heating BUICK PARK AVENUE 1993 User Guide

Engine Overheating
You will find the warning light about a hot engine on
your Buick instrument panel and if you have the
optional gage cluster,
a coolant temperature gage.
You will also find a low coolant warning light
on your
Buick instrument panel.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine:
A CAUTION:
- _earn from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even
if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming
.. -m it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there
is no sign of steam or coolant before
opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in
it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine
if it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
sngine is cool.
- -
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine:
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little
too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
221
ProCarManuals.com

I A CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up even
when the engine
is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don’t do anything else until it cools down.
. .” P
The coolant level should be at or above “FULL COLD.”
If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator, water pump
or somewhere else in
the cooling system.
I I
A CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine
if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
I
Engine damage? Il’onl I mning bUrlr engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warrbllr
If there seems to be no leak, check to see if the electric
engine fans are running. If the engine
is overheating,
both fans should be running. If they aren’t, your vehicle
needs service.
223
ProCarManuals.com

2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the cross-hatched
area.
4. If the fluid level is where it should be, push the
dipstick back
in all the way.
How to Add Fluid:
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. Don’t overfill. We recommend
you use only fluid
labeled DEXRONWIE, because
fluids with that label
are made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRONB-IIE is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 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:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37 “C) .
0 Give boiling protection up to 262 F ( 128 ” C) .
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights work as they should.
ProCarManuals.com

Radiator Pressure Cap
Your radiator pressure cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly install
to prevent coolant
loss and possible engine
damage from overheating. Be sure the arro
the cap line up with the
ov be on t
radiator filler neck.
Power Steering Fluid
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC@
cap
is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow
of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When
you replace your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
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
should be at the
“HOT” mark.
0 When the engine compartment is cool, the level
should be at the “FULL COLD” mark.
ProCarManuals.com

1 /rl CAUTION:
I
I
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are I
dangerous.
0 Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as
a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and a
serious accident. See “Loading Your
Vehicle”
in the Index.
Underinflated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should checked
when your tires are cold.
0 Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut,
punctured, or broken by
a sudden impact,
such
as when you hit a pothole. Keep tires
at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
I- -
Inflation - Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label which is located on
the rear edge of the driver’s door shows the correct
inflation pressures
for your tires, when they’re cold.
“Cold” means your vehicle has been sitting for at least.
three hours or driven
-- 3 more than a mile.
NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation
,overinflation
is
ProCarManuals.com

P (Park) Position ................................ 80
Paint Spotting ................................... 284
Panel Lights
.................................... 101
Park. Shifting Into ................................ 86
Park. Shifting Out of
.............................. 87
Parking Brake
.................................... 84
Parking on Hills
................................. 194
Parking Over Things That Bum
...................... 88
Passing
........................................ 178
PASS-Key. Theft Deterrent System
................... 73
Pavement Markings
.............................. 166
Pedal Travel. Brake
.............................. 176
Perception Time in Braking
........................ 171
Polishing and Waxing
............................ 282
Power Antenna Care
................................ 156
DoorLocks
................................... 62
Seat Controls
.................................. 14
Steering
..................................... 176
Steering Fluid
................................ 261
Windows
..................................... 90
Pregnancy. Use of Safety Belts During
................ 39
Pressure. Tire
................................... 271
Problems on the Road
............................ 209
Proper Safety Belt Usage for Adults
.................. 25
Publications Order Form
.......................... 3 19
Publications. Service
............................. 3 16
Pull-Down. Automatic Trunk ........................ 65
Push-Starting Your Car
........................... 212
R (Reverse) Gear Position ......................... 81
Racing. Shifting When Your Engine is
................ 82
Radiator Overheating
............................. 221
Radiator Pressure Cap
............................ 261
Radio. Two-way. Adding a
........................ 140
Radio Systems
.................................. 139
Rain. Driving in
................................. 183
Reaction Time in Braking
......................... 171
Reading Lights
.................................. 104
RearBrakes
.................................... 175
Rear Door Security Lock
........................... 69
Rear License Plate Holder
......................... 115
Rear Passenger ComforTemp
....................... 130
Rear Towing Hook-Ups ........................... 220
Rear Window Defogger
....................... 136. 139
Reclining Front Seatbacks
.......................... 16
Recovery.
Off Road ............................... 178
Recreational Vehicle Towing
....................... 201
Remote Keyless Entry System
....................... 66
Remote Trunk Release
............................. 65
Replaceable Light Bulbs
.......................... 291
Replacing Brake System Parts
...................... 264
Replacing Safety Belts
................... : ......... 57
Replacing Wheels
............................... 276
Reporting Safety Defects
.......................... 315
Restarting Your Car When
It’s Moving ................ 76
Restraint. Child
.................................. 46
Restraint Systems. Checking Your
.................... 57
Restraints. Head
.................................. 18
Replacing Tires
................................. 273
ProCarManuals.com