service BUICK PARK AVENUE 1996 Owners Manual

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Buick Motor Division is proud to offer Buick Premium
Roadside Assistance to customers for vehicles covered
under
the 3 year/36,000 mile (60,000 km) new car
warranty (whichever occurs first).
Our commitment to Buick owners has always included
superior service through our network
of 3,000 Buick
dealers, Buick Premium Roadside Assistance provides
an extra measure of convenience and security.
Buick Premium Roadside Assistance:
- Provides owners with access to minor repairs or
towing for disabled vehicles.
- Takes the anxiety out of uncertain situations by
providing easy access to service professionals trained
to work with Buick owners, 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year, including weekends and holidays.
For details
on Buick Premium Roadside Assistance,
please consult your Buick Premium Roadside Assistance
owner booklet included with your owner’s manual. For
needed assistance, call
the Buick Premium Roadside
Assistance toll-free
hotline: 1-800-252- 11 12.
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Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive
Roadside Assistance program accessible from anywhere
in Canada or the United States. Please refer to the
separate brochure provided by the dealer or call
1-800-268-6800 for emergency services.
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Courtesy Transportation
To Buick Motor Division, Quality Means Service -- and
service means “keeping you on the road.”
Included with your 1996 Buick new car warranty
(36 month/36,000 miles (60,000 km), whichever occurs
first), is Courtesy Transportation,
a program which will
provide Buick retail customers with:
- Reimbursement toward a loaner vehicle, courtesy of
Buick Motor Division, for up to five days for
vehicles requiring overnight warranty repairs. Also,
reimbursement up to $30 a day (five days maximum)
may be available for the cost of a rental car,
bus or
even a cab.
- A free one-way shuttle ride up to 10 miles from the
dealership is available for customers whose vehicles
require same-day warranty repairs. Courtesy Transportation is Buick’s way
of extending
the
Premium Service you’ve come to expect from Buick
and its 3,000 dealers. Please review
the Courtesy
Transportation glove box card contained in your vehicle,
or consult your Buick dealer for details.
Some state insurance regulations make it impractical to
rent vehicles to people under
21 years of age. If you are
under
21 and have difficulty renting a vehicle, Buick
will reimburse you up to $30/day, for any documented
transportation you receive. Please consult your dealer
for details.
For warranty repairs during
the Complete Vehicle
Coverage period in
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty,
interim transportation may be available under the
Courtesy Transportation program. Please consult your
dealer for details. The Courtesy Transportation program
is available only
in the United States and Canada.
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Service and Owner Publications
Service manuals, service bulletins, owner’s manuals and
other service literature are available for purchase for all
current and many past model General Motors vehicles.
Toll-free telephone numbers for ordering information:
United States
............... 1-800-55 1-4123
Canada .................... 1-800-668-5539
Service Manuals
Service manuals contain diagnostic and repair
information for all chassis and body systems. They may
be useful for owners who wish to get
a greater
understanding of their vehicle. They are also useful for
owners with the appropriate skill level or training who
wish to perform “do-it-yourself” service. These are
authentic General Motors service manuals meant for
professional, qualified technicians.
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Service Bulletins
Service bulletins covering various subjects are regularly
sent to all General Motors dealerships. GM monitors
product performance in the field. When service methods
are found which promote better service on GM vehicles,
bulletins are created
to help the technician perform
better service. Service bulletins may involve any
number of vehicles. Some will describe inexpensive
service; others will describe expensive service. Some
will advise of new or unexpected conditions, and others
may help avoid future costly repairs. Service bulletins
are meant for qualified technicians. In some cases
bulletins refer to service manuals, specialized tools, equipment and safety procedures necessary to service
the vehicle. Since these bulletins are issued throughout
the model year and beyond, an index is required and
published quarterly to help identify specific bulletins.
Subscriptions are available. You can order an index at
the toll-free numbers listed previously, or ask a GM
dealer to see an index or individual bulletin.
Owner Publications
Owner’s manuals, warranty folders and various owner
assistance booklets provide owners with general
operation and maintenance information.
8-10 -
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I.
