oil BUICK PARK AVENUE 1996 User Guide

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant
level isn’t at or above the FULL COLD
mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean water (preferably distilled) and
DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) antifreeze
at the coolant recovery tank.
(See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index for more information.)
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 50/50 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL TM antifreeze.
I NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mix.
5-16
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Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could
fall off, causing a serious accident.
Replace the wheel nuts
with the rounded end
of
the nuts toward the
wheel. Tighten each nut
by hand until the wheel
is held against the hub.
10. Lower the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
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In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called
MMT. If you use such fuels, your
emission control system performance may deteriorate
and the malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument
panel may turn on. If this happens, return to your
authorized Buick dealer for service.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines are now required to
contain additives that will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine and fuel system, allowing your
emission control system to function properly. Therefore,
you should not have to add anything to the fuel. In
addition, gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be
available in your area to help clean the air. General
Motors recommends that
you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specifications described earlier.
I NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t be covered under your warranty.
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text
on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use
of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell
us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation
North American Export Sales
(NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
6-4
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NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for
you. If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
Checking Things Under the Hood
I
I
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any
underhood electric fan.
I
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start
a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber.
You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto
a hot engine.
Hood Release
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wv DCIIC~ II [~uut: n) u~gmc (L36)
When you open the hood on the 3800 (L36) engine, here’s what you will see:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B. Battery
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
D. Engine Oil Dipstick E.
Oil
Fill Cap
E Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Dipstick
G. Brake Master Cylinder
.. ,.
H. Air Cleaner
I. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir
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3800 Supercharged (L67) Engine (Option)
When you open the hood on the 3800 Supercharged engine, here's what you will see:
... . .
A. Supercharged Engine Coolant
B. Battery
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
Surge
Tank D. Supercharged
Engine Oil
E. Supercharged Oil Fill Cap
F. Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Dipstick
Dipstick
-.
G. Brake
Master Cylinder
H. Air Cleaner
I. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir
6-11
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Your Park Avenue Ultra has a 3800 Supercharged
engine. Buick chose supercharging rather than
turbocharging because Buick emphasizes smooth,
refined power.
The supercharger
is a device which is designed to pump
more air into the engine than it would normally use.
This air mixed with fuel creates increased engine power.
Since the supercharger is a pump and is driven from an
engine accessory drive belt, increased pressure is available at all driving conditions.
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) works with a
vacuum control to regulate the increased pressure
required during specific driving conditions. When this increased pressure or boost is not desired, such as during
idling and light throttle cruising, the excess air that the
supercharger is pumping is routed through a bypass. All
of these controls working together provide high
performance character and fuel efficiency in the
3800 V6 Supercharged Buick engine.
The power steering pump and reservoir are mounted
on the rear (driver’s side)
of the engine block. See
“Maintenance Schedule” in the Index for when you
should check the fluid.
Engine Oil
If the CHECK OIL
LEVEL light on the
instrument panel
comes on, it means
CHECK OIL you need to check
LEVEL your engine oil level
right away.
For more information, see “Check Oil Level Light” in
the Index. You should check your engine oil level
regularly; this is an added reminder.
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It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
Turn off the engine and give
the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan.
If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the
actual level.
Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check
the level.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need
to add some oil. But you must use
the right kind. This
part explains what kind of oil
to use. For crankcase
capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.\

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NOTICE:
I
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating range, your engine could be damaged.
Add engine oil at the engine oil fill cap next to the
oil dipstick.
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol
indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
If you change your
own oil, be sure you
use oil that has the
Starburst symbol on
the front of the oil
container.
If you have
your oil changed
for
you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is
American Petroleum
Institute certified for
gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
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As shown in the chart, SAE 1OW-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use
SAE 5W-30 if it’s going
to be colder than
60°F (1 6°C) before your next oil
change. When it’s very cold, 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 20W-50.
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAL VISCOSITY GRADE
OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER SYMBOL
- OF i
tlOOr
+80-
+ 60-
+40-
+ 20 -
0-
’ I +38 OC
i +27
j
I NOTICE:
6E I 1OW-30
PREFERRED above 0°F (-1nOcl
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
“Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage not
covered
by your warranty.
+4
-7
- 18 I-
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
SAE 5W-30 , -- -,
7n.gine Oil __. W
COLD Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Buick dealer is
ready
to advise if you think something should be added. WEATHER
DO NOT USE SA€ 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
0-15
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