oil change BUICK LESABRE 1993 Owners Manual

“Change Oil Soon’’ Light (Option)
This light is activated by
the Engine Oil Life
Monitor System. It
indicates that the engine oil
has degraded enough to
require changing. See
“Engine Oil”
in the Index.
After changing the engine oil, the system should be
reset.
This will cause the “Change Oil Soon” light once
again, to be lit for just
the bulb check period of 3
seconds.
This
is determined by electronically monitoring engine
speed, coolant temperature and vehicle speed. Since the
change interval is dependent on driving habits and
conditions, the “Change Oil Soon” light may come on as
early as
2,000 miles or less for harsh circumstances.
The “Change Oil Soon” light is lit for three seconds as a
bulb check each time the ignition key is turned to
the
RUN position. If an oil change is required, it will stay
on for 60 seconds each time the engine is started. If the
“Change Oil Soon” light is on continuously, there is a
problem with the Oil Life Monitor System and service
is
required. The reset button
is inside this hole, which is under the
passenger’s side of the instrument panel, near the door.
With the ignition key in
the RUN position, but the
engine not started, use a pen
to push the reset button,
holding
it in for at least 5 seconds but not more than 60
seconds. After 5 seconds, the “Change Oil Soon” light
will flash
4 times and then turn off. This indicates that
the Oil Life Monitor System has been reset.
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Driving a Long Distance
Although most long trips today are made on freeways,
there are still many made on regular highways. Long-distance driving on freeways and regular
highways is the same in some ways. The trip has to be
planned and the vehicle prepared, you drive at
higher-than-city speeds, and there are longer turns
behind the wheel. You’ll enjoy your trip more if you and
your vehicle are in good shape. Here are some tips for a
successful long trip.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
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
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive
in.
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’!! 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:
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Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil. Other Fluids: Have
you checked
all levels?
Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
- 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?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip
a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:
Do you have up-to-date maps?
On the Road
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.

SAE low-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE low-30 is best
for your vehicle. However, you can use SAE 5W-30
if
it’s going to be colder than 60 F ( 16 C) before
your next oil change. When it’s very cold, below
0 F (- 1 8 C), you should use SAE 5W-30.
These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or
thickness,
Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE
1OW-40 or SAE 20W-50.
Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the container will help
you
save fuel.
This doughnut-shaped logo (symbol) is used on most oil
containers to help
you select the correct oil.
You should look for this on the oil container, and use
only those oils that display the logo.
GM Goodwrench@
oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil)
meets all the requirements for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives: Don’t add anything to your oil.
Your Buick dealer is ready to advise if you think
something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil: See if any one of these
is true for you:
Then go
to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release. Lift the hood.
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
0 It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less
than
10 miles ( 16 km).
0 The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in
0 You tow a trailer often.
0 Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one of these is true for your vehicle, then you
need to change your oil and filter every 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever comes first.
(See “Change Oil Soon” in the Index.)
If none of them is true, change the oil every
7,500 miles
(12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever comes first.
Change the filter at the first oil change and at every
other oil change after that. (See “Change Oil Soon”
in the Index.)
Engine Block Heater: An engine block heater can be a
big help if you have to park outside in very cold
weather,
0 F (- 18 C) or colder. If your vehicle has this
option,
see “Engine Block Heater” in the Index.
door-to-door delivery, or
in stop-and-go traffic).
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What to Do with Used Oil: Air Cleaner
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A CAUTION:
Used engine oil contains things that have caused
skin cancer
in laboratory animals. Don't let used
oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw away
clothing or rag8
on. Mng used engine oil.
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure
to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don't ever dispose
of oil
by pouring
it on the ground, into sewers, or into streams
or bodies
of water. Instead, recycle it by taking it to a
place that collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of your used oil, ask your dealer, a
service station or a local recycling center for help.
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The air cleaner and filter are located on the driver's side
of the engine compartment. To check or replace the
filter, undo the wing screws and pull the air cleaner
open. Replace the filter,
then close the cover and tighten
the wing screws.

Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
A CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others
to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame if the
engine backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it off, and be careful working on the engine with
the
air cleaner off.
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NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily gel
into your engine, which wiil damage
it. Always
have the air cleaner
in place when you’re driving.
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.
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parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825-M with a complete coolant flush
and refill. Use GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer)
with any complete coolant change.
If you use these, you
don’t need
to add anything else.
I k!, CAUTION:
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 warning
system
is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
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 5050 mix of clean
water and a proper antifreeze.
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IT you use an Improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered
by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mix can treeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and other
parts.
Adding Coolant

What to Add:
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
DOT-5 silic
your vehicle. Don’t use it.
0 Don’t let someone put in the wrong kind o
fluid. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in
your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to
Brake fluid can damage paint,
so be caref
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good braking. Vehicles
we design and test have top-quality GM brake
parts in them, as your Buick does when it is new. When
you replace parts of your braking system -- for example,
when your brake linings wear down and you have to
have new ones put in
-- be sure you get new genuine
GM replacement parts.
If you don’t, your brakes may no
longer work properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the
balance between your front and rear brakes can change,
for the worse. The braking performance you’ve come to
expect can change in many other ways if someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Every new Buick has a Delco Freedoms battery. You
never have to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedoms
battery. Get one that has the catalog number shown
on
the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, take
off the black, negative (-) cable from the
battery. This will help keep your battery from running
down.
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I IMPORTANT:
KEEP ENGINE OIL AT THE PROPER
LEVELANDCHANGEAS RECOMMENDED
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Protection I
Plan I
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.
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Scheduled Maintenance Services Schedule I
Follow Schedule I if your car is MAINLY driven under one .or more of the following conditions:
When most trips are less than 4 miles (6 kilometers).
When most trips are less than 10 miles (16 kilometers) and outside temperatures remain below freezing.
When most trips include extended idling and/or frequent low-speed operation as in stop-and-go traffic.
Towing a trailer.*?
When operating in dusty areas.
Schedule I should also be followed if the car is used for delivery service, police, taxi or other commercial applications.
I I MILES (000) ~ ~ ~~
TO BE SERVICED
Miles (kilometers) or
Scheduled Mzintenance
48 45 42 39
36
33 30 27
24 21 18 15 12 9 6 3 WHEN TO PERFORM (See Explanation of
~ ~~ ~~
Services Following
Schedules I and
11)
Months, Whichever
Occurs First
Item No.
1. Engine Oil & Oil Filter Every 3 000 mi. (5000 km)
Change* or
3 months.
2. Chassis Lubrication Every
other oil change
3. Throttle Body Mounting At 6 000 mi. (10 000 km)
~~
Bolt Torque*
only
4* Tire & Inspection & then every 15 000 mi. (25 000 At 6 000 mi. ( 10 000 km) and
km)
or as necessary
Rotation
5. Engine
Accessory Drive
Every 30 000 mi.
Belt(s) Inspection* (50 000 km) or 24 months.
5 10
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20 25
e.
e
KILOMETERS (000)
30 35
me
e
e
40 45
em
e
50 55
me
e
e
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Scheduled Maintenance Services Schedule I1
Follow Schedule I1 ONLY if none of the driving conditions specified in Schedule I apply.
TO BE SERVICED
(See Explanation of
Scheduled Maintenance
Services Following Schedules
I and 11)
Item No.
1. Engine Oil Change"
Oil Filter Change"
2. Chassis Lubrication
3. Throttle Body Mounting Bolt Torque*
4. Tire & Wheel Inspection & Rotation
5. Engine Accessory Drive Belt(s) Inspection"
6. Cooling System Service*
7. Transaxle Service
WHEN TO PERFORM
Miles (kilometers) or
Months, Whichever
Occurs
First
MILES (000)
KILOMETERS (000)
I' I 12.5 I 25
Every
7 500 mi. (12 500 km) or 12 mos. 1.1.
At first and then every other oil change 1.1 ~~ ~
Every 7 500 mi. (12 500 km) or 12 mos.
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At 7 500 mi. (12 500 km) only 1.1
At 7 500 mi. (12 500 km) and then every
15
000 mi. (25 000 km) or as necessary
Every
30 000 mi. (50 000 km) or 24 mos.
H-
See Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance
Services Following Schedules
I and I1 I
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