Adjustment .................................. 6-32
Master Cylinder
............................... 6-30
Fluid
......................................... 6-30
Parking
.. i.................................. 2-27
Pedal Travel
.... -. ............................... 6-32
Replacing System Parts
......................... 6-33
System Warning Light
......................... 2-71
Trailer
....................................... 4-34
Transaxle Shift Interlock
....................... 2-30
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-40
Wear
......................................... 6-32
Brakes, Anti-Lock.
............................... 4-6
Braking
........................................ :4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle
.......................... 2-19
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-46
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-34
Braking
in Emergencies ............................ 4-9
BTSI
......................................... 2-3 0
BTSICheck ................................... 7-40
Canadian Roadside Assistance
..... 1. ............. 8-4
Capacities apd Specifications
........................ 6-64
Carbon Monoxide
......... : .......... 2-31,2-32, 4-27
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-38
Cassette Tape Player
.................. 3-14,3-17, 3-24
Cassette Tape Player Care
......................... 3-3 1
Cassette Tape Player Errors
........ : .... 3-14,3-18, 3-25
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature
.................. 3-27
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-24
Central Door Unlocking System
.................... 2-4
. .
Certification Label .......................... !’. ... 4-29
Certification/”ire Label
..................... 4.28, 4.29
Chains. Tire
......... ; ......................... 6-46
Chains.
Safety
.................................. 4-34
Change Oil
Soon Light .......................... 2-80
Changing
a Flat Tire ............................. 5-22
Check Engine Light
............................. 2-75
Check Oil Level Light
........................... 2-79
Checking Your. Restraint Systems
.................. 1-44
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-54
Child Restraints
................................ 1-33
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position
... .. ....... 1-35
Securing in the Center
. Rear Seat Position .......... 1-37
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-39
TopStrap
.................................... 1- 34
Where to Put
................................. 1-33
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-61
Circuit Breakers
and Fuses ....................... 6-58
Cleaner.
Air ................................... 6-17
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
........................ ’ .... 6-53
Fabric
...................................... 6-48
Glass
....................................... 6-51
Inside
of Your Buick .......................... 6-47
InstrumentPanel
............................. 6-50
Leather
..................................... 6-49
Outside of Your Buick
.......................... 6-52
Speaker Covers
............................. .. 6-50
Stains
...................................... 6-48
Tires ........................................ 6-53
Special
Problems
............................ 6-48
Vinyl
....................................... 6-49
9-2
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Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-39
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2-21
Keyless Entry System. Remote
Instant Alarm
................................. 2-8
Personal Choice
............................... 2-8
Keys
.......................................... 2-1
Labels Certification
................................. 4-29
Certificationflire
............................. 4-28
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-56
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-28
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-56
Lamps
........................................ 2-43
Courtesy
.................................... 2-47
Interior
..................................... 2-46
Monitor System
.............................. 2-45
OnReminder
................................ 2-44
Perimeter Lighting
............................ 2-48
TheaterDimming
............................. 2-47
Leaving
Your Vehicle ............................. 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-29
License Plate Holder
............................ 2-63
Light Sensor. Twilight Sentinel
.................... 2-46
Lights Lighter
....................................... 2-61 .
Air Bag Readiness ....................... 1 - 18. 2-70
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-72.4-6
Battery Warning
.............................. 2-70 Brake System Warning
......................... 2-71
ChangeOilSoon
............................. 2-80
CheckEngine
................................ 2-75
DoorAjar
................................... 2-81
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
............. 2-74
Engine Oil Pressure Light/Gage
................. 2-78
Interior
..................................... 2-46
Low Coolant Warning
......................... 2-75
LowFuel
................................... 2-82
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 2-79
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-6, 2-69
Traction Control System Warning
............ 2-73, 4-8
TrunkAjar .................................. 2-81
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-28
Locks Cylinders
................................... 7-39
Door
........................................ 2-3
FuelDoor
.................................... 6-6
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-39
Lockout Protection
............................. 2-7
Memory Door
................................. 2-4
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-4
Rear Door Security
............................. 2-6
Steering Column Lock Check
................... 7-40
Trunk
...................................... 2-13
Window
.................................... 2-33
Low Coolant Warning Light
...................... 2-75
LowFuelLight
................................ 2-82
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-43
Lubrication Service, Body
........................ 7-39
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Magnasteer ................................. 4.9
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts
............ 6-66
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-45
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Long Tripmghway Definition
................... 7-5
Long Tripmighway Intervals
.................... 7-27
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-38
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-42
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-43
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-3
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-4
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-6
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-54
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-75
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-1
Maxifuse/Relay Center
.......................... 6-58
Memory Door Locks
............................. 2-4
Memory Seat and Mirrors
......................... 1-2
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-50
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-55
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview
.............. 2-5 1
Heated Outside ............................... 2-55
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-50
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-54
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-62
MountainRoads
................................ 4-22
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-34
Maintenance When
Trailer Towing
................. 4-37
MMT
......................................... 6-4 Net.
