towing BUICK PARK AVENUE 1996 Owner's Manual

Rear Towing
Tow Limits -- $5 mpht(88 kmlh), 500 miles (800 km)
Attach T-hook chains on
both sides in the slotted
holes
in the floor pan
support rails just ahead of
the rear wheels.
Attach a separate safety chain around the outboard end
of each. lower control arrn.
ProCarManuals.com

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice
or Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must use caution.
If you let your tires SI at high speed, they can
explode,
and you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts
of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
I NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires.
If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in the Index.
Rocking your vehicle
to get it out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If your vehicle
has traction control, you should turn the system off. (See
“Traction Control System” in the Index.) Then shift
back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward
gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release
the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly
on the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear. If
that doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see
“Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.
ProCarManuals.com

How to Check and Add Oil
Check oil only when the engine is cold. Allow the
engine to cool two to three hours after running.
r
I
If you remove the supercharger oil fill plug while
the engine is hot, pressure may cause hot oil to
blow out of the oil fill hole. You may be burned.
Do not remove the plug until the engine cools.
1. Remove the wiring harness shield.
2. Clean the area around the oil fill plug before
removing
it.
3. Remove the oil fill plug using a 3/16 Allen wrench.
4. The oil level is correct when it just reaches the
bottom
of the threads of the inspection hole.
5. Replace the oil plug with the O-ring in place. Torque
to
88 lb-in (10 N-m).
6. Replace wiring harness shield.
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.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more
of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90 OF (32 O C) or higher.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the
Index.
ProCarManuals.com

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
48,000 Miles (80 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. *
0 Lubricate the suspension, steering linkage,
transaxle shift linkage, parking brake cable
guides and the underbody contact points and linkage (or every
6 months, whichever
occurs first).
I DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE ISERVICED BY: I
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 OF
(32 O C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, thefluid andfilter
do not require changing.
delivery service.
I DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE I SERVICED BY I
ProCarManuals.com

I Short TriplCity Maintenance .Schedule 1
100,QOO Miles (166 QUO h) (Continued)
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 OF
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid andfilter do not require changing.
delivery service.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE
i
SERVICED BY:
ProCarManuals.com

3 Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule
-
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. *
0 Lubricate the suspension, steering linkage,
transaxle shift linkage, parking brake cable guides and the underbody contact points
and linkage (or every
12 months, whichever
occurs first).
i
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE . SERVICED BY:
I
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter
if the vehicle
is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 OF
(32°C) or higher.
.- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found 'in taxi, police or
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid andfilter do not require changing.
delivery service.
7-31
ProCarManuals.com

0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more
of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 OF
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
If you do not use your vehicle undeT any of these
conditions, the fluid andfilter do not require changing.
delivery service.
I DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
7-37
ProCarManuals.com

P--%de Assistar-
n
c 7
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.
lian Kc ds e L
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.
ProCarManuals.com

Wheels ..................................... 6-53
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-51
Climate Control. Steering Wheel Touch Control
....... 3- 11
Climate Control System ........................... 3- 1
Clock. Setting the ............................... 3-12
Coinholder
.................................... 2-59
Comfort Controls
................................ 3 - 1
Compact Disc Care
............................. 3-3 1
Compact Disc Player
....................... 3- 18. 3.22
Compact Disc Player Errors
.................. 3.20. 3.25
Comfort Controls. Steering Wheel
Touch Control
..... 3- 11
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-34
Compass. Rearview Mirror with
................... 2-52
Control of a Vehicle
.............................. 4-5
Convenience Net
............................... 2-60
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-55
Coolant
....................................... 6-23
Heater, Engine
............................... 2-22
Recovery Tank
.......................... 5-14. 5-16
Cooling System
................................ 5- 14
Cornering Lamps
............................... 2-45
Courtesy Lamps
................................. 2-47
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-5
Cruise Control
................................. 2-39
Cupholders
.................................... 2-59
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8- 1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8- 1
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users ......... 8-3
Damage. Finish
............................... 6-54
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-53 Daytime Running
Lamps
......................... 2-44
Dead Battery
................................... 5-2
Defensive Driving
............................... 4-1
Defogger. Rear Window
......................... 3 . 10
Defogging ..................................... 3-9
Defrosting
..................................... 3-9
Dimensions. Vehicle
............................ 6-66
Dolby
B Noise Reduction .............. 3-14.3-17. 3-25
Door Ajar Reminder
............................... 2-81
Central Unlocking System
....................... 2-4
Locks
....................................... 2-3
Driver Position
................................. 1 . 11
Driving
City
........................................ 4-19
Defensive
.................................... 4-1
Drunken ..................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-20
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-26
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
In
the Rain .................................. 4-16
Night
...................................... 4-14
On Curves
................................... 4-9
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-22
OnSnowandIce
............................. 4-25
Throughwater
............................... 4-18
WetRoads
.................................. 4-16
Winter
...................................... 4-24
With a Trailer
................................ 4-34
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-2
Defects. Reporting
Safety
..................... 8-7 . 8-8
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-36
9-3
ProCarManuals.com

Electrical Equipment. Adding ............... 3.30. 6.57
Electrical System
............................... 6-57
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-5 1
Electronic Level Control ......................... 4-30
Electronic Touch Climate Control
................... 3- 1
Engine
.................................. 6.10. 6.11
Accessory Belt
.......................... 6.67. 6.68
Coolant
..................................... 6-23
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-22
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-38
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-74
Coolant Temperature Warning Light
.............. 2-74
Exhaust
..................................... 2-31
Identification
................................ 6-56
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-38
Overheating
................................. 5-12
Running While Parked
......................... 2-32
Specifications
................................ 6-65
Starting
..................................... 2-21
Engineoil
.................................... 6- 12
Adding
..................................... 6-13
Supercharged
................................ 6-11
Additives
................................... 6-15
Checking
................................... 6-13
LifeMonitor
................................. 2-80
Pressure Light/Gage
........................... 2-78
Used
....................................... 6-16
Whentochange
.............................. 6-16
Entry Lighting. Delayed
.......................... 2-47
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-31 Exit Lighting. Delayed
........................... 2-47
Express-Down Window
.......................... 2-33
Express-Open Sunroof
........................... 2-63
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-48
Fan Control. Climate Control System
........ 3.2.3.4. 3.5
Filling Your Tank ................................ 6-5
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-17
Filter. Engine Oil
............................... 6-16
Finish Care
.................................... 6-52
Finish Damage
................................. 6-54
First Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-26
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-1
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-22
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-64
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-43
Foreign Countries, Fuel
........................... 6-4
French Language Manual
11
Front Storage Armrest ........................... 2-59
FrontTowing
................................... 5-9
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Canada
...................................... 6-4
DoorLock
................................... 6-6
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-82
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-58
.. ...........................
9-4
ProCarManuals.com