service BUICK PARK AVENUE 1993 Owners Manual

GENERAL MOTORS, GM and the GM Emblem,
BUICK, and the BUICK Emblem are registered
trademarks
of General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in
the
product after that time without further notice. For vehicles
first
sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors
of Canada Limited” for Buick Motor Division whenever it
appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your Buick,
so it will be there if
you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you sell the
vehicle, please leave this manual in
it so the new owner can
use it.
VOLUNTARY TECHNKIAN WE SUPPORT
CERTIFICAT’WN THROUGH
Nabonal lnstttute for AUTOMOTIVE
SERVICE
EXCELLENCE
We support voluntary
technician certification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propri6taires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous procurer
un exemplaire de ce guide en fraqais chez votre
concessionaire ou
B DGN Marketing Services Ltd., 1500
Bonhill Rd., Mississauga, Ontario L5T lC7.
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Motor Trend magazine named the 1962 Buick Special
“Car
of the Year”. The first production V-6 engine was
used in the Special.
I962 Buick Special
Built inside the walls of the old buildings in Buick’s
former Flint complex, which formed the cornerstone
of
General Motors, Buick City is a state-of-the-art
assembly facility with more than
200 robots and other
high-tech equipment. It was completed
in the fall
of
1985.
Buicks are, and will continue to be, premium American
motorcars with smooth power, high performance, rich
detail and comfortable accommodation.
Ed Mertz, General Manager, Buick Motor Division
Our mission is simple:
“Buick
will provide Premium American Motorcars
backed
with services that exceed our customers’
expectations, throughout the purchase, ownership,
service and repurchase experience.”
Buicks are SUBSTANTIAL.
Buicks are DISTINCTIVE.
Buicks are POWERFUL.
Buicks are MATURE.
7
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@ Table of Contents
HowtoUsethisManual ................................................................ 10 1
This part tells you how to use your manual and includes safety and vehicle damage warnings & symbols. 13
This part tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly.
This part explains how to start and operate your Buick.
This part tells you how to adjust the ventilation
& comfort controls and how to operate your sound system.
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
This part tells you what to do if you have a problem
while driving, such as a flat tire or engine overheating.
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Buick running properly and looking good.
This part tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
This part tells you how to contact Buick for assistance and how to get service publications. It also gives
you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 315.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual.
You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
SeatsandSafetyBelts .................................................................. 13
FeaturesandControls
.................................................................. 59
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
..................................................... 129
YourDrivingandtheRoad
.............................................................. 159
ProblemsontheRoad
.................................................................. 209
Service and Appearance Care..
.......................................................... 241
Maintenanceschedule
.................................................................. 293
Customer Assistance Information
........................................................ 313
Index
........................................................................\
........ 321
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A CAUTION:
Air bags inflate with great force, faster than the
blink of an’eye. If you’re too close to an inflating
air bag,
it could seriously injure you. Safety belts
help keep you
in position for an air bag inflation
in a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even
with an air bag, and sit as far back as you can
while still maintaining control
of your vehicle.
Air Bag System Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument ’
panel, which shows “INFL REST” or “INFLATABLE
RESTRAINT”. The system checks itself and the light
tells you
if there is a problem.
INFLATABLE INFL.
RESTRAINT
REST.
You will see this light flash for a few seconds when you
turn your ignition
to “Run” or “Start.” Then the light
should
go out, which means the system is ready.
A CAUTION:
F the air bag readiness light doesn’t come on
when you start your vehicle, or stays on, or
comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
35
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A CAUTION:
a
*
Don’t attach anything to the steering whwl
pad. It might injure the driver if the air bag
inflates.
The
air bag is designed to inflate only once.
After it inflates, you’ll need some new parts
for your air bag system. If you don’t get
them, the air bag system won’t be there to
help protect you in another crash. A new
system will include the air bag module and
possibly other
parts. The service manual
has information
about the need ta replace
other
parts.