Convenience
.............................. 2-60
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-24
New Vehicle Break-In
........................... 2-19
Nightvision
................................... 4-15
Odometer
.................................... 2-68
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-68
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4-11
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-12
Oil Level Check Light
........................... 2-79
Oil Pressure Light/Gage .......................... 2-78
Oil. Supercharger
............................... 6-19
Opener. Garage Door
............................ 2-56
Overdrive. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-25
Overheating Engine
............................. 5-12
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-38
Owner Publications. Ordering
...................... 8-9
Paint Spotting. Chemical
........................ 6-54
Park Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-23
Shifting Into
................................. 2-28
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-30
AtNight
.................................... 2-16
Brake
...................................... 2-27
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-41
Lots
....................................... 2-16
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-31
With a Trailer
................................ 4-36
Parking
9-7
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Passenger Temperature Control .................... 3- 1 I
Passing ................................ 4-12
PASS-Key
I1 2-18
Perimeter Lighting
.............................. 2-48
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-42
Personal Choice Features. Keyless Entry
............. 2-8
Power
Antenna Mast Care
............................ 3-32
Antennaservice
.............................. 7-39
DoorLocks
................................... 2-4
Remote Control Mirror
........................ 2-54
Seat
......................................... 1-1
Seatback Recliner
.............................. 1-4
Steering ..................................... 4-9
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-28
Windows
................................... 2-33
Power, Retained Accessory
....................... 2-21
Power Seat
Memory Function
.............................. 1-2
Regnancy, Use of Safety Belts .................... 1-23
Problems on the Road
............................ 5- 1
Protection, Lockout .............................. 2-7
Publications, Service and Owner
.................... 8-9
Pull-Down Feature, Automatic, Trunk .............. 2- 15
... *'b. .................................
Radiator ................................ 5.14. 5.19
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... 6-27
Radio Reception
................................ 3-30
Radios
....................................... 3-12
Rain. Driving In
................................ 4- 16 Reading
Lamps
................................ 2-49
Rear Door Security Locks
........................... 2-6
Outside Seat Position
.......................... 1-25
Seatpassengers
.............................. 1-25
Storage Armrest
.............................. 2-59
Towing
..................................... 5 . 10
Safety Belt Comfort Guides
..................... 1-29
Window Defogger
............................ 3-10
Electrochromic Daymight
...................... 2-51
Reclining Front Seatbacks
......................... 1-4
Rearview Mirror
Inside Daymight
............................. 2-50
Recovery Tank. Coolant ..................... 5- 14. 5- 16
Refrigerants. Air Conditioning
.................... 6-65
Remote Fuel Door Release
............................. 6-6
Keyless Entry. Instant Alarm
..................... 2-8
Keyless Entry. Personal Choice
................... 2-8
Trunk Release
................................ 2-13
Bulbs
...................................... 6-63
Parts
....................................... 6-66
Wheel
...................................... 6-45
Replacing Safety Belts
........................... 1-44
Reporting Safety Defects
...................... 8-7. 8.8
Restraints Checking
................................... 1-44
Child
....................................... 1-33
Head ........................................ 1-5
Keyless Entry ................................. 2-7
Replacement
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Replacing Parts After a Crash ................... 1-44
Systemcheck
................................ 7-39
Reverse. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-24
Ride Control. Automatic
......................... 2-26
Right Front Passenger Position
.................... 1-23
Roadside Assistance
.............................. 8-4
Roadside Assistance. Canadian
..................... 8-4
Rocking Your Vehicle
........................... 5-35
Rotation. Tires
................................. 6-41
Safety Belt Extender
............................ 1-44
Safety Belts
.................................... 1-6
Adults
...................................... 1-11
Care
....................................... 6-50
Center Passenger Position
...................... 1-24
Children
.................................... 1-31
Driver Position
............................... 1 - 1 1
