Then move
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2. Move the shift lever into “P” (Park) position like
this:
Move the lever up as far is it will go.
3. Move the ignition key to “Lock.”
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
walk away
from your vehicle with the ignition key-in
your hand, your vehicle is-in
‘‘P13 (Park).
Console Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake ped4 down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
Hold in the button on the lever, and push the lever all
the way toward the front of your vehicle.
3. Move the ignition key to “Lock.”
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
walk away from your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in
“P” (Park).
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Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous,to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in “P”
(Park) with the parking brake firmly set. And,
il
you leave the vehicle with the engine running, it
could overheat and even catch fire. You or others
I
could be injured. Don’t leave your vehic ’ wi
the engine running unless you have to.
I
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in
“P” (Park) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into the
“P” (Park)
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if
you can move the shift lever away from “P” (Park)
without first pulling it toward you (or, if you have the
console shift lever, without first pushing the button). If
you can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully locked
into
“P” (Park).
Shifting Out of P (Park) 66 99
Your Buick has a brake-transaxle shift interlock. You
have to fully applv your regular brake before
you can
shift
from “P” (Park) when the ignition is in the “Run”
position. See “Automatic Transaxle ” in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of “P” (Park), ease pressure on
the shift lever -- push the shift lever all^ the way into “P”
(Park) and also release the shift lever button on floor
shift console models as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish. (Press
the shift lever button before moving the
shift lever.) If
you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift
out of “P” (Park), try this:
1. Turn the key to “Off.”
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to “N’ (Neutral).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear you
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can. want.

Courtesy Lights
When any door is opened, several lights go on. They
make it
easy for you to enter and leave the car. You also
can turn these lights on by rotating the interior light
control to
MAX.
The rear compartment lamp is also activated when the
doors are opened, the deck lid is opened
or when the
interior light control is rotated to
MAX.
Interior Lights Delay
On entry, the interior lights stay on, even after the door
is closed to give you time to find your keys
or controls.
The interior'lights go
off automatically when the
ignition is turned on, or after approximately
40 seconds.
This
40 second delay is disabled if the ignition has been
off less than
2 minutes. The interior lights will also go
on for
4 seconds if you pull on the door handle from the
inside trying to open a locked door.
Mirrors
Inside Mirror
When you are sitting.in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror
so you can see clearly behind your car.
The day-night adjustment allows you to adjust the mirror
to avoid glare from the lights behind you.
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Warning Lights, Gages and
Indicators
This section describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights go on when there may be or is a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
As you will see in
the details
on the next few pages, some warning lights
come on briefly when you turn the ignition key just to
let you know they’re working. If you are familiar with
this section, you should not be alarmed when this
happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle. When
one
of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you what to do about it. Please follow the manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and,even
dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage shows how much fuel is in your tank. It
works only when the engine is on. When the indicator
nears
“E,” you still have a little fuel left. You need to get
more right away.

This light will also come on when you set your parking
brake, and will stay on
if your parking brake doesn’t
release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
If the
light comes on while driving, pull
off the road and stop
carefully, You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor. It may
take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your
Car” in
the Index.)
-
1
I A CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake warning light is on. Driving with the
brake warning light on can lead to an accident. If
the light is still on after you’ve pulled off the road
and stopped carefl
r, have the vehicle towed for
service.
I
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
ANTI.-
LOCK
With anti-lock, this light will go on unless you start your
engine and it will stay on for three .seconds. If the light
doesn’t come on, have it fixed
so it will be ready to
warn
you if there is a problem.
If the light stays on or comes on when you’re driving,
stop as soon
as possible and turn the key off. Then start
the engine to reset the system. If the light still stays on,
or comes on again while you’re driving, your Buick
needs service. Unless the regular brake system warning
light is also on, you will still have brakes, but not
anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system warning
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This gage tells you if there could be a problem with your
engine oil pressure.
If the gage reads in the red band, and stays there, it
means oil isn’t going through your engine properly. You
could be low on oil or you might have some other oil
problem.
Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and hp-
I your vehicle serviced.
“Check Oil” Light
e
The “Check Oil” light is lit
for three seconds as a bulb
check each time the
ignition key
is turned to the
RUN position. If the light
doesn’t come on, have your vehicle serviced.
If ‘the engine oil is more than one quart low, the light
will come on briefly, then
go off for 15 - 25 seconds,
and then come back on for
20 - 40 seconds.
However, under the following conditions, the system
will not register a low engine oil condition.
0 If the vehicle is tilted more than 20°. I problems can be costly and is not covered by
If it has not been more than 8 minutes since the
engine was last shut off.
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