Let only qualified technicians work on your
air bag system. Improper service can mean
that your
air bag system won’t work
properly. See your dealer for service.
I- D
Servicing Your Buick with the Air Bag
System
Please tell or remind anyone who works on your Buick
that it has the air bag system. There are parts
of the air
bag system in several places around your vehicle. You don’t want the system
to inflate
while someone is
working
on your vehicle. The air bag system does not
need regular maintenance. Your Buick dealer and the
1993 Park Avenue Service Manual have information
about the air bag system, including repair or disposal.
A CAUTION:
For up to 2 minutes after the ignition key is
turned
off and the battery disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured
if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Be sure to follow the proper service
procedures.
When electrical work is done under the hood or inside
your vehicle,
the ignition should be in “Lock” if
possible.
Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape, or yellow
connectors. They are probably part
of the air bag
system.
But if the ignition has to be on for electrical work, or if
the steering column is to be disassembled, the air bag
system must be disconnected.
To do this:
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Remote Keyless Entry System
(Option)
If your Buick has this option, you can lock and unlock
your doors or unlock your trunk from up to
30 feet (9 m)
away using the key chain transmitter supplied
with your
vehicle.
Your Remote Keyless Entry System operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules. This device complies with Part
15 of the FCC
Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1)
This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Should interference to this system occur, try this:
Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See the instructions on battery
replacement.
vehicle. This product has a maximum range.
blocking the signal.
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
See your Buick dealer or a qualified technician for
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void autho&ation to
use this equipment.
service.
Operation
The driver’s
door will unlock automatically when
UNLOCK is pressed. If pressed again within 5 seconds,
all doors will unlock. All doors
will lock when LOCK is
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PASS-Key I1 TM
Your vehicle is equipped with the PASS-Key I1 TM
(Personalized Automotive Security System) theft
deterrent system. PASS-Key
I1 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 system senses that someone
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 someonl
tries to start your vehicle again or uses another key
during this time, the vehicle will not start. This
discourages someone from randomly trying different
is
e
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 does not 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
TM .
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work and the
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security light will flash. But you don’t have to wait three
minutes before trying one of the other ignition keys.
See your Buick dealer or a locksmith who can service
the Pass-Key I1
TM to have a new key made.
If you’re ever driving and the “SECURITY” light comes
on for one minute and stays on, you will be able to
restart your engine if
you turn it off. Your PASS-Key
I1
TM system, however, is not working properly and must
be serviced by your Buick dealer. Your vehicle
is not
protected by the PASS-Key I1
TM system.
If you
lose or damage a PASS-Key I1 ignition key, see
your Buick dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
I1 TM to have a new key made.
New Vehicle “Break-In”
74
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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 (for example, if your
car is being pushed).
RUN: This is the position for driving.
START This position starts your engine.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in “Lock” and you can’t
turn
it, be sure it is all the way in. If it is, then turn
the steering wheel left and right while you turn
the key hard. But turn the key only with your
hand. Using a tool to force
it could break the key
or the ignition switch. If none of this works, then
your vehicle needs service.
p’
Retained Accessory Power (Option)
After the ignition is turned off, and before any door is
opened, the following systems will work for ten
minutes:
0 Fuel Filler Door Release
Trunk Release
0 Power Windows
Radio
0 Brake Transaxle Shift Interlock
0 Optional Astroroof
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.
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This light will also come on when you set your parking
brake, and the light will stay on if your parking brake
doesn’t release fully. If
you try to drive off with the
parking brake set, a chime will also come
on until you
release the parking brake. If the light and chime stay on
after your parking brake is fully released, it means
you
have a brake problem. If the light and chime come on
while driving, pull
off the road and stop carefully. You
may notice that the pedal is harder to .push. Or, the peda
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.)
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 carefully, have the vehicle towed for
service.
1
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With anti-lock, this light will go on when you start your
engine and may stay on for several seconds or
so. That’s
normal. 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
light
is also on, see “Brake System Warning Light”
earlier
in this part.
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