Extender .................................... 1-44
How to Wear Properly
......................... 1 - 1 1
Incorrect Usage .................... 1 - 13, 1-42, 1-43
LapBelt
.................................... 1-24
Lap-Shoulder
........................... 1 - 11, 1-26
Larger Children
.............................. 1-41
Questions and Answers
........................ 1 - 10
Rear Comfort Guides
.......................... 1-29
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions
............ 1-25
Rear Seat Passengers
.......................... 1-25
Reminder Light
.......................... 1-6, 2-69
Replacing After a Crash
........................ 1-44
Right Front Passenger Position
.................. 1-23 Shoulder
Belt Height Adjuster
................... 1-12
Smaller Children and Babies
.................... 1-31
Use During Pregnancy
......................... 1-23
WhyThey Work
............................... 1-7
Safety Chains
.................................. 4-34
Safety Defects. Reporting
..................... 8-7. 8-8
Safety Warnings and Symbols
...................... v111
Scheduled Maintenance Services .................... 7-3
Seatback
Power Recliner
................................ 1-4
Reclining Front
............................... 1-4
Heated
...................................... 1-3
ManualFront
................................. 1-1
Memory ..................................... 1-2
Power
....................................... 1-1
Seat Controls
................................. 1-1
Securing a Child Restraint
............ 1-35. 1-37. 1-39
Second Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................. 2-25
Service
........................................ 6-1
Bulletins. Ordering
............................. 8-9
Manuals. Ordering
............................. 8-9
Parts Identification Label
....................... 6-56
Publications. Ordering
.......................... 8-9
Work. Doing Your Own
......................... 6-2
Service and Appearance Care
...................... 6-1
Service and Owner Publications
.................... 8-9
Service Publications
.............................. 8-9
...
Seats
Restraint Systems
.............................. 1 . 1
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Buick ............ 1-22
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I t.
I 1
Chains ..................................... 6-46
Changing a Flat
.............................. 5-22
Cleaning
.................................... 6-53
. Compact Spare ............................... 5-34
Inflation
.................................... 6-40
. Inflation Check ............................... 7-38
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-41
Loading
.................................... 4-28
Pressure
...................................... 6-40
Temperature
................................. 6-44
Traction
.................................... 6-44
Treadwear
.................................... 6-43
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-43
Wear Indicators
............................... 6-42
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-45
When It's Time for New
....................... 6-42
TorqueLock
.................................... 2-30
Torque, Wheel
Nut ......................... 5-31, 6-64
Towing
8 Trailer ................................ 4-30
Towing Your Vehicle
.............................. 5-7
Traction
Control System
................................ 4-8
Control System Wasrning Light
.............. 2-73, 4-8
Brakes
.'.................................... 4-34
DrivingonGrades
............................ 4-36
Drivingwith
................................. 4-34
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-37
TopStrap
...................................... 1-34
Trailer Hitches
..................................... 4-33 Parking
on
Hills .............................. 4-36
Safety Chains
................................ 4-34
Tongueweight
............................... 4-32
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-33
Turnsignals
................................. 4-36
Weight
...................................... 4-32
Transaxle Fluid .Automatic
.........?......................... 6-20
Transmitters, Remote Keyless Entry
................. 2-7
Transportation, Courtesy
........ .I ................. 8-5
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-68
TrUnk AjarLight
................................... 2-81
Automatic Pull-Down Feature
................... 2-15
Release, Remote
.............................. 2-13
Towing
..................................... 4-30
Lock
....................................... 2-13
SecurityOverride
.............................. 2-14
TrUnkLamp
................................... 2-50
TTYUsers
..................................... 8-3
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
............. 2-35
Turn Signal On Chime
........................... 2-36
Turn SignalNultifunction Lever
................... 2-34
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-36
Twilight Sentinel
............................... 2-46
. underbody Flushing Service ..................... 7-41
Underbody Maintenance
......................... 6-54
l Universal Theft-Deterrent System .................. 2-16
.. ~~ i %ll ..
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