warning light BUICK PARK AVENUE 1996 Owner's Manual

When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
0
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner.
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first. (See “Change Oil Soon” in the Index.)
If none of them is true, change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
If the optional CHANGE OIL SOON light comes on,
you will need to change your oil sooner than either
mileage specified. Depending upon driving habits, the
CHANGE OJL SOON light may come on as early as
2,000 miles
or less from the last time the oil life monitor
was reset. (See “Oil Life Monitor” in the Index.)
Always
reset the
oil life monitor after every oil change.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment.
If you
change your own oil, be sure
to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
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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.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a pint
(0.5 L). Don’t ovel-fill. We recommend you use only
fluid labeled DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that
label is made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON-I11 is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
dipstick hole to
bring it to the proper level.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
0 When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in your
vehicle for
5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
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.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Buick will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
9 Give boiling protection up to 265 OF ( 129 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at
all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a
leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
There are only
two reasons why the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might go down. ,The first is that the brake fluid
goes down to
an acceptable level during normal brake
1 lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid level
I goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out
of the brake system.
If it is, you should have your brake !
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is hot
enough. You or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come
on. A chime will sound if you
try to drive with this warning light on. See “Brake
System
Warning Light” in the Index.
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Brake Wear
Your Buick has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and
go
or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except
when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
The brake wear warning sound means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well. That could
lead to an accident. When
you hear the brake
wear warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with
your brakes.
Free movement of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary
to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to
GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but
if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected. Also, the rear brake drums
should be removed and inspected each time the tires
are
removed for rotation or changing. When you have the
front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
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n
Section 9 In
Air Bag ...................................... 1 . 17
How Does it Restrain .......................... 1-21
How it Works ................................ 1 . 19
Location
.................................... 1-19
Readiness Light
......................... 1.18. 2.70
What Makes
it Inflate .......................... 1-20
What Will You See After it Inflates
............... 1-21
When
Should it Inflate ......................... 1-20
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-17
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-6
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-65
Air Control. Climate Control System
............. 3.1. 3-3
Alarm. Instant. Keyless Entry
...................... 2-8
Alarm. Universal Theft-Deterrent
.................. 2- 16
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-44
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-53
Antenna. Power
................................ 3-32
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-23
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
................ 2.72. 4.6
Brakes
...................................... 4-6
Anti.Theft. Radio
.............................. 3-27
Appearancecare
............................... 6-47
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-55
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-6
Servicing
................................... 1-22
Armrest.
Storage
............................... 2-59
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-61
Astroroof
..................................... 2-63
Audio Controls. Steering Wheel Touch Control
....... 3-29
Audio Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-30
Audio Systems
................................. 3-12
Automatic ComforTemp Climate Control
............. 3-3
Automatic Pull-Down Feature. Trunk
............... 2-15
Automatic Overdrive
................................... 2-25
Ride Control
................................. 2-26
Transaxle Check
.............................. 7-39
Transaxle Fluid
............................... 6-20
Transaxle Operation
........................... 2-23
Transaxle Park Mechanism Check
................ 7-41
Battery
...................................... 6-33
Jump Starting
................................. 5-2
Replacement. Keyless Entry
.................... 2-12
Rundown Protection
........................... 2-50
Warning Light
............................... 2-70
Warnings
................................ 5.2. 5.4
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-6
Belt. Engine Accessory
..................... 6.67. 6.68
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-6
9-1
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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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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
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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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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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Vehicle Control
...................................... 4-5
Damage Warnings ................................ ix
Dimensions ................................. 6-66
Loading .................................... 4-28
Storage ...................................... 6-33
Identification Number ......................... 6-56
Ventilation System ............................... 3-7
Visor Vanity Mirrors ............................ 2-62
Visors, Sun .................................... 2-62
Voltage Indicator ................................ 2-7 1
warning Devices ........................... 5.1. 5.2
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators ................ 2-69
Washer Fluid. Windshield ........................ 6-29
Washing Your Vehicle .. : ........................ 6-52
Weatherstrips ................................... 6-52
Wheel
Alignment
.................................. 6-44
LockKey ................................... 5-25
Replacement ............................... : .. 6-45
Nut Torque ............................. 5-31, 6-64
Wrench ..................................... 5-23
Express-Down ............................... 2-33
Fluid ................................... 2-38, 6-29
Fluid Level Check ............................ 7-38
Windshield Wiper ............................... 2-37
Blade Replacement ........................... 6-38
Winter Driving ................................. 4-24
Wiring, Headlamp ............................... 6-57
WindowLock .................................. 2-33
Windows ..................................... 2-33
Power ...................................... 2-33
Windshield Washer ............................. 2-38
Fuses ....................................... 6-57
WreckerTowing ................................. 5-7
Wrench ,Wheel ................................. 5-24
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