BUICK PARK AVENUE 1996 Owners Manual

Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle
in good working condition. But we don’t know
exactly how you’ll drive
it. You may drive very short
distances only a few times a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your
vehicle in making deliveries. Or
you may drive it to work, to do errands or in many
other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their GM
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than you’ll find
in the schedules in this section.
So please read this
section and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good
condition, see your Buick dealer. The
proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in
Part
D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses
these. All parts should be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you or anyone else drives
the vehicle.
These schedules are for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will find these limits on your vehicle’s
Tire-Loading Information label. See “Loading Your
Vehicle’’ in the Index.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits
.
use the recommended fuel. See “Fuel” in the Index.
Selecting the Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right
for your vehicle. Here’s how to decide which
schedule to follow:
This part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when you should schedule them. If you
go to your dealer for your service needs, you’ll know
that GM-trained and supported service people will
perform the work using genuine GM parts.
7-3
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
I Short Trip/City Definition
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
0 Most. trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top
of your vehicle.
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down soonel:
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
(or 6 months, whichever occurs first).
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) -- Then Every
12,000 Miles (20
000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Supercharger Oil Check
(or every 36 months,
whichever occurs first) (3.8L Code
1 engine only).
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to.follow the complete m.aintenance schedule on
the 7-4
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of th,
conditions from the Short Trip/City Maintenance
Schedule
is true.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine
oil to break
down slower.
dvery 7,500 Miles (12 500 h): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
Chassis Lubrication (or every
12 months, whichever
occurs first).
At 7,500 Miles (12 500 km) -- Then Every
15,000 Miles (25
000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Supercharger Oil
Check (or every
36 months, whichever occurs first)
(3.8L Code
1 engine only). Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
7-5
ProCarManuals.com

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) at the same intervals.
Footnotes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
* If your vehicle has an Engine Oil Life Monitor, the
monitor will show you when
to change the oil -- usually
between
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and 7,500 miles
(1 2 500 km) since your last oil change. Under
severe conditions the indicator may come on before
3,000 miles (5 000 km). Never drive your vehicle more
than
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months, (whichever
occurs first), without an oil change.
The system won’t detect dust in the oil.
So if you
drive in
a dusty area be sure to change your oil every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE OIL
light comes on. Remember to reset the Oil Life Monitor
when the oil has been changed. For more information,
see “Engine Oil Life Monitor” in the Index.
7-6
ProCarManuals.com

I
I 1
I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. *
t
DATE
SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
6,000 Miles (10 000 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).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation”
in the Index for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
During .tire rotation,
check brake calipers for fieedom of movement.
Refer to the appropriate
GM service manual for
proper caliper service procedures.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
.. , 7-7
ProCarManuals.com

I Short TriplCity Maintenance Schedule I
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. *
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE
I
1
SERVICED BY
12,000 Miles (20 000 km)
I7 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 ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY
ProCarManuals.com

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Corztrol Service. *
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace filter if
necessary.
An Emission Control Service.
I 18,000 Miles (30 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs fist).
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).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation”
in
the Index for proper rotation pattern and
additional information. During tire rotation,
check brake calipers for freedom
of movement.
Refer
to the appropriate GM service manual for
proper caliper service procedures.
DATE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
DATE
SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
~ I -
~~ 7-9
ProCarManuals.com

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
21,000 Miles (35 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. *
I DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE ISERVICED BY I
24,000 Miles (40 000 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).
DATE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
7-10
ProCarManuals.com

I -7
1 Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
27,000 Miles (45 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. *
DATE
SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
17 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).
0 Replace air cleaner filter.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect fuel tank, cap and lines for damage
or leaks. Inspect fuel cap gasket for any
damage. Replace parts as needed.
An Emission Control Service.
(Continued)
7-11
ProCarManuals.com

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
30,000 Miles (50 000 km) (Continued)
Ll For Supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add oil as needed
(or every
36 months, whichever occurs
first). See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in this section.
An Emission Control Service. 3-
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation’’ in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. During
tire rotation, check brake calipers for
freedom of movement. Refer to the
appropriate’
GM service: manual for proper
caliper service procedures.
I DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
33,000 Miles (55 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. *
I DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
L
7-12
ProCarManuals.com